H-1B Employment at the University of Minnesota

---

H-1B: The Basics

Description of H-1B Status

Qualifying Criteria for H-1B

Comparing Work Visas

H-1B Status Documents

H-1B Annual Cap

H-1B Application Process

ISSS Procedures/Fee

Contract/Appt. Language

US Gov. Processes/Fees

H-1B Processing Times

Obtain/Extend H Status

Payroll Documents

Identification Documents

Extension

Transfer

Change of Status

Persons Outside U.S.

Changes in UMN H-1B Job

H–4 Dependent

H Regulations & Policies

Travel

Travel to Canada & Mexico

Extensions Beyond 6 Years

Part-Time Employment

Consultation Policy

Taking Classes in H-1B

Change of Address Rules

H-1B Grace Period

Departure from UMN

Resources for H-1Bs

Employment-based Visas:
Comparison Chart

Int. Scholar Handbook

Int. Scholar Orientation

Contacting ISSS Staff

Print Version

H–1B Application Process
Total H–1B Processing Time

After a department submits a complete H–1B application (this means all questionnaires and all required paper documents) to ISSS, the total time for processing/approval of an H–1B petition can range from 3 to 7 months, depending on the nature of the case, ISSS caseload, USDOL compliance requirements and USCIS processing times. Contact us directly for current processing times. If the $1000 Premium Processing fee is applied to the case, the total processing time ranges from 2 to 3 months. We encourage departments to apply early to avoid a postponement of the start of H–1B employment or the need to pay the $1000 Premium Processing fee to get the H–1B approval by the desired start date. In addition, USCIS processing times change without notice, so the estimated processing time when you submit the application can slow down a month or more while waiting for the case to be processed.

ISSS Processing Time: (to process and file the petition)

May–August: 4 to 8 weeks
September–April: 4 to 6 weeks.

Delays can occur if ISSS needs to request additional documentation from the hiring department or employee.

US Department of Labor (USDOL) Processing Time:

In order to comply with H-1B wage regulations we have to determine if the wage offered meets U.S. Department of Labor guidelines. This can require communication with USDOL and the department, and can delay the application process.

US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Processing Time:

Can vary from 2 to 5 months. The approval of the H–1B can be delayed by requests for more information from USCIS. If the $1000 Premium Processing fee is filed, USCIS will adjudicate the petition in 15 days. Premium Processing can be requested with the initial H–1B petition or at any time thereafter to speed up the processing time. (See US Gov. Processes/Fees for more detail.)

NOTICE
Based on the above timelines and how long your department, ISSS and USCIS actually take to complete their work, your department may be notified at any time during processing of the emergent need to add the $1000 Premium Processing fee in order to obtain the H–1B approval by the requested start date. Contact us for detailed information.