H-1B Specialty Occupation

The H-1B Specialty Occupation category is the standard professional visa for temporary nonimmigrant faculty or, in case-by-case instances, staff who will be employed at the University of Oregon. The maximum duration for H-1B sponsorship is six years. Please contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at ischolar@uoregon.edu to determine if an employment opportunity meets H-1B Specialty Occupation eligibility.

Pre-Screening Request   |   Fees   |   H-1B 100K Fee   |   New H-1B Application   |   H-1B Extension   |   Processing Timeline   |   Eligibility   |   Required Notification

Log In to iConnect

Departments can log in to iConnect with their UO login credentials to submit applications to sponsor a new H-1B employee or extend a current employee’s H-1B status.   

H-1B employees will receive an email invitation from their department to access iConnect. 

Training: Review the PowerPoint trainings (below) or watch the Teams recording

Request access to iConnect by completing this Qualtrics form. 

Pre-Screening Request

Departments should use this form in iConnect to begin the process of hiring a new foreign national employee.

Department steps:

  1. Collect
    • New H-1B hire’s email address
    • Copy of new H-1B hire’s passport
    • Position Requisition
    • Employment Contract or RTO
  2. Add new H-1B hire to iConnect using Add New Person - Fill this form with new H-1B hire's details from passport
  3. Submit H-1B Pre-Screening Request

H-1B New Hire Steps

  1. Receive an email request to complete your portion of the application
  2. Email ischolar@uoregon.edu with availability for a 20-minute Zoom call 

 ISSS will send a calendar invite with a Zoom link to the department and new hire to discuss plans for visa sponsorship.

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H-1B Fees

Complete this form to authorize payment and provide the index to be charged for the following fees (note: we are no longer accepting checks!):

  • $500 Anti-Fraud Fee
    • Only paid once for the first H-1B petition UO submits
  • $460 I-129 Application Filing Fee
    • Paid every time UO submits an H-1B petition - new requests and extensions
  • $2,805 Premium Processing Fee. (OPTIONAL)
    • This fee is optional, but guarantees adjudication within 15 business days. Please contact ischolar@uoregon.edu to discuss whether it's advisable for your case.

Note: Premium Processing fee will increase to $2,965 effective March 1, 2026.

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100K H-1B Fee

On Friday, September 19, 2025, the US federal administration issued a proclamation announcing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas, effective September 21, 2025. The proclamation is currently set to expire on September 21, 2026; several legal challenges have been filed against it.

The new $100,000 H-1B fee only applies to new employees who are coming from outside the US.  

The fee does NOT apply to:

  • Current UO employees
  • New employees who are currently in the US (working elsewhere in the US or studying at a US university, for example).
    • These employees may continue to work and travel without impact ($100k fee not required).
  • UO international students who are changing their status to H-1B in order to work in the US following graduation.

 If you have a question about hiring an international candidate and whether the fee would apply, please contact ischolar@uoregon.edu. 

For more information:USCIS H-1B Specialty Occupation

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New H-1B Application

Department Steps

After completing the Pre-Screening Request and the initial Zoom call: Departments can log in to iConnect with their UO login credentials to begin the H-1B - New Application

  1. Login in iConnect and select My Current Cases
  2. Click on the name of the new H-1B hire
  3. Select H-1B - New Application and complete all forms
  4. Submit Department Final Submit once H-1B hire has completed their portion of the application.

Employee Checklist

You will receive an email invitation to complete the New H-1B Request Form in iConnect once your department initiates the process. Please prepare to upload the following documents: 

  • Copy of entry stamp OR most recent I-94 entry record
  • Copy of current visa sticker in passport
  • Copy of identity page of passport
  • Copy of diploma for highest degree earned
  • Copy of transcript for highest diploma
  • Completed credential evaluation for highest degree completed outside the United States (from Silvergate or other reputable credential evaluator). Please contact ischolar@uoregon.edu with questions
  • Updated CV

Additional documents needed depending on current visa type

  • F-1:
    • Copy of all previous I-20s, including I-20 with OPT Recommendation or Approval
    • Copy of EAD card (if applicable)
    • Copy of paystubs (if working on OPT)
  • J-1:
    • Copy of all previous DS-2019s (front & back)
    • Copy of J-1/J-2 Sticker
    • Copy of 212e waiver (if applicable)
  • H-1B:
    • Copy of all previous I-797 or I-171C (H-1B Approval Notices)
    • Copies of 3 most recent paystubs
    • W-2s form from previous years of H-1B employment

If you have dependents who will change to H4 visa status

For those dependents currently in the US in another status, you may file form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status either through a paper filing or online using the H-1B receipt number provided by ISSS after filing the petition. 

