H-1B Scholar CUIMC Department Compass User Guide
This is a guide for Departmental Users at CUIMC on how to submit electronic requests to the case management system, Compass, for H-1B employee sponsorship at Columbia University. The guide includes instructions for applications for an H-1B employee and H-1B employee extension application.
How to Request Access to Compass
If this is the first time you are submitting an application through Compass, you will need to request access to Compass. Please follow the steps below to do so.
Navigate to the main login page by using this link.
These are the same credentials that you use for logging in to other Columbia University systems.
In the menu on the left click on the “+” sign next to “Departmental Services.” Then click on “Departmental Access Request.”
Enter all the information in the form. In the “Campus” field select “CUMC Scholars.” When the form is complete, click “Request Access” at the bottom of the form.
After submitting, the screen will look similar to the previous screen. You will know that the form has been submitted successfully if you see the words in the red circle at the top of the form.
How to Log in to Compass
Navigate to the main login page by using this link: https://compass.isso.columbia.edu.
These are the same credentials that you use for logging in to other Columbia University systems.
After logging in, the Compass home screen ("Departmental Services") will appear. On the home screen you will see tabs with menu options.
To view all your current cases click on "My Current Cases." To view your past cases click on "My Closed Cases." If this is your first application there will be no cases displayed.
How to Submit an H-1B Employee Application
H-1B Webinar Recording
Review this webinar on how to submit an H-1B application. This will cover everything you will need to know on submitting an application in Compass and what supporting documents you will need to submit along with the application.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Option 1
If the individual has ever been an affiliate of Columbia University, most likely they already have a Compass record and you do not need to add them as a new person. Please reach out to ISSO to request the Compass ID at [email protected]. Once you have the Compass ID from the ISSO, log into Compass and select the H-1B Employee Application from your Departmental Services dashboard.
Enter the prospective employee’s Compass ID and date of birth.
You will be taken directly to the application.
Option 2
If the individual has never been an affiliate of Columbia please click on “Add New Person” and complete the "Add New Person" form (screenshot below).
For Campus, select “CUMC Scholars.” For Requested Immigration Status, select “H1B.” For the questions, "Do you have an institutional university ID for this new profile "and "Do you have a network ID for this new profile," select “NO” since you are creating a new record in Compass. To save the profile, click “Add New Person”.
You will now see the prospective employee’s name displayed on the screen. Click on H-1B Employee Application.
TIP: This prospective employee’s profile will now appear in your list of My Current Cases. Please note: The list is in alphabetical order by last name.
IMPORTANT: Once Step 1 is submitted, the Departmental User must wait for an email notification from ISSO-CUIMC confirming approval before proceeding with the H-1B application. If denied, the Departmental User will receive an email explaining the reason for denial.
There are 5 forms within Step 2 of the application that the prospective employee will need to complete:
- H-1B Employee Information
- U.S. Immigration Status & History
- Dependent Spouse & Children
- Prior Visits to the United States
- Notify My Department of Form Completion
Under Step 2 you must click on “H-1B Employee Information”. Then, at the top of the next screen click on "GIVE THE CLIENT ACCESS TO COMPLETE THIS SECTION."
On the next screen enter the scholar’s email address and click "Send E-mail."
Once the prospective employee completes all forms in their section, the Departmental User will receive an email confirming the submission.
The Departmental User must complete the following forms:
- Supporting Documentation
- Deemed Export Attestation
- Please note: This form requires verification of a second approver.
When all forms are completed and approved, all boxes within each step should have a check mark.
Once the Departmental User submits the Final Departmental Attestation form, the H-1B application is automatically submitted to ISSO-CUIMC for processing.
The Departmental User must compile 1 hard copy set of all supporting documents and required checks to deliver to the CUIMC Mailroom, in care of ISSO-CUIMC. Please refer to "3. Gather documents and checks for USCIS Fees" section on the ISSO H-1B webpage for the list of all required supporting documents. This list is precise and specific to the documents needed for the H-1B application. Please do not include any additional documents.
How to Submit an H-1B Extension Application
PLEASE NOTE: H-1B employee profiles can be seen only by the Departmental User who created the Compass record. If you would like other members of your team to see your records please email [email protected].
There are two ways to access the record of the employee you are extending. If you have worked on any cases for this employee previously, you can find the record in My Current Cases or My Closed Cases. Or you can click on H-1B Employee Extension and search for the employee in the Lookup International Record by inputting their University ID and DOB. The University ID is not the UNI or Columbia employee ID, it is an ID generated by Compass. If you cannot find the University ID in your cases or if you have never worked on any cases for this employee, request the University ID from ISSO-CUIMC by emailing [email protected].
You will now see 4 Steps, which must be completed by the Departmental User and the employee.
Once Step 1 is submitted, the Departmental User must wait for an email notification from ISSO-CUIMC confirming approval before proceeding with the H-1B application. If denied, the Departmental User will receive an email explaining the reason for denial.
There are 5 forms within Step 2 of the application that the prospective employee will need to complete:
- H-1B Employee Information
- Dependent Spouse & Children
- Evidence of Recapturing Time Abroad
- International Travel
- Notify My Department of Form Completion
Under Step 2 you must click on “H-1B Employee Information”. Then, at the top of the next screen click on "GIVE THE CLIENT ACCESS TO COMPLETE THIS SECTION."
On the next screen enter the scholar’s email address and click "Send E-mail."
Once the prospective employee completes their section, the Departmental User will receive an email confirming the submission.
The Departmental User must complete the following forms:
- Supporting Documentation
- Deemed Export Attestation
- Please note: This form requires verification of a second approver.
When all forms are completed and approved, all boxes within each step should have a check mark.
Once the Departmental User submits the Final Departmental Attestation form, the H-1B Employee Extension is automatically submitted to ISSO-CUIMC for processing.
The Departmental User must compile 1 hard copy set of all supporting documents and required checks to deliver to the CUIMC Mailroom, ℅ ISSO-CUIMC. Please refer to the Gather Documents section on the ISSO H-1B webpage for the list of all required supporting documents. This list is precise and specific to the documents needed for the H-1B Extension Application. Please do not include any additional documents.