Hiring International Students

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• F-1 Student Visa

  General Information: The United States welcomes foreign students to American language schools, high schools, universities and other institutions of higher education. Students on F-1 visas may accept employment in the U.S. as a part of their practical training by obtaining an Employment Authorization Document. Eligibility Requirements: An applicant for a student visa must come to the United States to pursue an academic program in an institution recognized by the United States government. The alien must have a valid educational purpose for coming to the United States. The student can stay in the United States for as long as he/she is enrolled in school.

• J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

  General Information: The United States government issues J-1 visas to individuals who take part in a wide range of exchange visitor programs sponsored by schools, businesses, and a variety of organizations and institutions. These programs are envisioned for business and industrial trainees, scholars, students, international visitors, teachers, research assistants and those on cultural missions. In addition, there are several exchange visitor programs for young people, including summer employment programs, internship programs for university students, and au-pair programs. Eligibility Requirements: You meet the criteria for a J-1 exchange visitor visa if you are coming to the United States as a student, scholar, trainee, teacher, professor, research assistant, medical graduate or international visitor who is participating in a program of studies, training research or cultural enrichment specifically designed for such individuals by the United States Department of State, through its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

• H-1 B Work Visa for College Educated Professionals

  General Information: The H-1B visa enables professionals in "specialty occupations" to make a valuable contribution to the American economy. A maximum of 65,000 H-1B visas are issued every year. The H-1B visa is issued for up to three years but may be extended. This provides a maximum stay of six years. The H1-B visa holder can apply for a Green Card if a company wants to sponsor his/her application. Eligibility Requirements: The H-1B non-immigrant work visa may be issued to applicants seeking temporary work in a "specialty occupation" which requires the skills of a professional. "Specialty Occupations" includes accounting, computer analysts, programmers, database administrators, web designers, engineers, financial analysts, doctors, nurses, scientists, architects and lawyers. The petitions are submitted by employers based on their need for the non-U.S.-resident employee. The applicant may possess a bachelor's degree or requisite experience to make up for the lack of a master's degree.

• TN/TD NAFTA Work Visa

  General Information: TN Visas are temporary work visas available only to citizens of Mexico and Canada. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a citizen of a NAFTA country may work in a professional occupation in another NAFTA country, as long as the applicant meets certain requirements. The spouse and unmarried minor children of the principal applicant are entitled to the derivative status (called TD visa), but they are unable to accept employment in the United States.

• E-3 Treaty Professional Work Visa for Australian Citizens

  General Information: The E-3 is a new visa category available to Australian citizens only. The E-3 Treaty Professional Visa is a temporary work visa. It is usually issued for 2 years at the time. United States legislation limits the E-3 visa to nationals of Australia. The primary E-3 work visa applicant must be going to the United States to work in a specialty occupation. The spouse and children of the main E-3 visa applicant need not be Australian citizens. Spouses of E-3 visa holders are entitled to E-3D (dependent) visas and work authorization. Eligibility Requirements: The term "specialty occupation" means an occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States. The definition is the same as the Immigration and Nationality Act definition of an H-1B specialty occupation.

Aditional Resources (Hiring International)

• USA Immigration, Visa and Employment Center

  • Cap Exemptions in Specialty Occupations
    http://www.h1base.com/page.asp?id=361
  • U.S. Employment of Canadian and Mexican Professionals under NAFTA
    PDF File
  • Guide for Businesses Hiring Temporary Employees from Outside the U.S.
    PDF File
  • The Form I-9 Process in a Nutshell
    PDF File
  • General Information about the Form I-9
    PDF File
  • Nonimmigrant Classification Employment Eligibility and Reference Guide
    PDF File
  • Premium Processing Service and Expedite Processing
    PDF File

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  • International Students
    http://www.ice.gove/sevis/index/htm

• U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification

  • FLC Disclosure Data
    http://www.flcdatacenter.com/CaseData.aspx
  • Foreign Labor Certification "How Do I..." Questions
    http://ows.doleta.gov/foreign/howdoi.asp
  • H- 1B Specialty (Professional) Workers
    http://ows.doleta.gov/foreign/h-1b.asp

• United States Immigration Online Information Center

  • Explore United States Visa
    http:// www.usimmigrationsupport.org/