Immigration processingwill take a minimum of 3 months. This timeframe can change, and the OISS adviser handling the case can provide guidance on the current processing period. Alternately, premium processing may be used for an additional fee narrowing processing time down to a 15-calendar day period.
Once the H-1B petition is complete, including Labor step, the OISS adviser will send the petition to Immigration.
In approximately 10-14 days after the petition is received by Immigration, OISS should receive an official receipt notice providing a case number.
At that time scholars may contact the OISS adviser handling their case to request their case number so they may monitor their case, online at www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.
OISS will send an email notice to the scholar as soon the Immigration approval notice (Form I-797) arrives.
If you are monitoring your case status on line, please note it can take as long as 7-10 days for OISS to receive the official approval notice once the immigration system shows an approval.
Additional Instruction
Please note that your Yale University H-1B gives you employment permission ONLY for the specific job named in the application. For further instructions, please select your H-1B catergory below:
Dependents
If the Form I-539 was filed for dependents (in the U.S.), this receipt (and later the dependent/s approval notice) will be sent to the address noted on the form.
Please check the receipt immediately for any errors in the spelling of the name/s and call the customer service number on the form to report if an error has been made.
H-1B Extension Petitions
Scholars should not plan travel during the pending petition process (more information).
Scholars, who continue the "same" employment, may remain in the U.S. and work, beyond their current expiration date if the approval notice does not arrive by that date.
This is known as the "240-day rule" and authorizes an additional 240 days of status (or up to the new expiration date, whichever is earlier), while the extension is pending
Per 8 Code of Federal Regulations #274a.12.
If an emergency arises and travel is required during the processing period contact your OISS adviser who will provide guidance, which may include the use of Premium Processing.
Change of Status to H-1B
Scholars should not plan travel during the pending petition process (more information).
Scholars must receive approval of the change of status to H-1B by the expiration date of your current work authorization/status to continue employment.
This may be done either at the time of the initial filing or once the receipt notice has arrived narrowing the processing time down to a 15-calendar day period.
If you elect to use this, it will take approximately 20 days to complete the full process, including mailing.
Change of H-1B Employer to Yale (AC 21 Petitions)
Scholars should not plan travel during the pending petition process (more information).
Scholars may begin Yale employment as soon as OISS confirms receipt of the official Immigration receipt notice with case number.
Scholars may work according to the "240-day rule" while awaiting final approval of the petition.
the "240-day rule" authorizes the scholar to work up to a period of 240 days from the date immigration receives the petition (or up to the new expiration date, whichever is earlier), while pending.
Per 8 Code of Federal Regulations #274a.12.
H-1B Cable Notification Petitions
For scholars currently outside the U.S.
Once Immigration approves the petition, OISS will send the approval notice and petition copy to the scholar by courier.
These materials will be used to apply for the H-1B visa for U.S. entry at the American Embassy designated by the scholar.
