Employment of Foreign Nationals
It is important to recognize the unique steps to successfully employ and retain foreign national employees needing employment sponsorship on a temporary or permanent basis. The university process is inclusive of the relevant U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, and Department of State regulations and policies to facilitate understanding and compliance.
The following information explains the different categories in which scholars and researchers can be brought to the university. The links on the side will take you to pages that provide information on the processes involved and the documentation needed.
In brief, the most common categories that may be used by foreign nationals at Wichita State are the following:
- Appropriate for specialty occupations such as: tenure-track faculty, permanent research positions, permanent lecturers, and other specialized occupations
- Nonimmigrant status
Wichita State H-1B Application Process
The H-1B applicant completes Part A of the H-1B Request Form. The applicant sends the H-1B Request Form by email to the hiring department.
After the applicant completes Part A, the hiring department completes Part B and Part C, and forwards the H-1B Request Form and full position description by email to Human Resources (employment@wichita.edu) to review the position description and to complete Part D.
Human Resources completes Part D and returns the position description with any recommended changes to the hiring department to review
The H-1B Request Form and all supporting documentation (final position description, CV or r茅sum茅, etc.) must be submitted to the following offices for review and signature:
- Department Chair or Director
- Dean or Vice President
- Office of Research Compliance
- Office of General Counsel
- Office of the President
Upon approval by all required parties, the Office of the President sends all paperwork to Human Resources (employment@wichita.edu).
Human Resources reviews and forwards all paperwork to WSU's outside legal counsel. Outside legal counsel will reach out directly to the hiring department regarding the H-1B application. If there are any changes to the position description, it is sent back to Human Resources (employment@wichita.edu) for further review.
Once all paperwork has been finalized, outside counsel will submit the H-1B application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
USCIS reviews the H-1B application. Unless Premium Processing was paid, the review may take several months to complete.
Outside counsel emails Human Resources (employment@wichita.edu) and the hiring department of the outcome of the H-1B petition.
The hiring department must ensure that all hiring processes are complete in coordination with HR. The hiring process is separate from the H1-B application process.
- For undergraduates seeking to complete an internship at Wichita State
- Cannot exceed 12 months
- Nonimmigrant status
- Wichita State J-1 Exchange Visitors Process
- Immigrant status
- For permanent employment
Wichita State Permanent Residency Application Process
The permanent residency applicant completes the Employee Information section of the Initiation of Lawful Permanent Residence Form. The applicant sends the Initiation of Lawful Permanent Residence Form by email to the sponsoring department.
After the applicant completes the Employee Information section, the sponsoring department completes the Department Information Section and the Information Regarding Teaching Positions section (if applicable).
The sponsoring department must submit the Initiation of Lawful Permanent Residence Form to the following offices for review and signature:
- Director or Department Chair
- Vice President or Dean
- Office of the Provost
Upon approval by all required parties, the Office of the Provost sends all paperwork to WSU's outside legal counsel.
Additional Resources
Revised: 05/16/2025 NH