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International Student and Scholar Support

    Employment Visas

    As you prepare to enter the United States, there are many things to consider — from proper documentation to getting involved in the local community.

    • H-1B or Treaty National (TN) Temporary Worker
      You are eligible to enter the U.S. up to 10 days prior to the start date of employment.
    • BridgeUSA (J-1 Exchange Visitor Program) Participant
      You may arrive up to 30 days prior to the program start date on Form DS-2019. 

    Please travel with the following documentation in your carry-on bag:

    • Visa-qualifying document (Form I-797, Form DS 2019.) 
    • Passport
    • Offer/appointment letter from the University of South Carolina. 
    • Upon arrival in the U.S., please retrieve your I-94 admission record online.
    • Check your passport to ensure entry stamp notes the appropriate status and duration.
    • Contact Doris Robinson for employee onboarding or affiliate appointment procedures.
    • If you move to a new residence, please contact ISSS immediately for guidance on requirements for reporting the change of address to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

    J-1 Exchange Visitors

    The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of State which implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. This Act promotes mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. The Exchange Visitor Program provides eligible foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States and then return home to share their experiences. 

    H-1B Temporary Workers

    The H-1B temporary work visa is a “specialty occupation”, which is defined as an occupation that requires a “theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and attainment of a bachelor’s degree or higher as the minimum requirement”.  To qualify for H-1B sponsorship, a position must require someone with special qualifications and the applicant must meet the minimum requirements.

    TN U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Professional Workers

    The TN category was developed as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and continues under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), to facilitate the entry of Canadian and Mexican citizens to the United States to engage in professional business activities on a temporary basis.

    O-1 Extraordinary Ability

    The O nonimmigrant category is for the employment of persons who have achieved and sustained national or international acclaim for extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.  Extraordinary ability is defined by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services as ability that shows a “person is one of the small percentage who have arisen to the very top of the field of endeavor.”

    Permanent Residency

    The term Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) is used to describe an immigrant who has been lawfully authorized to reside permanently in the United States.  The status also confers the right to work for almost any type of employer. This status is conferred via an I-551 stamp in the individual’s passport and an I-551 card (commonly known as a “green card”). In some instances, The University of Alabama serves as the sponsor for Employer Based permanent residency petitions. All permanent resident applications filed by UA must adhere to the process and procedures given below.

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