UIC Employees
UIC foreign national employees hold a wide variety of immigration statuses, some are sponsored by UIC while others are not. This page is organized into UIC-sponsored statuses: H-1B, O-1, TN, and E-3, then a section for all non-UIC sponsored individuals.
UIC graduates on F-1 OPT and J-1 Exchange Visitor Scholars employed at the University should consult the relevant employment pages for their status.
Connect with an OIS advisor at oisscholar@uic.edu if you have any questions about information on these pages.
Quick links for international employees and departments Heading link
International employees
International Employees
Department Administrators
Department Administrators
Maintaining status basics for international employees sponsored by UIC Heading link
The information below covers basic status maintenance steps for individuals in H-1B, O-1, TN, and E-3 status sponsored by UIC. Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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Work authorization
Work only in the authorized place(s) of employment described in the documents submitted to Immigration and/or Labor. See your status tab for specifics.
Do not accept additional employment or work at any additional work site at UIC/UIC-Peoria/UIC-Rockford, including on-campus, without consulting OIS in advance.
It may be possible to have more than one sponsor/employer, but this requires a separate filing with USCIS. For TNs, this may also be achieved through travel and reentry.
Have your department notify OIS if any significant changes in job duties, salary, title or work site are expected during your authorized employment. An amended filing may be necessary.
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Immigration Documents
Retain copies of all immigration documents including current and expired passports, Forms I-797, visas, I-94, etc. Upload any new copies of these items to myOIS via the International Employees & Visitors “Immigration Document Update” form.
If you changed from another immigration status or employer, notify your last institution of your UIC sponsorship.
Passport
Maintain a valid passport at all times, valid for at least six months into the future.
Form I-797 approval notice
The Form I-797 is your property. If you lose it, there is a fee to request a duplicate.
TNs and E-3s who obtained status by travel will not have an I-797.
Form I-94
Always review and save your new Form I-94 after reentry. Upload any new Form I-94s to myOIS via the International Employees & Visitors “Immigration Document Update” form.
Form I-94 must indicate “Admitted as: H-1B (O-1/TN/E-3)” and “Admitted until date” matching your I-797 approval notice, or with an additional 10 days grace period added.
Grace period days are not days of employment, paid or unpaid. They are days to settle in or prepare to depart the U.S.
Incorrect end date and/or information: If your I-94 indicates any other expiration date or any other incorrect information, contact OIS. Passport expiry within six months, or any time before your I-797 approval end date, is a common reason for a shortened I-94. If this occurs, your work authorization and status are shortened to this date and we must work to re-extend your status as soon as possible.
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Validity Period and Extensions
Your department will need to initiate the extension process (if eligible) four to six months prior to your I-94/status expiry date.
Time limits may apply:
H-1B
Six-year total limit and each petition may only request a maximum of three years.
Extensions beyond 6 years are possible for some particular green card-pending situations. Please contact OIS for guidance.
O-1
No total limit, though you must continue to meet the standards for the classification. Extensions are generally limited to one-year increments.
TN
No total limit. However, you must retain a connection to Canada/Mexico and you may not have an intent to remain in the U.S. permanently. Each extension may only request a maximum of three years.
E-3
No total limit. Each extension may only request a maximum of two years.
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Address Changes
Report any change in residential address, within 10 days of moving, to USCIS (Form AR-11), to OIS via myOIS International Employees & Visitors “Address and Contact Update” form, and via UIC’s My Profile page. If your status is pending at USCIS, print Form AR-11 or call 1-800-375-5283 to make the update.
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Benefits (Health Insurance)
Follow all UI New Hire steps and consult your HR administrator with questions. You have 30 calendar days to make a benefits selection from your hire or benefits eligibility date. See the UI New Employeeor UI Human Resources Benefits sites for more information.
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Taxes
You are required to file both state and federal taxes. Consult OBFS for the “Foreign National Tax Review” with any new change of status or updated immigration documents.
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Legal Permanent Residence (LPR)/Green Card
If you obtain U.S. Legal Permanent Residency (green card), please submit a copy in myOIS via the International Employees & Visitors “Immigration Document Update” form so that we may close your OIS record and provide final instructions.
Notes for H-1B workers
Please note that H-1B status is considered “dual intent.” Unlike other non-immigrant statuses, you may file for U.S. Legal Permanent Residence while in H-1B status without a conflict of intent.
Notes for O-1 workers
O-1 status allows for a form of “dual intent,” meaning that the filing of a Labor Certification Application and/or an immigrant petition will not be the basis for denying an O-1 petition, a request for an extension of stay, a change of status, or admission to the U.S. However, an O-1 extension cannot be filed once an I-485 Adjustment of Status for Legal Permanent Residency (LPR) petition has been filed. Please discuss any LPR filing with OIS in advance to avoid gaps in work authorization or difficulties traveling.
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Departure
Upon completion of employment, your department will initiate a Departure Verification Form through myOIS, which will require your approval. This form is required regardless of your departure reason, such as leaving the U.S. or changing employers.
Grace Period
You will likely have a 10-day grace period after the end date of your I-797 approval notice, which is noted on your most recent Form I-94. You may not work during this period; it is time to prepare to leave the U.S., change status, etc.
H-1B workers
If the department terminates your employment before the I-797 end date, you must be offered a return ticket to your home country, which you may accept or decline. Verification is included in the Departure Form.
In the case of early termination, some individuals may have up to 60 days to remain in the country and have a new sponsor file a petition for you. Please connect with OIS for guidance.
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Unlawful Presence
This occurs when you stay beyond the ending date of your I-94 or upon determination by Department of Homeland Security. Consequences include a 3-year bar from reentering the U.S. if you have stayed unlawfully in the U.S. for 180 days or more, and a 10-year bar if you remain unlawfully in the U.S. for 360 days or more. Violation of your status makes you ineligible for any immigration benefits. This does not apply if a timely, non-frivolous petition to extend your stay has been received by the USCIS prior to the end date of your I-94.
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Travel and Visa Process
Visa application
Schedule an appointment with the U.S. Consulate/Embassy and complete Form DS-160 with fee. Canadian citizens do not require a visa.
Review the consulate or embassy website for guidance about required documents. We suggest bringing:
- Passport – valid for at least six months beyond reentry date.
- Original Form I-797 Approval Notice – O-1, H-1B, some TNs, and E-3s.
- Copy of Labor Condition Application (ETA Form 9035) – H-1B, E-3 only.
- Copy of I-129 petition – H-1B, O-1, some TNs, and E-3s.
- Employment offer or recently dated sponsoring department letter
- Copies of most recent earnings statements
- If a former J-1 Exchange Visitor – copies of all prior Forms DS-2019, original I-612 Approval Notice or Advisory Opinion letter
- Dependents (H-4, O-3, E-3D, TD) – In addition to the above, they should bring proof of marriage, or birth, when applying for a visa. If they are traveling independently from you, they should carry your original I-797 approval notice, if any, or their own original I-797 approval notice, if they have one.
Travel on a valid visa
We recommend that you bring many of the documents listed above for any travel, even if you have a valid visa for re-entry. It is possible that the Customs and Border Patrol Officer will ask you for these at the port of entry.
Automatic Visa Revalidation exception
You may travel to Canada and Mexico (only) with an expired visa for less than 30 days. Other exceptions may apply, please see International Travel Guidance for additional travel details.
Different types of international employees at UIC Heading link
In addition to the basic status maintenance topics covered above, you will have additional status maintenance considerations specific to your visa category. Click below to learn more about the most common employment-based categories at UIC.
