Overview for Scholars

Scholar Immigration Definitions

Scholar Obtaining Your Visa (J-1)

Scholar Obtaining Your Visa (H-1B and O-1)

Scholar Transfer of Visa Supervision

Scholar Change of Status

Message for Canadian Scholars

Potential Delays in Visa Issuance

Scholar Tax Information

Health Insurance Overview for J-1 Scholars

Employment for J-1 Scholars

Employment Authorization for J-2

Employment for H-1B or O-1 Scholars

Scholar Maintaining Immigration Status (J-1)

Scholar Maintaining Immigration Status (H-1B and O-1)

J-1 Scholar Travel Information

H-1B Scholar Travel Information

O-1 Scholar Travel Information

Scholar Departure Information

Home Country Residency Requirement

Address Change Form

Employment for H-1 Temporary Workers and O-1 Aliens of Extraordinary Ability

H-1 status is for temporary workers in a specialty occupation. The applicant for H-1 status must have a bachelor's degree equivalent or higher and the position that he/she will accept must require a bachelor's degree equivalent or higher. Columbia University petitions on behalf of each applicant for a specific position. Because the petition is specific to the employment, those granted H-1 status may work only for the employer who filed the petition and only in the position for which the petition was filed. If there is a substantial change in this position, a completely new H-1 petition may be required.

Temporary workers with H-1 status may not accept employment at any other institution unless that institution files an H-1 petition for concurrent employment. This means that H-1 workers may not accept any other offers of employment, including fees for consultations or lectures at other universities, without specific authorization. Please direct any questions to the International Students and Scholars Office or the International Affairs Office.

O-1 status is also employer specific. Those in O-1 status may not accept employment at any other institution unless that institution files an O-1 petition for concurrent employment. This means that O-1 workers may not accept any other offers of employment, including fees for consultations or lectures at other universities, without specific authorization. Please direct any questions to the International Students and Scholars Office or the International Affairs Office.

Dependent Employment

DHS regulations do not permit the spouse (H-4) of an H-1 Temporary Worker or the spouse (O-3) of an O-1 principal to apply for work permission.

Last reviewed: November 23, 2005 Last modified: 15 January 2004
International Students and Scholars Office
Columbia University