Visa Options for UW International Faculty and Staff

Visas for international faculty and staff at the University of Washington are processed through the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) in 459 Schmitz Hall on behalf of the Provost. This summary of visa sponsorship guidelines reflects a blending of federal regulations and institutional practice. Sometimes there are exceptions to the guidelines, and other visa options (B-1, J-2, F-1, O-1, etc.) may exist. For more information about visas and faculty appointments, contact ISS or the Office of Academic Human Resources.

The UW sponsors J-1 visas for international faculty and scholars, salaried or non-salaried, who engage in a full-time program of teaching, research, observation or consultation. At the time of appointment, the expectation is that the exchange visitor will return home upon completion of the activity. If UW provides no salary support, some amount of funding must come from the J-1’s home institution or other agency (not personal funds only). If UW is providing salary support, the amount (including any portion of salary paid by the J-1’s home-country employer) must match the UW faculty salary schedule and be commensurate to the rank held in the home country. If the J-1 will teach at UW, the teaching must be under direct supervision of department faculty. Foreign medical graduates may participate in non-clinical programs where patient contact is incidental to their primary activity of teaching, research, consultation or observation. University sponsorship is required for a J-1 visa. Period of eligibility is up to 5 years. Depending on circumstances, there could be 12-month and 24-month “bars” on repeat participation. Department of State expects J scholars to possess a bachelor’s degree or higher. UW sponsors J visas for the following academic appointments (other titles may also qualify):

• Visiting Scholar
• Visiting International Predoctoral or Professional Scholar (VIPPS)
• Visiting Lecturer
• Visiting Instructor
• Visiting Scientist
• Visiting Professor (assistant, associate, full)
• Senior Fellow and Research Associate, if coming to the U.S. from overseas.

To qualify for an H-1B visa at the University of Washington, the appointment must be full-time, salary must be paid by UW at “prevailing wage,” job must require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and the foreign national must be fully-qualified for the job at time the petition is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Additional requirements apply to foreign medical graduates who perform patient care which is not incidental to their teaching or research. Return-home transportation costs are paid by the employing department if the H-1B is terminated prior to end of the authorized stay. University sponsorship is required for an H-1B visa. Period of eligibility is six years. UW sponsors H visas for the following appointment titles (other titles may also qualify):

• Senior Fellow and Research Associate, if the foreign national is currently in the U.S.
• Instructor, Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor, including appointments that are "acting," "research," "visiting" and "clinical."
• Research or Clinical Technologist if no minimally-qualified U.S. workers are available for the job.
• The UW does not sponsor professional staff for H-1B status.

The new E-3 visa classification permits Australian nationals to work in specialty occupations in the U.S. for up to two years, and may be renewed indefinitely provided the beneficiary can demonstrate he/she does not intend to remain permanently in the U.S. E-3 status is an appropriate classification for Australian citizens who are offered temporary positions as full-time UW-salaried academic staff. The E-3 visa is generally less expensive and requires less paperwork than the H-1B.

To qualify for TN status at the UW, the foreign national must be a Canadian or Mexican citizen who will work for salary in a professional occupation on a temporary, short-term basis. Employment may be full or part-time. Qualifying occupations listed in the NAFTA treaty include ”university teachers,” “nurses,” and “research assistants” (postdocs). Period of eligibility is one year, renewable annually. A letter from the employing department, presented by the applicant at the port of entry, is needed to obtain TN status.

The University of Washington supports permanent residence applications for faculty at the Assistant Professor/Research Assistant Professor, Associate Professor/Research Associate Professor, and Professor/Research Professor levels. (Faculty holding “visiting” or “acting” appointments are ineligible for the permanent residence process.) Position must be full-time, paid a UW salary at prevailing wage, expected to last indefinitely, and include teaching duties.