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Do universities in the USA help postdoc researchers with the visa process?
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I am currently at the end of my PhD and will be defending my thesis in the next two weeks. I have been offered a postdoc position at a university in the USA that is set to begin in October 2018.
I have asked the HR department of my new employer in the USA for information about the visa application process but I have gotten very little response/information. Is it typically up to the postdoc to sort out their own visa or do universities in the USA usually guide you through the process?
Note: I am moving from Ireland to the USA, if this makes any difference.
united-states postdocs visa
asked Aug 13 at 12:17
John
784
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up vote
15
down vote
favorite
I am currently at the end of my PhD and will be defending my thesis in the next two weeks. I have been offered a postdoc position at a university in the USA that is set to begin in October 2018.
I have asked the HR department of my new employer in the USA for information about the visa application process but I have gotten very little response/information. Is it typically up to the postdoc to sort out their own visa or do universities in the USA usually guide you through the process?
Note: I am moving from Ireland to the USA, if this makes any difference.
united-states postdocs visa
asked Aug 13 at 12:17
John
784
If you start in October, it makes sense to push a bit, even though J1 should be quite quick (wait times for appointments depend on the visa type & can be found online: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/…, for Dublin it says 2 days).
– Norbert
Aug 13 at 22:19
add a comment |Â
up vote
15
down vote
favorite
up vote
15
down vote
favorite
I am currently at the end of my PhD and will be defending my thesis in the next two weeks. I have been offered a postdoc position at a university in the USA that is set to begin in October 2018.
I have asked the HR department of my new employer in the USA for information about the visa application process but I have gotten very little response/information. Is it typically up to the postdoc to sort out their own visa or do universities in the USA usually guide you through the process?
Note: I am moving from Ireland to the USA, if this makes any difference.
united-states postdocs visa
asked Aug 13 at 12:17
John
784
I am currently at the end of my PhD and will be defending my thesis in the next two weeks. I have been offered a postdoc position at a university in the USA that is set to begin in October 2018.
I have asked the HR department of my new employer in the USA for information about the visa application process but I have gotten very little response/information. Is it typically up to the postdoc to sort out their own visa or do universities in the USA usually guide you through the process?
Note: I am moving from Ireland to the USA, if this makes any difference.
united-states postdocs visa
asked Aug 13 at 12:17
John
784
asked Aug 13 at 12:17
John
784
asked Aug 13 at 12:17
John
784
asked Aug 13 at 12:17
John
784
784
If you start in October, it makes sense to push a bit, even though J1 should be quite quick (wait times for appointments depend on the visa type & can be found online: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/…, for Dublin it says 2 days).
– Norbert
Aug 13 at 22:19
add a comment |Â
If you start in October, it makes sense to push a bit, even though J1 should be quite quick (wait times for appointments depend on the visa type & can be found online: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/…, for Dublin it says 2 days).
– Norbert
Aug 13 at 22:19
If you start in October, it makes sense to push a bit, even though J1 should be quite quick (wait times for appointments depend on the visa type & can be found online: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/…, for Dublin it says 2 days).
– Norbert
Aug 13 at 22:19
If you start in October, it makes sense to push a bit, even though J1 should be quite quick (wait times for appointments depend on the visa type & can be found online: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/…, for Dublin it says 2 days).
– Norbert
Aug 13 at 22:19
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
26
down vote
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Yes, they should help you with the visa process, at least to some extent. In fact, they will likely have to sponsor your application. You will probably require a J1 (non-immigrant) visa for a postdoc in the US. More information on how to apply for such a visa is provided here.
In short, you will need a designated sponsor. Your university likely has this status. They have certain obligations to support and monitor your progress during the stay. If the university has an international office, they can likely provide you with more detail.
In any case, for you to apply for a J1 visa, you will need to have a copy of Form DS-2019 provided by the university. This is issued by the designated sponsor, confirming your eligibility for the J1 visa program, and contains some details about their exchange program (under which postdocs from abroad will typically fall, if my understanding is correct), start and end dates, and how your stay is funded. Without this DS-2019 form you cannot apply for the visa at the embassy. You will also need to bring it to the interview at the embassy, where the consular officer will evaluate your application.
One important thing to note is that if you will bring dependents with you (spouse or child), they will need their own DS-2019 forms to apply for a J2 visa.
