The Basics – Common Visa Types for Rice International Scholars
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B-1/B-2/Visa Waiver – typically used by foreign visitors who are invited to Rice for only a short visit with the purpose of presenting a lecture or workshop, or attend a conference, etc.
F-1 CPT (Curricular Practical Training) & F-1 OPT (Optional Practical Training) & F-1 STEM OPT Extension – used by international scholars who are studying at another school in the U.S. (CPT), or have completed a degree program at Rice or another university in the U.S. (OPT & STEM OPT) on the F-1 visa.
J-1 Academic Training – used by international scholars who are studying at another school in the U.S. or have completed a degree program at Rice or another university in the U.S. on the J-1 visa student category.
J-1 Exchange Visitor – most often used visa classification for Rice international research scholars. This visa classification is to be used for positions that are temporary in nature, as permanent positions such as tenure-track faculty would require an H-1B visa. The J-1 visa is obtained based on the DS-2019 Form issued by OISS through J Program Sponsorship. J-1 research and faculty scholars may participate in exchange visitor training programs in the U.S. for a maximum of five (5) calendar years. Their immediate dependents arrive as J-2s. There is also a Short-Term Scholar category option that carries fewer restrictions; however, that category of J-1 visa has a maximum stay duration of six (6) months with no possibility for extension beyond that. Please begin the process 90 days before the intended start date to allow for OISS and visa processing.
H-1B – non-immigrant worker visa for specialty occupations, valid for up to six (6) years. Visa processing can take 4–8 months, although there is a possibility for expedited processing at an additional cost payable to the U.S. government.
O-1 – non-immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability. Visa processing can take 4–8 months, although there is a possibility for expedited processing at an additional cost payable to the U.S. government.
TN – for Canadian and Mexican citizens only, valid for one-year appointments.
PERM Processing - University-sponsored Permanent Residency