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. Visa categories used by international scholars and employees are listed below.

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 viasa status, contact your OISS adviser. If you are not familiar with sponsoring international scholars, please review Appointment Dates and Funding. 

Direct Links to Visa Types

B-1, B-2, WB or WT Visitor

B-1, B-2, WB or WT Visitor

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

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Length of Stay: 

12-month maximum

Purpose of Visit: 

To work with authorization from DHS for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Processing Time: 

USCIS processing of OPT applications can take up to 90 days.

Application Considerations: 
  • This status is available for those in F-1 status who have completed study in the U.S. and have received authorization from USCIS to work in a field related to their field of study.
  • Apply as soon as possible. Appointment availability at U.S. Consulate vary for visitors. 
  • Application process is undertaken by the individual and requires no involvement from OISS or the hiring department.
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Self
Financial Support: 

Any

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Yale employees can use this category to initiate employment or for positions that are shorter than than the duration of F-1 OPT (12 months).
  • Must provide work authorization information by start date.
  • Visa sponsorship beyond the duration of F-1 OPT is allowed only if it is a faculty or research position.
  • Must consult with OISS about plans for Yale employment beyond OPT, such as STEM OPT or another visa type.
Hiring F-1 OPT Employees

F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT)

F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT)

Length of Stay: 

24-month extension to OPT (36 months total)

Purpose of Visit: 

To work with authorization from DHS for STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT)

Processing Time: 

USCIS processing of STEM OPT applications can take up to 90 days.

Application Considerations: 
  • Process is undertaken by the individual and requires no involvement from OISS or the hiring department.
  • The department must complete parts of Form I-983.
  • Must be eligible for STEM OPT, have authorization from USCIS, and work in a STEM field related to major field of study in order to apply.
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Self
Financial Support: 

Any

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Yale employees with a STEM degree and working in a STEM field can use this category to initiate employment or for positions that are shorter than the duration of F-1 STEM OPT (36 months). 
  • Must provide work authorization information by start date.
  • Supervisor will need to be involved with OPT STEM reporting; employment must be in a field related to the earned degree. 
  • Must consult with OISS about plans for Yale employment beyond OPT time.
  • Visa sponsorship beyond the duration of F-1 OPT is allowed only if it is a faculty or research position.
Hiring F-1 STEM OPT Employees

J-1 Students

J-1 Students

Length of Stay: 

Varies, up to 36 months if postdoctoral training.

Purpose of Visit: 

To work with Academic Training authorization from sponsoring institution.

Application Considerations: 

Authorization issued by the J-1 program that had jurisdiction over the academic program.

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Self
Financial Support: 

Any

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Must provide work authorization information by start date.
  • Process is undertaken by the individual and requires no involvement from OISS. However, a consultation with OISS before extending the offer is advisable as some appointments cannot be accommodated by J-1 academic training.
  • Students will need to report to sponsoring institutions with evaluations
  • Employment must be in a field related to the earned degree.
  • Yale employees who have completed study in J-1 status working in a field related to their field of study can use this category to initiate employment or for positions that are shorter than the duration of J-1 Academic Training (AT).
  • Visa sponsorship beyond the duration of AT may be possible but only if it is a faculty or research position.
  • Individuals with a J-1 two-year home country residence requirement may/will have difficulties continuing employment beyond the Academic Training period.
  • Must consult with OISS about plans for Yale employment beyond J-1 Academic Training.
Academic Training

J-2 and Other EAD Holders

J-2 and Other EAD Holders

Length of Stay: 

Varies

Purpose of Visit: 

To work with authorization from DHS.

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Self
Financial Support: 

Any

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Must provide work authorization information by start date.
  • Must check dates on EAD to ensure work authorization.
J-2 Work Permission

J-1 Short-Term Scholar

J-1 Short-Term Scholar

Length of Stay: 

Up to 6 months

Purpose of Visit: 

To lecture, teach, observe, or attend seminar or conference

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 and USCIS's visa processing time

Application Considerations: 

Apply no later than 4 months prior to the start date 

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

Any source including personal funding, subject to the applicable appointment policy

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Fastest non-immigrant option; takes the least amount of time to process.
  • Not subject to the 12 or 24 month bar, which they would be if using the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor category.
  • 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.
  • Must return home after J-1 stay.
  • Back-to-back J-1 scholar visits aren’t allowed; must have at least one academic semester apart and for a different J-1 objective.
About J-1 Visas

J-1 Student Intern

J-1 Student Intern

Length of Stay: 

3 weeks to 12 months

Purpose of Visit: 

To participate in a student internship program that will fulfill bachelor's degree objectives back home.

