H-1B Petition Process

Bechtel Process Flowcharts

Stage 1: Department's role in preparing requests and documents to submit to Bechtel
Stage 2: Bechtel's role in the H-1B process
Stage 3: The role of USCIS in the H-1B process

A complete H-1B request consists of:

• Workflow transaction in Axess approved at all sequences, in Bechtel's queue.
• Paper documentation required for submitting the H-1B petition to USCIS.

Need to know the difference between a "new petition" and a "change of status?" What's "consular processing?" See this document to dispel the mystery! See also this reference sheet for Workflow navigation before you start.

The Workflow Process Step-by-Step in Axess

Workflow provides each approver in the system with the ability to approve, return or deny a transaction. The Workflow sequence is as follows:

1. Department administrator initiates the visa transaction.
2. Employee enters biographical, educational and employment history in Axess or through Secure Portal.
3. Department administrator enters job information details.
4. The export control questionnaire must be completed by an eligible faculty supervisor/HR manager who has completed STARS course DOR-1130.
5. Depending on the Stanford classification, the request may be routed to Dean of Research/Office of Postdoctoral Affairs/HR Labor Relations/School HRM for approval.
6. The request may be routed to the Department administrator for final review.
7. Transaction lands in Bechtel's queue.

See detailed instructions about completing Workflow panels

Bechtel Process and Approval

• When the transaction lands in Bechtel's Workflow queue and we have received the supporting documentation in hard copy, it is assigned to an advisor.
• We acknowledge receipt of the transaction and the supporting documentation to the department representative who initiated the Workflow transaction.
• With an approved transaction and complete package of supporting documents, a case becomes "live," and we will begin work on it in the order received. We have a firm minimum 60 day processing period in which to work on the case for filing. It behooves departments to submit complete requests 4-6 months in advance. Our high volume of work usually implies a 4-6 week period before a case to rise to the "top of the stack" for processing. Bechtel processing an H-1B involves the following steps:
  • Analyze the nature, scope and relative level of responsibility of the offered position.
  • Review documentation for completeness, compliance and accuracy.
  • Review the cover letter for compliance with our templates, accuracy, completeness and suitability for presentation to USCIS.
  • Consult the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) schedules to develop the necessary Actual Wage and Prevailing Wage reports, for compliance with DOL regulations.
  • File the Labor Conditions Application (LCA) using DOL intake site.
  • Prepare USCIS forms using information from the Workflow transaction and documentation.
  • H-1B petition will be compiled and submitted to USCIS.
• We will notify the department administrator of any communication with USCIS including:
  • Receipt Notices—Once received, the H-1B petition will be issued a receipt notice by USCIS. This receipt may be used to track the progress of the petition. Please note that premium processing cases are often approved before the physical receipt is received by Bechtel.
  • Requests For Evidence—Occasionally USCIS requires additional documentation and the department will be contacted.
  • Approval Notices—When we receive the H-1B petition approval, the department is notified that the form is available for pick up along with copies of the I-129 and LCAs filed with the USCIS. The department should make copies of the documents for its own records and give the original I-797 approval notice, the I-129 and LCA forms to the employee. Please note all USCIS notices are delivered via USPS regular mail, thus we are not able to track exactly when they will arrive at Bechtel once they are issued.

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