The U.S. is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. For many academics, getting to work and teach in the U.S. with its world-class institutions and significant funding opportunities means that they really can concentrate on fulfilling their life’s work.

If you’re hoping to teach or research in the U.S. there are quite a few options for you to continue your scholarly pursuits. Below are just a sample – talk to a lawyer if you want to explore them in more detail and see if they’d be a good fit for your situation.

Nonimmigrant Visa Options for Students, Scholars & Academics

The F-1 Visa

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa that allows you to enter the U.S. to study at an accredited institution. Whether you’re starting a PhD, or completing a high school diploma, the F-1 visa is tailored to support your academic goals.

This visa category is distinct from other types of U.S. visas, such as the M-1 visa, which is reserved for vocational and non-academic programs, or the J-1 visa, which is often used for exchange programs. The F-1 visa is specifically for students enrolled in academic programs that lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate, making it the go-to choice for international students looking to earn a qualification in the U.S.

Read more about the F-1 visa here.

The J-1 Visa

The J-1 visa, or Exchange Visitor Visa, is designed to foster cultural exchange between the U.S. and other countries. If you’re going to the U.S. temporarily to work, train, intern, or teach, the J-1 visa could be a good fit. For those in academia or education specifically, there are several J-1 categories that may apply.

To get a J-1 visa, you’ll need to be sponsored by an approved program sponsor and meet certain eligibility requirements, like demonstrating you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself in the U.S.

Read more about the J-1 visa here.

The H-1B visa

The H-1B temporary worker visa is for individuals who are coming temporarily to the U.S. to perform services in a specialty occupation. A specialty occupation is one that requires ‘theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree, or its equivalent, as a minimum requirement’.

Your employer will need to supply documentation demonstrating that the job requires someone with special qualifications and that you can meets those qualifications. The employer will also be required to pay the ‘prevailing wage’ for the position.

Universities and related nonprofit entities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research organizations are generally exempt from the H-1B cap. That means these employers are able to submit an H-1B application to the USCIS at any time during the year.

There’s also something called the ‘advanced degree exemption’, which is an exemption from the H-1B cap for beneficiaries who have earned a U.S. master’s degree or higher and is available until the number of beneficiaries who are exempt on this basis exceeds 20,000.

However, a person who works for an H-1B cap-exempt employer who wants to change jobs to an employer that is not exempt will become subject to the H-1B cap.

O-1 Visa

Academics and scholars of a certain pedigree may be eligible for an O-1 visa, otherwise known as the ‘extraordinary ability’ visa. In particular, those with advanced degrees such as an MA or PhD may be at an advantage when it comes to demonstrating their ‘extraordinary ability’ in their field.

Read more about the O-1 visa here.

Green Card Options for Academics & Scholars

EB-1B Visa

EB-1 visas, also known as “Employment-Based First Preference” visas are a way for outstanding individuals to obtain a permanent residency (green card) to the U.S.

The EB-1B, in particular, is specially designed for academics, but there’s a high bar to qualifying:

1. You are an internationally recognised as being outstanding in an academic field
2. You have at least 3 years of experience teaching or conducting research in your field
3. You have a job offer in the US to work in a tenure-track position or comparable research position.

Evidence that you’re internationally recognised as being outstanding could include receipt of major prizes, published material in major publications about your work or evidence of original scientific discovery or scholarly research.

EB-2 NIW

An EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) is a way of circumventing the tedious and time-consuming PERM process. Learn more here.