International Services > Current and Prospective Employees

Prospective GHSU Employees 

Welcome to Georgia Health Sciences University!

The International Services Office provides processing for H-1B, TN, E-3 and O-1 sponsorship by GHSU.  The decision to sponsor an employee for any status rests with the hiring department.  Departments, however, may not be aware of current requirements and processing timelines for attaining nonimmigrant status.  For this reason, if sponsorship for nonimmigrant status is required for your employment at GHSU, it is best to confirm that our office has assessed your situation before a final determination is made on start date, position and salary for your employment. 

Due to personnel limitations, we will only correspond with applicants for whom we have received a department request from the hiring unit.

Some important points to keep in mind about your transition to employment at GHSU:

• Full documentation is required.

  • Regardless of status, full documentation of your educational background, work experience and previous immigration status will be necessary.  This includes, but is not limited to:

    • An IPSO Applicant Info Form, completed in its entirety

    • A current C.V., with all dates listed in month/year format

    • For those currently in the U.S., copies of your passport, visa, I-94, current status document (I-797, I-20, DS-2019)

    • If applicable, copies of publications (1^st page only)

    • For foreign trained physicians, a copy of ECFMG certification and USMLE scores

    • Copies of degrees.  For foreign graduates, a credential evaluation of their degrees.  Companies that provide this service include:  www.educassess.com, www.fcsa.biz, www.ece.org, www.gcevaluators.com, www.lisano-intl.com, www.jsilny.com, www.wes.org

    • Note:  original documents are not required for immigration processing.  Copies, in most cases, will suffice.

• Change of status
  • For those currently in F-1 or J-1 status, a change of status will usually require a 3-6 month processing time.  If your department wishes to transfer your F or J status to GHSU, they should contact International Student and Scholar Services.  This is often the fastest way to begin employment at GHSU.
  • Foreign nationals in B-1 or B-2 status are not eligible for a change of status to H-1B, TN, E-3 or O-1 status.  Individuals in B-1 or B-2 may be eligible for consular processing for one of these status’ in their home country.
  • J-1 applicants subject to 212(e) require an I-612 approval notice to be eligible for H-1B status

• H-1B transfers
  • While H-1B transfers take less time than change of status cases, they can still require three months to secure employment eligibility for a new hire.  H-1B employee’s status in the U.S. is dependent on employment and there is no recognized grace period once employment has terminated.  For this reason, it is critically important that those currently in H-1B status do not terminate employment with their current employer until we have advised it is safe to do so.
  
  • H-1B transfers will also need to supply copies of their most recent three paystubs as evidence of their valid status

• GHSU does not sponsor medical or dental residents for H-1B status
• Applicants who require sponsorship for nonimmigrant status must have met the minimum requirements of the position when the petition is submitted to USCIS.  Petitions cannot be submitted for pending graduates.
• For applicants abroad
  • Visa processing can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on numerous factors.  IPSO has no means to expedite visa processing.  If you are advised your case has been selected for “administrative processing” expect delays.
  • If you do not have a U.S. social security number, you will need to apply for one after arriving in Augusta.  Expect this process to take 2-3 weeks.  You will not be eligible for employment at GHSU until you have a social security number.

The International and Postdoctoral Services Office takes pride in its customer service.  We strive to consider both the department’s interests and candidate’s career path in assessing immigration options.  We urge applicants to consider that each person’s immigration circumstances are unique and what may be the case for friends and colleagues may not apply to your situation.