H-1B Extension or Amendment

1. In addition to the packet of documents submitted by the applicant (listed on the Instructions for H-1B beneficiary page), the host department is responsible for the following items.

• H-1B Department Request Form
• Offer letter, including the H-1B's start/end dates, annual salary, and job title
• H-1B Itinerary Letter (See example)
• Official University position confirmation, which must cover dates of requested H-1B
  • For faculty: faculty appointment letter;
  • For staff positions: HR offer confirmation letter and HR job description;
  • For research staff: research staff appointment;
  • For postdoctoral fellowships: postdoctoral research appointment.
• Check for $460 and $500 made payable to The Department of Homeland Security (must be paid by the department) H-1B Check Request
• Optional: $2,805 for USCIS Premium Processing that guarantees Receipt/Approval notices within 20 days. Check must be made to the Department of Homeland Security (payable by hiring department).

2. The OISS and department manage the Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) and Labor Condition Application (LCA) requirements. 

The following steps are required: 

• The OISS obtains a PWD to ensure that the university's offered wage is adequate.
• The OISS files an LCA with the Department of Labor.
• The OISS emails the LCA notice to the host department, which posts it at a conspicuous place for 10 business days. See posting notice instructions.
• Within seven days of filing, the LCA is approved; the IO sends the certified LCA to the Department for signatures and return.

3. The OISS prepares H-1B petition for submission to USCIS.

• OISS reviews the paperwork and emails the Department and/or Beneficiary if any additional documents are necessary.
• OISS files the application with USCIS and provides the Department and/or Beneficiary with a UPS tracking number.

4. The Receipt and Approval Notices are sent after the following processing times.

• The OISS emails Beneficiary, Department Contact, and Payroll confirming the receipt of the Receipt Notice. The Receipt Notice is required for employment to continue at Northwestern.
• The OISS emails Beneficiary, Department Contact, and Payroll confirming the decision made by USCIS. The Approval Notice and supporting documents may then be retrieved form the OISS.
• If Beneficiary is outside of Evanston/Chicago area, the OISS will coordinate shipping the Approval Notice and supporting documents to the Beneficiary. The Approval Notice is required for international travel.

Dependents and Form I-539

If this application includes an extension, the H-1B beneficiary will have to file the I-539 form to extend his/her dependents' status. This I-539 should be included in this H-1B extension filing. If there is no request to extend the beneficiary's end date, then an I-539 may not be necessary.

1. In addition to the packet of documents submitted by the applicant (listed on the Instructions for H-1B beneficiary page), the host department is responsible for the following items.

• H-1B Department Request Form
• Offer letter, including the H-1B's start/end dates, annual salary, and job title
• H-1B Itinerary Letter (See example)
• Official University position confirmation, which must cover dates of requested H-1B
  • For faculty: faculty appointment letter;
  • For staff positions: HR offer confirmation letter and HR job description;
  • For research staff: research staff appointment;
  • For postdoctoral fellowships: postdoctoral research appointment.
• Separate checks for $460 processing fees, made payable to The Department of Homeland Security (must be paid by the department). See H-1B Check Request.
• Optional: $2,805 for USCIS Premium Processing that guarantees Receipt/Approval notices within 20 days. Check must be made to the Department of Homeland Security (payable by hiring department).

2. The OISS and department manage the Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) and Labor Condition Application (LCA) requirements. 

The following steps are required:

• The OISS confirms that the job duties and requirements are consistent with the existing petition. The OISS determines the PW using the job code and level from the previous petition to ensure that the university's offered wage is adequate.
• The OISS files an LCA with the Department of Labor.

• The OISS emails the LCA notice to the host department, which posts it at a conspicuous place for 10 business days. See posting notice instructions.
• Within seven days of filing, the LCA is approved; the OISS sends the certified LCA to the Department for signatures and return.

