Visa Options | Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

J-1 Exchange Visitors: Research Scholars/Professors and Short-Term Scholars
Prerequisites	Must not have been physically present in the United States in J-1 status (in any category) for at least 6 months in the 12-month period immediately prior to the Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) start date If previously in the United States as a J-1 Research Scholar, must have completed the J-1 program at least 24 months prior to WCM start date Exemption – If currently in the US in valid J-1 status as a Research Scholar may transfer J-1 program to WCM if within ﬁve-year period
Funding Source	Funding can be provided by any source (WCM, external organization and/or personal savings)
Process Summary	WCM HR-Immigration issues DS-2019 form after conﬁrming regulatory and institutional requirements are met If outside of the United States, J-1 visitor uses DS-2019 form to apply for and obtain a J-1 visa stamp from a US Embassy/Consulate (unless a Canadian citizen) J-1 Visitor uses J-1 visa stamp to enter the US and is granted J-1 status once admitted into the US by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Timeline	20 to 60 days to issue DS-2019 Visa processing time varies by US Embassy/Consulate
Duration	J-1 status issued in increments of 1 month to 5 years (depending on funding) Maximum stay for Research Scholars/Professors is 5 years (all 5 years can be requested in the initial DS-2019 form) Maximum stay for Short-Term Scholars is 6 months
Visa Stamps	J-1 visa applicants are given priority in scheduling visa appointments at all US Embassies/Consulates All J-1 visa applicants are subject to administrative processing (additional vetting and security checks by US Embassy/Consulate) Normally issued a multiple-entry J-1 visa stamp valid for entire J-1 period requested on DS-2019 form (dependent on country of citizenship)
US Tax Exemptions	J-1 Research Scholars/Professors are usually exemptfrom FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes) for ﬁrst two calendar years individual is physically present in the United States J-1 Research Scholars/Professors may be exempt from all or some Federal, State and Local income taxes based on a treaty between the US and country of last tax residency
Dependents	Spouse and children under 21 can obtain J-2 status A spouse in J-2 status can work for any employer without sponsorship, but must apply for employment authorization (EAD card) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Costs	Paid by the Individual $220 government ﬁling fee for I-901 SEVIS fee (one-time) $185 government application fee per J-1/J-2 visa stamp If applicable – visa reciprocity fee (varies by country of citizenship)
Stipulations	May be subject to the two-year home residency requirement based on country of origin, research area and/or funding source If subject, must either comply with or obtain a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement before changing to H-1B status or submitting the last step of the green card process
Links	Department of State (DOS) - https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/

H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers
Prerequisites	Sponsored role must require at least a bachelor’s degree in a speciﬁc ﬁeld of study Sponsored worker must have at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the required (or closely related) ﬁeld of study Must be paid the higher of the actual wage or the prevailing wage for the oﬀered position
Funding Source	Must be a full-time WCM employee on payroll receiving same beneﬁts oﬀered to US citizens
Process Summary	Two-step process 1) Labor Condition Application (LCA) is submitted to US Department of Labor (DOL) 2) I-129 petition and supporting documents are ﬁled with USCIS If outside of US, H-1B worker must apply for and obtain an H-1B visa stamp from a US Embassy/Consulate after the I-129 petition is approved by USCIS and is only granted H-1B status once admitted into US by CBP Note - WCM is a cap-exempt petitioner (not subject to H-1B lottery)
Timeline	45 to 90 days to ﬁle I-129 petition with USCIS 20 to 180+ days to receive decision from USCIS Visa processing time varies by US Embassy/Consulate
Duration	H-1B status issued in increments up to 3 years Maximum stay of 6 years Can extend beyond 6 years in certain situations
Visa Stamps	H-1B visa applicants are NOT given priority in scheduling visa appointments at any US Embassy/Consulate All H-1B visa applications are subject to administrative processing (additional vetting security checks by US Embassy/Consulate) H-1B visa stamp validity is often shortened due to reciprocity rules (depending on country of citizenship – For example, Chinese citizens are only issued H-1B visas valid for 12 months regardless of length of approved H-1B status.)
US Tax Exemptions	H-1B Workers are never exempt from FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes) H-1B Workers are rarely exempt from Federal, State and Local income taxes based on a treaty between the US and the country of last tax residency
Dependents	Spouse and children under 21 can obtain H-4 status H-4 spouses can only work in very limited situations and must apply for an EAD
Costs	Paid by WCM $460 government ﬁling fee for I-129 petition $500 government Anti-Fraud fee (one-time) If the sponsored worker is outside of the US - $100,000 government fee in compliance with the Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers Paid by WCM or the Individual OPTIONAL - $2,805 government ﬁling fee for Premium Processing (Premium processing is NOT required for most cases) Paid by the Individual $205 government application fee per H-1B/H-4 visa stamp If applicable – visa reciprocity fee (varies by country of citizenship)
Links	USCIS - https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations DOL - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/programs/h-1b

