H-1B Application Process & Timeline

For Eligible Positions at Brandeis University

If the scholar is eligible for an H-1B Visa or for an extension of an H-1B Visa,  the ISSO works with the scholar and hiring department to complete the H-1B application process.

The H-1B application process is complex and can take as long as 6 months to prepare, file, and be approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If the H-1B is being extended for the scholar, the same application process must be repeated. See the steps below:

Step 1: Prepare Required Forms and Documents

Step 2: Prevailing Wage Determination

In most cases, the ISSO determines the prevailing wage based on job details provided by the manager and the U.S. Department of Labor's FLC Data Center

The H-1B application cannot be completely assembled until all documents are submitted to the ISSO. See Step 1 for all required documents.

The ISSO can begin Step 2 with a copy of the official job description (from the hiring department). 

 

Step 3: Labor Condition Application (LCA)

Processing time is approximately 7-10 days.

See currently posted Labor Condition Applications

Step 4: Filing the H-1B Petition with USCIS

Filing Costs and Fees

Faculty and Postdoctoral Associates

Legal Fee: None-processed by the ISSO
USCIS Paper Filed Application Fee: $460. As of April 1, 2024, the USCIS Paper Filed Application fee will remain at $460 and the USCIS Filed Online Application fee will be $410.
USCIS Anti-Fraud Fee: $500*
USCIS Premium Processing Fee: $2,805 as of 2/26/2024 (necessary in most cases)

*Anti-Fraud Fee not applicable for renewals of Brandies-sponsored H-1Bs

All filing fees for H-1B petitions for tenure track and OTT roles are covered by the school deans.

School of Arts and Science policy on faculty H-1B Application fees

Staff (Including Research Associates and Scientists)

Legal fee:  Approximately $3700
USCIS Paper Filed Application Fee: $460. As of April 1, 2024, the USCIS Paper Filed Application fee will remain at $460 and the USCIS Filed Online Application fee will be $410.
USCIS Anti-Fraud Fee: $500*
USCIS Premium Processing Fee: $2,805 as of 2/26/2024 (necessary in most cases)

*Anti-Fraud Fee not applicable for renewals of Brandies-sponsored H-1Bs

All filing and legal fees for H-1B petitions for staff roles are paid by the sponsoring department.

Due to significant processing delays by USCIS, Brandeis currently files all H-1B petitions with premium processing, with a fee of $2,805 per petition. USCIS guarantees 15 calendar days of processing to those who use the premium processing service. 

Please contact scholars@brandeis.edu with any questions.

Note that all applications processed with USCIS are subject to security clearance procedures that can further delay processing.