Visa Categories

The University of Rochester welcomes a large number of foreign nationals from around the world to study, research, and work. To accommodate the variety of programs and activities pursued at Rochester, ISO is approved to sponsor several different visa categories, in addition to hosting global visitors in certain non-University of Rochester sponsored categories. Below is a comparison of the most commonly used visa categories for activities conducted at the University of Rochester.

Note: Fees listed are in addition to any applicable visa fees.

Nonimmigrant categories which require sponsorship from ISO

Visa Category	Purpose	Additional Fees	Maximum Period	Notes
F-1 Students	For full-time academic study in a degree-bearing program or recognized visiting student category.	I-901 SEVIS Fee	None specified, provided pursuing academic goals.	Individuals under F-1 sponsorship must maintain full-time enrollment, while employment activities must be secondary and often related to their academic program. May be able to bring dependents.
J-1 Exchange Visitors	For full-time academic study or temporary academic appointment for researchers or other scholars. Employment-based categories include postdoctoral appointments, visiting instructor, research associate, etc.	I-901 SEVIS Fee	Student: None specified, provided pursuing academic goals; Research scholar or professor: up to 5 years; Short-term scholar: up to 6 months; Student intern: up to 12 months per academic degree program	Some individuals may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement, which prohibits applying for H, L, or permanent residence, until the residency requirement is satisfied, or a waiver is granted. J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for work permission.
Permanent Residence	To allow for continued residency within the United States, based on strict eligibility requirements and subject to substantial processing times. Permissions to travel and/or work may be approved in advance, while the residency petition is still pending. Working with an immigration attorney is recommended.	Varies	None, provided certain residency standards are met.	Employment-sponsored petitions through the University are subject to strict criteria; eligibility and viability are determined on a case-by-case basis, and it is the University’s prerogative whether to proceed with any given case. Family or self-petitioned permanent residency applications are not under the University’s purview.
Temporary Worker Categories
H-1B Temporary Workers	For professionals in a specialty occupation requiring a theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.	– I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker ($460) – Fraud prevention fee ($500) – Premium processing fee ($2,500) – I-539 for Dependents – To Change Status or Extend H-4 ($370)	Typically granted in three-year increments for a total of six years. The six-year period can be with one employer or a series of employers.	The application is an employer-sponsored petition and must be filed by the University of Rochester. It CANNOT be filed by an individual. Dual intent is recognized. Processing time is lengthy and requires extensive documentation. H-4 dependents may not work but may be eligible to study.
TN Workers from Canada	Similar to H-1B, for Canadian citizens who are professionals in designated worker categories to allow for expedited processing of work authorization.	– $50 filing fee – $10 port of entry fee	Granted in increments of up to three years, with no limit on the number of extensions.	Appendix 2 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (worker categories). Subject to nonimmigrant intent, assuming that the employment remains temporary. TD dependents may be eligible to study, but not to work.
O-1 Workers with Extraordinary Ability	For professionals with documented extraordinary ability or achievement.	I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker ($325)	Initial stay granted for up to three years. Extensions may be requested, in increments of one year.	Dual intent is recognized. Dependents (spouses, children under 21) of an O-1 may be eligible for O-3 status; they may not work but may be eligible for study.

Nonimmigrant categories which DO NOT require sponsorship from ISO

Visa Category	Purpose	Additional Fees	Maximum Period	Notes
B-1/B-2 Visitors	Appropriate for an individual visiting to collaborate on a project, job interview, observership, etc. Incidental study may be permitted.	None	Three to six months per visit	Called an “honoraria exception,” a B-1 visitor may be paid an honoraria and reimbursed for incidental expenses if the individual’s visit or activity does not last more than nine days at a single university and they have not accepted honoraria from more than five institutions within a six month period. Visitors cannot typically change to another nonimmigrant category within the United States.
Visa Waiver Program	Like the B visa, for an individual visiting for tourism, or to collaborate on a project, job interview, observership, etc. Incidental study may be permitted.	ESTA registration fee	Up to 90 days; no extensions of stay or changing of status.	Visitors must have a machine-readable passport, biometric passport, and citizenship from an eligible country.