Initial Stage (Approximate Time Frame – 2 weeks)

• Department initiates its desires to sponsor an H-1B Temporary Worker by notifying Roger Jett, Assistant Director of Human Resources.

• HR communicates the different legal obligations of sponsoring an H-1B worker and waits for departmental confirmation to proceed with the process.

• HR requests certain documents/information related to the appointment from the department including the effective and ending dates of the petition and if premium processing will be used.

• HR requests certain immigration, credentials and dependent information from the beneficiary.

• HR preliminarily determines if the position is a specialty occupation and if the beneficiary has the proper credentials.

• Any changes to the appointment must be made at this point.

Prevailing Wage (Approximate Time Frame – 3 to 4 weeks)

• HR uses the job description and offer letter as supporting documentation to file for a prevailing wage with the Missouri Department of Economic Development-State Workforce Agency (SWA).

• The SWA notifies HR of the prevailing wage.

• HR notifies the department of the prevailing wage.

• The department decides on to continue or discontinue the H-1B petition. Changes to the appointment cannot be made at this juncture.

• The department also decides if it will pay premium processing to expedite the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processing time.

• If yes, HR notifies the department secretary to prepare the voucher(s).

LCA Filing and Attestations (Approximate Time Frame – 1 week)

• HR files the Labor Condition Attestation (LCA) with the Department of Labor (DOL) attesting to several regulatory provisions.

• DOL approves LCA.

• HR sends a copy of the LCA to the department for posting on a job board for 10 days.

• HR creates public file.

• Department posts the LCA for 10 days. Signs and dates the form. Returns LCA to HR.

• HR provides a copy of the LCA to the beneficiary.

H-1B Petition Filing (Approximate Time Frame – 1 week)

• HR completes the Forms I-129, I-129W, and any supplemental information required.

• HR completes the Forms I-539 and obtains dependents signatures and check for USCIS processing fees.

• HR may ask department to assist with credentials evaluation if needed.

• HR forwards the back up information to Accounting to release the vouchers.

• HR assembles documents to send to USCIS.

• HR overnights documents to USCIS.

BCIS Processing (Approximate Time Frames – up to 3 months or1 month w/premium processing)

• Within one to two weeks the USCIS sends a receipt.

• HR keeps receipt for tracking purposes.

• USCIS approves the H-1B Petition and sends approval notice to HR.

• USCIS approves H-4 and sends approval notice of dependents to dependent’s home.

Approval (Approximate Time Frame – 2 days)

• HR notifies department of approval notice and reminds department of the different nuances of sponsoring an H-1B.

• HR notifies beneficiary

• HR delivers the I-94 to the beneficiary.

• HR completes the I-9, arranges for W-4 to be updated if necessary.