H-1B Specialty Workers

• To ensure sufficient time for processing, the H-1B request should be submitted to ISSS no later than six (6) months before the employment start date.
• Applicant must be a current employee of Drexel University, Drexel University College of Medicine, Drexel University at Elkins Park, or the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (the H-1B is employer-specific) or must be offered employment by one of those entities.
• A bachelor's degree is required. Formal education must relate to the position.

H-1B petitions are not always approved. Hiring departments must be prepared for this. The department may be required to prove that the industry standard requirement for the position is a bachelor's degree. If other people in the same department have the same or a similar position, the department must be prepared to show that the people in those positions also possess a bachelor's degree.

H-1B Application Process

In order to process an H-1B petition, the hosting department and the H-1B applicant will need first to fulfill the export control procedure by filling out the necessary information here; Non-Immigrant Export Compliance Questionnaire. This can be completed by the applicant with help from the host or vice versa.

Should you have any questions about the export control process, contact the Office of Research & Innovation at export@drexel.edu. 

Timeline

Drexel ISSS works with outside counsel to assist with its H-1B caseload. It takes between three to five weeks to prepare the H-1B petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Departments will work with ISSS and outside counsel to compile the petition after the job description, salary, requisite experience and degree-level information have been submitted for review.

H-1B Petition

The H-1B petition is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The department and applicant will be notified when the petition has been filed, as well as when the receipt and subsequent approval are received.

For cases filed via Premium Processing, notification of decision will be received within 15 days of receipt date. If approved, the official approval notice will arrive via US mail approximately 5 days later.

For cases filed via regular processing, processing times vary. View current H-1B petition processing times.