List of Visa Categories

The eligibility for employment of persons who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents is determined by their visa category:

1. US Citizen: naturalized citizens or person born in US who has all the privileges afforded US citizens; i.e., right to vote, hold public office, pay taxes, etc.

2. Resident Alien: citizen of another country; permanent resident of the US; has permission to stay indefinitely; has all the privileges of a US citizen with the exception of right to vote or hold public office; pays all taxes including SS (FICA); can work without authorization from home country.

3. Non-Resident Alien: citizen of another country admitted to the US for a specific purpose. Eligibility for employment must be authorized by U.S. Government. Several categories are:

(B-1) visitor for business - limit of no more than 1 year stay; cannot work but for whatever services provided such as consulting, can be paid honorarium not to exceed total travel expenses.

(B-2) visitor - limit of no more than 1 year stay; here to visit only; cannot work or go to school.

(F-1) student - actively pursuing a course of study; full-time; graduate or undergraduate; can work up to 20 hours part-time on campus or full-time during summer; is not required to go to summer school (Teaching Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, Research Assistant); pays taxes except where exempt due to U.S. tax treaty with home country but not SS (FICA).

(F-2) dependent of F-1 visa student above; cannot work.

(H-1) scholar - professor, researcher with distinguishable merit and/or ability; here to work temporarily for a maximum of 6 years, pays taxes including SS; will eventually return home.

(H-2) brought to US to perform temporary services or labor that is not available from an unemployed comparable US citizen; pays taxes including SS.

(H-3) trainee; invited by an organization or firm for purpose of receiving special training (Research Assistant, Research Associate); pays taxes.

(H-4) spouse or child of any of the above. Not eligible for employment, but can go to school.

(J-1) exchange visitor - sponsored by USIA-approved organization; will eventually return home; (active student; professors, research scholars and specialists - 3-year maximum; international visitor - 1-year maximum). Exempt from FICA; pays federal/state tax except where tax treaty applies.

(J-2) dependent of J-1. Eligible for employment with authorization from immigration.

(TN) classification for Canadian or Mexican citizens to engage in professional business under NAFTA. Canadians are admitted for one year and can be renewed. Mexicans are admitted for designated time based on university approved petitions to INS.