Handbook of Business Procedures
Date published: Dec. 2, 2010
Last revised: Dec. 2, 2010
Issued by: Tax Services
12.5.10. VISA TABLE
Visa | Type | Guidelines & Restrictions |
| A-1 | Foreign diplomatic personnel | May only be employed by foreign government entity. |
| A-2 | Other foreign government employees or members of immediate family. | Spouses and unmarried dependent children of foreign government officials may be employed if they obtain Form 1-566, authorized by a Department of State representative, subject to restrictions stated in the regulations or cited on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). |
| A-3 | Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A-1 and A-2, and members of immediate family. | May only be employed by foreign government entity. |
| B-1 | Temporary visitor for business | May be paid honorarium, stipend, or other form of compensation for services conducted for the benefit of The University of Texas at Austin from a U.S. source for activity lasting up to nine days, for a maximum of five honoraria during the last six months. Reimbursement is allowed for expenses incurred by the visit, such as travel, lodging, and meals. B Visitor Checklist* |
| B-2 | Temporary visitor for pleasure | In rare circumstances, foreign visitors present in the U.S. on a B-2 visa may be paid honoraria and reimbursement for travel expenses. B1/B2 - WB/WT Qualification Statement* |
| F-1 | Academic student | On-campus work as an employee is permitted. Must obtain a Social Security number. They cannot work as independent contractors. |
| F-2 | Spouse or child of F-1 | Cannot work in the United States. |
| H-1B | Temporary professional workers | Employment is restricted to the sponsor of the H1-B petition. |
| H-4 | Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3 | Not permitted to be employed or to receive compensation from any U.S. source. |
| I | Foreign media representatives and their dependents | Can only receive compensation from a foreign employer. |
| J-1 Student | Student in U.S. under Exchange Visitor Program | May work on or off campus if the program sponsor grants permission. J Visitor Checklist* |
| J-1 Researcher | Researcher or professor in U.S. under Exchange Visitor Program | Employment is restricted to the university or organization that issued the DS-2019. Program sponsor may grant limited permission for other work. J Visitor Checklist* |
| J-2 | Spouse or child of J-1 | Dependents may accept employment with authorization from the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Dependents must state that money is needed for their expenses; work authorization card is issued by USCIS. |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | Appropriate for temporary positions. The University of Texas at Austin must petition the USCIS before hiring the employee. The O-1 visa holder may only work for The University of Texas at Austin, but may accept expense reimbursement from other sources. |
| O-2 | Accompanying alien to assist O-1 in specific event | The University of Texas at Austin must petition the USCIS before hiring the employee. The O-2 visa holder must only work with the O-1 visa holder he or she is intended to assist. |
| O-3 | Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2 | Cannot work in the U.S., but may be reimbursed for expenses. |
| P-1 | Athletes, or members of an entertainment group that are internationally recognized | The University of Texas at Austin must petition the USCIS before hiring the employee. The P-1 visa holder may only work for The University of Texas at Austin. Group members may not perform services other than those performed with the group. See 12.5.5. Services Performed by Performers |
| P-2 | Artists and entertainers in reciprocal Exchange Visitor Programs | The University of Texas at Austin must petition the USCIS before hiring the employee. The P-2 visa holder may only work for The University of Texas at Austin. See 12.5.5. Services Performed by Performers |
| P-3 | Artists and entertainers in culturally unique programs | The University of Texas at Austin must petition the USCIS before hiring the employee. The P-3 visa holder may only work for The University of Texas at Austin. See 12.5.5. Services Performed by Performers |
| P-4 | Spouse or child of P-1, 2, or 3 | Cannot work in the United States, and cannot receive compensation from any U.S. source. |
| R-1 | Religious workers | May be employed and compensated only by the religious organization that obtained the status for the R-1 visa holder. |
| R-2 | Spouse or child of R-1 | Cannot work in the United States, and cannot receive compensation from any U.S. source. |
| TN Status NAFTA | Trade visas for Canadians and Mexicans | Allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to be employed in the U.S. in certain occupations listed in the NAFTA treaty for a maximum of one year. Not appropriate for tenured or tenure-track positions. May only work for the employer who offered the job (for Canadian citizens) or petitioned the INS (for Mexican citizens), but may accept reimbursement expenses from other sources. Cannot work as an independent contractor. |
| WB (business) | Waiver for business | Visa waiver similar to B-1 visa. May be paid honorarium, stipend, or other form of compensation for services conducted for the benefit of The University of Texas at Austin from a U.S. source for activity lasting up to nine days, for a maximum of five honoraria during the last six months. Reimbursement is allowed for expenses incurred by the visit, such as travel, lodging, and meals. B Visitor Checklist* |
| WT (tourist) | Waiver for tourism | Visa waiver similar to B-2 visa. In rare circumstances, foreign visitors present in the U.S. on a B-2 visa may be paid honoraria and reimbursement for travel expenses. B1/B2 - WB/WT Qualification Statement* |
| No visa | Undocumented aliens | Cannot be paid for services. |
For more detailed information, see the U.S. Department of State Visas section.