Communique – Volume 18, Number 3
October 2022
Greetings from the ISSO!
In this issue:
- Funding Estimates & Wage Requirements for Immigration Processing Requests
- Check-in & Clearance for New Employees, Faculty and Scholars
- Resources for Administrators
Funding Estimates & Wage Requirements for Immigration Processing Requests
- J-1 sponsorship minimum funding requirements: We have updated the minimum funding levels required for J-1 Exchange Visitor sponsorship. The new figures will be required for all new and continuing J-1 immigration processing requests. While the J-1 exchange visitor categories allow some flexibility regarding source(s) of funding, the scholar and/or the host department must demonstrate financial support to meet or exceed an established minimum funding requirement for the full period of the academic appointment. If dependents will accompany the scholar in J-2 status, we must establish that the funding is sufficient to support them as well. The updated funding estimates and more details can be found on our J-1 funding website.
- H-1B sponsorship – Department of Labor wage requirements: The H-1B process is complex process that requires several cumulative steps with various government agencies before approval is obtained. The first step in the process is to determine if the position meets the H-1B wage requirements. As part of this process, the ISSO conducts extensive research to find the DOL designated position that most closely matches the job duties and minimum requirements (including degree level, acceptable fields of study, work experience, and special skills) outlined in the immigration processing request. From there we must determine the appropriate wage level based on the information provided. The DOL data is created from an annual sampling of employers so there can be significant variations in from year to year. The H regulations require employers to pay the minimum required wage, as determined by the DOL data available (except for positions governed under a collective bargaining unit). In some cases, departments may need to increase the offered wage in order for the ISSO to proceed with the H-1B sponsorship. Unfortunately, in cases where this is not feasible, BU cannot support the H-1B sponsorship for that position. In such cases, the ISSO will inform departments if there are other options to support the position but, regrettably, there are situations where there is no viable solution to employment.
ISSO Check-in & Clearance for New Employees, Faculty and Scholars
We are excited to see so many new employees, faculty and scholars starting their new roles at BU. All new foreign-national employees, faculty and scholars are required to check-in with the ISSO prior to commencing their employment or activity at BU. This is the case whether the ISSO provided immigration processing or the incoming employee or scholar is in possession of an independently obtained employment authorization that allows for the employment or activity in your department.
The initial check-in and clearance with the ISSO can be done in-person or virtually depending on the nature of the appointment and the employment/immigration status of the employee, faculty or scholar that you are onboarding. All new J-1 exchange visitors must attend a virtual orientation session that requires advance registration. New employees who have been sponsored in the H-1B classification can schedule an in-person H orientation and overview appointment and other new employees can schedule a 15-minute in-person appointment to complete the check-in and clearance process.
All options for obtaining ISSO check-in and clearance are outlined on our ISSO Services and Appointment Scheduling webpage. Please forward that information to any arriving scholars and employees so that they can make their arrangements to obtain the clearance prior to commencing their activity or employment. New employees, faculty and scholars who prefer to complete the required process virtually are welcome to contact their ISSO Scholar Advisor to make other arrangements.
Resources for Administrators
Administrator Video Series: We have created seven short videos, each highlighting a distinct topic related to ISSO processes. These videos are a great training tool for administrators who are just starting to get familiar with ISSO processing. In addition, they are a great refresher for more seasoned administrative contacts who are looking for specific details about a particular issue.
The available videos include:
- Getting Started – Outlines the overall role of the ISSO and the key services we provide. In addition, it explains how hosting departments can determine whether immigration processing will be necessary to facilitate the employment/appointment in the department.
- Immigration Processing – Outlines the paperwork and timeline for submitting immigration processing requests to the ISSO if necessary in order to facilitate the desired appointment or employment.
- ISSO Check-in & Clearance – Emphasizes the importance of the ISSO check-in and clearance for all foreign nationals and how host departments can help to initiate this process.
- Considerations for Continuing Scholars & Employees – Emphasizes the importance of continued communication between the ISSO, host department, scholar/employee and any other relevant University stakeholders for the duration of the BU appointment/employment.
- J-1 Classification Overview – Focuses specifically on the J-1 classification in terms of the process, timing and continued compliance and communication.
- H-1B Classification Overview – Focuses specifically on the H-1B classification in terms of the process, timing and continued compliance and communication.
- OPT & STEM OPT Overview – Focuses specifically on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the STEM OPT extension in terms of process, timing and continued compliance and communication.
ISSO Administrator Trainings: To supplement our training videos, we would be happy to provide in-person and/or virtual training sessions that are customized to the specific needs of your school. Whether your administrative team prefers a broad overview of our services and processes or more specific details about particular immigration classification, we are here to help. We expect that our schedule will fill up fast so if you are interested in scheduling a specific training for your school, a joint training with other schools or colleges or a session specifically for new ISSO administrative contacts, we are happy to accommodate your needs. Please contact your scholar advisor if you would like to discuss a customized training in more detail.
The Scholar Services Team remains committed to advising and assisting our international scholar community and appreciates your continued support!