Applying from Inside the U.S.

The following instructions are for individuals who are currently in the U.S. and will be starting or changing to H-1B employment at Yale.

Sponsorship

Discuss with the hiring department whether they support sponsoring you in H-1B status.

Yale University must first establish you will be working temporarily at the University in a specialized occupation. OISS will separately work with the hiring department to collect employer related documents.  As the beneficiary of Yale visa sponsorship you will NOT have a role in completing the employer related documents.

Basic eligibility requirements for Yale H-1B sponsorship may be found here.

H-1B Request Process

Once ALL the H-1B required materials are submitted by both the hiring unit and the H-1B beneficiary, your OISS adviser will start communicating the petition status via OISS Connect. If your OISS adviser has questions or needs more information, you will hear from them by email. Otherwise, all other case progress status will be updated at the top of the screen within your H-1B record; as the case processing moves forward, it will show the most current information.  Your OISS adviser will email you confirming when the application has been sent to USCIS, and they will communicate with you on any case updates as OISS hears back from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  

See the following sections on how to complete your H-1B request file with OISS.

H-1B Application

IMPORTANT: Departure from the U.S. during your H-1B petition process by both OISS and by the USCIS affects your H-1B petition and your ability to return/stay in the U.S. All international travels during this process must be refrained. If you have an unexpected need to leave the U.S., please consult with your OISS adviser before your departure.

Step 1: Complete your OISS Connect account “Beneficiary” tab

After you receive the email “H-1B instructions for …” from your OISS adviser, complete the “Beneficiary” tab in your OISS Connect account.

  • If this is the first time you are using OISS Connect, you will also receive another email “Welcome to Scholar Portal” to give you an access.
  • If you have already established an account with your previous visa request at Yale, your username and password is unchanged. You may directly go to OISS Connect and log in with your username and password that have been previously established.

Step 2: Upload the required documents in the cloud shared folder

In this process, your OISS adviser will share a cloud folder for you to upload all the required documents listed below.

Make sure all documents are *unsecured* PDFs (files not provided in this format may cause delays in OISS review):

FOR ALL APPLICANTS:
  • H-1B Additional Information Form
  • Offer letter
  • Your C.V.
  • Your highest degree certificate, including the degree field  (this is required by USCIS).
    • If degree field is not on the certificate a copy of your transcripts (or an alternative official document that shows the degree field) is required.
    • If not in English, an English translation is also required.
    • If the degree is from outside the U.S., it is required to have a credential evaluation completed. The degree evaluation must also contain the degree field.  (Contact the company of your choice, or review the information provided here.)
  • Your I-94 record.
  • Copy of the personal data and expiration page in your passport.
    • If your passport is expiring soon, it should be renewed before arriving in the U.S.
    • If you used your old passport at the most recent entry to the U.S. (shown in your I-94), include the expired passport personal data page.
  • Current visa stamp
FURTHER DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED IF YOU:
  • Are in F-1 student status (or on F-1 optional practical training); copies of ALL of your Forms I-20 (both sides) and EAD.
  • Are in J-1/J-2 status or have ever been in J-1/J-2 status copies of ALL your Forms DS-2019, J-1/J-2 visa stamps and a copy of the waiver of the two-year home residence requirement (if applicable). If J-2, a copy of EAD if applicable.
  • Have ever been in H-1B (or L-1) status, copies of ALL previous Forms I-797 Notice of Action issued by the USCIS.
  • Are currently employed in the U.S., copies of your pay stubs for the most recent three months.
  • Have green card application pending, provide any documents related to that application (e.g. I-797 receipt/approval notice for I-140/I-130, I-797 receipt notice for I-485, EAD/Advanced Parole, etc.)
MD PATIENT CARE CLINICIANS ONLY:

If you are applying for H-1B status that includes clinical responsibilities and patient care, you must also provide (OISS will not be able to file the H-1B petition without this information):

  • Copies of your unrestricted CT State physician license, registration or certificate, if required by your specialty
  • Copies of your ECFMG certification (if your medical degree is from overseas), or a copy of your U.S. or Canadian medical degree certificate
  • Copies of ALL USMLE 1, 2, 3 results (except the U.S. medical degree holders)
  • Copies of your Board Certification (if applicable).

Accompanying Dependents Only

A spouse or unmarried children (under the age of 21) is eligible for H-4 status.