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
5
A J1 visa comes with various restrictions - most notably a requirement that you return to your home country for a period of time at some point. It is generally worth pushing for your employer to sponsor you for an H1B, though they may end up saying no.
– Alexander Woo
Aug 13 at 18:56
5
@AlexanderWoo: good point, although I believe the precise return requirements depend on the source of funding, among others. In addition, it is possible to obtain a waiver for the return requirement (in theory, I don’t know about practice). If you intend to stay in the US, going for a H1B would make sense, but I am not sure how willing universities are to do sponsor that. I think all of my postdoc friends in the US were on a J1.
– Pieter Naaijkens
Aug 13 at 19:16
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
Indeed, as mentioned in Pieter's answer, the university will have an office that is supposed to help you with this (often called International Scholars Office or something of the sort).
It does happen that administrative offices are not always as helpful or responsive as they ought to be. As a postdoc you presumably have a mentor or PI at the university whom you will be working with, and they have a vested interest in making sure you can start work on time. So I would reach out to your mentor and let them know you are having trouble getting what you need from the international office. If there are specific deadlines that have to be met, include that information, to give a sense of the urgency. They are likely to be able to prod the people in that office and help move the process along.
Keep in mind that this is usually the same office that handles visas and other matters for international students, and the school year is just about to start at most US universities, so the office may well be flooded with issues related to incoming students. As such, they may be able to be more responsive after the first couple weeks of the school year, once the flood eases. But it's not clear if you can afford to wait that long.
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
Yes, they should help you with the visa process, at least to some extent. In fact, they will likely have to sponsor your application. You will probably require a J1 (non-immigrant) visa for a postdoc in the US. More information on how to apply for such a visa is provided here.
In short, you will need a designated sponsor. Your university likely has this status. They have certain obligations to support and monitor your progress during the stay. If the university has an international office, they can likely provide you with more detail.
In any case, for you to apply for a J1 visa, you will need to have a copy of Form DS-2019 provided by the university. This is issued by the designated sponsor, confirming your eligibility for the J1 visa program, and contains some details about their exchange program (under which postdocs from abroad will typically fall, if my understanding is correct), start and end dates, and how your stay is funded. Without this DS-2019 form you cannot apply for the visa at the embassy. You will also need to bring it to the interview at the embassy, where the consular officer will evaluate your application.
One important thing to note is that if you will bring dependents with you (spouse or child), they will need their own DS-2019 forms to apply for a J2 visa.
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
5
A J1 visa comes with various restrictions - most notably a requirement that you return to your home country for a period of time at some point. It is generally worth pushing for your employer to sponsor you for an H1B, though they may end up saying no.
– Alexander Woo
Aug 13 at 18:56
5
@AlexanderWoo: good point, although I believe the precise return requirements depend on the source of funding, among others. In addition, it is possible to obtain a waiver for the return requirement (in theory, I don’t know about practice). If you intend to stay in the US, going for a H1B would make sense, but I am not sure how willing universities are to do sponsor that. I think all of my postdoc friends in the US were on a J1.
– Pieter Naaijkens
Aug 13 at 19:16
add a comment |Â
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
Yes, they should help you with the visa process, at least to some extent. In fact, they will likely have to sponsor your application. You will probably require a J1 (non-immigrant) visa for a postdoc in the US. More information on how to apply for such a visa is provided here.
In short, you will need a designated sponsor. Your university likely has this status. They have certain obligations to support and monitor your progress during the stay. If the university has an international office, they can likely provide you with more detail.
In any case, for you to apply for a J1 visa, you will need to have a copy of Form DS-2019 provided by the university. This is issued by the designated sponsor, confirming your eligibility for the J1 visa program, and contains some details about their exchange program (under which postdocs from abroad will typically fall, if my understanding is correct), start and end dates, and how your stay is funded. Without this DS-2019 form you cannot apply for the visa at the embassy. You will also need to bring it to the interview at the embassy, where the consular officer will evaluate your application.
One important thing to note is that if you will bring dependents with you (spouse or child), they will need their own DS-2019 forms to apply for a J2 visa.
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
5
A J1 visa comes with various restrictions - most notably a requirement that you return to your home country for a period of time at some point. It is generally worth pushing for your employer to sponsor you for an H1B, though they may end up saying no.
