Requesting International Employees or Visitors

There are numerous nonimmigrant employment-based visa categories. In all cases, the foreign national must meet specific requirements related to the occupation and position they would hold at OU. Departments must work in consultation with the HR Office of Immigration Services (OIS) to complete the process for bringing a foreign national to OU. 

Under no circumstances should the OU hiring department make any guarantee of sponsorship to a foreign worker for any immigration benefit. Because of the complexity of employment-based sponsorship, it is impossible for any employer to guarantee that its efforts to secure USCIS employment authorization will be successful.

Visa Types & Requirements

OU departments can review the visas available for different kinds of work on the OIS Nonimmigrant Classification Reference Guide in the Documents section of this page and on the other pages in this website. After reviewing this information, departments should contact OIS to determine the proper visa. 

Required Timelines for Notifying OIS

OU departments must notify OIS as soon as possible when planning to bring a foreign national or continuing the authorization of current workers. Follow the notification timelines in the right columns of the OIS Nonimmigrant Classification Reference Guide in the Documents section of this page. Failure to follow these notification timelines may result in the inability to authorize a new worker in time for their start date or to renew their authorization before their previous employment authorization ends.

How To Request Foreign Workers or Visitors

J-1 Exchange Visitor

  1. Review the J-1 Exchange Visitor page on the HR website for details about this visa.
  2. Selecting a Participant 
    • To ensure that the program is suitable to the participant's background, needs, and experience, OU department sponsors must screen and select their program participants according to the eligibility criteria for the appropriate visa category. 
    • A personal interview may be necessary as part of the screening/selection process. The participant must be engaged primarily in conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project. They cannot be a candidate for tenure-track appointments. University J-1 programs do not support academic or graduate medical education or training. 
    • Sponsors are required to ensure that participants possess sufficient proficiency in the English language.
  3. Submit Form OIS2019 (below) to OIS to request a J-1 Exchange Visitor.
  4. Participants Currently Outside U.S.
    • The OU Responsible Program Officer in the OIS will issue the DS-2019 government document to the department sponsor. The sponsoring department must send the original DS-2019 to the participant for use when they apply for the J-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad.
    • The participant must enter the U.S. no later than the start date listed on the DS-2019 form. The participant must notify the OIS within three work days of entry to the U.S and arrival on campus. Proof of entry and U.S. residence address will be required. Evidence of compliance with medical insurance guidelines will be required within 30 days of arrival. 
  5. Participants Transferring from Another Program
    • The transferring participants must provide this documentation to the OIS : copies of the participant's passport, I-94 card, current and previous DS-2019 forms.
    • The OU Responsible Program Officer in the OIS will issue the DS-2019 government document to the department sponsor AFTER the participant's current Program Officer releases the participant. This date is usually the requested start date indicated on the Form OIS2019. 
    • The transferring participant must notify the OIS within three work days of their arrival to campus.

Nonimmigrant Workers (H-1B, O-1, TN Visas)

OU departments must complete the Form OIS129 in the Documents section on this page to request a foreign worker. Foreign workers can be brought to OU to perform services or labor in a temporary status, or to receive training in one of the following nonimmigrant statuses:

  • H-1B: Specialty Occupation
  • O-1: Alien of extraordinary ability in arts, science, education, business or athletics

Admission to the U.S. as a TN nonimmigrant from Canada or Mexico does not require a petition. These persons may apply directly to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. Review additional information about TN nonimmigrant workers here. 

The Form OIS129 is also used to request an extension of stay for the following nonimmigrant statuses:

  • H-1B: Specialty Occupation
  • O-1: alien of extraordinary ability in arts, science, education, business or athletics
  • TN: NAFTA Nonimmigrant

Deadline

Submit the Form OIS129 form as soon as possible to the OIS, but no later than 60 days before the proposed employment begins or before an extension of stay is required. Forms not submitted to the OIS at least 60 days before the proposed employment begins may delay the filing of the petition, which could result in the delay of approval or a non-approval of the nonimmigrant’s services. The 60 days is required to ensure adequate processing of the petition, including filing, adjudication, and visa issuance with the appropriate federal agencies. NOTE: External agency petition adjudication and visa issuance are subject to change without notice. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of visas are available?

Departments can review the visas available for different kinds of work in the Nonimmigrant Visa Deadlines & Descriptions Reference Guide in the Documents section of this page. After reviewing this document, departments should contact OIS to determine the proper visa. 

Does the department have to pay anything?

Information about fees and who is responsible for fee payment is available on each program's specific page. 

How long will the visa process take?

The length of time for the visa process depends on a variety of factors. It is highly recommended that departments follow the timelines set out in the Nonimmigrant Visa Deadlines & Descriptions Reference Guide in the Documents section on this page. See the far right columns for the Preferred Length of Notice to give OIS when you're attempting to bring an international person to OU. 

Processing time depends on the visa type, current status, current location, government processing times, and when information is given to OIS, among other factors.

