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Academic Personnel & Faculty

O-1A Required Documents

Overview

Gather the relevant materials below and follow the outlined steps.

  • Confirm that the UW H Visa Request Form and all supporting documentation contain consistent information (e.g., appointment title, proposed dates of O-1A sponsorship, and salary)
  • Have the candidate work with ISO to provide the “O-1A Evidence of Eligibility”
  • Return all other required documents 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

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.

O-1A Evidence of Eligibility

ISO will work with the candidate to draft and finalize evidence of their eligibility for O-1A classification. ISO may use email or a shared drive to collect and collaborate on this evidence. Candidates should expect to provide the following:

  • Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume
  • A detailed description of the field of beneficiary’s work and of their significant contributions to it. Please focus on describing those contributions in layman’s terms and in a way that makes it clear what was new, significant, or useful about those contributions.
  • Initial drafts of recommender letters in support and a list of expected recommenders with names, employers, and contact information. ISO can provide sample letters upon request.
  • Copies of all major awards, prizes, and endorsements.
  • Documentation of any and all grants or other research funding or awards that the beneficiary has received.
  • Copies of all mass-media or professional articles mentioning or describing the beneficiary and their work.
  • A list of prominent associations in the field in which the beneficiary holds membership.
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s participation in the field as a judge of the work of others (e.g. as a reviewer of articles for publication or presentations in the field).
  • Any other relevant evidence

Documents Needed for All Requests

  • A conditionally approved and signed H Visa Request Form (see our How to Sponsor page)
  • $530 I-129 filing fee and $2805 premium processing fee (see our Visa Fees page)
    • It is the responsibility of the hiring department to pay the fees on behalf of the foreign beneficiary
  • Copies of all offer or reappointment letters to the beneficiary 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 locations(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
  • For appointments in a competitively-recruited professorial title, include a photocopy of the published advertisement for the job
  • 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 applicable
  • For graduates of foreign medical schools outside of Canada, a copy of a certificate from the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates if applicable
  • If required for the job, U.S. professional license
  • Passport page showing biographical data and expiration date
  • If currently in the U.S.:
  • 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
    • Current and any prior J-1 or J-2 visa stamps
    • 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 in the U.S. in a nonimmigrant status other than O-1A, or in O-1A status with another employer

Include the following in addition to all materials listed above:

  • If beneficiary is currently in O-1A status with another employer:
    • Any and all approval notices received for O-1A status
    • Most recent pay stubs or similar salary record
  • If beneficiary is currently in J-1 status, include:
    • Most recent pay stubs or similar salary record
  • If beneficiary is currently in another nonimmigrant or immigrant status, contact ISO to determine what evidence you must submit.

Dependent Filings for O-3 Status

Dependents in the U.S. changing to or extending O-3 status complete Form I-539. ISO will file this application concurrently with the O-1A 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 O-1A.

Children under 14 years of age should have a parent sign Part 5 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 Form G-1450 for the $470 filing fee, include the following documents for each dependent:

  • A completed Form I-539A with original signature for each additional dependent
  • Proof of relationship to the O-1A 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