International Scholars

If you are not a United States citizen, but you would like to stay in the U.S. as a faculty member, you will face several choices and challenges. The resources below will help you to figure out what your options are, so that you can choose the course of action that best suits your needs.

Note: because the laws governing citizenship and immigration are subject to change, you should verify all information on this page with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. You may also wish to hire an immigration lawyer. We are not experts on immigration; they are.

Jump down to

• Types of visas
• Foreign residency requirement
• Immigration
• Employment authorization

Types of visas

As a student or postdoc in the U.S., you have a non-immigrant visa. Students generally have F-1 visas, whereas postdocs and visiting scholars generally have J-1 visas. One major difference between F-1 and J-1 visas is that the spouse of a J-1 visa holder can get a J-2 visa, which allows them to apply for a work permit and then to work. F-2 visa holders can not work (but can be full-time students).

As a faculty member, you will need an H1-B visa. This is important because with a J-1 visa you are extremely unlikely to meet the criteria for immigration (see below) via your employer or as an 'alien with extraordinary ability.' You can read more about immigration classifications and visa categories on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

Foreign residency requirement

Fulbright scholars (and anyone else on a J-1 visa) are required to return to their native country for two years prior to re-entering the U.S. The purpose of this law is to promote a cultural exchange, with scholars returning home to share what they've learned. However, it is possible to apply for a waiver if you wish to stay in the U.S. without returning home first.

The 2-year requirement is automatically waived for many students, depending on their country of origin and source of funding. In gnereal, European students funded by their advisor's grants or by university appointment (teaching or research assistantships) are usually not subject to the 2-year limit. If the 2-year limitation was applied when your J-1 visa was issued, it will be extremely hard to waive it, even with a job offer from a major US university.

Immigration

Immigration is the process of becoming an immigrant: a non-citizen who can lawfully live and work in the US. To become a legal immigrant, you need to apply for "lawful permanent residence" (also known as a "green card"). (If you decide to become a US citizen, you will need to be a lawful permanent resident for five years first.) Be forewarned: the immigration process is both time-consuming and expensive.

• The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website on lawful permanent residence includes information on the process of immigration.
• Becoming a lawful permanent resident is a three-part process: an immigrant petition is filed with the USCIS, the State Department assigns you an immigrant visa number, and you apply to adjust to a permanent resident status. Here are several ways you can get an immigrant petition filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services:
  • through your employer
  • through the diversity visa lottery
  • by filing a petition for yourself, as an "alien with extraordinary ability"
  • by marrying an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, who then petitions for you

Employment authorization

If you are not yet a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., you need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (also known as a "work permit") to prove that you are allowed to work in the U.S.

• The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website has a section on getting a work permit (employment authorization document).