Information for UAF Departments

Issues Common to All Immigration Categories Sponsored by UAF Departments

  • Immigration 101 Training Manual
  • Individuals in each immigration category may be sponsored by UAF.
  • Each category must be resident in Fairbanks, some exceptions may apply but MUST be authorized in advance.
  • Dependents must remain with the primary visa holder.
  • All must maintain a valid (unexpired) passport, I-94 Departure Record and sponsoring document.
    • The visa itself is not a governing document and is only needed to enter the U.S.  Once the individual has entered the U.S., the visa can expire and not impact the legal status of the individual as long as the other documents have not expired.
    • Under current immigration regulations, Canadians are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter the U.S. in any immigration status.
  • F-1 status details
  • Must be unconditionally admitted – controlling document is a Form I-20.
  • Must enroll full-time every semester unless approved in advance by a UAF immigration Designated School Official (member of the ISSS office).
  • Eligible for on-campus employment only
    • Employment exceptions are Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) which must be authorized before the employment starts.
    • OPT is 12 months of employment authorization, anywhere in the U.S. for any employer in the student’s field of study and is available during (pre-completion) and/or after (post-completion) each degree level.
    • CPT is employment authorization that must be an integral part of the student’s curriculum, for example a required internship or practicum during the academic program.
  • Dependent is an F-2 who is not eligible to enter a degree program/study or work. Part-time study that is avocational or recreational in nature is permitted.
  • Sample UAF departmental employment and recommendation letters for students
  • J-1 status details
  • Sponsoring document is the Form DS-2019.
  • Has 13 categories of which UAF is authorized four: student, professor, short term scholar and research scholar – there are different rules for each category.
  • J-1 students may not be self-supporting: must have some type of sponsoring funds that allow the individual to participate in the program unless they are participating in a recognized exchange governed by a written agreement.
  • J-1 professor/short term scholar/research scholar may be self supporting but there must be UAF collaboration facilitating the visitor's stated purpose for the work and research.
  • Dependent is a J-2 who is eligible to study full time/enter a degree program, and work with USCIS employment authorization. At no time may the funds of the J-2 be used to support the J-1 (separate checking/saving accounts; cannot buy food or pay utilities, etc.).
  • H-1B status details
  • Sponsoring document is a Form I-797 “Notice of Action” approving the H-1B.
  • Position must qualify first – on a national level the field requires a degree to begin the profession.
  • Then the skills of the applicant may be considered to determine if the applicant is eligible for the position and related status.
  • Position must be full time due to US Department of Labor requirements. There is no exception to this. (All faculty positions - 30 workload units/academic year; 15/semester).
  • Employer sponsorship: The employee is the beneficiary of the employer’s application – a non-resident may not apply for the H-1B on his/her own behalf.
  • Dependent is an H-4 who is eligible to enter a degree program and study full or part time. There is NO employment authorization available.
  • TN status details
  • Available for Canadian and Mexican citizens ONLY.
  • Mexicans follow an application process similar to an H-1B and must have the TN visa to enter the U.S.
  • Canadians must have a signed and accepted letter of offer, proof of citizenship, proof of education (transcripts/ diplomas) at the Port of Entry to apply for admission to the U.S. in this category.
  • Dependent is a TD who is eligible to enter a degree program and study full or part time. There is NO employment authorization available.

E-3: Treaty Specialty Worker - Employment-sponsored status for citizens of Australia.

O-1: Person of Extraordinary Ability - when no other category will work. This is employer-sponsored and requires the I-129 Petition for Alien Worker filed with USCIS. The petition must be filed by an outside immigration attorney.

UAF provides limited support for permanent residency petitions: UAF Policy (PDF)

  • B-1 or 2 status details
  • Individuals may be invited to, rather than officially sponsored by, UAF. As such there are no UAF-issued immigration documents. The above common issues do not apply to people in this status.
  • Controlling document indicating status is the I-94 received on entry to the U.S. Immigration authorization to take courses is very limited.
  • No employment authorization is available.
  • Visa waiver, also referred to as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is the waiver of the actual visa in the passport. The person still has the Visitor for Business (B-1) or Visitor for Tourism (B-2) status as reflected on the I-94 arrival record.

Export Controls Training

J vs H status comparisons (PDF)

Processing fees (PDF) The list includes internal processing fees and USCIS filing fees by immigration status as of April 2024.

Visa/status comparisons (PDF) Comparison of employment-based immigration statuses.

U.S. Department of State listing of U.S. Consulates and Embassies worldwide.

For approximate Visa Wait times to obtain an appointment at a U.S. consulate or embassy: select a city.