Overview
Gather the relevant materials below and follow the outlined steps.
- Review this page (Printable checklist)
- Confirm that the UW H Visa Request Form and all supporting documentation contain consistent information (e.g., appointment title, proposed dates of E-3 sponsorship, and salary)
- Return as one complete packet to International Scholars Operations (ISO) by one of the following methods:
- By campus mail to campus mailbox 351245
- As one complete PDF by replying to the email sent with the approved visa request
- As one complete PDF uploaded to the visa request using the “Manage Files” function
With the exception of the employer’s letter, all documentation must be legible, single-sided photocopies of original documents on 8.5″ x 11″ paper. Original (wet) signatures are not required except as specified below. Do not use staples.
Documents Needed for All Requests
- A conditionally approved and signed H Visa Request Form (see our How to Sponsor page)
- Complete and print the Prevailing Wage Intake Form. (This form is not necessary for members of the Resident and Fellow Physician Union-Northwest or the UW UAW-Postdocs.)
- Complete, print and obtain signatures on the Actual Wage Memorandum
- $460 check payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”, if filing with USCIS
- It is the responsibility of the hiring department to pay the fees on behalf of the foreign beneficiary
- Employer’s letter on departmental letterhead to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which includes all elements outlined in the linked template
- Copies of all offer or reappointment letters to the beneficiary (or Resident and Fellow Position Agreement) describing the terms and duration of the employment
- If the beneficiary will work at more than one location, include an attachment listing the dates and address of each location where work will be performed
- If any work will be performed at a site that is not managed by UW (e.g., a medical institution that is not UW/Harborview/Northwest Hospital), include a Program Letter of Agreement (PLA) or other agreement authorizing UW employees to perform duties at the other work location(s)
- Evidence that the beneficiary holds the degree required for the job
- Beneficiary’s transcripts (If transcripts are unavailable, please explain why)
- Official diploma
- Foreign language documents must include full English translations, certified by the translator as complete and correct
- For degrees from foreign universities, the beneficiary should obtain a foreign educational equivalency evaluation by a recognized credentials evaluation service
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume
- For graduates of foreign medical schools (including Canadian medical schools) who will engage in patient care, copies of U.S. Medical Licensing Exam step 1, 2, and 3 exam results
- If required for the job, U.S. professional license
- Passport page showing biographical data and expiration date
- If currently in the U.S.:
- Passport page showing most recent U.S. visa stamp
- A completed, signed Maintenance of Status/I-94 Consent form AND the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record received upon last entry to the U.S.
- If the beneficiary has ever held E-3 status, current and any prior E-3 I-797 Approval Notices
- If beneficiary is currently in J-1 or J-2 status, or has ever held J-1 or J-2 status, include:
- Current and any prior DS-2019s and/or IAP-66s
- USCIS approval of waiver of foreign residence requirement
- Applicable only if the beneficiary ever held J-1 or J-2 status and requested and received the waiver
- Current and any prior Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), if any
Additional Required Documents For New and Change of Employer (Transfer) Petitions
For petitions where:
- The beneficiary is currently outside the U.S., or
- The beneficiary is in the U.S. in a nonimmigrant status other than E-3, or in E-3 status with another employer
include the following in addition to all materials listed above:
- If beneficiary is currently in E-3 status with another employer, most recent pay stubs or similar salary record
- If beneficiary is currently in F-1 status, include:
- Current and prior I-20s
- Current and prior EADs, if any
- If beneficiary is currently in E-3D status, include:
- Marriage certificate, with English translation
- Spouse’s most recent I-94 Record
- Spouse’s current and any prior I-797 Approval Notices
- Spouse’s most-recent pay stub or other proof of current employment
- If beneficiary is currently in another nonimmigrant or immigrant status, contact ISO to determine what evidence you must submit
Dependent Filings for E-3D Status
Dependents in the U.S. changing to or extending E-3D status complete Form I-539. ISO will file this application concurrently with the E-3 petition as a courtesy, but cannot complete it or provide specific legal advice related to it. The I-539 should be completed in the name of the principal dependent, not the E-3 employee.
Children under 14 years of age should have a parent sign Part 6 of the I-539 using the following language: PARENT NAME on behalf of minor CHILD NAME.
In addition to the completed I-539 with original signature and $370 check payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”, include the following documents for each dependent:
- A completed Form I-539A with original signature for each additional dependent
- Proof of relationship to the E-3 employee (marriage certificate for spouse and birth certificates for children)
- Copies of passport pages showing biographical data and expiration date and U.S. visa stamp
- Copy of dependent’s most recent I-94 Record
- Any I-20s, DS-2019s, I-797 Approval Notices, EADs, or other documentation of current nonimmigrant status, if applicable