Visa Options Guide
Narrow Visa Options by Category
TN
Visa for Canadian and Mexican citizens to temporarily engaged in professional business activities.
Type: employee
Duration: Indefinite, with extensions in 3-year increments
O-1
O-1 status is suitable for individuals who have attained national or international acclaim for extraordinary achievements in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.
Type: employee
Duration: Indefinite (after 3 initial years), with extensions in one-year increments
LPR
Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) permits foreign nationals and their dependents to permanently remain and be employed in the United States. Departments assume the role of a sponsor and all the responsibilities associated with the process.
Type: employee
Duration: Indefinite
J-1 Student Intern
J-1 visa to participate in a structured internship program (while pursuing a degree in home country)
Type: visitor
Duration: 1 day to 12 months
J-1 Short-Term
J-1 visa for short-term consultation, lecturing, training or demonstration, not including research.
Type: visitor
Duration: 1 day to 6 months
J-1 Research
J-1 visa for research (primary focus), observation, consultation or teaching.
Type: visitor
Duration: 3 weeks to 5 years
J-1 Professor
J-1 visa for teaching (primary focus), lecturing, observation, consultation or research.
Type: visitor
Duration: 3 weeks to 5 years
H-1B
H-1B status is suitable for most international researchers, faculty and staff whose position requires the minimum of a bachelor’s degree and who will perform work in a specialized skill area.
Type: employee
Duration: Up to 6 years
E-3
The E-3 specialty occupation visa category is for Australian nationals (AN).
Type: employee
Duration: Indefinite, with extensions in 2-year increments
B1/WB
B-1 or WB status is for temporary visits to the U.S. for consultation, observation, or to give a single lecture. It is not for ongoing lecturing or ongoing teaching, research or studying.
Type: visitor
Duration: 90 days or less