I.       INTRODUCTION

 

Regulations, criteria, and procedures for obtaining visas are complex and subject to change.  UC San Diego has established internal procedures to counsel departments, review and sign documents, and secure government agency approval.  The International Faculty & Scholars Office, the International Students & Programs Office, and the Division of Extended Studies International Student Services are the authoritative sources of information for all visa matters.

 

II.     DEFINITIONS

 

For visa status terms and definitions, see U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, (Working in the US).

 

III.    POLICY

 

The International Faculty & Scholars Office has the sole authority to assist University departments and international scholars with respect to U.S. nonimmigrant (temporary) and immigrant (permanent) visa status, with the exception of J-1 Exchange Visitors sponsored through the Division of Extended Studies’ Exchange Visitor Program.  Only the Director of the International Faculty & Scholars Office and their delegates may sign University-sponsored nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions and applications.  Departments may not expend campus funds for nonimmigrant or immigrant petitions or applications without the approval of the International Faculty & Scholars Office.

 

The International Students & Programs Office has the sole authority to assist University departments and international students with respect to U.S. nonimmigrant (temporary) visa status, with the exception of F-1 and J-1 students sponsored by the Division of Extended Studies.  Only the Director of the International Students & Programs Office and their delegates may sign University-sponsored nonimmigrant petitions and applications.  Departments may not expend campus funds for nonimmigrant petitions or applications without the approval of the International Students & Programs Office.

 

The Division of Extended Studies International Student Services has the sole authority to assist its own departments and international students with respect to U.S. nonimmigrant (temporary) visa status.  Only the Associate Dean/Executive Director and their delegates may sign University-sponsored nonimmigrant applications. Departments may not expend campus funds for nonimmigrant applications without the approval of the Division of Extended Studies.

 

IV.   PROCEDURES

 

A.    International Scholars

 

Departments must follow appropriate campus guidelines and procedures as published on the International Faculty & Scholars Office website.  These procedures are applicable to all appointments with salary or other compensation, and certain non-salaried appointments, for international faculty, researchers, or academic visitors. 

 

B.    International Students

 

All new international students (including transfer students from other US schools) must follow check in procedures with the International Students & Programs Office or the Division of Extended Studies upon arrival in the USA.  Failure to check in may

result in the termination of the SEVIS record and loss of the F-1/J-1 status.  For more information, see the International Students & Programs Office website or the Division of Extended Studies International Student Services website

 

V.     RESPONSIBILITIES

 

A.    International Faculty & Scholars Office

 

The International Faculty & Scholars Office is responsible for ensuring that the University is in compliance with its legal and ethical responsibilities affecting international faculty, academic researchers, and selected research staff.  The International Faculty & Scholars Office is the office of record concerning all international scholars, with the exception of J-1 Exchange Visitors sponsored through the Division of Extended Studies’ Exchange Visitor Program.  The International Faculty & Scholars Office represents UC San Diego in all regulatory matters concerning the nonimmigrant (temporary) and immigrant (permanent) visa status of international scholars and is exclusively authorized to represent UC San Diego in routine administrative filings with U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other relevant U.S. government agencies.

 

•       Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Visa Status

 

The International Faculty & Scholars Office advises and assists University departments and international scholars, determines appropriate nonimmigrant (temporary) visa status, and prepares and files University-sponsored nonimmigrant petitions and applications in compliance with federal law, stated campus policy, and in collaboration with the hiring department on case-specific needs.

 

•       Immigrant (Permanent) Visa Status

 

The International Faculty & Scholars Office advises and assists University departments and international scholars, determines appropriate immigrant (permanent) visa status, and prepares and files University-sponsored immigrant petitions and applications.  In cases identified by the International Faculty & Scholars Office and after consultation with the Office of Campus Counsel, the International Faculty & Scholars Office may refer the preparation and submission of an immigrant or nonimmigrant petition to an outside attorney.  Those petitions will be prepared under the supervision of the International Faculty & Scholars Office and signed by the Director of the International Faculty & Scholars Office or their delegates.

 

B.    International Students & Programs Office

 

The International Students & Programs Office is responsible for ensuring that the University is in compliance with its legal and ethical responsibilities affecting international students in academic degree and non-degree programs, excluding those students sponsored by Division of Extended Studies.  Certified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the International Students & Programs Office sponsors international students in F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant (temporary) visa status and is the office of record concerning all international students, with the exception of international students sponsored through the Division of Extended Studies. The International Students & Programs Office has the sole authority to assist University departments and international students sponsored by it with respect to U.S. nonimmigrant (temporary) visa status.and is exclusively authorized to process on behalf of them routine administrative filings with U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other relevant U.S. government agencies. .  . 

 

C.    Division of Extended Studies

The Division of Extended Studies is responsible for ensuring that the University is in compliance with its legal and ethical responsibilities affecting both international students enrolled in its full-time English Language Institute, professional certificate, and non-degree programs, as well as all international faculty, academic researchers, and selected research staff sponsored through the Division of Extended Studies’ Exchange Visitor program.  Certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the Division of Extended Studies sponsors international students in F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant (temporary) visa status, and designated by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor Exchange Visitors in J-1 status, the Division of Extended Studies’ is the office of record concerning all international students and scholars sponsored by it. The Division of Extended Studies’ International Student Services has the sole authority to advise and assist the Division of Extended Studies’ departments and international students regarding U.S. non-immigrant (temporary) visa issues pertaining to enrollment in the Division of Extended Studies’ programs, and is exclusively authorized to process on behalf of them routine administrative filings with U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other relevant U.S. government agencies..

