Departments
Visa Differences
Brief Summary of Visa Options for International Students, Scholars & Visitors
B-1 - Visitor for Business
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| Reimbursement for expenses, honorarium; no salary |
Proof of scholarly or business purpose of U.S. visit | Up to 6 months at entry, renewable up to 12 months | Invitation letter with dates and purpose of visit; proof of adequate funds; evidence of return ticket | B-1/2 Visa stamp, I-94 card stamped B-1 |
B-2 - Visitor for Pleasure
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| Reimbursement for expenses, honorarium; no salary |
Evidence of financial support and tourist plans | Up to 6 months at entry, renewable up to 12 months | Proof of adequate funds for visit, evidence of return ticket | B-1/2 Visa stamp/I-94 card stamped B-2 |
WB (Business)
WT (Tourist)
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| WB: see B-1 above WT: see B-2 above |
WB: See B-1 above WT: See B-2 above |
90 days Not extendable |
WB: see B-1 above WT: see B-2 above |
WB/WT Visa Stamp |
Visa Waiver Program Only applicable for designated countries
J-1
Exchange Visitor
Research Scholar, Specialist and & Short Term Scholar
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| Salary or stipend through on-campus employment, honorarium, reimbursement of expenses |
Univ. appointment to teach or conduct research; indication of adequate financial support for length of program | 5 years (scholar) For Short-term scholars, 6 months, maximum, non-extendable |
SEVIS Form DS-2019 form, letter from sponsoring department with details of objective, C.V. & financial documentation | J-1 Visa, SEVIS Form DS-2019 processed for program at Jefferson, proof of financial support and I-94 card marked D/S |
J-1 - Exchange Visitor Student
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| Univ. Stipend, up to 20 hrs on-campus employment; Academic Training (AT) may be available at end of program |
Full-time matriculation, proof of financial support (no personal/family funds) | Until completion of studies (7 yr. max.) plus 12 months AT for Bachelors & Masters, 18 months for Ph.D., 24 months for non-degree | SEVIS Form DS-2019, University Acceptance Letter & financial documentation | J-1 Visa, SEVIS Form DS-2019 processed for program at Jefferson, Acceptance Letter, Financial Documentation and I-94 card marked D/S |
TN - Canadian Citizen
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| Employment permitted only with specified employer | Univ. appointment to teach or conduct research; indication of adequate financial support for length of program | No maximum; can be renewed every 3 years | Letter from sponsoring department stating job duties, salary, educational requirements; C.V. copies of degrees, licenses, etc. | Letter from department; proof of Canadian citizenship; INS processing fee/I-94 card must be stamped TN for Jefferson |
H-1B - Temporary Worker in "Specialty Occupation"
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| Employment permitted only with petitioning employer | Possession of at least a Bachelor's degree in a specialized area of knowledge; salary must meet prevailing wage standards of DOL | Up to 3 years for initial H-1B, renewable for a total stay of six years |
Copy of highest degree, C.V. & employment letter attesting to merit/skills | Labor Condition Application & I-129 with H supplement/ Approved I-797 for Jefferson and I-94 for H-1B status |
O-1 - Alien of Extraordinary Ability
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| Employment permitted only with petitioning employer | Proof of major scholarly achievement; international recognition | For length of event up to 3 years; extensions possible | Same as H-1B plus documentation of international recognition | I-129 with O supplement/ Approved I-797 for Jefferson and I-94 for O-1 status |
F-1 - Student
| POSSIBLE INCOME FROM U.S. SOURCES | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY | SUPPORT- ING DOCUMENT- ATION |
FORMS NEEDED FOR ENTRY & WORK AUTHOR- IZATION (MUST BE PRESENTED AT OIES) |
| University Stipend; up to 20 hrs. on-campus employment; OPT for Off Campus (need authorization & EAD card ) | Full-time matriculation, proof of financial support | Until completion of studies plus one year of OPT if available | SEVIS I-20 from University, Acceptance letter, financial documentation | Processed SEVIS I-20, I-94 card marked D/S; EAD card for Off-Campus & OPT, Endorsed I-20 for CPT |
