[Lateral transfer between state hospitals in FL] H1B transfer or change-of-location?

[lkpcampion]

Hi All,

I am referred to this forum and I was told that people are very helpful in here. Thank you for any help in advance.

My fiance is working for a state hospital in FL. She just got a job offer for a similar position in another state hospital, also in FL, but a different county (~3 hours away). She will carry with her the same salary, benefits & even holidays to her new position, and it is said to be a 'lateral transfer' between the hospitals. They are asking her to start on 4/17 (2.5 weeks away).

We are wondering how her H1B (still within the first year) should be transferred to the new position. For your information:

1. We have confirmed that both hospitals share the same federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
2. We are suggested that there's a possibility to file a 'change-of-location' instead of a formal full transfer as if one is changing to a entirely new employer.

Our questions are:
1. Shall we file a H1B formal transfer? Or can we just do a 'change of location'?
2. How does 'change-of-location' differ from a complete transfer?
3. If we are to do a formal transfer, how shall we go about to do it?
4. Or if we are to do a 'change of location', how shall we do it also? We can't find any information about this.

We believe that she has to at least file everything to USCIS before she can formally start, but we only have 2 weeks.

We'll be very very grateful if we'd get any advice in here! Even leads to where to find the answers will be very appreciated!

Thank you all very much!

Campion & Joyce

 

[fromnaija]

You will need to file an H1B amendment where the change of location is indicated. Since the two hospitals have the same EIN, I believe she is just changing location and only an amendment needs to be filed.

 

[lkpcampion]

You will need to file an H1B amendment where the change of location is indicated. Since the two hospitals have the same EIN, I believe she is just changing location and only an amendment needs to be filed.

Thanks a lot for your reply fromnaija.

I have an impression that 'amendment' means filing the whole thing (with completed I-129 & LCA) again with all new information, while 'change of location' is an entirely different process than 'amendment'. I am not sure about this though.

If 'change of location' does involve the same thing (I-129 & LCA) as a 'formal transfer' (as in changing to an entirely new employer), how does USCIC know it is an amendment for 'change of location' instead of an amendment for 'formal transfer'?

Do I need to submit any extra form then, in case of change of location?
If no, are I-129 & LCA all that's required? And where can I indicate it's a 'change-of-location' amendment? (since it involves different fees than 'formal transfer').
If yes, may I know what are the extra docs I need to supply or submit?

Sorry for the quoted terminologies - I don't know the proper terms. Thank you all so very much!

Campion & Joyce