Employees

Employee Status Maintenance

During your stay at USF, it is your responsibility to stay current on any changes in immigration regulations via the OIS website and through updates sent to your university email.  Immigration regulations can vary depending on your individual case or situation. Always consult OIS for the most accurate information.

Changes in employment

During the Labor Certification Application (LCA), we reported your work to the Department of Labor.  This work authorization is both employer and position specific. You should report any changes in your employment such as title, job duties, salary, FTE, employment end date, or work location to our office.  These changes may require our office to seek pre-arrival form USCIS.   These changes could be as simple as working remotely from a relative’s house in another city or state for an extended period of time.

Your status allows you to be paid only by USF. You cannot accept outside work, such as honorariums, short-term consulting work, guest lecturing, or teaching courses at another university.  This includes working for other departments at USF.  You can be reimbursed for travel and accommodation expenses related to conferences and presentations.

You will receive email notifications if you work authorization is ending. It is your responsibility to work with your department.  They will need to complete an updated iStart EBVS eform for this to be processed in a timely manner. 

Notify our office before you plan to end your employment. OIS needs to withdraw the USF sponsorship and the LCA. 

Changes in address

You are required to Notify USCIS via the AR-11 or AR-11SR if you change your residential address within 10 days of the change.  

Please notify your department of any change in your residential address prior to your move.  They will need to file an new Labor Certification since working from home counts as an employment address.

Immigration Updates

You need to maintain a valid passport at all times. Remember to renew well before the expiration date.   If you updated your passport or visa stamp, remember to upload to the iStart Update Passport or Update Visa eform. 

In order to return to the US following travel, you would need to have the appropriate visa stamp in your passport (unless you are from Canada).  This requires you to make an appointment at the US Consulate or Embassy in your home country or the country you are planning to visit.  Instructions for making an appointment and completing the DS-160 vary by Embassy.  The documents that you need for each visa type is listed below:

  • H-1B
    • Original approval notice I-797
    • Copy of the original petition filed with USCIS
    • Proof of current employment (paystub)
    • Letter from supervisor verifying employment and allowing the travel
  • O-1
    • Original approval notice I-797
    • Copy of the original petition with USCIS
    • Proof of current employment (paystub)
    • Letter from supervisor verifying employment and allowing the travel
  • TN
    • Your department will need to go to iStart to request an updated TN letter.
  • E-3
    • Your department will need to go to iStart to request an updated LCA.

When you travel, be sure to check your Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record at the CPB website .  The end date on this document should match the end date on your approval notice.  If it does not, contact OIS immediately.   Always provided an updated I-94 to the iStart Update I-94 eform. 

If you change status or obtain legal permanent residency (green card), go to iStart and complete the Update Visa Status or Report Change of Citizenship eform.