Hello All,
Has anyone ever been sponsored from a college/university for an H1B visa? I heard that the 65,000 quota does not apply to higher education insititute/non-profit organization? Is that a true statement.

If someone has any experience with filing an H1B visa, could you please share it here in the forum? Any good lawyers that you would recommend? I would like to get some more information on what forms needs to be filed and what's the procedure.

Thanks for your input in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,
-LoGiN

You heard it correct Mr. Login.

Login,
Yes, you heard it right. I am not expert in this field, but when I was hired at a University five years ago, they said the H1 quota did not apply to higher education insititute. In my case, we had some professionals at the University, who deal with our immigration issues, such as filing H1B or green card, or renewing H1B. So, I neither had to hire any lawyer nor pay a dime from my pocket for the process. Most of the universities have these type of professionals because they need international scholars/ professional staffs. So, check with your HR or International Students Office to find out whether you need to hire external lawyer or not.

Are you getting hired as professional staff or faculty member?

Rusty is right.

I had similer experience.

You can do the procedure youself if you have little bit of confidence and lawyers are there just to verify the forms you fill up and charge you $50 for a photocpy and $17 for sending it to you via FedEx.

Good Luck man.

If you are in the research its even easier.

Thanks Bedrock, Rusty and Shirish...

I did some research and nowhere has the USCIS clearly mentioned about the quota issue. I don't think the University has dealt with many foreign workers and the HR does not have much clue. Do you think I can do the paperwork myself without consulting/hiring a lawyer. What is the procedure?

Rusy, I am being hired as a staff not a faculty member;)

Thanks,
-LoGiN

hello login, if you are hired in a university, you do not need to worry about 65000 visa quota. one of my friend was hired by his university and just got H1b. he hired a lawyer by himself in his case. H1b process in a university is little bit longer. the main thing is they have to create position, and you need paper signed by your employer ( may be your professor or others) and sometime from deal of your school. after you get those paper done, it will only take couple of weeks to get yout H1B. in my friend's case it took him just 7 days as he did premium processing for H1B. so do not worry about quota. hope this helps. my friend's case is just about 20 days old.

Hi South,

Thanks for your input. I've already got the job offer from the employer and will be starting to work there on my OPT first. Would your friend be willing to give me some more information on the application process? I could get in touch with him or he can email me at nirwata@hotmail.com.

I thought that if a lawyer is hired, the expense has to come from the University and not from my own pocket.

Thank you all for your help.
-LoGiN

hello login,

i have to ask my friend for his email. but what i know is, his OPT is about to expire and this is the reason why he hired a lawyer and did premium processing. total expenses was about $2500. he paid all by himself. if you have plenty of time to process your H1b, then premium processing is not necessary. if you have already got your offer letter, then you can go to lawyer and get it done. it will just take you few hours to do that.

Login

You can do it if your University does not pay for the lawyer. You mey little discomfort because of the risks involved and possible deniel but there is nothing complecated as long as you know where to file.

However, you will have to submit paper works like thier offer letter, you salary that is compatible with the current standards of the Labor Dept. and that they can support you for that salary (say for two years), letter stating that they will provide you with the returning ticket.

Thanks guys,

Yeah, I looked at the forms and it dosen't look complicated at all. Like Shirish said, I guess I am just a little uncomfortable doing it myself. It would be nice if I had someone to look over the forms before submitting it.
Now, I read that the fees are waived too for higher education. But I am confused if it's all the fee or just part of it.

Thanks folks,
-LoGiN