| Type of Visa | Possible Inocme From U.S. Sources | Eligibility Criteira | Max Length of Stay in the U.S. | Advantages | Disadvantages | Supporting Documentation Needed | OIS Role | Preferred Notice to OIS | Minimum Notice to OIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-1 Professors and Research Scholars | Unlimited income from OU; allowed financial support from foreign and person sources | Invitation to teach, lecture or conduct research; indication of adequate financial support for length of program | Up to 5 calendar years on a use-or-lose basis | Relatively easy and quick to obtain; may be self-funded; spouse may apply for work authorization | May be suject to two-year home residency requirement; cannot change program objective; 2-year bar applies at end of program participation | Certificate of Eligibility from program sponsor with details of program objectives and evidence of financial support | Advise and process for issuance of DS-2019 | 6 mos. | 90 days |
| H-1B Nonimmigrant Worker | Unlimited income and university; no other income unless holds concurrent H-1B with another employer | Possession of professional degree and skills; indication that position to be filled requires professional skills and is temporary | First period up to 3 years, renewable to total of 6 years | Allowed to have dual intent to immigrate not subject to 2-year home residency requirement | Extensive supporting documentation needed; must pay a prevailing wage | Highest US degree or evidence of US equivalent; employer letter, certified Labor Condition Application and more | Advise, prepare, and submit petition to USCIS | 6 mos. | 90 days |
| O-1 Nonimmigrant Worker | Unlimited income from university, no other income unless holds concurrent O-1 with other employer | Possession of professional degree and skills; demonstration of extraordinary ability; indication that position to be filled is an event that is temporary in nature | First period up to 3 years, renewable annually; no specified time limit; based on duration of valid event | Not restricted by being subject to 2-year home residency requirement; no prevailing wage requirement | Extensive supporting documentation needed to demonstrate that the beneficiary is outstanding | Letter of consultation from peer group; letter of recommendation; same degree requirements as above, and more | Advise, prepare, and submit petition to USCIS for extension of stay | 6 mos. | 90 day |
| TN/NAFTA Nonimmigrant Worker | Unlimited income from university; no other income without approval for new employer | Possession of qualifying professional degree or licensure; indication that position to be filled is temporary in nature | One year; renewable annually | No prevailing wage requirement; Canadian TN is quick and easy to obtain through border entry | Limited to Canadian and Mexican citizens (Mexican TN process similar to H-1B); cannot adjust to permanent status | Proof of qualifying citizenship; original degree diploma; letter of support from hiring department; other proof for Mexican TN | Advise, prepare, and submit petition for extension of stay | 6 mos. | 90 days |
| B-1/B-2 Visitor for Business/Pleasure | Honorarium and/or reimbursement for travel and subsistence, possible, but no salary | Proof of academic or business purpose for visit to the U.S. | No more than 1 year - renewable in excrements of 6 months (exceptions may apply) | Quick and relatively easy to obtain and use many times; no government form or petition required | Limited stay in the U.S.; may not be paid a salary; cannot stay for more than 9 days at any one university if being paid | Invitation letter with dates and purpose of visit; proof of adequate funds; evidence of permanent residence in the home country | Advise and counsel | N/A | N/A |
| WB (Waiver of Business) or WT (Waiver of Tourist) | Honorarium and/or reimbursement for travel & subsistence, possible, but no salary | WB: See B-1 WT: See B-2 Only applicable if from designated visa waiver country | 90 days | No need to visit US Consulate | WB: see B-1 WT: see B-2 No extensions or change of immigration status possible | WB: see B-1 WT: see B-2 | Advise and counsel | N/A | N/A |
| PERM for Labor Certification (Green Card) | Minimum income requirement to be paid by university; no maximum limit | Demonstration of no minimally qualified U.S. workers available for hire; proof of qualifying education and skills | N/A | Obtains permanent resident status; no more need to extend visa status | Complex and lengthy process | Recruitment efforts; degree, certificates and/or license, etc. | Advise, prepare, and submit to regulatory agencies | *9 mos. | *6 mos. |
| EB-1 Outstanding Professor or Researcher (Green Card) | Income must be equitable for occupation; no maximum limit from university | Evidence of outstanding merit and proof of international recognition in the academic field; permanent job offer | N/A | Bypasses the PERM process; obtains permanent resident status; no more need to extend visa status | Detail-oriented process; compiling evidence can be burdensome | Offer letter; awards, memberships, citations, publications, and more; minimum 3 years experience | Advise, prepare, and submit petitions to USCIS | *6 mos. | *6 mos. |
*Candidates for permanent resident sponsorship must have a minimum of 18-month validity remained as a nonimmigrant worker.