When can the international start work?

An international person's start date at OU depends on a variety of factors including the visa type, current status, current location, government processing times, and when information is given to the OIS, among other factors. Contact the OIS as early as possible in your recruitment process of an international person. 

Notice

All requests for the employment of foreign nationals at the University of Oklahoma must be processed through OIS. Only the OIS staff is authorized to sign the legal documents and forms required to sponsor international scholars and staff. 

J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

J-1 Orientation for Departments

J-1 Online Orientation

Click the image above to view the J-1 Department Information page. The J-1 Online Orientation contains vital information about the J-1 Exchange Visitor program. This video explores the responsibilities of OIS and departments sponsoring J-1 Exchange Visitors, J-1 arrival, J-1 management, and Exchange Visitor program processes.

News

Scammers Posing as US Law Enforcement are Targeting Chinese Citizens Attending US Academic Institutions for Financial Gain. See more information here.


While many formal restrictions on international travel have been lifted, logistical concerns surrounding flights and quarantine policies, as well as visa operations at numerous U.S. embassies/consulates worldwide, continue to impact overseas travel.

  • Consular Processing: Visa processing in many countries continue to be delayed, with limited visa appointment availability. Third Country National (TCN) visa processing is increasingly limited or has been suspended in certain countries, including Canada and Mexico.   It is strongly advised to schedule a visa appointment prior to departure from the U.S., especially if you will not be processing in/traveling to your Home Country, i.e. a TCN request.  Please use the Department of State Website to better understand processing times at the consulate of your choice. Individual consulate websites will also help you better understand current visa processing procedures at that site, including whether an interview will be required.  First-time applicants for a visa of a given type could be referred for secondary processing resulting in additional delay. For applicants applying for the same category of visa they have held before, this risk is reduced. Remember to consider whether you have any dependent family members that may also require visa processing. 
  • India: Please contact the US Consulate(s) in India for specific information on consular processing which is experiencing significant delays in visa appointment scheduling even for Indian nationals.
  • China: China continues to maintain their Zero Tolerance Policy to COVID-19. Travelers to China may experience a quarantine for a period up to 21 days when entering the country before they can continue on to their final destinations. Travelers have also reported that finding flights into China are hard to come by and, when available, very expensive.
  • Form I-94: An electronic Form I-94 is issued to almost all non-immigrant visa holders during the admission process at the U.S. port of entry. Inspect your Form I-94 carefully each time you enter the US to ensure that you and your family (if applicable) are admitted in the correct status for the full length of your approved status. If either the status or expiration date are incorrect, it may be necessary to take corrective steps to prevent violations of your immigration status and from accumulating time in unlawful presence, which may result in a 3-10 year bar to re-entry into the U.S.
    • Form I-94 at Land Borders: Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requested that travelers apply for their Form I-94 and prepay online before arriving at a land border. The announcement also contains travel tips, including pointers on monitoring border wait times and understanding customs and other policies surrounding border travel.
  • General Unpredictability: As the nature of the pandemic and global operations evolve, governments and companies continue to adapt and change their policies to ensure the public health and safety. You should carefully monitor U.S. and foreign Covid-related travel restrictions.   

Notice

There are numerous nonimmigrant employment-based visa categories.  In all cases, the foreign national must meet specific requirements related to the occupation for which the employer is petitioning. 

Under no circumstances should the hiring department make any guarantee of sponsorship to a foreign worker for any immigration benefit.  Due to the complexity of employment-based sponsorship, it is impossible for any employer to guarantee that its efforts to secure USCIS employment authorization will be successful.

Foreign workers will be required to follow the New Hire appointment process for employees of OU. Positions that are eligible for sponsorship as a nonimmigrant worker can be found in the OIS University Appointment Eligibility Chart.

About OIS

Review the About Us page: 
  • Contact Information
  • OIS Staff
  • OIS Disclaimer

J-1 Exchange Visitor

For Use by OU Departments
FORM OIS6220 REQUEST TO CHANGE LOCATION FOR EXCHANGE VISITOR
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
NONIMMIGRANT VISA DEADLINES & DESCRIPTIONS (REFERENCE GUIDE)
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
UNIVERSITY VISA FEE POLICY
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
3 Results Results

J-1 Visitor Documents

Documents for J-1 Visitors
FORM OIS2019 REQUEST FOR J1 EXCHANGE VISITOR
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
FORM OIS2019-2 REQUEST FOR DEPENDENTS
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR BROCHURE - ALL CAMPUSES
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
J-1 MEDICAL HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
J-2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR EAD CARD
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
5 Results Results

Nonimmigrant Worker

For Use by OU Departments
FORM OIS129 REQUEST FOR NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
NONIMMIGRANT VISA DEADLINES & DESCRIPTIONS (REFERENCE GUIDE)
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
UNIVERSITY VISA FEE POLICY
Campus: HSC, Norman, Tulsa
 
3 Results Results

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