VISA CLASSIFICATION
WB  |  B-1  |  WT  |  B-2  |  F-1  |  F-2  |  H-1B  |  H-4  |  J-1  |  J-2  |  TN  

Below is an overview of the most common non-immigrant classifications at UC Irvine.
To view and print the information on a single-page chart, download: CommonVisaClas.pdf
(Acrobat Reader is required).

WB: Waiver for Business
B-1: Visitor for Business

• Change of Visa Type?
  Not possible for WB inside U.S. Possible for B-1
• Employment Limitations
  No employment. May receive reimbursement and/or honorarium for “usual  academic activity”

           NOTE: Honorarium Payments to B-1/B-2 Visa Holders

                     http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/cao/paycoord/honorpay.html

• Length of Stay
  Determined at port of entry
• Extensions
  Possible only for B-1
• Necessary Forms
  Show letter of invitation to U.S. Consul for B-1 visa
• Processing Time
  Allow 1 month for B-1 visa
• Remarks
  For B-1: Consul abroad issues; USCIS extends stay in U.S.

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WT: Waiver for Tourism
B-2: Visitor for Pleasure

• Change of Visa Type?
  Not possible for WT inside U.S. Possible for B-2
• Employment Limitations
  Same as WT/B-2
• Length of Stay
  Determined at port of entry
• Extensions
  Possible only for B-2
• Necessary Forms
  None: must show Consul proof of support for B-2 visa
• Processing Time
  Allow 1 month for B-2
• Remarks
  For B-2: Consul abroad issues; USCIS extends stay in U.S.

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F-1: Student

• Change of Visa Type?
  Possible
• Employment Limitations
  On-campus: part-time. Off campus, only with permission of IC and USCIS after 9 months in student status
• Length of Stay
  Until completion of degree program
• Extensions
  Possible
• Necessary Forms
  Form I-20 secured from IC. Must exhibit proof of support to U.S. Consul.
• Processing Time
  Variable; depends on home country.
• Remarks
  Consul abroad issues; USCIS extends stay in U.S.

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F-2: Spouse or Dependent of F-1

• Change of Visa Type?
  Possible: along with change of F-1
• Employment Limitations
  May not work
• Length of Stay
  Depends on Stay of Principal F
• Extensions
  Possible
• Necessary Forms
  Same as F-1
• Processing Time
  Same as F-1
• Remarks
  Consul abroad issues; USCIS extends stay in U.S.

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H-1B: Visiting Scholar of distinguished merit to work in a temporary, specific job

• Change of Visa Type?
  Possible
• Employment Limitations
  None, but may only be employed by petitioner of visa. Must have U.S. based salary
• Length of Stay
  Up to 6 years
• Extensions
  For 3 years at a time. Total of 6 years
• Necessary Forms
  Form I-129, copies of degrees, publications, testimony of experience. DOL approved Labor Condition Application filed with USCIS by IC
• Processing Time
  Allow 6 months if approved; petition sent to U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad
• Remarks
  USCIS approves; Consul issues and USCIS extends stay in U.S.

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H-4: Spouse or Dependent of H-1B

• Change of Visa Type?
  Possible
• Employment Limitations
  May not work
• Length of Stay
  Depends on principal H-1B
• Extensions
  Depends on principal H-1B
• Necessary Forms
  Form I-129, copies of degrees, publications, testimony of experience. DOL approved Labor Condition Application filed with USCIS by IC
• Processing Time
  Allow 6 months if approved; petition sent to U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad
• Remarks
  USCIS approves; Consul issues and USCIS extends stay in U.S.

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J-1: Exchange Visitor (Professor, Lecturer, Researcher, Student)

• Change of Visa Type?
  2 year stay outside of U.S. may be required (see IC for info.)
• Employment Limitations
  Depends on terms of particular exchange visitor programs and permission of sponsor. Student on J-1 limited to 50% in academic year. No MD medical/clinical training except ECFMG
• Length of Stay
  Students: duration of program
  Professors: 3 years
  Researchers: 3 years
• Extensions
  Maximum stay: 3 years, except M.D. training (ECFMG)
• Necessary Forms
  Sponsor issues DS2019; Consul issues visa
• Processing Time
  Allow at least 3 months; depends on home country.
• Remarks
  Department of State controls program. Change of Category or objective not permitted.

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J-2: Spouse or Dependent of J-1

• Change of Visa Type?
  Possible: along with J-1
• Employment Limitations
  Must have permission of USCIS
• Length of Stay
  Depends on principal J-1
• Extensions
  Depends on principal J-1
• Necessary Forms
  Proof of relation to J-1 & DS2019 presented to Consul
• Processing Time
  Allow at least 3 months; same as J-1
• Remarks
  Department of State controls program

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TN: Canadian or Mexican citizens temporarily engaging in business activities at a professional level

• Change of Visa Type?
  Not possible
• Employment Limitations
  Employer specific
• Length of Stay
  Indefinite
• Extensions
  Must be extended annually
• Necessary Forms
  Letter of employment offer for Canadians.
• Processing Time
  Allow 1 month
• Remarks
  Consultation with IC

Abbreviations:
IC - International Center
USCIS - United States Citizenship & Immigration Services
DOL - Department of Labor
ECFMG - Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

Please Note: The information provided is a general overview of visa status. Information is subject to change without prior notice.