Visa Types

Most Common Visa Types for Scholars and Their Dependents at CSU

Visa Type Typical Use ProsConsProcessing TimeDurationEstimated Cost to Department
J-1 Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term ScholarPostdocs, research associates, visiting professorsFast, inexpensive, dependents may work with authorization from USCIS.May be subject to two-year home residency requirement or bars on repeat participation.Typically 8 weeks or more.Short-term scholar up to six months; Professor/Research Scholar up to five years.$400
J-1 Student InternUndergrads at an institution outside the U.S. visiting CSU to complete a required internship.Fairly fast and inexpensive, permits employment of the student intern.A bit more paperwork than other J-1 categories.Typically 8 weeks or more.Up to one year$400
J-2Dependent of an individual holding J-1 statusMay engage in part-time or full-time study. Eligible to apply to USCIS for work authorization.May be subject to two-year home residency requirement or bars on repeat participation.Typically 8 weeks or more.Limited in duration to length of J-1’s program.$0
H-1B Temporary Worker in a Specialty OccupationProfessional research staff and faculty.May study if incidental to the primary purpose of the stay while maintaining valid status.Longer process; more expensive. Employment permitted only with the petitioning organization through whom the visa classification was obtained. Typically many months; can be expedited by paying an extra fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.Three years initially; six years maximum.$2460 - $4960
H-4Dependent of individual in H-1B statusMay engage in part-time or full-time study. Not typically eligible for work authorization.Processing time closely associated with the processing time for H-1B.Three years initially; six years maximumCosts typically paid by the H-1B employee.
B1/B2Visitor for business or tourism.May be in the U.S. for a short period of time to engage in business activities, attend a conference, or for recreational purposes.Employment is not permitted. An academic institution may pay an honorarium for academic activity lasting not longer than nine days at any single institution.Typically just a matter of weeks depending on visa appointment wait time and processing time in the home country.Up to six months.Costs typically paid by the visitor.
Visa WaiverVisitor for business or tourism.Fast and inexpensive; May visit the U.S. for a short period of time to engage in business or tourism.Only available to citizens of certain countries designated by the U.S. Department of State. Travel requires pre- registration in ESTA. Pre-registration required only days before travel.Up to 90 days. No extensions of stay or changes of status allowed.Costs typically paid by the visitor.
TNProfessional staff and facultyFairly fast and inexpensive. May engage in incidental study while maintaining TN status.Only available to citizens of Canada or Mexico and allows employment only in certain designated occupations.Status conveyed when entering through a U.S. port of entry.Up to three years; extendable.Costs typically paid by the TN employee.
TDDependent of TNMay engage in part- or full-time study.Not permitted to be employed in the United States.Status conveyed when entering through a U.S. port of entry.Up to three years; extendableCosts typically paid by the TN employee.
E-3Professional staff and facultyFairly fast. Less expensive than other employment visas.Only available to citizens of Australia.Typically just a matter of weeks. Highly dependent on visa appointment wait time and processing time at the local U.S. Consulate.Up to two years; extendable.$250 if applying from abroad; $1960 if applying to extend or change status to E-3 in the U.S.
E-3D dependentDependent of E-3 employeeMay engage in part- or full-time study.Processing time closely associated with the processing time for E-3Up to two years; extendableCosts typically paid by the E-3 employee
O-1 Professional staff and facultyCan be a useful option when H-1B isn’t otherwise possible.Requires documentation of extraordinary ability. Employment permitted only with the petitioning organization through whom the visa classification was obtained.Typically many months; can be expedited by paying an extra fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.Up to three years; extendable in one-year increments.$1960 - $4460
O-3Dependent of O-1May engage in part-time or full-time study.Not permitted to be employed in the United States.Processing time closely associated with the processing time for O-1Up to three years; extendable in one-year increments.Costs typically paid by the O-1 employee

Most Common Visa Types for Students and Their Dependents at CSU

Visa TypeDescription StudyRestrictions on Employment
F-1Student VisaMust study full-time. Part-time study only for acceptable cause authorized by ISSS.On-campus 20 hours/week while school is in session. FT during official school breaks, including summer. Off-campus very limited and must be approved either by ISSS or by USCIS before starting work. Eligible for optional practical training (OPT) following completion of degree program.
F-2Dependent of an individual holding F-1 status.May study part-time. Must change to F-1 if wanting to study full-time toward a degree.Individuals in F-2 status are not permitted to work.
J-1Student CategoryMust study full time. Part-time study only for acceptable cause authorized by ISSS.On-campus 20 hours/week with prior written authorization from ISSS. May work off-campus under limited circumstances with prior written authorization from ISSS. Eligible for Academic Training following completion of degree program.
J-2 Dependent of an individual holding J-1 statusMay engage in part-time or full-time study.Eligible to apply to USCIS for work authorization. Must have EAD before beginning employment. May work for any employer. Must re-apply for employment authorization to continue working beyond expiration date on the EAD card.