The H-1B visa classification is used by United States employers for the purpose of temporarily employing foreign nationals in specialty occupations. The following will be the practice of the University of South Florida for sponsorship of eligible foreign nationals for H-1B classification:

Eligibility:

• The hiring unit must be a university college, department, or division that pays the employee with a university paycheck.
• The official university position description on file at USF Human Resources must require at minimum a bachelor’s degree. If the degree is from another country, it must be comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher as determined by an outside accreditation service.
• The foreign national who is selected for the position must have a degree related to the position.

USF Appointment Information:

• H1-B classification may be used for the following:
  • Faculty: full-time, tenure and non-tenure track related to teaching or research.
  • Administrative & Professional (A&P): full-time, professional positions
• H1-B classification should not be used for the following:
  • University Support Personnel System Positions (USPS)
  • OPS Positions
  • Foreign medical graduates seeking medical residency placement at USF
    • This group is strictly governed by the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and is sponsored only under the auspices of ECFMG in J-1 Exchange Visitor status.
• H-1B classification is not advised for foreign post-doctoral fellows at USF because of the training nature of the position.
  • USF faculty members wishing to employ foreign post doctoral fellows should contact ISSS to discuss the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
  • Exceptions may be made by ISSS, if:
    • The foreign national’s three-year eligibility for the J-1 visa has been exhausted and the position is expected to extend beyond that; or
    • The foreign national is currently at another institution in H1-B status.

Costs:

• The employee must be paid the prevailing wage for similar positions in this geographic area.
• Fees associated with the filing of an H-1B application must be paid by the hiring department using a university check. Current fees and costs are as follows:
  • Forms I-129: $320
  • Fraud Protection and Detection fee for new applicants: $500
  • Optional Premium Processing surcharge: $1000.
    • This fee ensures 30 day processing and is not required. Standard processing takes between 2-3 months.
  • NOTE: Fees for the I-539 application for dependent change of status or extension should be paid by the employee

Revised: 9/19/2008