H-1B Faculty Overview

The Office of International Services (OIS) works closely with academic departments that seek to hire foreign nationals to teach or do research at UMCP.  Employment of foreign nationals can be authorized through many different visa categories.

H-1B visa status allows foreign nationals to come to the U.S. temporarily to perform services in a specialty occupation[1] that requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree.  OIS files H-1B petitions[2] with U.S. Customs and Immigration for academic positions that qualify as specialty occupations, such as lecturers, professors and researchers.  The following are important characteristics of the H-1B status:

• The H-1B status is employer-specific.  The H-1B worker may receive salary and compensation only from UMCP, not from any other employer in the U.S.
• The H-1B status is job-specific.  Significant changes in the job duties, hours (full-time to part-time), job title, or a transfer to another department must be reported to IES because these may necessitate filing an amended petition.
• The worker must receive a job offer from UMCP.  The UMCP position must require an academic degree and be a faculty position in an academic department
• The maximum length of time that an individual can be in H-1B status is 6 years, which is granted by USCIS in increments of up to 3 years.
• The H-1B worker must hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in the specialty occupation.
  

Learn more about H-1B Faculty:

H-1B Application Flow Chart (pdf)

H-1B Application Process

H-1B Processing Times

H-1B Petition and Fees (pdf)

H-1B Department Responsibilities