Updated 9/29/22

All employees, U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike, must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 within 3 business days of the employment start date. Visit UW HR’s I-9 Form Requirements page for details. Information on I-9 completion for academic personnel on UW-sponsored visas (international scholars) is provided below.

Unlike the USCIS I-9 form for a U.S. citizen and legal permanent residents, the I-9 form for an international scholar has an expiration date.

I-9 Information for International Scholars

It may be necessary to wait until the international scholar has arrived in the U.S., and has received the I-94 arrival/departure form documenting their status, to complete the I-9.

See the Integrated Service Center (ISC) Complete Form I-9 User Guide for support.

Expirations and Extensions of Visa Status

When an international scholar’s visa status is extended, ISO will notify the unit and then I-9 coordinators must re-verify employment eligibility by updating the I-9 in Workday on or before the expiration date recorded in Section 1.

Documenting a Pending Extension

Follow instructions from the ISC to update the I-9 to reflect timely filing of a petition to extend H-1B, E-3 or TN status. Once the I-797A “Approval Notice” is received, unit administrators should update the I-9 Form again as soon as the I-797A “Approval Notice” is received.

H-1B Portability

Under H-1B portability provisions, nonimmigrants in H-1B status can move from their current employer to the UW as soon as UW files an H-1B petition with USCIS. Unit administrators should follow instructions from the ISC to complete an I-9 using the I-797C receipt notice in these circumstances. Once the I-797A “Approval Notice” is received, unit administrators should update the I-9 Form as soon as the I-797A “Approval Notice” is received.

For more information, contact the ISC.