F-1 Students – Employment Authorization Post Graduation
Prerequisites	Must be in the United States in F-1 Student status as a recent graduate of any US college or university
Funding Source	OPT – Appointment can be voluntary or WCM-salaried STEM OPT – Must be a WCM employee on payroll with a minimum of 20 hours of weekly work schedule
Process Summary	Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) For employment after graduation Must obtain EAD card from USCIS Designated School Oﬃcial (DSO) issues new I-20 form recommending OPT F-1 Student submits I-765 application to USCIS Cannot begin working for WCM until EAD card is received STEM OPT Extension Only for those with a STEM degree who will work with an E-Verify employer Must obtain EAD card from USCIS F-1 student works with WCM Supervisor and WCM HR-Immigration to complete I-983 training plan Designated School Oﬃcial (DSO) issues new I-20 form recommending STEM OPT F-1 Student submits I-765 application to USCIS Can continue to legally work while I-765 application is pending if submitted before expiration of OPT Note – WCM is an E-Verify employer
Timeline	Varies – Students must consult with their F-1 Designated School Oﬃcial (DSO)
Duration	OPT EAD is valid for 12 months STEM OPT EAD is valid for 24 months
Visa Stamps	F-1 Students are given priority in scheduling visa appointments at all US Embassies/Consulates F-1 Students are always subject to administrative processing (additional vetting and security checks by US Embassy/Consulate)
US Tax Exemptions	F-1 Students are exempt from all FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes) for ﬁrst ﬁve calendar years F-1 Students may be exempt from all or some Federal, State and Local income taxes based on a treaty between the US and country of last tax residency
Dependents	Spouse and children under 21 can obtain F-2 status Spouse cannot work in F-2 status
Costs	Paid by the Individual $470 government ﬁling fee per I-765 EAD application ﬁled online ($520 for paper ﬁling) OPTIONAL - $1,685 government ﬁling fee for Premium Processing $185 government application fee per F-1/F-2 visa stamp If applicable – visa reciprocity fee (varies by country of citizenship)
Links	USCIS - https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub

TN Trade NAFTA
Prerequisites	Only for Canadian and Mexican Citizens Only for certain occupations as listed in NAFTA (USMCA)
Funding Source	Funding can be provided by any source (WCM, external organization and/or personal savings)
Process Summary	Canadians must apply with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at port of entry Mexicans can apply with US Embassy/Consulate to obtain TN visa stamp To apply only need to present proof of Canadian or Mexican citizenship, education credentials and letter from WCM explaining job duties Can also submit an I-129 petition to USCIS if already in the United States
Timeline	20 to 60 days to prepare TN Letter
Duration	Issued in increments up to 3 years No maximum period of stay (but in practice normally limited to 8 to 10 years)
Visa Stamps	Canadians do NOT require a visa stamp NO priority in scheduling visa appointments for Mexicans at any US Embassy/Consulate May be subject to administrative processing (additional security checks by US Embassy/Consulate)
US Tax Exemptions	TN Workers are never exempt from FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes) TN workers are rarely exempt from any Federal, State and Local income taxes based on a treaty between the US and country of last tax residency
Dependents	Spouse and children under 21 can obtain TD status Spouse cannot work in TD status
Costs	Paid by the Individual $50 government fee for Canadians ﬁling with CBP at port of entry $185 government application fee and applicable visa reciprocity fee for Mexicans applying for a TN/TD visa at the US Embassy/Consulate Paid by WCM $510 government ﬁling fee for I-129 petition submitted to USCIS
Links	USCIS - https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/tn-nafta-professionals CBP - https://www.cbp.gov/travel/canadian-and-mexican-citizens
E-3 Australian Treaty Workers
Prerequisites	Only for Australian Citizens Sponsored role must require at least a bachelor’s degree in a speciﬁc ﬁeld of study Sponsored worker must have at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the required (or closely related) ﬁeld of study Must be paid the higher of the actual wage or the prevailing wage for the oﬀered position
Funding Source	Must be a WCM employee on payroll receiving same beneﬁts oﬀered to US citizens
Process Summary	Three-step process 1) WCM submits Labor Condition Application to DOL 2) E-3 Worker applies for and obtains an E-3 visa stamp at US Embassy or Consulate 3) E-3 Worker uses E-3 visa stamp to enter US and is granted E-3 status once admitted into the US by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Can also submit an I-129 petition to USCIS if already in the United States
Timeline	20 to 60 days to prepare LCA and E-3 Letter

Duration	Issued in increments up to 3 years No maximum period of stay
Visa Stamps	NO priority in scheduling visa appointments at any US Embassy/Consulate May be subject to administrative processing (additional security checks by US Embassy/Consulate)
US Tax Exemptions	E-3 Workers are never exempt from FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes) E-3 Workers may be exempt from Federal, State and Local income taxes based on a treaty between the US and country of last tax residency
Dependents	Spouse and children under 21 can obtain E-3S and E-3Y status Spouse in E-3S status can work for any employer without sponsorship and does NOT need an EAD card
Costs	Paid by WCM $510 government ﬁling fee for I-129 petition submitted to USCIS Paid by the Individual $315 government application fee per E-3 visa stamp
Links	USCIS - https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/e-3-specialty-occupation-workers-from-australia DOS - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/treaty-trader-investor-visa-e.html

IMPORTANT NOTES ON ALL CATEGORIES

Before submitting any immigration case, HR-Immigration must ﬁrst request, receive and review documentation from both the WCM department and sponsored individual to ensure eligibility and compliance with all federal regulations and standard WCM hiring procedures.
All posted government ﬁling fees are subject to change.
- Citizens of certain countries must also pay an additional visa reciprocity fee. This fee varies by country of citizenship and specific visa category. More information can be found on Travel.State.Gov.
- Available tax exemptions will be identiﬁed after the individual arrives in the US and are based on US immigration history, length of planned stay in US and country of last residence.

A valid visa stamp is only needed to enter the US or return to the US after international travel. It is NOT required to legally remain or work in the United States.

Canadian citizens do NOT need a visa stamp to enter the United States.