How to Invite a Scholar

Information Needed to Determine Visa Type

Inviting an international candidate to UCSF as a visiting student, an exchange visitor, or an employee is governed by U.S. immigration regulations and UCSF policy. ISSO ultimately determines eligibility for visa type based on responses to the following factors: 

  1. Purpose/Type of Activity: What is the scholar's primary purpose at UCSF (research, teaching, collaboration, observation, etc)?
  2. Duration: Approximately how long will the candidate participate in the UCSF activity? Is there a strong possibility for an extension?
  3. Funding: How will the scholar be paid or fund their program (self funding, fellowship, UCSF funding, etc)? 
  4. Highest Degree of Education: What is the highest degree of education the candidate has earned? 
  5. Tenure Track: Is the position a tenure track position?
  6. Current Visa Status: Is the candidate currently in the U.S. in a different visa status? If so, which status?
  7. Previous Participation on a Visa: Has the candidate previously entered the U.S. on a visa? If yes, which visa statuses and dates did they previously participate in programs?
  8. Dependents: Will the scholar bring dependents with them?

Frequently Used Visa Types

Most international candidates participate in UCSF activities on the J-1 exchange visitor program, followed by H-1B Speciality Occupation status. 

Short-term participation

  • J-1 Short Term (ST) Scholar status is appropriate for visitors at the graduate degree level or above who will participate in non-tenure track UCSF activities between 1 day and up to 6 months. J-1 ST scholars may conduct research, teach, observe, and collaborate. J-1 ST scholars must hold official UCSF academic appointments at 100% time. Review J-1 eligibility criteria.
  • F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows employment authorization up to 12 months in a student's field of study, typically upon graduation. Review F-1 OPT information.
  • F-1 OPT STEM allows students with eligible degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math to participate in an additional 24-months of employment authorization (for a total of 36-months of employment with the initial OPT). Review F-1 OPT STEM information.
  • B-1 Status for Business Travel is suitable for short-term visits, with no salary or compensation for up to 90 days. Activities may include observation, business meetings, conferences, training, medical clerkships, or one-time lectures. The B-1 is not appropriate for any UCSF research activities. Review B-1 eligibility criteria. 

Long-term participation

  • J-1 Research Scholar (RS) or Professor Status is appropriate for foreign nationals who may come to UCSF for the purpose of research, teaching, postdoctoral training, and collaborative research. These foreign nationals may participate in their program from 6 months to up to 5 years, as long as there is not a break in service and must be at the graduate degree level or above. Funding support can come from a variety of sources such as the government, UCSF, the home institution, international organization, or personal funds. J-1 RS and Professors must hold official UCSF academic appointments at 100% time. Review J-1 eligibility criteria.
  • H-1B Scholars in a Specialty Occupation conduct research and teach for one year and up to six years. H-1B can only be used if it is an academic appointment with a UCSF salary. A specialty occupation is defined as 1) the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and 2) attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree in a directly related field (or its equivalent). The most commonly used titles are Postdoctoral Associate, Specialist, Research, Professor and Adjunct, and Clinical Professor series. H-1B status may also be used to support eligible clinical residents and fellows who have passed all steps of the USMLEs. Review H-1B eligibility criteria.
  • J-1 Non-Degree Seeking Student status is designated for foreign nationals enrolled in a degree program abroad who participate in a UCSF prescribed non-degree academic program with a defined educational objective. J-1 Non-Degree students can participate in this program for up to two years. For this particular J-1 category alone, 51% of funding for the program must come from non-personal funds such as a fellowship, government funding, etc. In lieu of non-personal funds, an exchange agreement may be set-up between institutions. This is the only visa category that allows research for foreign nationals at the undergraduate degree level. APM-430 undergraduate students typically hold this title. Review J-1 eligibility criteria.
  • O-1 is for the individual with an extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, and/or athletics. UCSF only supports O status for faculty or researchers who possess a minimum of a PhD, MD, or equivalent, when no other visa status is available. O-1 visas may be issued for up to three years initially and must be renewed annually after the third year. Because it is a temporary non-immigrant status and employer-specific, it is only used if UCSF provides financial support and the application must be filed by the UCSF ISSO.
  • E-3 is for Australian temporary workers to be employed at a professional level which can be obtained for two years at a time and extended without maximum limit.
  • TN, based on the NAFTA agreement, is a non-immigrant category for Canadian and Mexican citizens to be employed in a professional field. It can be granted for up to three years at a time and extended without a maximum limit.
  • J-1 Alien Physician (ECFMG) status is designated for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) participating in a U.S. graduate medical training program.  IMGs participating in ACGME-accredited or ABMS-recognized training programs are required to be sponsored in this category by the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Review J-1 ECFMG guidance.