For those dependents who are currently outside the US and will be applying for an H-4 visa at a US embassy or consulate, they may use the H-1B's I-797 Approval Notice to apply for a visa at the consulate, and need not file the form I-539. 

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H-1B Extension Application

Department Steps

H-1B employment authorization is automatically extended for 240 days if the extension petition is filed prior to the current H-1B expiration date. If the employee is planning to travel outside the US and obtain a new H-1B visa, however, they must have the original approval notice in hand. Please e-mail ischolar@uoregon.edu with questions regarding H-1B extensions or employee travel. 

  1. Login in iConnect and select H-1B - Extension Application
  2. Enter the H-1B employee's 95# and DOB, select "Find Record"
  3. Select H-1B - Extension Application and complete all forms
  4. Submit Department Final Submit once H-1B hire has completed their portion of the application.

Employees Checklist

You will receive an email invitation to complete the  H-1B - Extension Request Form in iConnect once your department initiates the process. Please prepare to upload the following documents: 

  • Updated CV
  • Copy of entry stamp OR most recent I-94 entry record
  • Copy of current visa sticker in passport (if available)
  • Copy of identity page of passport
  • Copy of all I-797 (H-1B Approval Notices)
  • Copy of any I-140 Immigrant Petition approval notice (if applicable)
  • Copies of 3 most recent UO pay statements (available on Duckweb)
  • Copy of diploma for highest degree earned
  • Copy of transcript for highest diploma
  • Completed credential evaluation for highest degree completed outside the United States (from Silvergate or other reputable credential evaluator). Please contact ischolar@uoregon.edu with questions
  • If previously in J-1 status:
    • Copy of all previous DS-2019s (front & back)
    • Copy of J-1/J-2 Sticker
    • Copy of 212e waiver (if applicable)

If you have dependents who will extend their H4 visa status

For those dependents currently in the US in another status, you may file form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status either through a paper filing or online using the H-1B receipt number provided by ISSS after ISSS files the petition and before the end of the current H-1B validity. 

For those dependents who are currently outside the US and will be applying for an H-4 visa at a US embassy or consulate, they may use the H-1B's I-797 Approval Notice to apply for a visa at the consulate, and need not file the form I-539. 

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Processing Timeline

  • ISSS receives completed department application and all required documents in iConnect
  • 3 week ISSS processing/preparation time to filing date of H-1B petition with USCIS
  • USCIS Premium processing: 15 business day guaranteed processing time
  • USCIS Regular processing: 6+ month processing time (no guaranteed timeline)
  • 1-2 week mailing time for original approval notice to arrive at ISSS

*Please check with ISSS to determine if USCIS approval is necessary prior to start date for material changes to position

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Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for H-1B Specialty Occupation sponsorship, the applicant must meet the following:

  • Possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific specialty (or its equivalent)
  • Have theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge
  • The offered wage must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for the position

Please email ischolar@uoregon.edu to determine if a position is eligible for visa sponsorship.

If you have recently been hired as a UO employee and require visa sponsorship, please have your department complete the H-1B Pre-Screening Request.  

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Required Notification

In compliance with Department of Labor requirements for employers petitioning for H-1B visas, the following notice of positions for which the University of Oregon intends to hire H-1B/E-3 employees is provided. Candidates have already been selected to fill the positions; the notice is not a posting for an open position.

Student Life Care Coordinator - 12/05/2025 - 12/19/2025

Interim Audit Manager, Office of Internal Audit - 01/30/26-02/16/2026

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