Visa Types

F-1

  • Enrolled as a full-time student or Employed on F-1 Optional Practical Training*
  • Eligible to work on campus | No separate work permission required
    • Maximum 20 hours per week when school is in session, up to full-time during vacation periods when not enrolled
      • Off campus work with authorization only. 

*F-1 Optional Practical Training

  • An international student in F-1 status may apply for temporary employment authorization to be used upon the completion of degree program course requirements.
  • Once the authorization has been approved by USCIS, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued.
  • Departments at UNT may employ F-1 OPT students for a period of time within the validity of the EAD.

F-2

  • Dependent spouse or child under 21 of F-1
  • Eligible for avocational or recreational courses. Ex. pottery in a community program
  • Not eligible to be a full-time student (less than full time enrollment is allowed)
  • Not eligible for any kind of work authorization

J-1 Student

  • Enrolled as full-time student or employed in academic training
  • May not be supported by personal funds
  • Students must be enrolled full-time
  • Students are eligible to work on campus only with permission of sponsor
    • Maximum 20 hours per week when school is in session
    • Up to full-time during vacation periods when not enrolled
    • Off-campus work with authorization from sponsor only
J-1 Academic Training
  • Student in J-1 status may apply for a temporary employment authorization known as Academic Training (A/T) to be used during a degree program or after the completion of course requirements.
  • Once the authorization has been approved by the student’s J program sponsor, the J-1 receives a Letter of Authorization and extended DS-2019.
  • Departments at UNT may employ J-1 A/T students for a period of time within the 18-36 month validity of the Letter of Authorization.
J-1 Student Intern
  • Not enrolled at UNT
  • Minimum 32 hours per week internship | Maximum 12 months
  • UNT Departments must consult International Student and Scholar Services about process

J-1 Scholar (Exchange Visitor) 

  • Post Bachelor's degree, Master's or PhD
  • Research and/or Teaching
  • Categories Include:
    • Short Term - 6 months maximum
    • Research - 3 weeks minimum to 5 year maximum
    • Professor - 3 weeks minimum to 5 year maximum
  • May be supported by private or other funds
  • May only be employed by employer listed on DS-2019
  • The majority of temporary visiting researchers and scholars come to lecture or conduct research as J-1 Exchange Visitors
  • Short-Term scholars are allowed to remain in the U.S. up to six months
  • Scholar/Researchers can be extended to up to five years.
  • UNT Departments must consult International Student and Scholar Services about process

J-2

  • Dependent spouse and children under 21 of J-1
  • May attend school part-time or full-time if desired
  • May apply for work permission from USCIS
J-1 Au Pair
  • May be employed ONLY by the host family
  • May attend school 
    • Required to take a certain number of classes

H-1B

  • Visa status for employment in specialty occupation
    • Minimum Bachelor's degree
  • Approval process includes Department of Labor and USCIS
  • Employment only allowed for employer listed on I-129 form
  • Approval for up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years
  • May attend school only as incident to employment
  • Employees in certain non-tenured faculty titles and researchers
  • Tenure-track faculty members and permanent researchers
  • H-1B petitions require approximately six to eight months to process
  • UNT Departments must consult International Student and Scholar Services about process

H-4

  • Dependent spouse and children under 21 of H-1B
  • May attend school part-time or full-time
  • May not be employed. Work permission only available through application to USCIS once H1B visa holder has an approved I-140.
Visa Waiver (WB or WT)
  • Visitor for tourism or business
  • 90 days maximum
  • Must leave U.S. at 90 days. Cannot extend or change status inside U.S.
  • No employment
  • Some expenses may be reimbursed. Consult Payroll Office.
  • As of summer 2010, will not have I-94 card
B-1 or B-2
  • B-1 is for Business | B-2 is for Tourism
  • I-94 indicates length of allowed stay
  • No employment
  • Use form I-539 to apply for extension of stay
  • Some expenses may be reimbursed for B-1. Consult Payroll.
A
  • Diplomatic visa for employees of recognized foreign governments on official business
  • Dependents may study
  • Work permission may be granted in certain cases by USCIS to A-1 and A-2 dependents
E
  • E-1 Trader
  • E-2 Investor
  • E-3 Australian work visa
  • One year validity; renewable for two years at a time
  • Spouse may apply for work permission from USCIS
  • Dependent children may not be employed | Dependents may attend school
K
  • Fiancé(e) of American citizen
  • 90 day admission for purpose of marriage to American | No extension
  • Must apply for permanent residency within 90 day period
  • May attend school | May apply for USCIS work permission
L
  • Employees of multinational companies
    • Length of validity and extension varies
    • May study only as incident to employment
  • Dependents may study
  • Spouses may apply for work permission from USCIS
  • Children may not work
O
  • O-1 Extraordinary ability in the Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics; Motion Picture or Television industries
  • Certain outstanding employees that have received and sustained national and international acclaim may qualify for an O-1 visa
  • Up to 3 year validity with one year extensions
  • Employer specific
  • Dependents may not work
  • Dependents may attend schools as long as no paid research assistantship, etc, is involved.
P
  • Performance artists and athletes
  • Holder may study only incident to work.
  • Dependents may study full or part-time
  • Holder may be employed only as approved on petition
  • Dependents would need independent employment authorization
R
  • Religious Worker
  • Visa holder may work only for the employer listed on the petition
  • Visa holder may attend school only as incident to the employment
  • Dependents may attend school full or part-time, dependents may not work
TN
  • NAFTA Treaty - employment from Canada or Mexico to work in certain fields
  • 3 year duration
  • Canadians apply at port of entry; do not need visa stamp
  • Mexicans apply at consulate for visa
  • Employment only for employer listed
  • May attend school incident to employment
  • Dependents may attend school, dependents cannot work
U
  • Victims of crime and family members
  • All can attend school
  • All can apply to USCIS for work permission
V
  • LIFE Act dependents of non-immigrants: spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents (LPRs) who are the beneficiaries of a family-based second preference (2A only) immigrant visa petition filed on or before December 21, 2000, and who have been waiting for immigrant status for 3 years or more.
  • May study full or part-time
  • May apply to USCIS for work permission

Don't see your status here?

Fall 2023 International Students Newsletter

Spring 2023 International Students Not in F/J Status Newsletter

Fall 2022 International Students Not in F/J Status Newsletter

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