H-1B Faculty and Employees

The University of Texas at Austin usually requests H-1B nonimmigrant status for individuals it hopes to bring to the U.S. temporarily to perform services in a “specialty occupation.” This is an occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. In this case, UT is the petitioner and the individual it hopes to bring is the beneficiary.

There are many requirements for H-1B status eligibility for nonimmigrants. They must hold a U.S. baccalaureate degree or higher. Or, in place of that:

• a foreign degree equivalent to a U.S. degree
• a state license to practice the profession
• a combination of education, specialized training and/or experience which can be substituted for a U.S. degree

Other individuals who may qualify for H-1B status are artists, entertainers, or fashion models having national or international acclaim, artists or entertainers in a unique or traditional art form, and nationally or internationally recognized athletes coming to participate in a specific event.

The Immigration Act of 1990, effective October 1, 1991, instituted new requirements for H-1B visa applicants. A "Labor Condition Application" (LCA) must be approved by the U.S. Department of Labor before the H-1B petition may be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is responsible for reviewing and maintaining documentation prepared by the UT hiring department in support of the LCA and H-1B petition for prospective nonimmigrant employees. ISSS will submit the applications to the appropriate federal agencies once the applications and supporting documentation are properly completed.

It is crucial to provide accurate information on these forms and failure to do so could subject UT to penalties. Any aggrieved person or organization may file a complaint during the LCA procedure. Supporting documentation for the LCA must be kept on file and must be available for investigation. Failure to meet a condition stated in the LCA may result in:

1. monetary penalties not to exceed $1,000 per violation
2. employers being barred from filing applications or attestations with the Department of Labor to employ aliens on either a temporary or permanent basis, and/or
3. employers ordered to provide for payment of back wages 

H-1B regulations require The University to attest that it will pay the reasonable cost of return transportation for the beneficiary if the beneficiary is dismissed from employment before the end of the period of authorized employment. Please ensure that the departmental budget provides for such a contingency.

If the prospective employee is currently in the United States maintaining a legal nonimmigrant status (such as F-1 student or H-1B for another employer) they may change status to H-1B or extend H-1B status to begin new employment without leaving the U.S. Some J-1 exchange visitors may be considered subject to the "two-year home residency requirement" and are not permitted to apply for H-1B status until they have spent two years in their original country of residence or have received a waiver of this requirement. For further information about the procedure to waive this requirement, request a copy of the "waiver of the two-year home residency requirement" information sheet from ISSS.

If the prospective employee is not currently in the U.S., the employer must request in the H-1B petition that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notify the appropriate U.S. consular post of the approval of the petition. International Student & Scholar Services will forward the original Approval Notice (Form I-797) to the nonimmigrant employee as soon as it is received. If the new employee is outside of the U.S., the form should be used to apply for the H-1B visa stamp at the U.S. consular post abroad. Individuals in H-1B classification may enter the U.S. from a foreign country up to 10 days before the appointment will begin.

Unless the nonimmigrant employee currently holds an immigration status which permits employment*, employment at The University may not begin until approval of the H-1B petition (or the filing of a transfer H-1B petition by UT).