Visa Options for International Faculty and Researchers

Yale provides visa sponsorship almost exclusively for academic appointments, as defined by the Yale Faculty Handbook; staff positions are generally not eligible. Positions requiring sponsorship must be full-time (100% FTE) and performed entirely on campus or at Yale-affiliated worksites within Connecticut. Remote work outside Connecticut is permitted only when substantial business needs require duties that cannot be fulfilled on campus, and such arrangements must receive prior approval from OISS; personal reasons do not qualify. All worksites must be listed in the approved visa documentation (e.g., DS-2019, Employment-Based visa petition) before the employee may begin working at those sites. Fully remote positions are not permitted under Yale’s visa sponsorship policy.

The majority of Yale’s international faculty and researchers generally hold J-1 status or are employed at Yale under F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization. Faculty-ranked appointees may be eligible for employment-based visa categories, including E-3, H-1B, O-1, or TN, in instances where J-1 or F-1 OPT is not available. The table below, organized by appointment type, identifies the visa categories most commonly used by international scholars and employees, with the primary option listed first, followed by additional alternatives.

This guide offers general recommendations on the visa categories most suitable for each appointment type. OISS retains final authority over all visa determinations, based on the nature of the appointment, the individual’s academic and professional background, and their U.S. immigration history. If you have questions about the most appropriate status, contact your OISS adviser. If you are not familiar with sponsoring international scholars, please review Appointment Dates and Funding.    

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Assistant Professor

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

Length of Stay: 

Up to 3 years at a time; with the personal maximum of 6 years.

Purpose of Visit: 

To work in a specialty occupation position that requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific major field of study.

Processing Time: 

4 to 6 months in total with expedited (premium) processing.

Application Considerations: 
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

100% Yale Salary; wage must be certified by Department of Labor.

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Internal requirements must be met prior to submission to USCIS.
  • Specific to job and employer in the USCIS petition; other employment not permitted.
  • Dual intent allows for H-1B to apply for permanent residency without jeopardizing H-1B status.
  • H-4 spouse cannot work.
About H-1B Visas

Associate Professor

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

Length of Stay: 

Up to 3 years at a time; with the personal maximum of 6 years.

Purpose of Visit: 

To work in a specialty occupation position that requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific major field of study.

Processing Time: 

4 to 6 months in total with expedited (premium) processing.

Application Considerations: 
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

100% Yale Salary; wage must be certified by Department of Labor.

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Internal requirements must be met prior to submission to USCIS.
  • Specific to job and employer in the USCIS petition; other employment not permitted.
  • Dual intent allows for H-1B to apply for permanent residency without jeopardizing H-1B status.
  • H-4 spouse cannot work.
About H-1B Visas

Associate Research Scientist

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Instructor

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

Length of Stay: 

Up to 3 years at a time; with the personal maximum of 6 years.

Purpose of Visit: 

To work in a specialty occupation position that requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific major field of study.

Processing Time: 

4 to 6 months in total with expedited (premium) processing.

Application Considerations: 
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

100% Yale Salary; wage must be certified by Department of Labor.

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Internal requirements must be met prior to submission to USCIS.
  • Specific to job and employer in the USCIS petition; other employment not permitted.
  • Dual intent allows for H-1B to apply for permanent residency without jeopardizing H-1B status.
  • H-4 spouse cannot work.
About H-1B Visas

Lab Associate

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Lector

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Lecturer

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Postdoctoral Associate

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Postdoctoral Fellow

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Postgraduate Associate

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Postgraduate Fellow

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Professor

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

Length of Stay: 

Up to 3 years at a time; with the personal maximum of 6 years.

Purpose of Visit: 

To work in a specialty occupation position that requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific major field of study.

Processing Time: 

4 to 6 months in total with expedited (premium) processing.

Application Considerations: 
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

100% Yale Salary; wage must be certified by Department of Labor.

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Internal requirements must be met prior to submission to USCIS.
  • Specific to job and employer in the USCIS petition; other employment not permitted.
  • Dual intent allows for H-1B to apply for permanent residency without jeopardizing H-1B status.
  • H-4 spouse cannot work.
About H-1B Visas

Senior Lector

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Senior Lecturer

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Short-term Visitors

B Visitor Visa (B-1, B-2, WB, WT)

B Visitor Visa (B-1, B-2, WB, WT)

Length of Stay: 

About 90 days

Purpose of Visit: 

To attend a conference/seminar, short-term academic meetings or study trip, one-time lectures/presentations, provided the activity is temporary, incidental, and not employment in the U.S.

Processing Time: 

Processing time can be fairly quick if the individual already has a B-1/B-2 visa or is eligible for ESTA.

Application Considerations: 

Apply as soon as possible; visa applications at U.S. Consulate vary for visitors.

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Self
Financial Support: 

Any

Special Notes & Considerations: 
B Visitor Visa and Visa Waiver Program

Staff (M&P) Position

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

H-1B Temporary/Specialty Occupation Worker

Length of Stay: 

Up to 3 years at a time; with the personal maximum of 6 years.

Purpose of Visit: 

To work in a specialty occupation position that requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific major field of study.

Processing Time: 

4 to 6 months in total with expedited (premium) processing.

Application Considerations: 
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

100% Yale Salary; wage must be certified by Department of Labor.

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Internal requirements must be met prior to submission to USCIS.
  • Specific to job and employer in the USCIS petition; other employment not permitted.
  • Dual intent allows for H-1B to apply for permanent residency without jeopardizing H-1B status.
  • H-4 spouse cannot work.
About H-1B Visas

Visiting Faculty

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Visiting Fellow

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Length of Stay: 

Maximum of 5 years¹

¹ Yale appointment maximum duration may differ

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks² for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

² Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Will be subject to the  12 or 24 month bar.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • May transfer between different U.S. schools inside the U.S but there can be no gap between employers and must all be within the five-year maximum.
About J-1 Visas

Visiting Undergraduate Participating in Research or Clinical Activities (J-1 Student Intern)

J-1 Student Intern

J-1 Student Intern

Length of Stay: 

12-months or duration of Visiting Student in Research (VSR) program, whichever is shorter

Processing Time: 
  • Processed by OISS
  • Allow 6 to 8 weeks* for OISS to process and send immigration document to scholar

*Does not include time waiting for a visa appointment

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Only option for participants in the Visiting Undergraduates Participating in Research or Clinical Activities program, or other approved internship programs.
  • Visiting students who qualify for VAR, Special Student or Postgraduate Fellow positions are not eligible for this category.
  • Requires a detailed contract-type document (DS-7002) and a formal evaluation to be completed at the beginning, middle, and end of the internship.
Next Steps for J-1 Student Intern