Office of Faculty Affairs
International 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.
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY (SDSU) J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Exchange Visitor Program provides international scholars 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 an international scholar 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. Edith Benkov, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs. Any questions about the program should be directed to the Office of Faculty Affairs at (619) 594-6383
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY (SDSU) H-1B VISA STATUS DESCRIPTION
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 United States 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
College of Arts and Letters:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Elaine Rother
619-594-3724
erother@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Mozelle Harding
619-594-1564
hardin1@mail.sdsu.edu
College of Business Administration:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Christina Pablo
619-594-1809
Christina.Pablo@sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Debra Tomic
619-594-1099
dtomic@mail.sdsu.edu
College of Education:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Martha Pedroza
619-594-1425
mpedroza@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Martha Pedroza
619-594-1425
mpedroza@mail.sdsu.edu
College of Engineering:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Arlene Gibson
619-594-6061
agibson@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Cindi McClain
619-594-6062
cmcclain@mail.sdsu.edu
College of Health and Human Services:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Barbara Gould
619-594-6898
bgould@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Jane Hong
619-594-5198
jhong@mail.sdsu.edu
Imperial Valley Campus:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Danielle Ingoglia
760-768-5661
ingoglia@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Danielle Ingoglia
760-768-5661
ingoglia@mail.sdsu.edu
Library and Information Access:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Joan Shelby
619-594-1642
jshelby@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Joan Shelby
619-594-1642
jshelby@mail.sdsu.edu
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Pam Groth
619-594-6815
pgroth@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Pam Groth
619-594-6815
pgroth@mail.sdsu.edu
College of Sciences:
J-1 Exchange Visitor Information:
Bettyann Bernhardt
619-594-6521
bbernhar@mail.sdsu.edu
H-1B Visa Status Information:
Bettyann Bernhardt
619-594-6521
bbernhar@mail.sdsu.edu