J-1 or H-1B for a Researcher Coming to Jefferson from Abroad: Information to Help You Choose
| J-1 | H-1B | |
| Purpose | Research Scholar | Professional Non-Immigrant Employee |
| Form | DS-2019 | LCA (DOL)and I-129 filed with USCIS-Approval on Form I-797 A or B. |
| Funding Source | Funding may come from the sponsoring Department, researcher’s home institution or government, US government, private funding source or any combination of these. | Must have a regular full-time employee position with TJU, TJUH, or JUP in order to be eligible for an H-1B. Part-time positions are not eligible for H-1B sponsorship at Jefferson. |
| Maximum Length of Stay |
DS-2019 can be issued for up to 5 years. | 6 years — may request up to three years at a time for a maximum of 6 years. (Under certain circumstances additional time may be requested.) |
| FEES* *Does not include fees for visa and visa processing |
One-time SEVIS Fee of $180 paid by researcher. | $325 filing fee for I-129 and $500 fee which must be paid by the hiring department at Jefferson. Also, possible $1,225 expedited processing fee. |
| Processing Time* *Does not take into account time needed for the individual to pass security clearance and obtain Visa stamp |
The desired start date should be no less than 6 weeks from the date the application is submitted to the Office of International Affairs. Once all required documents are received, the DS-2019 packet will be available for pickup at the Office of International Affairs within 2 weeks. The department then sends the packet** to the researcher, who will contact US Embassy or Consulate for appointment. **Must be sent by FedEx or other international courier. |
Once all required documents are received, the Office of International Affairs needs 10-12 weeks to prepare the forms and file the petition with USCIS. Current USCIS processing time for initial I-129 petitions is three to four months. Once the H-1B approval is received, the Office of International Affairs prepares a package which is sent by FedEx to the prospective employee, who then schedules the appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate. |
| Documenting Non-Immigrant Intent to US Consular Officer |
J-1 visa applicant must convince US Consular Officer of intention to return to home country. | H-1B applicant does not have to convince US Consular Officer of intention to return to home country. (Dual Intent) |
| Health Insurance & Benefits | The Department of State has mandated that all J-1s and their J-2 dependents must carry health insurance including repatriation and medical evacuation. (Specific minimums have been established.) DOS holds the J-1 Researcher responsible for carrying appropriate insurance for him/herself and all J-2 dependents. | The Department of Labor requires the employer to offer the H-1B non-immigrant employee the same benefits on the same basis and in accordance with the same criteria as those offered to similarly employed U.S. workers. |
| Institute’s Responsibilities | The Office of International Affairs must register J-1 researcher in the SEVIS system within 30 days of program start date or the record will be automatically invalidated If the Exchange Visitor delays start-date, it must be adjusted prior to arrival on SEVIS. the Office of International Affairs is also required to update changes of address, financial information, and program information, including: early completion of program, extensions or terminations in the SEVIS system. | Must make a series of attestations to DOL concerning the wages for, working conditions of and benefits offered to H-1B employees. Must pay the required wage for any period of time spent in non-productive status due to the decision of the employer or the H-1B non-immigrant worker's lack of a permit or license. Must notify the Office of International Affairs when H-1B worker leaves Jefferson prior to the end of his/her H-1B approval period. Obligated by law to pay for the H-1B employee's return fare to his or her home country if for any reason Jefferson terminates his or her employment prior to the expiration of the H-1B approval period. |
| Dependents | Dependent(s) classified as J-2. Each J-2 dependent is required to have a DS-2019. Additional financial support documentation required for each J-2 dependent. J-2 may apply to USCIS for work permission after entry into the US. |
Dependent(s) classified as H-4. Dependent(s) applies at an embassy or consulate for H-4 classification with H-1B. H-4 dependent is not permitted to work in the US. |