The documents listed below often are included as part of an H-1B petition. Review the information provided in the email to clarify what documents are needed in your case.
Pay Stubs or W-2 Documentation
To demonstrate that you have continuously maintained lawful status for the full duration of your time as an F‑1 OPT student or H‑1B employee, your H‑1B petition must include proof of employment and compensation throughout that period.
Please provide one of the following:
- W‑2 tax documents for each full calendar year of employment; and/or
- Monthly pay stubs for any partial year not covered by a W‑2.
All documents should be combined into one PDF file, organized with the most recent pay stub on top, followed by earlier records in reverse chronological order. Redact any social security numbers and make sure the document is not password protected.
Example:
If you were on F‑1 OPT from March 2023 through February 2026, please submit:
- W‑2 forms for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025; and
- Pay stubs for January, and February.
Your may be asked again for your most recent pay stubs prior to submission of the completed petition.
Employment Verification Letters
Request a letter from each organization you were employed at since your OPT (Optional Practical Training) began.
- Description: An employment verification letter is a document an employer provides to confirm an employee's current or past employment status, which includes details such as the employer name, employee job title, dates of employment or volunteer work, and issuing authority signature and job title.
- Where to Request: Request from Human Resources (HR) or your supervisor. International Services will provide the letter for any employment at Oregon State University, so you do not need to request a letter for your work at OSU.
- Other options: Submit all pay stubs from each employer.
Proof of PhD Completion
-
Description: A letter from your dissertation advisor or department chair confirming that you have successfully completed all the requirements of your PhD degree and that you are waiting for the degree to be conferred. Once your PhD defense date has passed, you will need to submit an updated version confirming completion. Include a copy of your final transcripts.
- When to request: After your PhD defense is completed.
Transcripts
-
Description: An official record from your university or college of your courses and final grades.
- Where to Request: From your university or college Registrar’s Office.
Foreign Degree Evaluation
-
Description: A report from a credential evaluation service that confirms your foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree.
- Recommended Service: Foundation for International Services (FIS) – choose “Credential Evaluations” - “Document by Document Evaluation”. Request expedited processing and note that emailed copies to [email protected] are acceptable.
Passport Entry/Exit Stamps
-
Description: Copies of passport entry/exit stamps showing when you entered or left the U.S. since your H-1B status began.
- If your passport is missing any entry/exit stamps, or for any travel dates not shown in U.S. border records, please submit proof of travel (airplane tickets, country entry/exit record, etc.).
The documents listed below often are included as part of an H-1B petition. Review the information provided in the email to clarify what documents are needed in your case.
Employment Verification Letters
Request a letter from each organization you were employed at since your OPT (Optional Practical Training) began.
- Description: An employment verification letter is a document an employer provides to confirm an employee's current or past employment status, which includes details such as the employer name, employee job title, dates of employment or volunteer work, and issuing authority signature and job title.
- Where to Request: Request from Human Resources (HR) or your supervisor. International Services will provide the letter for any employment at Oregon State University, so you do not need to request a letter for your work at OSU.
- Other options: Submit all pay stubs from each employer.
Proof of PhD Completion
-
Description: A letter from your dissertation advisor or department chair confirming that you have successfully completed all the requirements of your PhD degree and that you are waiting for the degree to be conferred. Once your PhD defense date has passed, you will need to submit an updated version confirming completion. Include a copy of your final transcripts.
- When to request: After your PhD defense is completed.
Transcripts
-
Description: An official record from your university or college of your courses and final grades.
- Where to Request: From your university or college Registrar’s Office.
Foreign Degree Evaluation
-
Description: A report from a credential evaluation service that confirms your foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree.
- Recommended Service: Foundation for International Services (FIS) – choose “Credential Evaluations” - “Document by Document Evaluation”. Request expedited processing and note that emailed copies to [email protected] are acceptable.
Passport Entry/Exit Stamps
-
Description: Copies of passport entry/exit stamps showing when you entered or left the U.S. since your H-1B status began.
- If your passport is missing any entry/exit stamps, or for any travel dates not shown in U.S. border records, please submit proof of travel (airplane tickets, country entry/exit record, etc.).