If you request, OISS may include eligible family member(s)'s H-4 visa application(s), Forms I-539 and I-539A, along with Yale's petition for university work visa sponsorship as a courtesy. Forms I-539/539A are considered the individuals' personal application(s) (in other words, it is NOT Yale University's application to the government); therefore, OISS staff is not legally authorized to assist in the dependents' application(s). Your H-4 visa applicant family members are responsible for accurately completing their Forms I-539/I539A and to provide proper supplemental evidence with their applications. Additionally, they are responsible for fully and properly complying with all laws to maintain their immigration status in the U.S., including maintaining all the legal documents associated with their H-4 status. In extreme cases it may be necessary for them or you to seek assistance from an immigration attorney. 

OISS may clarify items in Forms I-539 or I-539A if applicants need better descriptions when completing the forms. OISS can only provide general information on personal immigration matters and may suggest alternate resources for assistance if needed.

If you wish to request OISS to include their H-4 application in Yale's H-1B petition packet, please upload the following in the same cloud shared folder. Do not use the “File Online” option*, with your concurrent filing request. Please note that USCIS will directly communicate with the H-4 applicants, even if OISS submits their H-4 application(s) along with the Yale H-1B petition for you. They must look out for USCIS documents (e.g. I-797 receipt/approval notices, etc.) that will arrive in the mail. 

  • A signed Form I-539 (scanned copy is acceptable). Please note the following:
    • Thoroughly review Instructions for Form I-539 (see the “Forms and Document Downloads” section).
    • Complete Form I-539 (see the “Forms and Document Downloads” section). The form must be completed and signed by the oldest dependent family member (if multiple H-4 applicants, see below regarding I-539A) as the primary applicant, not the H-1B beneficiary.
    • If the primary applicant is under 14 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign on behalf of the minor applicant and complete Part 7 accordingly.
  • Additionally, a signed Form I-539A(s) (scanned copy (copies) is acceptable) must be included for any additional family members. Please note the following:
    • The primary applicant of the Form I-539 is not required to complete the Form I-539A.
    • Thoroughly review Instructions for Form I-539A (see the “Forms and Document Downloads” section).
    • Complete Form I-539A (see the “Forms and Document Downloads”)
    • If the I-539A applicant is under 14 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign on behalf of the minor applicant and complete Part 5 accordingly.
  • Filing fees: Application fee is $370.  See the “Filing Fee” section. This fee covers all applicants that are included in the I-539/539A (e.g. $370 for one applicant or a family of three).
    • If paying with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, the check is to be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security - you must deliver the physical check to OISS.
    • If credit card payment is preferred, upload a completed and signed Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.
  • Unexpired passport personal data and expiration page for each applicant family member.
    • If their passport is expiring soon, it should be renewed before arriving in the U.S.
    • If they used their old passport at the most recent entry to the U.S. (shown in their I-94), include the expired passport personal data page.
  • Current visa stamp for each applicant family member.
  • I-94 record for each applicant family member.
  • A copy of the marriage certificate (spouse applicants) and birth certificates for each child applicant. If the original document is not in English, English translation is required.
FURTHER DOCUMENTATION REUQUIRED IF ANY OF YOUR DEPENDENTS HAVE:
  • Ever previously been in H (i.e. H-1B or H-4) of L (i.e. L-1 or L-2) status, copies of ALL previous forms I-797 Notice of Action issued by the USCIS; if applicable, include a copy of the EAD
  • Ever previously been in J (i.e. J-1 or J-2) status, copies of ALL Forms DS-2019, visa stamps and a copy of the waiver of the two-year home residency requirement (if applicable). If J-2, a copy of EAD (if applicable).
  • Currently hold F-1 or F-2 status (including F-1 optional practical training); copies of ALL Forms I-20 (both sides) and EAD (if applicable)
  • A green card application pending, provide any documents related to that application (e.g. I-797 receipt/approval notice for I-140/I-130, I-797 receipt notice for I-485, EAD/Advanced Parole, etc.)

* Online I-539/I-539 is available to submit the H-4 application separately, after your H-1B petition receives the petition number from USCIS. If you choose to use the online option, please log in your OISS Connect account to get your  get your H-1B petition number (it should be available a few weeks after the H-1B petition submission), or contact your OISS adviser.