Here you will find a list of the most common visa classifications used by international scholars at Rice.
Click on the visa type for hiring procedures.

B-1 / 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. The B visa may NOT be used for working, conducting research, nor for collaborations at Rice University.

F-1 CPT (Curricular Practical Training) & F-1 OPT/STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) – 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 just 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. The visa is obtained based on a DS-2019 Form issued by OISS as part of the U.S. Department of State J Visa Exchange Visitor program. Scholars wishing to obtain a DS-2019 from Rice must work with their hosting Academic Department on the intake process.

H-1B – non-immigrant worker visa for specialty occupations, valid for up to six (6) years. Visa processing can take 4–8 months.

O-1 – non-immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability.

TN – for Canadian and Mexican citizens in a profession that is included on the NAFTA list.

PERM Processing – Rice University sponsored Permanent Residency valid for foreign employees that meet certain requirements.

If your visa status is not listed above, please contact OISS for more information regarding eligibility to work at Rice University.