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International Services Office
Office for Global Engagement

Requesting an H-1B or J-1 Scholar

Review the guidance on this page to learn how to request an H1-B or J-1 scholar with the ISO. You can also download this guidance for quick reference.

Step one: Requesting a UR Guest ID

no past relationship with rochester

If the scholar/employee does not have a past relationship with the University of Rochester, you will need to request a Guest ID. Please ensure that you complete this step first before continuing in the process, as this will allow for a smoother process.

If you are having issues, please consult our Guest Account Request walkthrough.

Past relationship with Rochester

If the scholar/employee does have a past relationship with the University of Rochester, please reach out to University IT to reactivate their Active Directory Account before continuing.

Step two: Add new person in URcompass

Getting yourself an account

If you are not yet a departmental user in URcompass, please reach out to us at iso@rochester.edu so we can initiate the process of getting you access before continuing.

Adding a new person

Follow the steps below in URcompass to add the new user.

  1. Go to the Add New Person page
  2. Complete all of the required fields
  3. Where the form asks for a network ID, please duplicate the URID that was created with their GuestID. Do not put the NetID in this field.

If you are having issues, please consult our Guest Account Request walkthrough.

Step three: Initiate the H-1B/J-1 application

Please ensure that you have all necessary documentation ready at the time of starting the application, so ISO is able to process the request in a timely manner. Required documentation is detailed below.

Once the documentation is ready, visit the Departmental Services page in URcompass to start the process.

Start the application now

Required documentation for departments

H-1B Employees

The department applying for an H-1B will need:

  • Department information
  • Copy of signed offer of employment and acceptance letters and a signed contract between the employee and the University of Rochester
  • A letter of support from the hiring department signed by the department chair, which should include:
    • Name of foreign national
    • Dates of intended employment period (dates should match the dates on the LCA and H-1B petition)
    • Title of position
    • Description of responsibilities
    • Educational requirements for position, specifying field(s) of study
    • Description of how the prospective foreign employee is qualified for the position (include education and specific field of study along with any experience)
    • Annual salary (Do not elaborate on funding sources)
  • Accurate job description that includes necessary responsibilities
  • Proposed wage
  • Labor Condition Application documentation (LCA) Click here to download LCA documentation
  • Export Control Form Click here to download the Export Control Form
  • Minimum educational and experience requirements for the position
  • Licensure and certification documents, if applicable
  • Separate checks from the department to cover H-1B filing fees. The department pays the H-1B fee, the fraud detection fee and the premium processing fee. The H-1B employee pays any H-4 fees
J-1 Scholars

The department applying for a J-1 will need:

  • MD and ASE departments only: J-1 Scholar Job Proposal Form approved by the appropriate dean or administrative office.
  • An appointment/invitation letter signed by the appropriate person(s). The letter must contain at a minimum:
    • Appointment title
    • Dates
    • Funding amount and sources
    • Statement of benefit eligibility or non-eligibility.
  • J-1 applicants who are not going to be paid by the University of Rochester MUST provide proof of funding and it must be:
    • Written in English
    • On letterhead from the funding source
    • Signed by someone with authority to dispense the funds from the funding organization
    • Include the specific dates of funding coverage
    • Include the amount of funding in US dollars
  • Supporting documentation required for English Proficiency Assessment
  • Export Control Form

Required documentation for employees/scholars

H-1B Employees

The employee applying for an H-1B will need:

  • Last two months’ pay statements, if employed
  • If in the U.S., copies of an electronic I-94 obtained from cbp.gov or both sides of the I-94 card for the H-1B employee/beneficiary
  • If currently in the U.S., include a copy of applicable immigration documentation:
  • If in the F-1 status: copies of ALL I-20s, F-1 student documentation
    • If in the F-1 practical training status: copy of F-1 practical training employment authorization card and copies of ALL I-20s
    • If in the F-2 status: copy of spouse’s I-20(s)
    • If in the J-1 status: copy of ALL DS-2019s and IAP-66s and the waiver of the two-year home residency requirement from USCIS, if
    applicable
    • If in the J-1 Academic Training Status: copy of employment authorization letter from school of graduation and the waiver of two-year
    home residency requirement from USCIS, if applicable, and copies of all DS-2019s certificates.
    • If in the J-2 status: copy of ALL of spouse’s DS-2019s and the waiver of the two-year home residency requirement from USCIS, if
    applicable
    • If in the H-1B status: copy of ALL Form I-797 H-1B Approval Notices from the USCIS for present and past employers
    • If in the H-4 status: copy of ALL of spouse’s Form I-797 H-1B Approval Notices and H-4 Approval Notices from the USCIS
    • If in the TN or TD status: copy of ALL previous I-94 cards and letters supporting the TN or TD status
    • If in the O-1 or O-3 status: copy of ALL Form I-797 O-1 and O-3 Approval Notices from the USCIS for present and past employers
  • If accompanied by spouse and/or children who will be a dependent of your H-1B status: Complete the H-1B Family Member Questionnaire.
    NOTE: The H-1B Family Member Questionnaire has separate required documentation and an application fee for dependents. The fee is paid for
    by the H-1B employee/beneficiary. Review pg. 4 of the H-1B Family Member Questionnaire for details.
  • Copies of degrees and transcripts in both the original language and English are required by USCIS.
  • Credential Evaluation is required for degrees received outside the U.S. Credential evaluation means converting foreign academic credentials into
    their U.S. If your highest degree is from a U.S. school, then you do not need to have your degree evaluated. One suggested credential evaluator is
    www.wes.org . However, you may use the credential evaluator of your choice, as long as they are a member of the Association of International
    Credential Evaluators (AICE) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
  • Copy of current curriculum vitae or resume
  • Copy of identity and expiration pages of passport for H-1B employee/beneficiary. The passport must be kept valid while in the U.S.
  • Copy of recent visa sticker

    MEDICAL DOCTORS or DENTISTS ONLY

  • Copy of medical degree or dentistry degree and license in home country, translated into English.
  • Copy of ECFMG certificate documenting valid (not expired or about to expire) English exam certification
    OR
    Pass results of ECFMG English exam. (Not required of graduates from accredited Canadian medical schools.)
  • Copy of pass results of:
    USMLE – Steps I, II and III OR
    NBME – Parts I, II and III OR
    FLEX Parts I and II
    • Please note combinations of exams (e.g. USMLE – Steps I and II and FLEX-Component II) are not acceptable
  • Copy of New York State medical or dental license.
  • Proof of residencies, fellowships and board certifications