H-1B Requests

Submitting an H-1B Request in iSTART

The H-1 Request for New, Extended, or Amended Status consists of five separate electronic forms (e-forms):

1. H-1 Request for Employee: to be completed by the employee. In order to complete the e-form, the employee will be responsible for uploading the following required documents:
   • Curriculum Vitae
   • Diploma and/or transcript
   • Documentation of current and past statuses (I-20, DS-2019, I-797, etc.)
   • Passport and current/past entry visas
   • Most recent I-94 entry/exit record
2. Information about the university position: to be completed by the ISSS departmental liaison. In order to complete the e-form, the department will be responsible for uploading the following required documents:
   • Deemed Export Certification Form (completed in iSTART)
   • Any ads, PAPE, or postings for this position or a brief letter describing why the position was not posted.
   • Offer letter.
3. Statement of Working Conditions and In-House Prevailing Wage Liability Acknowledgement: to be completed by the department head.
4. Statement of Actual Wage: to be completed by the ISSS departmental liaison.
5. Upload H-1 Journal Voucher: to be completed by the ISSS departmental liaison.

Preparing Documentation for U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service

After reviewing the H-1B request submitted through iSTART, ISSS will complete the required procedures with the Department of Labor, and will provide updates as each procedure is completed (see flowchart for details). As ISSS is completing these steps, the department will be responsible for collecting the following documentation for U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS):

From the department:

1. Departmental cover letter. The cover letter should include the following information:
   • Address the letter to the appropriate USCIS address see below) using “To Whom it May Concern” as the greeting.
   • A paragraph stating the position, title, salary, and dates of intended employment.
   • A second paragraph providing a description of the work to be performed by the employee.
   • A third paragraph stating the credentials of the employee.
2. G-1450 Authorization for Credit Card Transaction form for USCIS fees. Separate G-1450 form is required for different USCIS applications (i.e., one form for the I-129 fee and one form for the I-907 Premium Processing fee).
   • When filling out the form, pay attention to the following:
     • Enter “University of Illinois” for Family Name (Last Name) field. Leave the Given Name and Middle Name fields blank.
     • The Credit Card Holder’s Signature may NOT be electronically signed or stamped.
   • Please drop off the original form at ISSS or scan and send it to the appropriate ISSS Advisor via PEAR. Please be reminded that any complete G-1450 returned via email will not be used and Payables will terminate the p-card listed.
3. LCA Notices, with bottom section completed.

From the employee (NEW H-1B status requests only):

• Three (3) most recent pay stubs from current employer (if employee currently employed in the U.S.).
• If the employee’s dependents are in the U.S., and are applying for H-4 dependent status:
  • Completed form I-539 (available on USCIS website). The spouse should complete form I-539. Form I-539A should be completed for each child.
  • G-1450 for USCIS Filing Fee for each dependent (amounts available on the USCIS website)
  • Copies of each dependent’s visa documents and most recent I-94 record
  • Proof of each dependent’s relationship to the prospective H-1B employee (copies of marriage certificate or birth certificate)

Important Notes

• If a dependent has been in the U.S. in J-1 status, it is important to remember that the Two-Year Home Residence Requirement may affect the dependent’s eligibility to change to H-4 status. Contact ISSS if you have questions.
• If the dependents are not in the U.S., no documentation needs to be submitted to USCIS. Instead, dependents can apply for an H-4 entry visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Dependents should use the H-1B approval document and proof of relationship to the H-1B to apply for an entry visa.

From the employee (H-1B EXTENSION requests only):

• Three (3) most recent pay stubs from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• If the employee’s dependents are in the U.S., and are applying or an extension of H-4 status:
  • Completed form I-539 (available on USCIS website). The spouse should complete form I-539. Form I-539A should be completed for each child.
  • G-1450 for USCIS Filing Fee for each dependent (amounts available on the USCIS website)
  • Copies of each dependent’s visa documents and most recent I-94 record
  • Proof of each dependent’s relationship to the prospective H-1B employee (copies of marriage certificate or birth certificate)

Important Notes

• If a dependent has been in the U.S. in J-1 status, it is important to remember that the Two-Year Home Residence Requirement may affect the dependent’s eligibility to change to H-4 status. Contact ISSS if you have questions.
• If the dependents are not in the U.S., no documentation needs to be submitted to USCIS. Instead, dependents can apply for an H-4 entry visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Dependents should use the H-1B approval document and proof of relationship to the H-1B to apply for an entry visa.

Instructions for Preparing and Mailing H-1B Petition to USCIS

After ISSS has successfully completed the required procedures with the Department of Labor, ISSS will email the department with instructions to confirm the information to be provided on the H-1B petition form and how to provide all required materials to ISSS for preparing the petition. After the H-1B petition has been prepared, ISSS will mail the petition using the department provided UPS mailing label.