Training Guide for Sponsoring
H-1B Temporary Workers
The H-1B Application Process should begin at least 3-4
months prior to the H-1B’s Requested Start Date if the H-1B
applicant is outside the US and at least two months prior if
s/he holds another status in the U. S.
An ISD Training Guide is available on our website at
www.temple.edu/isss/international/index.html
Familiarize Yourself With The H-1B Application Process
1. H-1B applicant enters required data and upload required documents into the Visitor site,
then submits record to TU Department
2. Department adds required information on Appointment, Site of Activity and Funding screens
and uploads required documents
3. HR Generalist will upload required documents into ISD for HR-hires
4. Department submits H-1B applicant's record to ISSS via the "Tasks" tab in ISD
5. Department mails or drops off necessary checks to ISSS
6. ISSS sends Deemed Export Attestation Form to University Counsel. This form is required
for every H application that is submitted, regardless of whether research is involved. This
process is dependent upon the nature of the position and the research technologies
involved and therefore unpredictable.
7. Upon determination that the higher of either the prevailing or actual wage is being paid to
the employee, ISSS begins LCA process and begins the posting notice process (this is not
a posting for recruitment purposes). Please note that certification of an LCA takes a
minimum of seven days.
8. Once University Counsel notifies ISSS that no Deemed Export License is required, the LCA
has been certified by DOL, and ISSS has a complete application, ISSS begins
processing the I-129 and supporting letter for the H-1B petition. This step of the
process may take several business days.
9. When the application process is complete, the H-1B petition is compiled, checks are
attached and the petition is submitted to the United States Citizenship and
Immigration Service (USCIS) via UPS. If petition is being premium processed (optional
process for an additional $1225 above the required $325 [all petitions] and $500 [initial and
transfer petitions only] fees), we expect a response from the USCIS within 15 days of
USCIS’ receipt of petition. The response can be an approval notice, a request for further
evidence, or an intent to deny the petition.
10. The hiring department, Human Resources and the H-1B applicant will be notified via
email when ISSS receives the Receipt Notice and Approval Notice from USCIS.
If you need assistance logging into ISD, contact Sharon Loughran in ISSS at sharonl@temple.edu
Review Estimated Start Times
Estimated Processing Time From Day ISSS Receives a Complete H-1B Application Until
H-1B Can Begin Working:
Applicant Is:
Documents Needed:
Filed with Premium
Processing:
Filed Without Premium
Processing:
Outside the US
Original Approval
Notice from USCIS
and H-1B Visa Stamp
Original Approval
Notice from USCIS
6—10 Weeks
3—5 Months
4—8 Weeks
3—4 Months
Receipt Notice from
USCIS
3-4 Weeks
4-6 Weeks
Receipt Notice from
USCIS
3-4 Weeks
4-6 Weeks
Inside the US holding
another immigration
status
Inside the US Holding
H-1B Status with
another employer
Already Working at
Temple in H-1B status
(for both Extensions
and Amendments)
Please note that the Premium Processing fee does not expedite the Labor Condition Application
(LCA) process but rather applies only to the USCIS adjudication of the I-129 Petition for
Nonimmigrant Worker.
Invite the Scholar
Invite the Visitor to complete her/his sections in ISD through the
Tasks Tab by clicking on “Invite Visitor”. If the Visitor is locked
out of ISD, you can reset her/his password on the Tasks tab by
clicking on “Edit Visitor Login and Permissions”
Decide Start and End Dates
Decide on the employment start and end dates with the
Visitor and her/his Supervisor. Be very sure of the dates
before you move forward. The End Date for Faculty and
Postdoctoral Research Associates must match the appointment/contract letter. Add the start and
end dates in ISD.
If you need assistance logging into ISD, contact Sharon Loughran in ISSS at sharonl@temple.edu
Complete the Controlled Technology Form:
Complete a Controlled Technology Form for each H-1B applicant. The P.I. / Faculty Mentor should
complete this form, not the H-1B Applicant. Any missing items/signatures on this form will delay
H-1B process. You can either email the form directly to sharonl@temple.edu or upload it to ISD.
The form can be found at http://www.temple.edu/isss/international/DocumentsNeededforH-1B.htm
in Section #2.
Complete the Actual Wage Documentation
You can download the form at www.temple.edu/isss/international/DocumentsNeededforH-1B.htm
in Section #2 for all H-1B applicants. Do NOT complete these documents for any Non HR-Hire
Position as the HR Generalist will do so instead.
Upload an Official / Signed Employment Offer Letter / Contract:
Upload the appropriate offer letter to ISD unless this H-1B applicant will be a Postdoctoral
Research Associate (The Postdoctoral Affairs office will send it to ISSS) or an HR-Hire (HR
Generalist will upload the letter).
