H-1B Overview
USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) defines an H-1B occupation as a “specialty occupation” which requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.
Departments may consider H-1B status for a scholar if:
- The scholar will be employed by the university, with benefits (i.e., not hired as a contractor)
- The appointment will be long-term or possibly a permanent one
- The scholar has at least a bachelor's degree
- The scholar is in J status, that s/he is not subject to the two-year home residency rule
It is possible for an individual to have more than one H-1B employer. An example would be a scholar who is working on a project for one employer and consulting with another employer on similar material. Please consult ISSS when contemplating such an arrangement.
The H-1B request process is different for each CU campus. Please select the applicable campus using the buttons below or the menu to the right.