Staff visa sponsorship
Table of Contents
H-1B and E-3 visa sponsorship considerations
Last updated: March 22, 2024
Beginning July 1, 2023, a pilot program developed in partnership between the Office of Academic Personnel (OAP) and UW Human Resources (UWHR) began accepting requests to sponsor TN, H-1B and E-3 visas for qualifying staff positions. UW does not sponsor permanent residency for any staff position.
International Scholars Operations (ISO) will not process staff visa requests without prior UWHR approval. Whether the proposed sponsorship is for a new or open staff vacancy, or for an employee already working at UW on a different visa type, UWHR will work with the hiring unit to evaluate the staff position for visa eligibility and provide written approval documentation the unit will be required to submit to ISO when initiating the sponsorship request.
H-1B and E-3 visa sponsorship considerations
Units considering staff H-1B (and E-3) visa sponsorship for qualifying full-time, regular staff positions should be prepared to cover sponsorship costs, be aware of timelines associated with visa sponsorship, and understand that H-1B and E-3 visas are temporary work authorizations that may not accommodate indefinite or permanent employment.
H-1B and E-3 visa responsibilities and process
Position eligibility review
- Units interested in H-1B (and E-3) visa sponsorship should first reach out to UWHR as follows:
- For consultation on new or open recruitments, to their UWHR recruitment partner.
- For questions about current UW employees working on a different visa type, to employeerelations@uw.edu.
- UWHR will review the request and the full-time, regular position to determine whether it meets one or more H-1B eligibility criteria, including whether the:
- Position requires minimum education requirements specified by the visa type
- Education requirements of the position are specified by a collective bargaining agreement or civil service rules
- Anticipated job posting specifies the minimum degree requirements
- Minimum education requirements are well established in your unit, industry norms, or are uniquely specialized
Recruitment and sponsorship requests for new and open vacancies
- For approved positions, UWHR recruitment partners will forward qualified applicants to hiring managers, including applicants who require visa sponsorship.
- If the selected final candidate requires sponsorship, UWHR will provide the H-1B/E-3 position eligibility rubric and supporting documentation to the unit to include when submitting the visa request to ISO.
- Following approval to proceed from UWHR, campus units are responsible for submitting visa sponsorship requests and should follow the processes outlined on ISO’s website:
Medical centers recruitment will facilitate submitting visa sponsorship requests for their clients.
Sponsorship requests for current employees working at UW on a different visa type
- For approved positions, UWHR will provide the H-1B/E-3 position eligibility rubric and supporting documentation to the unit to include when submitting the visa request to ISO.
- Following approval to proceed from UWHR, campus units are responsible for submitting visa sponsorship requests and should follow the processes outlined on ISO’s website:
TN status responsibilities and process
The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the United States and is not limited to regular, full-time positions. If a selected final candidate is a citizen of Canada or Mexico, UWHR will work with the hiring unit to evaluate the position for TN eligibility, and either:
- Prepare a letter addressed to the Department of Homeland Security for the employee to apply for TN status at a U.S. Port of Entry or Consulate (most common circumstance); or
- Provide position eligibility approval to the unit to use when requesting that ISO submit a TN application to USCIS (rare circumstance)
Campus units should review ISO’s “How to Sponsor a TN” for further process guidance.
Effective July 1, 2023, all TN sponsorship for staff positions will go through UWHR.
General questions about the staff visa pilot program or extending visa sponsorship to current employees should be directed to employeerelations@uw.edu.