H-1B Specialty Worker (for tenure-line and non-tenure-line)

The position must be a full-time “specialty occupation,” which is one that requires “the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge” to successfully perform its prescribed duties. [8 CFR 1184(i)(1)(a)]
H-1B is limited to a maximum of six (6) years, in up to three-year increments.
Extensions beyond the sixth (6) year are possible in limited circumstances. Contact International Faculty Advising (IFA) for more information.
The requested H-1B period should match, but not exceed, the appointment period.

Penn State can sponsor full-time academic faculty positions (for those that teach and/or perform research) in H-1B classification up to a maximum of six years. The H-1B visa is most used for tenured or tenure-line positions, as well as other academic positions requiring a Ph.D. 

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:

Penn State can sponsor the following titles for H-1B:
Professor – all ranks
Lecturer
Instructor
Assistant / Associate Teaching Professor
Teaching Professor
Assistant / Associate Research Professor
Penn State will not sponsor H-1B under the following conditions:
staff positions
part-time employment
a period longer than the position offered (guaranteed funding)
The position must specifically require a minimum of a Ph.D. or terminal degree. If you need to request an exception, please send it to the Assistant Vice Provost and explain why the request is exceptional. This applies even if the faculty member holds a Ph.D.; the requirement is tied to the position itself. For further guidance on the process, please contact International Faculty Advising (IFA).
The salary offered must be the higher of either the U.S. Department of Labor’s prevailing wage determination or the actual wage paid to similarly employed individuals within Penn State.
Typically, if the employee will be transferring from another employer already in H-1B status, the new employee can begin working at Penn State once we obtain a USCIS receipt notice showing a timely filed H-1B petition; and, has otherwise remained in lawful status.
Allows for ‘dual intent,’ enabling individual to maintain a temporary immigration status while simultaneously pursuing permanent residency. This is not typical of most other visa statuses.
Employment cannot begin until the Form I-9 has been completed.

FILING FEES

The following filing fees are required for Penn State to file an H-1B petition.  Instructions for how to pay these fees will be sent by your International Faculty Adviser when they are ready to receive the checks. 

** Employees requesting a change of status to H-1B (and H-4) within the U.S. should NOT leave the U.S. while the petition is pending with USCIS. USCIS considers leaving the U.S. while the petition is pending to be abandonment of the petition.

HOW TO SUBMIT A VISA INQUIRY / NOTIFY INTERNATIONAL FACULTY ADVISING (IFA) THAT AN OFFER HAS BEEN MADE TO A FOREIGN NATIONAL FACULTY MEMBER

Go to: https://istart.gp.psu.edu and click Login under “Students, Faculty, and Staff with active PSU email”
If accessing iStart for the first time, please email iStartHelp@psu.edu to request access. You should receive verification within 1 to 2 business days.
Look-up record in iStart to ensure foreign national does not already have a record in the system.
Start by clicking Faculty Advising: Visa Inquiry or New Offer Notification to look-up a record (PSU ID# and DOB required);
If the foreign national does not have a record in iStart:
Navigate back to the main page with options and click Add New Person eForm
The employee’s name, DOB, Gender, and Email are required.
Select ‘Scholars’ as the campus location
“Institutional university ID” refers to the 9-digit Penn State ID and “network ID” refers to the letters/numbers in their Penn State email, but do not add @psu.edu.
Click Faculty Advising: Visa Inquiry or New Offer Notification – complete and submit form. Upload all required supporting documentation in PDF format.
The foreign national will receive an immediate email notification directing them to access and complete their portion of the eForm. If it is a tenure-track hire, Talent Acquisition will also receive an immediate email notification to upload information regarding the recruitment information. (Upload all required supporting documentation in PDF format.)
An adviser will review the information and documentation as soon as both portions have been submitted. They will provide a visa recommendation, estimated timeline and instructions for next steps.