Pre-Review Requests Procedure

Summary

The Pre-Review is a formalized process to collect pertinent intake documentation and information to enable UNC-Chapel Hill to determine eligibility for University sponsorship, and the appropriate University-sponsored nonimmigrant status to pursue

Body

University Procedure

Title

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Procedure for Pre-Review Requests

Introduction

Purpose

The Pre-Review is a formalized process to collect pertinent intake documentation and information to enable the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("UNC-Chapel Hill" or "University") ISSS to determine:

  • Eligibility for University sponsorship
  • Appropriate University-sponsored nonimmigrant status to pursue

Scope

Pre-Review request should be submitted for:

  • Prospective international scholars* who have accepted an employment offer from UNC-Chapel Hill and require University-sponsored work authorization to begin employment,
  • Current UNC-Chapel Hill employees who are ineligible to extend/update their current work authorization and require a different type of work authorization to continue employment, and
  • Hosting Units seeking an exception to the UNC-Chapel Hill Policy on Sponsorship for Postdoctoral Research Associates.

Definitions

  • ISSS: International Student and Scholar Services
  • HU: Hosting Unit
  • HUC: Hosting Unit Contact

Procedure

Step 1: HUC Initiates Pre-Review Request in ISSS Portal

  • HUC reads and completes the Pre-Review Process Overview.
  • HUC completes Position Information for Pre-Review e-form.
  • (Prospective) employee emailed to complete their Pre-Review e-forms.

Step 2: (Prospective) Employee Completes their E-Forms

  • (Prospective) Employee completes Employee Pre-Review Intake e-form.
  • (Prospective) Employee completes U.S. Immigration History e-form(s).
  • (Prospective) Employee reads and completes Employee Certification for Pre-Review.
  • Pre-Review Request submitted to ISSS.

Step 3: ISSS Processing

  • ISSS reviews.
  • ISSS follows up on any incomplete items.
  • Review complete; ISSS notifies the Hosting Unit of the Pre-Review Decision within 15 business days of the complete request.

Step 4: HU Submits Corresponding Request (As Needed)

  • The HU should follow the instructions in the ISSS Pre-Review Decision email and submit the corresponding request to ISSS, if noted.

Notes

* International scholars typically hold research and teaching positions. Please note that SHRA positions and positions that have transitioned from SHRA to EHRA are not eligible for H-1B sponsorship. For inquiries regarding other positions, please contact ISSS at isss@unc.edu.

Related Requirements

University Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: International Student and Scholar Services

Telephone: 919-962-5661

Email: ISSS@unc.edu

Details

Details

Article ID: 161965
Created
Sat 5/9/26 2:32 PM
Modified
Tue 7/21/26 3:34 PM
Responsible Unit
School, Department, or other organizational unit issuing this document.
Global Affairs
Issuing Officer
Name of the document Issuing Officer. This is the individual whose organizational authority covers the policy scope and who is primarily responsible for the policy.
Next Review
Date on which the next document review is due.
01/31/2028 12:00 AM
Last Review
Date on which the most recent document review was completed.
07/16/2026 12:00 AM
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level
11.5

Attachments

pdf

Pre-Review Request Workflow.pdf  · 130 KB Computer

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