H-1B temporary worker status is designated for individuals coming temporarily to the U. S. to work in a specialty occupation. The H-1B process is more complex than other immigration status and involves two federal agencies (the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)). The processing time is long and inflexible, so before beginning the application, scholars should familiarize themselves with how long H-1B processing time may take [1]. Plan accordingly and respond promptly to requests for information and documentation.

Initiating the Process

The H-1B application is always initiated by the hiring department. The instructions and resources provided here should only be used by scholars after the hiring department and the OISS have confirmed that Yale will sponsor the H-1B.

As soon as the appointment is confirmed and it has been determined the H-1B is the status to be obtained, OISS will work with both the scholar and the department to collect the required information and documentation. Once this happens, look for an email from your OISS adviser with the subject 'H-1B instructions.'

Helpful Resources

• USCIS Case Status: Once OISS has a receipt for your application you can check your USCIS case status online. [2]
• Yale Office for Postdoctoral Affairs: Information about terms of appointment, orientation, and other resources. [3]
• DOL: Prevailing wage information [4]

Application Procedure

The application procedure is dependent on where you are applying from. Click the appropriate box below.