Hiring Internationally

Guidelines for Hiring Foreign Nationals: Faculty, Researchers, Staff, and Students

The University of Pennsylvania hosts foreign nationals in the categories described below. These guidelines assist Penn hiring departments in determining the most appropriate immigration status. Key considerations include:

Whether the individual will receive compensation from the University
The length of stay
Future plans of both the individual and the hiring department

Important Note: In addition to ISSS and USCIS processing times, some international applicants must apply for a visa at a US consulate abroad before entering the United States to begin employment. Current visa appointment wait times can be accessed here.

Stay Informed: Sign up for one of the ISSS administrator listservs to receive timely updates on procedures for Penn business administrators and admissions representatives.

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Employment Guidelines for Foreign Nationals: H-1B, J-1, E-3, TN, O-1, and Other Visa Categories

H-1B Specialty Workers

Employment is restricted to the petitioning employer under the approved H-1B terms.
Penn must meet Department of Labor wage requirements.
Initial H-1B status is granted for up to 3 years, extendable to a total of 6 years.
H-4 dependents cannot work in the US.

J-1 Visiting Scholars

Available for visiting professors, researchers, and postdoctoral fellows.
Not eligible for tenure-track/tenured faculty or staff positions.
Some visitors may be subject to a two-year home country residence requirement.
Some visitors may be subject to a 12 month or 24 month bar on obtaining J-1 visa status.
J-2 dependents can apply for employment authorization from USCIS.

J-1 Student Interns

Provides international visitors who are pursuing a degree in their home countries with structured internships in their academic fields.
Internships must fulfill educational objectives for current degree programs abroad.

E-3 Australian Treaty Workers

Employment is restricted to the petitioning employer under the approved E-3 terms.
Penn must meet Department of Labor wage requirements.
E-3 status is granted for up to 2 years at a time.
Dependents can apply for employment authorization from USCIS.

TN Professionals

Available to Canadian and Mexican citizens in certain professions, especially teaching and research.
Not to be used for physicians with clinical responsibilities.
Status can be requested in increments of up to 3 years, with unlimited extensions.
TD dependents cannot work in the US.

O-1 Extraordinary Ability

For individuals recognized as top experts in their fields.
Must demonstrate unique contributions and (inter)national prominence.
Initial O-1 status is granted for up to 3 years, with indefinite annual extensions possible.
O-3 dependents cannot work in the US.

B-1 Visitors for Business or B-2 Visitors for Pleasure (Tourist – Not Sponsored by Penn)

May not be employed and paid a salary.
May be reimbursed for travel and living expenses and/or paid an honorarium for stays of 9 days or less.
May not accept payments from more than five institutions in a six-month period.
Typically intended for short periods of stay (3-6 months).

WB Visitor for Business or WT for Pleasure (Tourist – Not Sponsored by Penn)

May not be employed and paid a salary.
May be reimbursed for travel and living expenses and/or paid an honorarium for stays of 9 days or less.
May not accept payments from more than five institutions in a six-month period.
90-day maximum stay in U.S. No extensions allowed.
Available only to citizens of certain countries registered through ESTA.

Student-Related Employment Classifications For more information on student employment categories, visit the Student Employment section of this site.

Student On-Campus Employment

Available for Penn students with a valid I-20 or DS-2019.
Up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session; more during official university breaks.
Paychecks must be issued by Penn payroll.
J-1 students need prior written authorization from ISSS before undertaking any employment.

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Recommended by the student’s college/university and approved by USCIS.
Employment must relate to the student’s major field of study.
Up to 20 hours/week during classes, more during university breaks.
No employment is authorized until Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by USCIS.
Total OPT is 12 months per degree level, with possible STEM extensions.

F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Authorized by the student’s academic program.
ISSS approval noted on the student’s Form I-20.
No employment until I-20 reflecting CPT approval is issued.

J-1 Academic Training (AT)

Authorized by the J-1 program sponsor for work related to the student’s major.
Authorized duration is dependent on degree level. Bachelor’s or Master’s afforded 18 months or duration of academic program, whichever is less. Doctoral level is afforded 36 months or duration of academic program, whichever is less.
Authorization noted on the DS-2019 and in a sponsor’s letter