Non-Immigrant Visas

Page Header - Image for Visa and Immigration

Departments and schools hiring international personnel or hosting international visitors for short or longer-term projects will find there are several non-immigrant options. Below is a list of the most common non-immigrant visa types used at TTUHSC El Paso. Click on the links for more details on each option, or contact Visa and Immigration Services Administration (Visa) with any additional questions.

Note:
A "visa" is a stamp in the passport issued by a US Embassy or Consulate abroad.

"Status" refers to the immigration status the person has in the US, which may not match the visa. Status is indicated by the “I-94 Departure Record.”

Listings and Descriptions:

Business or Tourist status (B-1/B-2/WB/WT)

Usually the easiest and most appropriate category for persons coming for very short-term reasons such as conferences and presentations.

  • May be paid an honorarium and/or expenses for an event of 9 days or less. Travel time may be outside the 9-day period.
  • May be used for longer stays for self-funded academic research.
  • May be used by observers (research only)
  • Visa documentation in the form of invitation letter from host department.
  • Not appropriate for research collaborations that benefit the institution even if the foreign national is self-funded or funded by their home country institution.

J-1 Alien Physicians
Used by alien physicians for post graduate training (Residency/Fellowship). Visa does not process J-1 DS-2019s. Please contact the GME office at https://www.ttuhsc.edu/fostersom/gme/.

Exchange Visitor J-1

J-1 Short-Term Scholar

J-1 Short-Term Scholar status is appropriate for visitors with that intend to stay for 6 months or less.

  • May be paid or unpaid (sabbatical, outside funding).
  • May not be used for a tenure-track position.
  • Cannot be extended beyond a total of 6 months.
  • Processing is through Visa , documentation prepared in 1–2 weeks after Visa has received all information from the host department.
  • $180 SEVIS fee, usually paid by applicant.
  • J-2 dependents eligible to apply for work authorization and to take classes.

J-1 Researcher or Professor

J-1 Researcher or Professor status is appropriate for many research or teaching positions.

  • May be paid or unpaid (sabbatical, outside funding).
  • May not be used for a tenure-track position.
  • Status can be granted for up to a maximum of 5 years.
  • Processing is through Visa , documentation prepared in 1–2 weeks after Visa has all information from the host department.
  • $180 SEVIS fee, usually paid by applicant.
  • J-2 dependents eligible to apply for work authorization.
  • Persons who have previously been in J status may not be eligible for Professor or Researcher documentation for a specified time thereafter.

J-1 Student Intern

Must fulfill the educational objectives for the student’s current degree program at the home institution

  • Must be full-time (at least 32 hours per week)
  • May be up to 12 months in duration
  • All tasks assigned must be necessary for the completion of the student internship program, and the internship tasks may consist of no more than 20% clerical work
  • Must expose the participant to American techniques, methodologies, and technology, expand upon the participant’s existing knowledge and skills, and not duplicate the student intern’s prior experience

H-1B (Specialty Worker)
H-1B status is appropriate for professional and academic appointments.

  • Available initially for up to 3 years, renewable for up to a total of 6 years.
  • The position must require a Bachelor's or higher degree and beneficiary must have a relevant degree.
  • Salary must meet minimum prevailing wage standard set by Department of Labor.
  • Requires processing through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after preparation by the Visa .  Average Visa processing of application (including Department of Labor processing), is approximately 10 weeks after receiving supporting documentation from the hiring department and employee; USCIS processing, 3 months after application received.  Premium processing fee of $1225 guarantees adjudication by USCIS (or a fee refund) within 15 calendar days of receipt.  If the employee is already in H-1B status, the employee may begin employment once USCIS returns a receipt notice to the (Visa) .
  • USCIS application fee of $825 for initial application ($325 for extensions) must be paid by department.
  • H-4 dependents may not work including volunteer work and internships.
  • H-4 dependents may qualify for in-state tuition fees after 12 months of consecutive physical presence in Texas.

Changes in employment and transfers of H-1B status: Employees in H-1B status at TTUHSC El Paso.  El Paso should be aware that their current H-1B status only provides work authorization to work at TTUHSC El Paso in the job specified on the Labor Condition Application and/or immigration filing. If the occupation changes, employment is possible but will likely require notification to the DOL and USCIS. Please contact (Visa) with any changes in employment.

E-3 (Australian Speciality Worker)

Limited to Australian citizens and E-3 status is appropriate for professional and academic appointments.

  • Status can be granted for up to 2 years, extended in 2-year increments indefinitely.
  • The position must require a Bachelor’s or higher degree and beneficiary must have a relevant degree.
  • Salary must meet minimum prevailing wage standard set by Department of Labor.
  • Does not require processing through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unless the employee is in the US and will apply for a change/extension of status. Average (Visa) processing of application (including Department of Labor processing) is 10 weeks after supporting documentation has been received from the hiring department/employee. USCIS processing, if required, is 3 months after application received. Premium processing is not available.
  • No USCIS application fee, unless employee is in the US and will apply for a change of status to E-3.
  • E-3 dependents are eligible to apply for employment authorization.
  • E-3 dependents may qualify for in-state tuition fees after 12 months of consecutive physical presence in Texas.
  • Useful in cases where an Australian employee is not eligible for H-1B due to a home residence requirement or in cases where an E-3 dependent wishes to work.

O-1 (Alien of Extraordinary Ability)

O-1 status may be possible for employees with a home residence requirement who are not eligible for H-1B or for positions where H-1B salary or degree requirements cannot be met.

  • Initial status can be granted for 3 years. One year extensions available indefinitely thereafter.
  • Intent to remain in the US and seek permanent residence not relevant to visa application.
  • Paper-intensive application must establish outstanding qualities of applicant.
  • Requires processing through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after preparation by the Visa . Average Visa processing, 4-6 weeks after supporting documentation has been received from the hiring department/employee; USCIS processing, 3 months after application received. Premium processing fee of $1225 guarantees adjudication by USCIS (or a fee refund) within 15 calendar days of receipt.
  • The filing fee is $325.
  • O-3 dependents may not work including volunteer work and internships.
  • O-3 dependents may qualify for in-state tuition fees after 12 months of consecutive physical presence in Texas.

TN (Trade NAFTA)
TN status is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens in specified fields, including university teaching and research.

      • Initial status can be granted for 3 years. Further extensions of up to 3 years may be granted.
      • Does not require processing through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unless the employee is in the US and will apply for a change/extension of status. Average (Visa) processing time is approximately 2-4 weeks after all the supporting documentation has been submitted by the hiring department/employee. USCIS processing, if required, is 3 months after the application is received. Premium processing fee of $1225 guarantees adjudication by USCIS (or a fee refund) within 15 calendar days of receipt.
      • Fee of $50 if applying at border. USCIS fee of $325 if applying for change of status or extension in the US.
      • TD (dependents) may not work including volunteer work and internships.