3. The OISS prepares H-1B petition for submission to USCIS.

• OISS reviews the paperwork and emails the Department and/or Beneficiary if any additional documents are necessary.
• OISS files the application with USCIS and provides the Department and/or Beneficiary with a FedEx tracking number.

4. The Receipt and Approval Notices are sent after the following processing times. 

• The OISS emails Beneficiary, Department Contact, and Payroll confirming the receipt of the Receipt Notice. The Receipt Notice is required for employment to continue at Northwestern.
• The OISS emails Beneficiary, Department Contact, and Payroll confirming the decision made by USCIS. The Approval Notice and supporting documents may then be retrieved form the OISS.
• If Beneficiary is outside of Evanston/Chicago area, the OISS will coordinate shipping the Approval Notice and supporting documents to the Beneficiary. The Approval Notice is required for international travel.

Dependents and Form I-539

The H-1B beneficiary will have to file the I-539 form to extend his/her dependents' status. This I-539, including the following documents, should be included in this H-1B extension filing.

• Completed form I-539 and I-539A (if there is more than one dependent, each additional dependent needs to complete an I-539A)
• Copy of dependent(s) visa stamp page
• Copy of dependent(s) passport biographical page
• Copy of dependent(s) previous H-4 approval notice(s)
• Printout of dependent(s) I-94
• $470 fee check made payable to The Department of Homeland Security (payable by your or your department)
• Copy of marriage certificate for spouse and/or birth certificate(s) for children. Include both original and English translation.

If the only change will be an increase/decrease in salary, please contact the assigned OISS Advisor so that we can evaluate if an H-1B Amendment is necessary.

If the position will change (e.g. new job title, new job description, new site of activity, promotion, transfer to another NU department, different hours per week), the beneficiary is required to submit H-1B Amendment paperwork and receive a USCIS Receipt Notice before any change occurs.

1. In addition to the packet of documents submitted by the applicant  (listed on the Instructions for H-1B beneficiary page), the host department is responsible for the following items.

• H-1B Department Request Form
• Offer letter, including the H-1B's start/end dates, annual salary, and job title
• H-1B Itinerary Letter (See example)
• Official University position confirmation, which must cover dates of requested H-1B
  • For faculty: faculty appointment letter;
  • For staff positions: HR offer confirmation letter and HR job description;
  • For research staff: research staff appointment;
  • For postdoctoral fellowships: postdoctoral research appointment.
• $460 Processing fee check made payable to The Department of Homeland Security (must be paid by the department). See H-1B Check Request.
• Optional: $2,805 for USCIS Premium Processing that guarantees Receipt/Approval notices within 20 days. Check must be made to the Department of Homeland Security (payable by hiring department).

2. The OISS and department manage the Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) and Labor Condition Application (LCA) requirements. 

The following steps are required:

• The OISS obtains a PWD to ensure that the university's offered wage is adequate.
• The OISS files an LCA with the Department of Labor.

• The OISS emails the LCA notice to the host department, which posts it at a conspicuous place for 10 business days. See posting notice instructions.
• Within seven days of filing, the LCA is approved; the OISS sends the certified LCA to the Department for signatures and return.

3. The OISS prepares H-1B petition for submission to USCIS.

• OISS reviews the paperwork and emails the Department and/or Beneficiary if any additional documents are necessary.
• OISS files the application with USCIS and provides the Department and/or Beneficiary with a FedEx tracking number.

4. The Receipt and Approval Notices are sent after the following processing times.

• The OISS emails Beneficiary, Department Contact, and Payroll confirming the receipt of the Receipt Notice. The Receipt Notice is required for employment to continue at Northwestern.
• The OISS emails Beneficiary, Department Contact, and Payroll confirming the decision made by USCIS. The Approval Notice and supporting documents may then be retrieved form the OISS.
• If Beneficiary is outside of Evanston/Chicago area, the OISS will coordinate shipping the Approval Notice and supporting documents to the Beneficiary. The Approval Notice is required for international travel.