Items HR Generalist Must Upload in ISD For HR-Hire Positions:
 Copy of Official Job Offer Letter Signed by HR Generalist
 Copy of Job Description Used to Post the Position
 Actual Wage Documentation Completed and Signed by HR Generalist
Upload a Signed Departmental Declaration Form
You must upload a signed departmental declaration form for every H-1B application that you
submit in ISD. The form can be found in Section #2 of
www.temple.edu/isss/international/DocumentsNeededforH-1B.htm
Items HR Generalist Must Upload in ISD For HR-Hire Positions:
 Copy of Official Job Offer Letter Signed by HR Generalist
 Copy of Job Description Used to Post the Position
 Actual Wage Documentation Completed and Signed by HR Generalist
If you need assistance logging into ISD, contact Sharon Loughran in ISSS at sharonl@temple.edu
Request Checks Needed for H-1B Petitions
The Hiring Department is required to pay all fees except I-539 Fee for Dependents. If H-1B wants
Premium Processing for Personal Reasons (like Traveling Home for a Wedding) the Applicant may
pay the $1225 fee.
Be sure to indicate to Accounts Payable (AP) that the checks be sent directly to Department
Administrator’s Office Address and NOT TO USCIS! ISSS must attach the checks to the H-1B
Petition. WRITE THE H-1B APPLICANT’S NAME ON THE CHECK! Please contact AP with any
questions you have regarding the process for requesting checks. Once you have all the checks
needed for the petition, mail or drop them off to ISSS.
Use this address on the Request for Payment form for all checks regardless of whether they are
made payable to USCIS or DHS:
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
ATTN: H-1B Cap Exempt Services
California Service Center
24000 Avila Road, 2nd FL, Rm 2302
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Initial
Transfer
Department Required to Pay $500 (payable to Dept of Homeland Security) and
$325 ( payable to USCIS); Optional: If Department wants Premium Processing
for business purposes, Dept must pay $1225 (payable to USCIS)
Department Required to Pay $500 (payable to Dept of Homeland Security) and
US$ 325.00 (payable to USCIS); Optional: If Department wants Premium
Processing for business purposes, Dept must pay $1225 (payable to USCIS)
Extension
Department Required to Pay US$ 325.00 (payable to USCIS); Optional: If
Department wants Premium Processing for business purposes, Dept must pay
$1225 (payable to USCIS)
Amendment
Department Required to Pay US$ 325.00 (payable to USCIS); Optional: If
Department wants Premium Processing for business purposes, Dept must pay
$1225 (made payable to USCIS)
Dependents
Either H-1B Applicant or Hiring Department Can Pay US$ 290.00 (check
payable to USCIS). One fee no matter how many dependent applicants.
If you need assistance logging into ISD, contact Sharon Loughran in ISSS at sharonl@temple.edu
Items H-1B Applicant Must Upload to ISD
Immigration Documents [ Do Not Upload The Same Document More Than Once]
 Certificate of Authenticity of Attached Documents (Section #2 of
www.temple.edu/isss/international/DocumentsNeededforH-1B.htm)
 Copies of beneficiary’s passport (photo page, US entry stamps, visa stamps)
 Copy of beneficiary’s most recent I-94 if inside the US (www.cbp.gov/i94 )
 Copies of all I-20 / DS-2019 Forms and EAD cards
 Copies of USCIS Receipt/Approval Notices (Receipt/Approval Notices for H-1B, I-140 and I485 Petitions, J waiver Approval Notice, etc)
 Copy of PERM if TU-Sponsored for Green Card
Credentials:
 Current CV/Resume
 English-language translations of all diplomas
 English-language transcripts for all diplomas
 Academic Credentials Evaluation If Highest Degree was obtained Outside the US
www.temple.edu/isss/general/credential.html
Miscellaneous:
 Copies of 3 most recent paychecks to establish current employment in the US ONLY
 Copy of any license needed for this position
 USMLE Score Reports, Steps 1, 2 and 3 [clinical employment only]
 ECFMG Certification if Graduate of Foreign Medical Institution [clinical employment only]
Dependents Who Are Currently in the US holding a non-immigrant status ( J-2, F-2, etc):
 Original Form I-539 [www.uscis.gov ] completed by H-4 Applicant(s) and signed in BLUE
INK by dependent; Drop Off or Mail to ISSS with $290 check payable to USCIS)
 Copy of Marriage Certificate for Spouse / Birth Certificates for Children
 Copies of dependents’ immigration documents (passport photo page, US entry stamps, visa
stamps, renewal pages only, Forms I-20 / DS-2019, etc)
The fee for Form I-539 is $290, regardless of the number of applicants. The eldest dependent
(usually the spouse) should complete and sign the application and the additional dependents
should be listed on Supplement-1. If all H-4 applicants are under the age of 18 years, the oldest
child should sign the I-539 in Part 5 if s/he is 14 years old or older. If the dependent filing the form
is younger than 14 years old, the applicant should sign Part 5 AND Part 7, Signature of person
preparing form, if other than above, indicating “Parent of Minor”.
H-4 Dependents Applicants Who Are Outside The US must apply for an H-4 visa stamp at a US
Consulate. Visit the Consulate’s website at http://usembassy.state.gov/ for items needed to apply
for the H4 visa. Do not complete a Form I-539
Dependent family members in H-4 status are NOT eligible to work but may study full or part time.
Children who are 21 years of age and older are NOT eligible for H-4 status.
If you need assistance logging into ISD, contact Sharon Loughran in ISSS at sharonl@temple.edu