ISSS requires up to 45 days to process an H-1B petition from the day we receive a complete H-1B Application. Submit a complete application 6 months (but no more than 6 months) prior to the H-1B Requested Start Date if you hope to avoid the $2500 Premium Processing Fee.

1. Department begins H-1B application in Destiny One (D1).  
2. Department requests necessary checks from Accounts Payable
3. H-1B applicant completes Applicant sections of the application and uploads required documents
4. Department adds required information and uploads required documents (this can be done while the Applicant is working on their section)
5. Department emails copy of the Controlled Technology Form to ISSS
6. ISSS sends Controlled Technology Form to the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
7. Appointment/Offer Letter must be uploaded into D1 by Post Doc Office or Department, depending upon job title – HR must send ISSS a copy of the Offer Letter along with an Actual Wage Form and Job Description used when posting the position for HR-hired positions
8. Department submits a completed H-1B applicant's record to ISSS
9. ISSS begins LCA posting notice process. Dept of Labor (DOL) requires a minimum of 7 days to certify the LCA
10. Once ISSS has a complete application, we begin preparing the H-1B Petition for USCIS
11. H-1B Petition is submitted to USCIS via UPS. With Premium Processing, USCIS should respond within 15 days. Without Premium Processing, we expect a Receipt Notice within a month and an Approval Notice in 4-6 months.
12. Department, HR and H-1B applicant will be notified via email when ISSS receives the Receipt Notice and Approval Notice from USCIS

Click here for more information

Visit USCIS' website for Case Processing Times. 

You need to click on I-129 – Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker under “Form” and California Service Center under “Field Office or Service Center”.

Remember that employees filing an H-1B extension can work for up to 240 days past their current H-1B Approval Notice end date if USCIS receives our Extension petition prior to their current end date. Employees for whom we have filed an H-1B Transfer petition can begin working as of the start date listed on the H-1B petition as long as we have received a Receipt Notice from USCIS.

When Temple University files an I-129 petition for new H-1B Employment, we may request either a change of status or consular processing. A change of status is appropriate for individuals who are currently in the United States. Consular processing is used for those who are overseas or those who will be traveling overseas while the application is pending. Travel outside the US while a change of status is pending will abandon that change of status. All H-1B applicants must discuss any travel plans with the hiring department and ISSS. ISSS will then work with the H-1B Applicant and the Hiring Department to determine whether a change of status or consular processing is best.

When USCIS approves the I-129 petition, the Service Center sends an I-797 Approval Notice to ISSS. If a change of status was requested, a new I-94 will be attached to the approval and will serve as evidence of employment eligibility. If consular processing was chosen, USCIS sends the original approval notice to ISSS and notifies the U.S. Consulate indicated on the I-129 petition. The individual must apply for an H-1B visa at the US Consulate. 

Specialty Occupation information can be found here.

Review the list here.

Click here for more information.

Learn about Credentials Evaluation here.

Read more about the differences between H-1B and J-1 status here.