– Alexander Woo
Aug 13 at 18:56
5
@AlexanderWoo: good point, although I believe the precise return requirements depend on the source of funding, among others. In addition, it is possible to obtain a waiver for the return requirement (in theory, I don’t know about practice). If you intend to stay in the US, going for a H1B would make sense, but I am not sure how willing universities are to do sponsor that. I think all of my postdoc friends in the US were on a J1.
– Pieter Naaijkens
Aug 13 at 19:16
add a comment |Â
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
up vote
26
down vote
accepted
Yes, they should help you with the visa process, at least to some extent. In fact, they will likely have to sponsor your application. You will probably require a J1 (non-immigrant) visa for a postdoc in the US. More information on how to apply for such a visa is provided here.
In short, you will need a designated sponsor. Your university likely has this status. They have certain obligations to support and monitor your progress during the stay. If the university has an international office, they can likely provide you with more detail.
In any case, for you to apply for a J1 visa, you will need to have a copy of Form DS-2019 provided by the university. This is issued by the designated sponsor, confirming your eligibility for the J1 visa program, and contains some details about their exchange program (under which postdocs from abroad will typically fall, if my understanding is correct), start and end dates, and how your stay is funded. Without this DS-2019 form you cannot apply for the visa at the embassy. You will also need to bring it to the interview at the embassy, where the consular officer will evaluate your application.
One important thing to note is that if you will bring dependents with you (spouse or child), they will need their own DS-2019 forms to apply for a J2 visa.
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
Yes, they should help you with the visa process, at least to some extent. In fact, they will likely have to sponsor your application. You will probably require a J1 (non-immigrant) visa for a postdoc in the US. More information on how to apply for such a visa is provided here.
In short, you will need a designated sponsor. Your university likely has this status. They have certain obligations to support and monitor your progress during the stay. If the university has an international office, they can likely provide you with more detail.
In any case, for you to apply for a J1 visa, you will need to have a copy of Form DS-2019 provided by the university. This is issued by the designated sponsor, confirming your eligibility for the J1 visa program, and contains some details about their exchange program (under which postdocs from abroad will typically fall, if my understanding is correct), start and end dates, and how your stay is funded. Without this DS-2019 form you cannot apply for the visa at the embassy. You will also need to bring it to the interview at the embassy, where the consular officer will evaluate your application.
One important thing to note is that if you will bring dependents with you (spouse or child), they will need their own DS-2019 forms to apply for a J2 visa.
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
answered Aug 13 at 12:45
Pieter Naaijkens
6,70912732
6,70912732
5
A J1 visa comes with various restrictions - most notably a requirement that you return to your home country for a period of time at some point. It is generally worth pushing for your employer to sponsor you for an H1B, though they may end up saying no.
– Alexander Woo
Aug 13 at 18:56
5
@AlexanderWoo: good point, although I believe the precise return requirements depend on the source of funding, among others. In addition, it is possible to obtain a waiver for the return requirement (in theory, I don’t know about practice). If you intend to stay in the US, going for a H1B would make sense, but I am not sure how willing universities are to do sponsor that. I think all of my postdoc friends in the US were on a J1.
– Pieter Naaijkens
Aug 13 at 19:16
add a comment |Â
5
A J1 visa comes with various restrictions - most notably a requirement that you return to your home country for a period of time at some point. It is generally worth pushing for your employer to sponsor you for an H1B, though they may end up saying no.
– Alexander Woo
Aug 13 at 18:56
5
@AlexanderWoo: good point, although I believe the precise return requirements depend on the source of funding, among others. In addition, it is possible to obtain a waiver for the return requirement (in theory, I don’t know about practice). If you intend to stay in the US, going for a H1B would make sense, but I am not sure how willing universities are to do sponsor that. I think all of my postdoc friends in the US were on a J1.
– Pieter Naaijkens
Aug 13 at 19:16
5
5
A J1 visa comes with various restrictions - most notably a requirement that you return to your home country for a period of time at some point. It is generally worth pushing for your employer to sponsor you for an H1B, though they may end up saying no.
– Alexander Woo
Aug 13 at 18:56
A J1 visa comes with various restrictions - most notably a requirement that you return to your home country for a period of time at some point. It is generally worth pushing for your employer to sponsor you for an H1B, though they may end up saying no.