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

Application Considerations: 

Apply no later than 4 months prior to the start date

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

Any source including personal funding

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Contact OISS first before proceeding.
  • 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.
J-1 Student Intern

J-1 Research Scholar

J-1 Research Scholar

Length of Stay: 

3 weeks to 5 years

Purpose of Visit: 

To conduct research - may teach or lecture

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

Application Considerations: 

Apply no later than 4 months prior to the start date 

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

Any source including personal funding, subject to applicable appointment policy

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 on repeat participation as J-1 Research Scholar/Professor.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • Must return home after J-1 stay
  • 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.
  • Not used for tenure track positions
About J-1 Visas

J-1 Professor

J-1 Professor

Length of Stay: 

3 weeks to 5 years

Purpose of Visit: 

To teach, lecture, or conduct research

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

Application Considerations: 

Apply no later than 4 months prior to the start date 

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

Any source including personal funding, subject to applicable appointment policy

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 on repeat participation as J-1 Research Scholar/Professor.
  • Dependents hold J-2 status and can apply for work authorization.
  • May be subject to the  two year home country resident requirement.
  • Must return home after J-1 stay
  • 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.
  • Not used for tenure track positions
About J-1 Visas

H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker

H-1B 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

TN NAFTA Professional

TN NAFTA Professional

Length of Stay: 

Up to 3 years initially, with extensions but must prove temporary intent

Purpose of Visit: 
  • To work in one of the designated NAFTA occupations
  • Must be a citizen of Mexico or Canada 
Processing Time: 
  • Can be done relatively quickly
Application Considerations: 

Apply no later than 6 months prior to the start date.

Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

100% Yale Salary

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Yale job (profession) offer must be on the USMCA list.
  • Mexican citizens must apply at consulate for entry visa.
  • Position must meet NAFTA professions list guidelines.
  • Employees required to travel to obtain TN status.
  • TD spouse cannot work.
Trade USMCA Status (TN)

O-1 Person of Extraordinary Ability

O-1 Person of Extraordinary Ability

Length of Stay: 

Up to 3 years initially, with annual extensions thereafter.

Purpose of Visit: 

To work in the area of expertise of individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, or business, as demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim.

Processing Time: 

Premium USCIS processing once submitted is 4 to 6 weeks.

Application Considerations: 
  • Internal requirements must be met prior to submission to USCIS.
  • Assembling and preparing the application (done by department, applicant, and counsel) takes considerable time (sometimes months).
  • Apply no later than 6 months prior to the start date.
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

100% Yale Salary; must show at least 3 years of funding.

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Must hold a faculty appointment and have exhausted all other employment visa options to be eligible. 
  • Requires a preponderance of evidence that the individual has extraordinary ability - demonstrate sustained extraordinary national or international acclaim and recognition for achievements in their field.
  • High cost and complex adjudication process at USCIS.
  • Petition is handled by Yale’s contracted external immigration counsel.
  • No time limit as long as appointment is temporary.
  • O-3 spouse cannot work.
  • Specific to job and employer in the USCIS petition. 
  • Other employment not permitted. 
About O-1 Extraordinary Ability

E-3 Australian Treaty Worker

E-3 Australian Treaty Worker

Length of Stay: 

Up to 2 years at a time, with extensions but must prove temporary intent.

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. 
  • Must be an Australian citizen.
Processing Time: 
  • Three to six months with expedited processing. Internal requirements must be met prior to submission to USCIS. 
Application Considerations: 
  • Apply no later than 6 months prior to the start date.
  • Application process similar to H-1B.
  • Australian citizens must apply at consulate abroad for E-3 sponsorship approval.
Immigration Sponsorship: 
Yale
Financial Support: 

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

Special Notes & Considerations: 
  • Substantial USCIS filing fees.
  • E-3s are subject to the same qualifications as an H-1B but have a different length of stay. 
  • No dual intent is allowed. 
  • E-3 Spouse can apply for work permission with USCIS on their own – not Yale sponsored 
E-3 Australian Citizens