H-1B Transfer in Chicago for Employers
Change-of-employer H-1B transfer in Chicago, IL: timeline, documents, and flat $2,999 filing for HR teams. Lawyer-reviewed LCA and I-129.
H-1B transfers in Chicago: what employers should know
Chicago employers across the Loop, West Loop, and suburban corridors (Naperville, Schaumburg) regularly hire H-1B workers from other Midwest and coastal sponsors. Change-of-employer transfers avoid the lottery and fit consulting, healthcare IT, and enterprise software hiring cycles. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin MSA prevailing wage must match the offered salary for Technology Consultant and Software Engineer roles.
- Suburban worksites outside Chicago city limits still fall in the Chicago MSA — verify SOC and wage level.
- Consulting employers should attach client letters and project details on transfer petitions when applicable.
- Winter hiring pushes often need 6–8 week filing buffers before desired start dates.
Typical transfer timeline
MSA: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL. Timelines vary by document speed and DOL/USCIS workload.
- 1Open case & invite candidateDay 1–3
- 2Candidate documents completeDay 7–14
- 3LCA filed with DOLDay 14–18
- 4LCA certifiedDay 21–28
- 5I-129 filed with USCISDay 25–35
- 6USCIS receipt (I-797C)Day 30–42
Documents for Chicago transfers
From employer
- Detailed job description and offered salary
- Worksite address for LCA posting
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
- Signatory authority for DOL/USCIS forms
From candidate
- Passport and U.S. visa stamps
- All prior H-1B I-797 approval notices
- Current I-94 record
- 3–6 months recent pay stubs from current H-1B employer
- Degree certificates, transcripts, and resume
Full checklist: HR document checklist · Printable employer checklist
Common transfer roles in Chicago
- Software Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Technology Consultant
- Financial Analyst
- Data Scientist
$2,999 flat · lawyer on every Chicago transfer
We handle LCA, I-129, candidate intake, and USCIS filing for change-of-employer cases in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL. USCIS government fees are separate.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult qualified counsel for your specific case.