H-1B Process

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (OVPRED) now coordinates the filing of university sponsored H-1B petitions for research center employees.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rachel Frost research.h1b@uah.edu.

 

STEP 1 - the sponsoring research center should initiate the UAH Immigration Services form.

Note: USCIS requires a $460 filing fee for all petitions. First-time H-1B petitions require a $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee. Premium processing costs an additional $2,805. Other fees may be applicable on a case-by-case basis.  Fees are subject to change without notice.  The sponsoring department should acknowledge that they are agreeing to pay the applicable fees at the time of filing.

STEP 2 – the sponsoring research center should provide Rachel Frost research.h1b@uah.edu a pdf copy of the (1) employee’s offer letter and (2) PageUp position description.  No other information should be emailed to Rachel Frost. 

STEP 3 - the employee’s supervisor should complete the Export Control Attestation

Once these steps are completed, Rachel Frost, will introduce the employee to Counsel via email in order for the employee to provide additional required information to Counsel to complete the H-1B petition.

  • Rachel Frost will be the intermediary between UAH and counsel
  • The applicant and OVPRED will provide requested information to counsel.

STEP 4 – OVPRED and the sponsoring research center will post the LCA for the required 10 business days.  Rachel Frost will send the LCA and dates for posting to the Center via email.

Counsel will file all documents with the Department of Labor and USCIS.

Any questions about the status of the petition should be directed to (research.h1b@uah.edu). 

An H-1B Visa, once approved, expires in 3 years.  An extension can be requested for an additional 3 years, for a total of 6 years.  If a Research Center is interested in retaining the employee after filing an extension, an application to sponsor the employee for Permanent Resident status should be considered and coordinated with Rachel Frost (research.h1b@uah.edu).