 

D.    Hiring Department

 

The hiring department must provide timely, accurate, and complete information to the International Faculty & Scholars Office and ensure that international scholars are hired in accordance with regulations by USCIS, other relevant U.S. government agencies, and University policy.  Departments must maintain appropriate employment records that comply with applicable regulations and inform the International Faculty & Scholars Office of any material change in the scholar’s employment status.  The department must pay any costs or fees incurred as part of the application process.

 

E.     International Students and Scholars

 

International students and scholars are responsible for complying with USCIS regulations and University policy as determined by their nonimmigrant or immigrant visa status.

 

VI.   REFERENCES AND RELATED POLICIES

 

PPM 395-13 Alien Information, 3/15/1993

GLACIER System

 

VII.  SUPPLEMENTS

 

•        Supplement I: Job Titles and Visa Selection Table

 

•        Supplement II: Visa Options for Temporary and Permanent Academic Teaching and Research Appointments at UC San Diego

 

VIII.REVISION HISTORY

 

2022/09/23 - The policy was reviewed as part of the 3 year policy review cycle. Updates were made for the addition of Division of Extended Studies. Minor updates were made to names, weblinks, and formatting.

 

2018/07/02 - Policy comprehensively reviewed. Updates made to align with University Extension role and Career Tracks.           

 

 

SUPPLEMENT I                                                                                            

JOB TITLES AND VISA SELECTION

Academic Titles

 

 

 

Staff Titles

 

 

 

Additional Titles in Health Sciences

 

 

 

 

 

Visa Options for Temporary and Permanent Academic Teaching and Research Appointments at UC San Diego

 

The following is intended as a general overview, not to answer specific questions or to provide specific guidance on any individual case.  When you have questions about the appropriate visa type for an individual, please contact the International Faculty & Scholars Office.  Each of the options below carries limitations which the International Faculty & Scholars Office advisors will explain.

 

Temporary Appointments	Visa/Status Options	U.S. Government Regulatory References	Job Titles
Short-term visitor without salary/compensation For up to 9 days may receive an honorarium and/or reimbursement of expenses	B-1 and WB	INA § 101(a)(15)(B) 22 CFR § 41.31(b)(1)         UCOP Payroll Coordination & Tax Services	Short-term guest lecturer, consultant, conference attendee, visiting scholar
Short-term visitor for up to 6 months may receive reimbursement and/or payment for services including salary	J-1 Short-Term Scholar	INA § 101(a) (15) (J); INA § 212(e); INA § 212(j) 22 CFR Part 62;  22 CFR §§ 41.61-41.63	Postdoctoral Scholar (Employee; Fellow; Paid-Direct) Specialist Series Research Scientist Series Project Scientist Series) Visiting Professor Series Visiting Adjunct Professor Series Visiting Scholar Miscellaneous Academic, Visiting Graduate Student Selected staff titles
Temporary hire for academic exchange, training, employment, or faculty appointment	F-1 Optional Practical Training J-1 Academic Training	F-1: INA §101(a)(15)(F); 8 CFR § 214.2(f) 8 CFR § 214.3 ; 8 CFR § 214.4 J-1: INA § 101(a) (15) (J); INA § 212(e) INA § 212(j) 22 CFR Part 62; 22 CFR §§ 41.61-41.63	Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee Specialist Series Research Scientist Series Project Scientist Series Professor Series Adjunct Professor Series Visiting Scholar Selected staff titles
Temporary hire for academic exchange, training, employment, or faculty appointment	J-1 Research Scholar/Professor	J-1: INA § 101(a) (15) (J); INA § 212(e); INA § 212(j) 22 CFR Part 62; 22 CFR §§ 41.61-41.63	Postdoctoral Scholar (Employee; Fellow; Paid-Direct) Specialist Series Research Scientist Series Project Scientist Series Visiting Professor Series Visiting Adjunct Professor Series Visiting Scholar Selected staff titles

         

Temporary Appointments	Visa/Status Options	U.S. Government Regulatory References	Job Titles
Faculty or temporary research appointment	H-1B Temporary Worker O-1 Extraordinary Ability	H-1B: INA § 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b); INA § 214(g) and (i); INA § 212(n) 8 CFR § 214.2(h); 20 CFR § 655.700 - .800 et seq. O-1: INA § 101(a)(15)(O) 8 CFR § 214.2(o)	Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee Specialist Series Research Scientist Series Project Scientist Series Professor Series Adjunct Professor Series Selected staff titles
Temporary research appointment	TN (Canadian and Mexican Citizens only)	INA § 214(e)(2) 8 CFR § 214.6	Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee Specialist Series Research Scientist Series Project Scientist Series Selected staff titles

 

Permanent Appointments	Visa/Status Options	U.S. Government Regulatory References	Job Titles
Tenure-track or tenured faculty; permanent (intent) research appointment	Lawful Permanent Residence (“Green Card”)	INA § 203(b)(1)(B) 8 CFR § 204.5(i)(2) 8 CFR § 204.5(i)(3)(i) et seq	Professor series Adjunct Professor Series Research Scientist Series Project Scientist Series