The Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars assists UCLA departments and units by advising on immigration regulations and visa options. The Dashew Center also prepares and files the petitions and applications with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of Labor (DOL) and other government agencies, for those persons whom the department or unit wishes to employ. The Dashew Center represents UCLA in dealing with USCIS and other government agencies, and ensures that the University complies with laws and regulations in processing employment-based visa petitions.
The Dashew Center assists with the following employment based visa options:
- H-1B (Temporary Worker - Specialty Occupation)
- TN (Temporary Worker - Trade NAFTA)
- E-3 (Treaty Specialty Workers)
- O-1 (Extraordinary Ability)
- Permanent residency
Information for UCLA Departments
In all cases, paperwork must be submitted with a recharge order request form with the appropriate DCISS processing fees before visa requests can be processed.
For information, please call the Dashew Center at 310-825-1681.
School of Medicine departments should first contact Joan Grace R. Cerera at JCerera@mednet.ucla.edu.
New H-1B Cases
Current UCLA policy requires that an outside attorney be retained to assist with all new H-1B cases.
To begin the process of obtaining H-1B status, the Department Contact should get in touch with Niño Abueg, Gege Zhang or Sylvia Ottemoeller as early as possible by phone or email. Be prepared to answer the following questions when you contact the counselor: what is the position offered, what is the salary, what visa status does the individual currently hold, and what is the expiration date of current status.
Departments should always retain copies of all documents for their own files. The attorney will provide information on immigration filing fees and legal fees.
H-1B Extension Cases
Current UCLA policy requires that an outside attorney be retained to assist with all extension H-1B cases.
The department must submit the documents to the Dashew Center no later than three months before the current H-1B status expires. It may be submitted up to six months prior to the current H expiration date.
TN Cases
When a UCLA department or other unit wishes to employ a foreign staff member temporarily, and to obtain initial TN status for the individual, or to obtain an extension of TN status, the Dashew Center staff will assist with counseling, and preparation and filing of petitions and applications for that person.
E-3 Cases
Currently UCLA policy requires that an outside attorney be retained to assist with all new E-3 cases.
O-1 Cases
Current UCLA policy requires that an outside attorney be retained to assist with O-1 cases.
Permanent Residency
UCLA will sponsor for permanent resident status only an individual of exceptional ability who has been offered a full-time, permanent position as a faculty member, or a researcher or other professional who is critical to UCLA's academic and research mission.
*For positions with the School of Medicine, contact Joan Grace R. Cerera at JCerera@mednet.ucla.edu.