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International Programs Office

Physical Address:
901 Paradise Creek St.
LLC Bldg. #3
Moscow, ID 83844

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 1250
Moscow, ID 83844-1250

Phone: 208-885-8984

Fax: 208-885-2859

Email: ipo@uidaho.edu

Phone: 208-885-7870

Fax: 208-885-2859

Email: abroad@uidaho.edu

International Employees

International Services provides general advice on H-1B, TN and Permanent Residency requirements and procedures. We work closely with the campus community and immigration attorneys to serve international faculty and staff who have been offered permanent or temporary positions at the University of Idaho.

For more information on hiring a foreign national in a temporary or permanent position, please contact the International Programs Office at 208-885-8984 or email IPO@uidaho.edu  to discuss the appropriate visa status that will be best suited for the position, current prevailing wages for the position, and the steps for obtaining that visa status as well as future steps for possible Legal Permanent Residency (green card) status.

See the H-1B Status page for an overview and action steps for initiating H-1B, TN Status. Additional TN NAFTA Professionals/Temporary Workers information is available at the bottom of this page.

Additional questions may be answered in the FAQs or you may contact the International Programs Office (IPO) at IPO@uidaho.edu or 208-885-8984. 

Employment Immigration Advising

International Services is U of I’s designated office to file immigration applications on behalf of U of I. Prior to a position being posted, we can review the position to determine if it meets the Special Occupation requirements for a work visa. Once a candidate is selected for an eligible position, International Services will evaluate sponsorship options and assist the hiring department and employee through the visa process. It is the hiring department’s decision to whether to sponsor immigration work authorization for a position. Sponsorship entails paying petition fees, meeting prevailing wage requirements, and responsibility for maintaining the position for the duration of the petition. The hiring department and the prospective employee will complete the work visa request through iVandal, the immigration compliance portal.

Processing timelines for immigration applications is highly application-specific and subject to high fluctuation. Generally, most employment-based immigration work authorization processes take a minimum of 3-10 months. A Premium Processing fee ($2,500, subject to change) can be paid to USCIS to receive a decision within 15 business days after the application is ready to submit.

U of I has an agreement with and refers all employment visa to Ware Immigration for filing.

Immigration history differs for each international employee. Consult with IPO for guidance on which visa type is the best fit for the international employee. The two most common visa types for international employees are J-1 and H-1B, for alternate visa categories contact IPO.

J-1 vs. H-1B

  J-1 Exchange Visitor H-1B Temporary Worker
Purpose
  • For visiting scholars, visiting professors and researchers, and short-term visitors.
  • Educational and cultural exchange
  • Not for tenured or tenure-track positions.
  • Temporary employment in a specialty occupation
  • Only certain appointment titles at the University of Idaho are eligible for H-1B sponsorship.
  • H-1B petitions are employer-sponsored petitions and are employer- and position-specific.
Length of Stay
  • Five years for research scholar and professor category.
  • Six-month for short-term scholars.
Six years
Funding Requirements May or may not be paid by the University of Idaho. Can use personal funds. Must be employed by the University of Idaho and meet U.S. Department of Labor wage requirements.
Future Visa Status In some cases, the 212(e) two-year home country physical presence requirement limits future visa options. No 212(e) two-year requirement.
Transferability of visa Can transfer to another J sponsor for similar activity within the 5-year limit. Change of sponsor or position requires a new H-status petition, but portability allows new employment to begin before the new petition is approved.
Dependent Employment Dependents in J-2 status can apply to USCIS for employment authorization. Dependents of H-1B employees are granted H-4 status and cannot be employed in the United States.

Employment: Authorized “incident to status” by the Program Sponsor (School of Record)

Qualifications: Must be authorized by the program (School of Record)

Minimum Duration: N/A

Maximum Duration: Depends on length of program from School of Record, 3-36 months

Funding Source: May be funded by U of I, personal funds, home country, or other sources

Restrictions/Limitations:

  • No tenure track position
  • May be subject to 212(e) two-year home residency requirement
  • Subject to 12/24-month bar
  • Non-immigrant intent visa

Dependents: J-2 visa classification-may apply for employment authorization. Can study full or part-time

SEVIS Fee and Tracking: Yes

International Services Cost Recovery Fee: No 

Early Termination: N/A

Source: AT

Employment: Authorized “incident to status” by the Program Sponsor (IPO Staff)

Qualifications: Must possess a bachelor’s degree in specific field

Minimum Duration: N/A

Maximum Duration: Three years, renewable with re-entry into the U.S.

Funding Source: Must be funded by the U of I

Restrictions/Limitations:

  • No tenure track position
  • Mexican and Canadian citizens only
  • Degree field must be on the NAFTA list
  • Non-immigrant intent visa

Dependents: TD dependents are not permitted to work. Can study full or part-time

SEVIS Fee and Tracking: No

International Services Cost Recovery Fee: Yes 

Early Termination: N/A

Employment: Authorized only for approved position, at approved salary level, and at approved employer

Qualifications: Must possess the minimum degree and experience required for the specialty occupation. Equivalent to at least a bachelor’s degree

Minimum Duration: N/A

Maximum Duration: Six years

Funding Source: Must be paid prevailing wage by U of I

Restrictions/Limitations:

  • Employer, job, AND position specific
  • Must meet Department of Labor prevailing wage determination
  • Dual intent visa

Dependents: H-4 visa holders may apply for employment authorization. Can study full or part-time

SEVIS Fee and Tracking: No

International Services Cost Recovery Fee: Yes + USCIS and legal fees 

Early Termination: May be responsible for moving costs back to last country of residence

Source: H-1B

International Programs Office

Physical Address:
901 Paradise Creek St.
LLC Bldg. #3
Moscow, ID 83844

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 1250
Moscow, ID 83844-1250

Phone: 208-885-8984

Fax: 208-885-2859

Email: ipo@uidaho.edu

Phone: 208-885-7870

Fax: 208-885-2859

Email: abroad@uidaho.edu

International Programs Office

Physical Address:
901 Paradise Creek St.
LLC Bldg. #3
Moscow, ID 83844

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 1250
Moscow, ID 83844-1250

Phone: 208-885-8984

Fax: 208-885-2859

Email: ipo@uidaho.edu

Phone: 208-885-7870

Fax: 208-885-2859

Email: abroad@uidaho.edu