Visa Information

Visa Category	Definition	Work Authorization
A1 A2	Diplomats and foreign government officials and their dependents	Some dependents are granted work authorization
B-1	Business visitors	No work authorization. However, effective 10/21/98, a new law permits a university to pay honoraria and incidental expenses for a usual academic activity lasting not longer than 9 days at any single institution.The foreign national may not accept payment or expenses from more than 5 institutions within the previous 6 month period.Must present a valid visa and Form I-94, Record of Arrival and Departure as verification of immigration status
B-2	Visitors for pleasure	No work authorization. However, effective 10/21/98, a new law permits a university to pay honoraria and incidental expenses for a usual academic activity lasting not longer than 9 days at any single institution.The foreign national may not accept payment or expenses from more than 5 institutions within the previous 6 month period.Must present a valid visa and Form I-94, Record of Arrival and Departure as verification of immigration status
F-1	Students	Work authorized under limited circumstances subject to approval by ISSS.Employment must not exceed 20 hours a week during academic semesters except during breaks
F-2	Dependents of F-1 students	No work authorization
G-1	Employee of international organizations	Work authorized for the international organization
G-2 G-3 G-4	Dependents of G-1 visa holder	Some dependents are granted work authorization
H-1B	Professionals	Work authorized for the sponsoring employer
H-2B	Temporary workers	Work authorized for the sponsoring employer
H-3	Trainee	Work authorized for the sponsoring employer
H-4	Dependents of H visa holders	No work authorization
I-1	Foreign journalists	Work authorized for the sponsoring employer
J-1 (Student)	Exchange visitor student	Must be based on financial need or directly related to academic program.Written permission of J-1 program sponsor is required
J-1 (Scholar)	Exchange visitor scholars	Employed on campus as researchers or visiting faculty. Positions should be held based on the J-1 immigration document (Form DS-2019, formerly Form IAP-66)
J-2	Dependents of J-1 visa holders	Only with permission from USCIS
K-1	Fiancée of U.S. citizen	Work authorized
M-1	Vocational student	Work authorized under certain circumstances
M-2	Dependents of M-1 visa holders	No work authorization
O-1	Individual with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business or athletics	Work authorized for the sponsoring employer
P-1	Internationally known athletes and entertainment groups	Work authorized for the sponsoring employer
P-2	Performing artists under a reciprocal exchange program	Work authorized by the sponsoring employer
Q-1	International cultural exchange	Work authorized by the sponsoring employer