NON-IMMIGRANT VISA CATEGORIES MOST COMMONLY USED AT UT-AUSTIN
TYPE OF VISA (IMMIGRATION STATUS)	POSIBLE INCOME FROM US SOURCES`	PROBABLE TAX STATUS**	ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA	MAXIMUM LENGTH STAY IN US	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES	SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION NEEDED	GOVπT FORMS
B-1/B-2 VISITOR FOR BUSINESS/ PLEASURE*	Honorarium and/or reimbursement for travel and subsistence, possible, but no salary*	Nonresident Alien	Proof of academic or business purpose for visit to United States	6 months -renewable to 12 months	Quick and relatively easy to obtain and use many times; no government form or petition required	Limited stay in US; may not be paid a salary. Cannot stay for more than 9 days at any one university if being paid.	Invitation letter with dates and purpose of visit; proof of adequate funds; evidence of return ticket	NONE
WB (WAIVER OF BUSINESS)* or WT (WAIVER OF TOURIST)*	Honorarium and/or reimbursement for travel and subsistence, possible, but no salary*	Nonresident Alien	WB: See B-1 WT: See B-2 Only applicable if from designated visa waiver country	90 days	No need to visit US Consulate	WB: see B-1 WT: see B-2 No extensions or change of immigration status possible	WB: see B-1 WT: see B-2	NONE
F-1 STUDENT	Employment on campus permitted: off campus allowed only in case of unexpected need after 1 year in the US. 12 months practical training permitted.	Nonresident Alien for five years	Admission to academic course of study; evidence of adequate financial support for length of program; indication of adequate English proficiency.	As long as academic progress continues	Easy to move to other status when applicable; not subject to home country residence requirement	Off-campus work severely limited except for post-degree practical training (12 mo.); spouse unable to work	Proof of academic admission; evidence of financial support for length of program	I-20 AB
J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR (STUDENTS)	Unlimited income for on or off campus work with sponsorπs approval; up to 18 months post-degree academic training permitted (Postdoctoral work may qualify for up to 36 months).	Nonresident Alien for five years	Invitation to academic program with sponsorship; evidence of adequate financial support for length of program	As long as academic progress continues	Relatively quick and easy to obtain; easier to get off campus work permit than as an F-1; spouse may work	May be subject to 2 year home residence requirement ; cannot change program objective; cannot be self-funded	Proof of academic admission; DS-2019 from program sponsor with details of academic objectives and financial support	DS-2019
J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR (PROFESSORS AND RESEARCHERS)	Unlimited income for work on campus in pursuit of academic objective; off campus work permit difficult to obtain, especially in industry	Nonresident Alien for two years	Invitation to teach, lecture or conduct research; indication of adequate financial support for length of program	Up to 3 years	Relatively easy and quick to obtain; may be self-funded; spouse may work	May be subject to 2 year home residence requirement ; cannot change program objective; limitation of stay	DS-2019 from program sponsor with details of academic objectives and financial support	DS-2019
H-1B TEMPORARY WORKER	Unlimited income from UT; no other income without petition from new employer	Resident Alien if present in the U.S. over 183 days	Possession of professional degree and skills; indication that position to be filled requires professional skills and is temporary	First period up to 3 years, renewable to total of 6 years***	May have long term intent to immigrate; not subject to home country residence requirement	Lots of supporting documentation needed; must pay a prevailing wage.	Certified copy of highest degree; employer letter, LCA and moreä.	I-129
O-1	Unlimited income from UT, no other income without petition for new employer	Resident Alien if present in the U.S. over 183 days	Possession of professional degree and skills; demonstration of outstanding ability; indication that position to be filled is an event that is temporary in nature	First period up to 3 years, renewable annually	Not restricted by being subject to 212(e); no prevailing wage requirement	Lots of supporting documentation needed to demonstrate that the beneficiary is outstanding	Letter of consultation from peer group; letter of recommendation; same degree requirements as above, and moreä	I-129
TN	Unlimited income from UT; no other income without approval for new employer	Resident Alien if present in the U.S. over 183 days	Possession of qualifying professional degree or licensure; indication that position to be filled is temporary in nature	One year; renewable annually	No prevailing wage requirement; Canadian TN is quick and easy to obtain through border entry	Limited to Canadian and Mexican citizens (Mexican TN process similar to H-1B)	Proof of qualifying citizenship; original degree diploma; letter of support from hiring department; other proof for Mexican TN	I-129 (Mexican TN or renewal of TN status)

*A visitor status holder is limited to 5 payments in a 6 month time period, no stay longer than 9 days at any college or university. **May receive tax exemption through treaty ** *Extended periods possible under

conditions of AC21. NAFSA: Association of International Educators initially produced this chart. It has been modified from the original. 4 Feb 2003