H1-B Initial

H-1B Temporary Professional Worker

The Florida State University International Center submits H-1B temporary professional worker petitions to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of foreign faculty, researchers and professional staff employed by the university.

Who initiates the H-1B petition?
Departments initiate the requests for new petitions, extensions, and amended petitions by completing the forms and submitting the appropriate documents and fees as explained in the links below. The International Center will prepare the petition for submission to USCIS.

For how long is the H-1B valid?
The maximum period permitted in H status is 6 years (certain exceptions apply). Petitions may be submitted to request no more than 3 years at a time.

When should the department submit the request?
Departments should submit the H-1B request materials to the Center at least 3 - 4 months before the anticipated start date of employment if the employee is outside the U.S. or if the employee is currently in the U.S. in a different nonimmigrant status.

The International Center needs approximately two to three weeks to prepare the petition

USCIS will usually approve the petition within 2 - 3 months, although timing can vary.

For a $1000 fee, USCIS will process the petition in 15 or fewer days.

What if the employee is already in H status?
If the prospective employee is currently in H-1B status, he/she can being employment in the new or amended position as soon as USCIS has received the petition (proven by issuance of the receipt notice).

H-1B Initial Request - download complete package
Download separately:


H-1B Extension Request - download complete package
Download separately:
H-1B Amended Petition - download complete package
Download separately:
  • Request Form (department)
  • Checklist
  • Sample Support Letter
  • Determination of Actual Wage Memo and Checklist