Overview of J-1, H-1B and Other Immigration Classifications

Boston University proudly hosts over 1000 foreign nationals from 91 countries to conduct research, teach and work in a variety of capacities throughout the institution. Our international scholar population varies from short-term visitors who conduct research on unpaid appointments to permanent, tenure-track professors. The ISSO is responsible for all of the immigration and employment processing to assist the university and our diverse scholar population in achieving its academic goals.

The ISSO maintains a high level of expertise in United States immigration and employment regulations to invite, advise and employ international scholars. There are a number of United States immigration classifications that enable our international scholars to perform research, teach or work at Boston University. Staff members at the ISSO are trained to evaluate each department request and establish which immigration classification is most appropriate to facilitate the plans of the department and the needs of the prospective scholar. The staff member at the ISSO will evaluate the needs of the academic department and then consider a variety of factors such as the nationality, educational achievements and United States immigration history of the prospective scholar to determine which immigration category will be most appropriate. The ISSO will then work with the department to gather the necessary information and prepare immigration documents to enable to prospective scholar to obtain the immigration classification to commence his/her academic activity. Most scholar processing is completed by staff members at the ISSO as a service to the Boston University community.

The ISSO is also responsible for completing the federal USCIS Form I-9 “Employment Eligibility Verification Form” for all international employees at Boston University. Department faculty and administrators wishing to employ international employees are reminded that federal regulations require that the Form I-9 be completed by the scholar and the ISSO prior to the end of the third day of employment. These are completed for employees in J-1 Exchange Visitor status during New J-1 Scholar Orientation. Employees in other nonimmigrant status are welcome to come to the ISSO during one of our designated I-9 hours.

J-1 Introduction
Boston University is designated by the US Department of State as a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program to sponsor Research Scholars, Professors, Short-Term Scholars and Specialists to conduct academic activities at Boston University. Department faculty and administrators who wish to invite and/or employ an international scholar in J-1 classification should click on 'Administrators' above to learn about BU sponsorship policies and how to request J-1 visa related documentation. J-1 Exchange Visitors visit the university for as little as one week to a maximum of 5 years in paid or unpaid appointments. The ISSO will then evaluate all of the forms and supporting documentation and issue necessary forms to assist the prospective scholar in obtaining the necessary visa and approvals to enable to scholar to commence teaching and/or research at Boston University. Due to the intricacies of J-1 immigration processing, the ISSO recommends that departments submit completed forms to the ISSO at least 60 days prior to the proposed start date of the academic activity to enable sufficient time for processing.

H-1B Introduction
Boston University employs H-1B “Temporary Workers in a Specialty Occupation” in a variety of paid teaching and research positions. Department faculty and administrators who wish to employ an international scholar in H-1B classification should click on 'Administrators' above to learn about BU sponsorship policies and H-1 processing." The H-1B requires substantial documentation as it involves obtaining employer attestations and approvals from varying federal and local government agencies. The proposed employment must meet the US Citizenship and Immigration Services definition of a specialty occupation and the proposed employee must meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Due to the intricacies of H-1B immigration processing and the processing times at the federal and local government agencies, the ISSO recommends that departments request H-1B sponsorship only for employment situations for at least one year in duration. Departments must submit completed forms to the ISSO at least 6 months prior to the proposed start date of the academic activity to enable sufficient time for processing. In some cases, the process may be expedited based on the current immigration status of the prospective scholar or if the department is willing to pay a fee for Premium Processing to the Department of Homeland Security.

ISSO
Boston University
November 29, 2010