Information for Inviting International Visitors and Hiring International Scholars, Faculty and Staff

General Information

Northern Arizona University (NAU) welcomes international academic visitors, faculty, researchers and staff to the Flagstaff campus. The Center for International Education provides information regarding the U. S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security classifications and work authorization regulations as they relate to the purpose of the visit or the employment offer.

Since international employees who begin their employment at NAU in a temporary work authorization status may eventually want to seek employment based U.S. Permanent Residence (green card), it is important that all recruitment and hiring be done in a way that meets the requirements for this process. Contact the Center for International Education (523-6698) and, if a faculty position, also contact the Vice Provost for Academic Personnel (523-2230) for more information. NAU does not promise to file employment based U.S. Permanent Residence petitions for an non-immigrant employee as this depends on the specifics of each position, the recruiting and hiring process, and other regulations which impact eligibility.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Status

The purpose of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is to enhance understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. This program is coordinated by the U.S. Department of State.

At NAU J-1 status is commonly used for international postdocs, visiting researchers and faculty who come at the invitation of an academic department or research area. Any faculty member, academic department or researcher wishing to invite a visitor in any of these categories should contact the Center for International Education (523-6698) for information about the J-1 program and the required documentation for a non-immigrant J-1 visa. These temporary visitors may be admitted for as long as 5 years, depending on the nature of the invitation and funds available for their support while at NAU.

The J-1 status cannot be used for tenure track faculty positions. Restrictions frequently apply to moving from J-1 status to any other status.

Download more Information: J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Information (PDF)

Optional Practical Training

A faculty or research position may be filled by a new international employee with a type of work authorization called Optional Practical Training (OPT). This authorization is available through F-1 student status. The international student applies for OPT prior to graduating from a U.S. university or college by submitting an application to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. When authorization is granted, the student is issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) which provides a beginning and end date of employment authorization. The EAD must be received by the student prior to beginning employment at NAU. The EAD is valid for up to a year, and cannot be extended. It is important that the department chair/director and the employee work closely with the scholar advisor at CIE to seek ongoing work authorization as soon as the person is hired, if the intent is to employ the person beyond the EAD end date. The EAD is appropriate for faculty, research and staff positions, and the employment must be directly related to the person’s area of academic study.

It is important that the original recruitment and hiring be conducted in a way that will allow CIE to eventually file a petition U.S. Permanent Residence if all other eligibility requirements are met. Call 523-6698 for details.

H-1B Status

H-1B status is a non-immigrant category for employment in a specialty occupation (one which requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge to perform the duties and requires at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field). H-1B status is appropriate for tenure track or continuous positions, and is temporary work authorization for the position for up to 6 years. The petition to seek H-1B work authorization is filed by CIE with Department of Homeland Security on behalf of the department wishing to employ or to continue to employ an individual at NAU.

H-1B status is appropriate for faculty, research and some staff positions.

Download more Information: H1-B Non Immigrant status information for departments (PDF)

U.S. Permanent Residency

Northern Arizona University may file a petition with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for employment based sponsorship for U.S. Permanent Residency (PR). The decision to initiate PR sponsorship of a foreign national is made by the College Dean or the Head of the Department. The employee may not hire an attorney to represent NAU for this petition.

There are three steps in the sponsorship, petitioning and application process:

Determine eligibility for the appropriate employment based PR classification. The Dean/chair/director contacts the scholar advisor at the CIE (523-6698).

CIE files the petition with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. CIE collects the required data and information, prepares and submits the petition. An outside attorney may not be used for this petition unless requested by CIE and NAU legal counsel.

The foreign national applies to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to change status to PR. The employee may complete this application by him/herself or hire an immigration attorney to assist with the application. This application contains personal information about the employee and dependents. The NAU scholar advisor may not provide legal advice to the employee.

Download more Information: Permanent Residence for outstanding Professor and Researcher (Oct 2007) (PDF)