Tulane University and the Office of International Students and Scholars will be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen on Monday, July 7th. If you have an emergency during our closure, please reach out to TUPD at (504) 865-5911.

H-1B

What is H-1B status?

The H-1B non-immigrant status is for foreign nationals who are offered temporary employment in the United States to render services in “specialty occupations.”

Employment Offer: A full-time offer of employment is required from an U.S. employer who must file the petition, pay the foreign national regularly, and supervise the foreign national’s work. A foreign national cannot self-petition for an H-1B visa.

Temporary: H-1B employment must be temporary, even if the foreign national is coming to the university to fill a permanent position.

Specialty Occupation: The foreign national must be coming to the U.S. to work in an occupation that requires (a) theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge, and (b) a bachelor’s or higher degree in a field related to the occupation.

H-1B status is employer and position specific. Employment is limited to work for the sponsoring H-1B employer and work in the position specified in the H-1B petition. If Tulane University is filing an H-1B petition for a foreign national, unless and until a different employer files an H-1B petition, that employee may only work for the University and only in the position specified in the H-1B petition. Please inform OISS if the employment changes in any material way (such as a significant change in job duties, location, etc.).  

In order to file an H-1B petition, the University must offer the foreign national a wage equal to or exceeding the required wage for the position.

Individuals who are subject to the J exchange visitor non-immigrant visa’s 212(e) 2-year home-country residency requirement are not eligible for H-1B status unless the requirement has been fulfilled or waived.

Note regarding current J status holders: Current J status holders who plan to seek a waiver must contact the OISS in regards to their visa status before beginning the waiver process, as it could impact their eligibility for J-status extensions.

Additional Materials