How to Apply for an H-1B Visa

For an overview of the H-1B visa processing procedure, consult our flow chart (available as a PDF document).

From the Department

The supervisor should complete the H-1B Petition Request form, which outlines the requirement for a memorandum of support from the principal investigator (PI) and department chair to HJF senior management. This memorandum should contain the signature of both the PI and the department chair. The supervisor should also submit a copy of the job description.

The department has a choice of paying for all or a portion of the fees. These fees are charged by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Foundation processes the payment directly to USCIS. The department can:

Pay for all costs for the visa out of your cost center;
Require the candidate to pay all costs associated with the visa; or
Split the cost in some way (e.g., the department absorbs the cost of the premium processing and the candidate pays for the visa, itself).
The visa fees for processing an H-1B visa are: $690 for all H-1B applicants, $190 for renewals with the same employer.
Premium Processing Fees: $1,000. This $1,000 fee is optional and it is to expedite the application so it is processed by USCIS within 15 business days from when they receive the application. When the premium processing fee is paid it is in addition to the regular fee ($690 or $190).

If the department is willing to pay all or a portion of the cost to process the petition, a completed Direct Fund Disbursement/Reimbursement form (HJF #334) should be submitted, along with the correct cost center information.

Programs located at USU

Program representatives wishing to sponsor foreign nationals must complete Form 1325, Proposal for Admitting International Student(s)/Scholar(s) to USU. Applications and proposals concerning foreign nationals who wish to work on the USU campus should be referred to the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs (ADA) for administrative review and approval. No international student or scholar will be accepted for any activity within the University (to include degree programs, clinical clerkships, research affiliations, etc.) without approval by the ADA or the Dean, School of Medicine (SOM) or the Dean, Graduate School of Nursing (GSN).

It is the responsibility of the sponsoring USU Department to obtain approval from ADA for each international student/scholar; coordinate with appropriate USU offices; respond to each ISS in writing; and provide a letter of acceptance or justification if the applicant is rejected. For citizens of the People’s Republic of China, a lab questionnaire should be completed and submitted in addition to Form 1325.

If the student/scholar is approved for work on the USU campus, the Civilian Human Resources Directorate or the University Brigade, as appropriate, must be notified prior to the student's/scholar's departure from the University.

From the Applicant

The applicant should submit the completed H-1B Application form along with the following:

Three copies of the individual's CV or resume (three hard copies and a soft copy sent by email);
Three copies of the individual's passport;
Three copies of the individual's I-94 cards;
Three copies of the individual's visa stamp;
Three copies of the individual's highest degree obtained with certified translation if not in English;
Three copies of the individual's I-20 (if previously/currently on an F-1 visa);
Three copies of the individual's Form DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66) if previously/currently on a J-1 visa;
Three copies of the waiver notice (I-797-Notice of Action from USCIS) if a waiver was received and approved; and
A personal check made payable to the USCIS in the amount of $190 for the processing fee. If interested in the premium processing service, the applicant should write two checks made payable to the USCIS—one for the processing fee of $190 and one for the premium service of $1,000.

For an Applicant with Dependents

If the applicant would like to submit a petition for their dependents, the following documents should be submitted:

Three copies of each dependent's passport;
Three copies of each dependent's I-94 cards;
Three copies of each dependent's visa stamp;
An original I-539 form completed in blue ink, along with two copies; and
An additional $195 (check made payable to USCIS) should be sent for each application for family members requesting H-4 status.