Staff visa sponsorship
Last updated: February 10, 2025
Overview
The University of Washington provides TN, H-1B, and E-3 visa sponsorship for qualifying, specialized staff positions. UW does not sponsor permanent residency for any staff position.
The process for requesting staff visa sponsorship is dependent on the type of visa, whether the request is for a current UW employee or a competitive recruitment and, for H-1B and E-3 visas, the job profile.
H-1B and E-3 visa eligibility
To be eligible for H-1B or E-3 status, a position must be a full-time, regular staff position and meet the specialty occupation criteria defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
International Scholars Operations (ISO) requires documentation of UWHR approval for all staff jobs except for the following represented Research Scientists/Engineer (RSE) positions:
- Research Scientist/Engineer 1-4, including APL and IHME RSE positions
- Research Scientist/Engineer Senior, Research Scientist/Engineer Principal, and Research Scientist/Engineer Senior Principal
UWHR’s approval include information to demonstrate H-1B or E-3 eligibility 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
- The anticipated job posting specifies the minimum degree requirements
- The minimum education requirements are well established in the hiring unit, industry norms, or are uniquely specialized
H-1B and E-3 visa 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.
Processing times for H-1Bs and E-3s can vary widely from 2-3 months to 7 months or longer (depending on case type and whether units choose to pay for USCIS premium processing). Processing time can also vary based on the candidate’s current visa status and whether they are located inside or outside the U.S.
H-1B and E-3 sponsorship is specific to the position, location, and employer; therefore, any significant changes in title, compensation, worksite, or job duties may necessitate a new visa request. Please report any significant changes to ISO.
H-1B and E-3 visa request process
Recruitment and sponsorship requests for new and open vacancies
- Hiring units interested in H-1B or E-3 sponsorship for a vacant position should begin by emailing a request to their UWHR recruitment partner. The request should include the Workday position number.
- UWHR will determine if the position is H-1B or E-3 eligible. If the position is eligible, UWHR will then send the H-1B or E-3 position eligibility rubric to the unit for the unit to include when submitting their visa request to ISO. (This does not apply to RSEs as defined above.)
- If the position is eligible, UWHR recruitment partners will update the job posting to indicate H-1B or E-3 eligibility and begin referring candidates who require visa sponsorship to the hiring unit.
- If the selected final candidate requires sponsorship, the UWHR recruitment partner will freeze the recruitment until the visa application process is complete.
- To submit the visa sponsorship to ISO, campus units 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
- Hiring departments should email hrhelp@uw.edu with questions about sponsoring an H-1B or E-3 visa for current UW employees working on a different visa type. The email should include the Workday position number, the employee’s current employment authorization type, and the employee’s current authorization’s expiration date, if applicable.
- UWHR will determine if the position is H-1B or E-3 eligible.
- If the position is eligible, UWHR will then send the H-1B or E-3 position eligibility rubric to the unit for the unit to include when submitting their visa request to ISO (see RSE eligibility above).
- To submit the visa sponsorship to ISO, campus units should follow the processes outlined on ISO’s website: 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.
TN eligibility
The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the United States on a temporary basis in certain professional positions under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The TN visa is not limited to regular, full-time positions. Hiring units interested in sponsoring a new TN visa should follow the Staff TN Sponsorship Process below:
If a selected final candidate for a staff position 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)
Staff TN sponsorship process
- Hiring units will identify final candidates who require TN sponsorship and contact UWHR at hrhelp@uw.edu.
- UWHR will consult with hiring units on the appropriate TN occupation and will draft a TN letter.
- If the candidate will apply for a TN at a U.S. port of entry or consulate abroad, they should follow “Method 1” on the How to Sponsor page.
- If the unit/candidate is already in the U.S. and wishes to change their visa status to TN, change the TN employer, or extend or amend an existing TN status, visa processing will proceed as described under “Method 2” on the How to Sponsor page. Hiring units should attach UWHR’s TN approval to the visa request where prompted.
Questions?
General questions about staff visa sponsorship or extending visa sponsorship to current employees should be directed to your UWHR recruiting partner.