Employment · document checklist
H-1B document checklist
H-1B requires that the position qualify as a specialty occupation and that the beneficiary hold the required degree in a directly related field. The 2025 rulemaking tightened the 'directly related' language and made the specific-position analysis more important than generic occupational classification. Most H-1B RFEs turn on the relationship between the degree field and the actual duties, or on wage-level and LCA consistency.
Governing standard
Specialty occupation criteria plus beneficiary qualification
8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)
Top RFE trigger: Wage level inconsistent with the complexity of the duties described
Criteria and evidence mapping- Documents listed
- 14
- Always required
- 8
- Median exhibit pages
- 120
- Initial RFE rate
- 14.0%
The checklist
Grouped by the purpose each document serves.
Documents marked as always required belong in every filing of this type. The rest apply where the fact pattern calls for them.
Employer and position
3 required of 4
Certified LCA (ETA-9035)
Wage level, SOC code and worksite must match the petition exactly
Employer support letter
Duties with percentage time allocation, not a generic description
Organisational chartwhere applicable
Showing reporting lines and the position in context
Employer evidence
Incorporation, FEIN verification, website and financials
Beneficiary qualification
2 required of 4
Degree certificate and transcripts
In a field directly related to the duties
Credential evaluationwhere applicable
For foreign degrees or the three-for-one experience equivalency
Licence or certificationwhere applicable
Where the occupation requires one
Resume reconciled to the petition
Dates and titles must match the support letter
Third-party placement
0 required of 3
End-client letterwhere applicable
Confirming the role, duration and supervision
Statement of work and master services agreementwhere applicable
Complete chain from petitioner to end client
Itinerary of serviceswhere applicable
Where work occurs at multiple worksites
Forms
3 required of 3
Form I-129 with H supplement
Cross-checked against the LCA and support letter
Form G-28
Executed by petitioner and attorney
Fee schedule check
ACWIA, fraud prevention and any applicable surcharges
This page prints cleanly — use it as a client-facing document request list.
Failure modes
What draws a request on a H-1B.
Having every document on the list is necessary and not sufficient. These are the structural problems that produce requests even when the evidence is present.
Full RFE trends hub- Wage level 1 paired with duties described as senior or complex
- SOC code on the LCA that does not match the duties in the support letter
- Degree field described as 'or related field' without specifying the relation
- Third-party placement with no end-client documentation chain
- Worksite address on the LCA differing from the I-129
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