Faculty
Visa Information
The
following information is provided as a guide to the visa options
available for international faculty at SDSU. Many international
faculty and researchers come to SDSU in J-1 visa status. J-1
visa status is a temporary status for faculty who wish to teach
or engage in research for a maximum of five years. H-1B visa
status is for individuals who will perform services in a "specialty
occupation," and is reserved for departments who wish
to appoint international faculty into tenure-track positions.
H-1B status may be requested for a maximum of six years, with
the possibility of adjusting to permanent residency during
those six years. Authorization for J-1 status or H-1B status
is reviewed on a case by case basis in the Office of Faculty
Affairs. For more information, please contact your designated
immigration representative in your Dean's Office or the Office
of Faculty Affairs at (619) 594-6383.
The Exchange Visitor Program provides foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States and then return home to share their experiences. The Department of State (D.O.S.), which issues J visas to exchange visitors and their dependents, designates exchange visitor program sponsors and creates and administers federal regulations and policies governing the Exchange Visitor Program. An exchange visitor is a foreign national selected by a sponsor to participate in an exchange visitor program in the United States. San Diego State University has been designated as a program sponsor. Sponsors appoint individuals as responsible officers and alternate responsible officers to advise and assist exchange visitors. The Office of Faculty Affairs administers and monitors the Exchange Visitor Program for the University. Responsible Officer for the J Exchange Visitor Program is Dr. Bonnie Zimmerman, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs. Any questions about the program should be directed to the Office of Faculty Affairs at (619) 594-6383.
H-1B visa status is available for full-time faculty only as it requires "theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge." The employer (SDSU) must petition for H-1B status for the prospective employee. H-1B status is employer-specific, which means that SDSU must file a new H-1B petition for the prospective employee, even if they are currently in the U.S. in H-1B status. Preparing the petition for H-1B visa status involves extensive paperwork from the department and the prospective employee. The Office of Faculty Affairs will act as a liaison between the prospective employee and the department, and will be happy to refer the prospective employee to an off-campus immigration attorney who will prepare the necessary petition paperwork. SDSU may initially petition for H-1B status for the prospective employee for up to three years of employment and later request extensions for a maximum of three additional years. H-1B visa petitions are submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Processing times for approval may vary from anywhere to six to nine months. Most H-1B applicants cannot begin employment at SDSU until the H-1B petition has been approved; however, there are other options to expedite the process. Please contact the Office of Faculty Affairs at (619) 594-6383 for further information. College Deans' Offices Immigration Reps (return to top of page)
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