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Scholars

We are here to help you, before and throughout your stay at IU

More than 1,100 international faculty, staff, and visitors come to IU each year. They share their knowledge, research, teach, work on projects, and more. Some stay for short visits, and others stay for extended periods. The Office of International Services (OIS) provides guidance for all international scholars, and we look forward to assisting you.

We will help you get to Indiana University and complete important paperwork on time. We will also help you make the most of your time here by adjusting to American culture, participating in events and programs, and connecting with the community. You can always contact us to ask questions or to get assistance. Our assistance begins with your visa.

Scholar Guidebook

Review our guidebook for information on many things related to your stay in the U.S.

Read guidebook

Visa options

International faculty, staff, and visitors who come to Indiana University have several nonimmigrant visa options. The appropriate visa type will depend on the nature and purpose of the visit.

We know it may be confusing to know which visa type is most appropriate.

A visa is a stamp in your passport that allows you to request permission to enter the United States. Your status is your immigration status. The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record indicates your current status in the United States, which may be different from your visa type. You need to maintain your visa and I-94 Arrival/Departure Record throughout your time here in order to stay in the United States—and we will help you do that.

For individuals coming to IU through an OVPIA-approved partnership agreement

Where there is an official agreement in place between institutions for the specific purpose of educational and cultural exchange, a J-1 visa is almost always required. However, in some limited circumstances the nature and purpose of the visit to IU may be consistent with the B1/B2 visitor visa or the Visa Waiver Program.

Learn more about partnerships

J-1 Exchange Visitors

J-1 Exchange Visitor status may be used for professors and researchers (who may stay up to five years), specialists (who may stay up to one year), short-term scholars (who stay six months or less), and full-time students (who stay at least three weeks).

J-1 Student Interns

J-1 Intern status is for students pursuing a degree in the home country that requires an internship in order to complete the degree program. J-1 student interns may stay up to one year.

H-1B Specialty Workers

H-1B status is an employment status for positions that require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specialty field. H-1B status can be granted for up to six years.

B1/B2 or WB/WT Visitors

Visitor status is for people who are coming to the United States for short-term business reasons or as tourists.

Less common visas

This employment status is for Australian citizens.
It is appropriate for professional and academic appointments.
Status can be granted for up to two years initially. It can be extended in two-year increments indefinitely.
The position must require a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the E-3 employee must have a relevant degree.
The salary must meet the minimum wage standard set by the U.S. Department of Labor.
This status requires DOL processing and USCIS processing if the applicant is in the United States and will apply for a change or an extension of status.
DOL and USCIS processing take several months each. Premium processing is not available for DOL or USCIS processing.
E-3 dependents are eligible to apply for employment authorization.
E-3 dependents qualify for in-state tuition rates at IU after they have been in Indiana for 12 consecutive months.
This status is useful when an Australian employee is not eligible for H-1B status because of a home residence requirement. It is also useful when an E-3 dependent wishes to work.

O-1 status may be an option for employees who have a home residence requirement or for positions where H-1B salary or degree requirements cannot be met.
Initial O-1 status can be granted for three years. It can be extended in increments indefinitely.
The O-1 petition requires extensive documentary evidence. The petition must establish that the applicant meets outstanding criteria as determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This status does not require DOL processing and does not have a minimum salary requirement. This status requires USCIS processing only. USCIS processing takes several months, but premium processing is available to reduce the USCIS processing time to 15 days.
This status does not have a minimum salary requirement.
Dependents of O-1s (classified as O-3s) are not eligible for employment authorization.
O-3 dependents qualify for in-state tuition rates at IU after they have been in Indiana for 12 consecutive months.

P-1 visa for internationally known athletes and entertainment groups
P-2 visa for artists participating in an exchange program
P-3 visa for culturally unique performers
P-4 dependents of P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holders
The P visa holder must work only as described in terms of the I-129 P visa petition filed with USCIS
The P visa holder is eligible to receive payment for services if Indiana University is listed on the I-129 petition as a place of activity
The P visa holder can be reimbursed for travel expenses

TN status is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens in specified fields, including university teaching and research.
Initial TN status can be granted for three years, with three-year extensions indefinitely.
This status does not require DOL processing and does not have a minimum salary requirement. This status requires USCIS processing only if the applicant is in the United States and will apply for a change or an extension of status. USCIS processing takes several months, but premium processing is available to reduce the USCIS processing time to 15 days.
Applicants who enter the United States from Canada in TN status pay a fee at the border. A USCIS petition filing fee is required if an application for a change of status or an extension in the United States is submitted.
Dependents of TNs (classified as TDs) may not work.

Scholars

We are here to help you, before and throughout your stay at IU

Scholar Guidebook

Visa options

For individuals coming to IU through an OVPIA-approved partnership agreement

J-1 Exchange Visitors

J-1 Student Interns

H-1B Specialty Workers

B1/B2 or WB/WT Visitors

Less common visas

E-3 Australian Specialty Worker

O-1 Alien of Extraordinary Ability

P Visas for Performing Artist or Athlete

TN Trade NAFTA

Office of International Services resources and social media channels