– Alexander Woo
Aug 13 at 18:56
5
5
@AlexanderWoo: good point, although I believe the precise return requirements depend on the source of funding, among others. In addition, it is possible to obtain a waiver for the return requirement (in theory, I don’t know about practice). If you intend to stay in the US, going for a H1B would make sense, but I am not sure how willing universities are to do sponsor that. I think all of my postdoc friends in the US were on a J1.
– Pieter Naaijkens
Aug 13 at 19:16
@AlexanderWoo: good point, although I believe the precise return requirements depend on the source of funding, among others. In addition, it is possible to obtain a waiver for the return requirement (in theory, I don’t know about practice). If you intend to stay in the US, going for a H1B would make sense, but I am not sure how willing universities are to do sponsor that. I think all of my postdoc friends in the US were on a J1.
– Pieter Naaijkens
Aug 13 at 19:16
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
Indeed, as mentioned in Pieter's answer, the university will have an office that is supposed to help you with this (often called International Scholars Office or something of the sort).
It does happen that administrative offices are not always as helpful or responsive as they ought to be. As a postdoc you presumably have a mentor or PI at the university whom you will be working with, and they have a vested interest in making sure you can start work on time. So I would reach out to your mentor and let them know you are having trouble getting what you need from the international office. If there are specific deadlines that have to be met, include that information, to give a sense of the urgency. They are likely to be able to prod the people in that office and help move the process along.
Keep in mind that this is usually the same office that handles visas and other matters for international students, and the school year is just about to start at most US universities, so the office may well be flooded with issues related to incoming students. As such, they may be able to be more responsive after the first couple weeks of the school year, once the flood eases. But it's not clear if you can afford to wait that long.
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
Indeed, as mentioned in Pieter's answer, the university will have an office that is supposed to help you with this (often called International Scholars Office or something of the sort).
It does happen that administrative offices are not always as helpful or responsive as they ought to be. As a postdoc you presumably have a mentor or PI at the university whom you will be working with, and they have a vested interest in making sure you can start work on time. So I would reach out to your mentor and let them know you are having trouble getting what you need from the international office. If there are specific deadlines that have to be met, include that information, to give a sense of the urgency. They are likely to be able to prod the people in that office and help move the process along.
Keep in mind that this is usually the same office that handles visas and other matters for international students, and the school year is just about to start at most US universities, so the office may well be flooded with issues related to incoming students. As such, they may be able to be more responsive after the first couple weeks of the school year, once the flood eases. But it's not clear if you can afford to wait that long.
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
up vote
8
down vote
Indeed, as mentioned in Pieter's answer, the university will have an office that is supposed to help you with this (often called International Scholars Office or something of the sort).
It does happen that administrative offices are not always as helpful or responsive as they ought to be. As a postdoc you presumably have a mentor or PI at the university whom you will be working with, and they have a vested interest in making sure you can start work on time. So I would reach out to your mentor and let them know you are having trouble getting what you need from the international office. If there are specific deadlines that have to be met, include that information, to give a sense of the urgency. They are likely to be able to prod the people in that office and help move the process along.
Keep in mind that this is usually the same office that handles visas and other matters for international students, and the school year is just about to start at most US universities, so the office may well be flooded with issues related to incoming students. As such, they may be able to be more responsive after the first couple weeks of the school year, once the flood eases. But it's not clear if you can afford to wait that long.
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
Indeed, as mentioned in Pieter's answer, the university will have an office that is supposed to help you with this (often called International Scholars Office or something of the sort).
It does happen that administrative offices are not always as helpful or responsive as they ought to be. As a postdoc you presumably have a mentor or PI at the university whom you will be working with, and they have a vested interest in making sure you can start work on time. So I would reach out to your mentor and let them know you are having trouble getting what you need from the international office. If there are specific deadlines that have to be met, include that information, to give a sense of the urgency. They are likely to be able to prod the people in that office and help move the process along.
Keep in mind that this is usually the same office that handles visas and other matters for international students, and the school year is just about to start at most US universities, so the office may well be flooded with issues related to incoming students. As such, they may be able to be more responsive after the first couple weeks of the school year, once the flood eases. But it's not clear if you can afford to wait that long.
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
answered Aug 13 at 17:31
Nate Eldredge
96.1k28268372
96.1k28268372
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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If you start in October, it makes sense to push a bit, even though J1 should be quite quick (wait times for appointments depend on the visa type & can be found online: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/…, for Dublin it says 2 days).
– Norbert
Aug 13 at 22:19