H-1B SPECIALTY OCCUPTION
The H-1B specialty occupation visa category requires that the individual hold a
university-level degree and involves a more complex, lengthy process to obtain.
- The employing department works with OISS to initiate the request for the H-1B status on Immigration Form I-129 and ETA 9035.
(The U.S. Dept. of Labor must approve the ETA 9035.)
- It takes Immigration approximately 6 months to approve the I-129 application.
- The maximum period of stay in H-1B status is 6 years.
- There is no obligation for the H-1B visa holder to return to the home country.
- The H-1B visa holder may be employed only by UCSB (e.g. with Immigration approved employer indicated on form I-797 approval notice).
UCSB H-1B Application Instructions
H-1B Dependents
The H-1B visa dependents are eligible for the H-4 visa status.
- H-4 visa holders are not eligible for employment permission.
- H-4 visa holders may enroll as students although it is generally to their advantage to obtain a student visa status in their own right.