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University of Wyoming

Visa Descriptions and Categories


Visa Type Description Study Restrictions on Employment
F-1 Student Full-time study; Part-time only for acceptable cause and if authorized On-campus 20 hours/week while school's in sessions, Full-time during breaks, including summer. Off-campus very limited and must be approved by USCIS (EAD card) before one can start work.
F-2 Dependents of F-1 visa holder F-2 Spouses may not engage in full-time study. Part-time study is permitted only to the extent that it is "avocational or recreational" Not permitted to work in the US under any circumstances.
J-1 Exchange Visitor (Student) Full-time study; Part-time study only if authorized in advance. May work on-campus 20 hours/week with prior written authorization from the Responsible Officer of their Exchange Visitor program. May also work off-campus under limited circumstance with prior written authorization. Employment does not require additional permission from CIS or an EAD card. Eligible for 18 months of academic training during and/or following completion of their program. (36 months for Post-doctoral training.)
J-1 Exchange Visitor (Scholar, Professor or Researcher) May study if incidental to the primary purpose of stay while maintaining legal status. May not do formal degree granting academic program. May be employed ony by the Exchange Visitor program sponsor or appropriate designee. Under limited circumstances, outside or incidental employment, limited to occasional lectures and short-term consultations permitted if directly related to program objective. In such cases, EV may receive compensation from other institutions with prior written authorization from the Responsible Officer. No EAD card is required.
J-2 Dependents of J-1 Visa Holders May engage in part-time or full-time study. Eligible to apply to USCIS for work authorization. Must have EAD issued by USCIS. May work for any employer. Must re-apply for employment authorization to continue working after expiration date on EAD card.
H-1B Temporary worker in a Specialty Occupation May study if incidental to the primary purpose of the stay while maintaining valid status. Employment permitted only with the petitioning organization through whom the visa classification was obtained. Prohibited from receiving payments from other organizations.
H-4 Dependents of H Visa Holders May engage in part-time or full-time study. Not permitted to be employed or receive compensation from a U.S. source.
B-1 Visitor for Business An individual in the U.S. for a short period of time to engage in such business activities May not study. Foreign visitors present in the U.S. on a B-1 visa are not permitted to be employed in the U.S. An academic institution can pay honoraria and associated incidental expenses for a usual academic activity lasting not longer than 9 days at any single institution.
B-2 Visitor for Tourism An individual in the U.S. for travel, tourism and recreational purposes. May not enroll in a course of study. Foreign visitors present in the U.S. on a B-2 visa are not permitted to be employed in the U.S. Same as above applies.
Other Possible Visa Types
VWB Visa Waiver for Business and VWT for Tourism Less than 90 days. Only available to citizen of coutries designated by the US State Department Laws regarding study and employment for holders of VWB or VWT are identical to their B-1 or B-2 counterparts listed above. Not permitted to extend the length of stay or change visa status from within the U.S.
TN Trade NAFTA for citizens of Canada and Mexico Performs professional services for a sponsoring employer in a specific position for a fixed period of time. Like H-1B, may engage in study if incidental to the primary purpose of the stay in the U.S. while maintaining a valid TN visa status.
TD (dependents of TN) Dependents of TN visa holders. May engage in full or part-time study. Not permitted to work in the U.S. under any circumstances.