This letter should be on Hiring Department’s Letterhead

Today’s Date

To the USCIS Adjudicating Officer:

This petition is for a XXXX position, which qualifies as a specialty occupation. It requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge to fully perform the occupation and requires completion of a specific course of education culminating in a baccalaureate or higher degree in a specific occupational specialty.

XXXX, the beneficiary of this petition, holds a XXXX degree (list the degree that most closely aligns with the job requirements) in XXXX (list the field of study listed on the transcripts). (If the Applicant holds multiple degrees, be sure to include all relevant degrees in this letter and explain how the degree relates to the job duties.) This degree uniquely prepared the applicant for this role within our organization. Her/His academic background, coupled with XXXX years of direct experience in XXXX industry not only meets the job requirements at a general level but also fits our niche needs for XXXX (why was this person the best candidate?).

Percentage of Time for Each Job Duty

In this section, list each job requirement and indicate the amount of time per week the Applicant devotes to that requirement.

Degree & Coursework

In terms of academic background, the position of XXXX requires XXXX (explain what degree is required for this position and why it is required. If the position requires multiple fields, provide an explanation for each field of study.

Experience

Referencing the applicant’s CV, list all relevant work experience, both inside the United States and abroad.

Conclusion

Write a few sentences why the applicant’s degree(s) and experience make her/him an ideal candidate.

Sincerely,

Signature of Person Signing This Letter

Name of Person Signing This Letter
Title of Person Signing This Letter
School / College
email address
phone number

Travel letters from Temple Departments can assist non-immigrant scholars and employees in the following ways:

• Ease the visa interview process
• Aid a US Consular Officer decide whether or not a security check (administrative processing) is needed
• Facilitate readmission by a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agent at a US Point of Entry

Specific, standardized guidelines on the exact information that should be included in the letters have not been provided. However, below please find a suggested format and guidance for content if you are asked to write a letter by your a foreign national in your Department. 

This letter is different than the Employment and Income Verification Letter available through TUPortal (Staff Tools, Pay & Tax Information). Visit Human Resources' website for details.

[On department, lab, or center letterhead:]

Date

To Whom It May Concern:

Paragraph #1:

• Scholar's name and job title
• Brief job description
• Amount and source of any non-Temple University funding

Paragraph #2:

If the Individual is engaging in research, answer all four questions briefly. If the question does not apply to the applicant, please explain why it is not applicable.

• What are the goals and practical applications of the applicant's research?
• What are the source(s) of funding for the applicant's research?
• What export-controlled technologies and/or information will the applicant have access to during his/her research?
• What U.S. government projects will the applicant participate in or will have access to during his/her research? Please state whether non-U.S. citizens have access to the project.

Be sure to include the following in layman's terms:

• A detailed and non-technical description of the research to be conducted by the scholar and whether it is basic research or applied research. If the research has no military or defense-related purposes, say so
• A detailed description of how the scholar's qualifications match the requirements of the position

Paragraph #3:

• Indicate that the individual is expected to return to Temple University to continue research/employment/training and why a timely return to campus is important to the Department.
• List contact information for the individual's supervisor.

Signature of the Individual's Supervisor

Expediting a Visa Interview

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, employment or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location.  Please refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site.  You will need to provide proof of why an earlier appointment is needed.

In all cases, you must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment.  Once completed, a consular section will review your request for an expedited appointment.

The Applicant should request a letter from the hiring department attesting to the urgency of the situation.  The letter must attest to the urgency of the planned visit, describing the nature of the employment and that stating that either the U.S. and/or Temple University will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.

Sample Letter

United States Embassy/ Consulate

City in Which Embassy/Consulate is Located

Country in Which Embassy/Consulate is Located

Name of TU Employee

Visa Case #  

Passport #  

Date of Visa Interview:  

To the US Consular Officer:

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has approved an H-1B Petition [USCIS Receipt Notice #] with Name of TU Employee listed as the Beneficiary.

Temple University would appreciate it if you could issue Name of TU Employee a (List Type of Visa such as H-1B, O-1) visa as soon as possible as s/he is desperately needed to Explain Why The Applicant is Critical To Your Department.  Explain the negative outcome if the Employee does not receive a visa stamp in a timely manner.

More about our services can be found at provide a website for your department.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Signature of Applicant's Supervisor

Name of Applicant's Supervisor

Title of Applicant's Supervisor

Controlled Technology Form

You can find this form here

Actual Wage Form

Click here to see a list of items required for petitions

Specialty Occupation

The term "specialty occupation" refers to an occupation that requires

• (A) theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and
• (B) attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.

H-1B and E-3 petitions must include documentation that corroborates the assertion that the job is in a specialty occupation that establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the occupation meets the statutory definition of "specialty occupation". It is not sufficient to argue that entry into the occupation requires "any" bachelor's or higher degree. The petitioner must establish that the job is in an occupation where "a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States." And it must also be shown that the beneficiary possesses such a degree or its equivalent.

Departments can opt to purchase a Specialty Occupation Evaluation from a pre-approved outside company.  Click here for a list of vendors.

Click here for a USCIS Redacted Request for Futher Evidence / Specialty Occupation

The term "specialty occupation" refers to an occupation that requires

• (A) theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and
• (B) attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.

H-1B and E-3 petitions must include documentation that corroborates the assertion that the job is in a specialty occupation that establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the occupation meets the statutory definition of "specialty occupation". It is not sufficient to argue that entry into the occupation requires "any" bachelor's or higher degree. The petitioner must establish that the job is in an occupation where "a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States." And it must also be shown that the beneficiary possesses such a degree or its equivalent.

Specialty Occupation Evaluation

Click here for a USCIS Redacted Request for Further Evidence / Specialty Occupation