International Affairs

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is the sole designated office for the University to process and sign Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security H-1B applications. Institutional policies preclude private legal counsel from filing applications on behalf of eligible candidates.

In accordance with institutional policy and federal regulations and in order that the Office of International Affairs (OIA) staff may determine the eligibility to sponsor the H-1B, the department chair seeking to sponsor the H-1B must complete and submit required forms according to the appropriate H-1B Checklist and H-1B Application Packet on behalf of the international visitor.

Contact OIA with any questions related to the sponsorship of the H-1B and all visa requests for initial, transfer, amendment or extension of H-1B employment status.

What is H-1B status?

An H-1B temporary worker is defined as a person who will perform services in a specialty occupation defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as one which requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge to fully perform the occupation and requires the completion of a specific course of education culminating in a baccalaureate degree or higher in a specific occupational specialty [I.N.A. 214 (i) (1)]. The H-1B petition is employer and employment specific.

Obtaining H-1B Status

H-1B status is obtained through the Office of International Affairs (OIA). The hiring department chair will initiate the request to obtain the H-1B petition with the OIA. Prior to filing the nonimmigrant petition with USCIS, a prevailing wage must be obtained from the Department of Labor (DOL) and OIA must file a Labor Condition Application with the DOL. Once filed, USCIS will issue a receipt notice as evidence that the petition has been received and will be processed. The OIA will forward the receipt number to the sponsoring department chair which can be used to check the status of the case.

In order to better assist and insure a smooth transition in obtaining H-1B status, we ask that all possible beneficiaries fill out an H-1B Biodata Form. Beneficiaries also will need to provide their immigration, employment, and educational documents to the OIA.

The sponsoring department chair must complete the H-1B Application Packet for Initial, Transfer, Amendment, or Extension of H-1B Employment Visa Status (known as "Employer Forms"):

1. H-1B Documentation Checklist
2. Actual Wage Worksheet
3. Actual Wage Memorandum
4. Employer Statement Filing of a Labor Condition Application
5. Department Request for a Prevailing Wage Determination
6. Deemed Export Control Attestation Form
7. Memo of Support

Sample Timeline for H-1B Processing (Business days)

Total timeline varies based on how quickly items are submitted to OIA, the faculty member’s unique circumstances, and the choice of regular vs. premium processing.

• If selecting premium processing for an additional $2805, plan on at least 3 months for internal and external processing.
• If selecting regular processing, plan on at least 8 months for internal and external processing.

Duration of H-1B Status

The H-1B visa status sponsorship is for a maximum of 6 years (requested in 3-year or less increments). Exceptions would include:

1. If the foreign national has spent time abroad while in H-1B status, that time is recoverable;
2. If 365 or more days have elapsed since a labor certification or I-140 benefiting the H-1B holder was filed, he or she may be eligible for a one year extension of his or her H-1B status. 

H-1B Filing Fees

There is a $35.00 Labor Condition Application (LCA) Posting Notice Fee. This fee must be paid using a TAMUSA procard. Once paid, the sponsoring department and Human Resources will receive instructions from OIA to post the LCA in their department for 10 business days (excludes holidays).  

The USCIS filling fees for an H-1B petition are as follows: 

• $460 – H-1B petition Fee (fee applies to initial and/or H-1B extensions or transfers); 

• $500 – Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee (fee applies to initial H-1B petitions only); 

• $2,805 – Premium Processing Fee (depending on the filing timeline, this fee may be optional and can be paid by the sponsoring department or the beneficiary). Typical H-1B petitions can take 3-5 months. With premium processing, the petition is processed by USCIS in 15 business days. 

These USCIS fees must be paid by a separate check, made payable to "Department of Homeland Security." Sponsoring departments may request TAMUSA checks through Accounts Payable. When the checks are ready, the sponsoring department may bring them to the OIA office. OIA will mail the checks with the H-1B petition. Note, the sponsoring department should not initiate the checks until instructed to do so by OIA. 

Premium Processing

H-1B petitions may be processed faster by USCIS for applicants who choose the Premium Processing service. The Premium Processing service provides expedited processing for certain employment-based petitions and applications. Specifically, USCIS guarantees 15 calendar day processing to those petitioners or applicants who choose to use this service. 

While USCIS guarantees 15 calendar day processing to qualifying petitioners, this time period of time only applies to USCIS reviewing of the petition and does not apply to the OIA’s processing time for any required preliminary steps to the preparation and mailing of the petition to USCIS. Preliminary steps include but are not limited to: sponsorship approval, export control, prevailing wage determination, labor conditions application, LCA notice posting (10 business days), and preparation of appropriate forms. The internal TAMUSA process may take 1.5-2.5 months depending on the speed with which forms are submitted and approved. 

Note, premium processing can be paid for either by the sponsoring department or by the beneficiary. If there is a business need for premium processing, the department must pay the fee (i.e. the beneficiary has no current work authorization).  

Amendment of H-1B Employment

The petitioner shall file an amended or new petition, with fee, with the Service Center where the original petition was filed to reflect any material changes in the terms and conditions of employment or training or the alien's eligibility as specified in the original approved petition. An amended or new H-1B petition must be accompanied by a current or new Department of Labor determination. In the case of an H-1B petition, this requirement includes a new labor condition application. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(2)(i)(E)

Title. If the title change is a promotion to a higher position within the same occupation (e.g. Research Associate to Research Scientist) an amendment is likely not necessary, however if there is a significant change in job duties and/or skills used an amendment will be needed.

Pay. In general, an increase of 10% or less will be approved if it is due to merit or equity.  Higher increases are analyzed on a case-by-case basis. 

Location. If the job location changes to a location outside of Bexar County, an amendment may be needed.

Percentage of Time. If there is any change in the percentage of time, such as from 40 hours a week to 30 or vice versa, an amendment is necessary.

Travel/Re-Entry on H-1B Status

Prior to traveling abroad, H-1B visa holders are required to inform the Office of International Affairs of their international travel plans at least two weeks prior to their scheduled departing.International travel is not advised during the middle of an H-1B petition. It is required that H-1B visa holders carry their original immigration documents as well as appropriate supporting employment documents when traveling outside the U.S. and upon re-entry.

H-1B visa holders should inform their Department Chair of international travel plans and should not plan to teach while abroad especially if they are abroad to renew their visa. Teaching classes while abroad must first be approved by Export Control which may take several weeks or months depending on the teaching location.

If the H-1B visa holder needs to renew their visa or passport while abroad, they should ensure they have enough time to do so by checking the embassy wait times. They should schedule visa appointments in advance, if feasible.  

Note, if traveling out of the country for a conference, while teaching a course, etc., they also should speak to Export Control. The University may request TAMUSA employees use a loaner laptop for international travel.   

J-1 Subject to the Two Year Home Residence Requirement Changing to H-1B Status

H-1B applicants who have ever held J-1 status and have been subject to the two-year home residence requirement must present evidence of either satisfying the requirement or having the requirement waived. Evidence of having the requirement waived is a Department of State waiver recommendation or a USCIS waiver approval (Form I-612). Those applicants who present a Department of State recommendation must be prepared to show the actual I-612 waiver approval notice when applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate. If evidence satisfying the two year home residence requirement cannot be presented, the H-1B applicant cannot be sponsored for H-1B status.

Portability

Individuals who currently hold valid H-1B status with another employer may begin employment at Texas A&M University San Antonio as soon as the petition is filed with USCIS. Under these circumstance, the individual does not have to wait for the new petition to be approved before employment commences. However, if the petition is denied, the employee's work authorization is immediately terminated.