SERVICES OFFERED TO VISITING SCHOLARS, RESEARCHERS OR PHYSICIANS

The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) provides services and programs for international scholars at Washington University (WU). On behalf of the university, the OISS acts as liaison with U.S. government agencies concerning visa and immigration matters for all international scholars at WU. The OISS advises departments on the various visa application procedures necessary to bring an international scholar to WU. After their arrival in the U.S., the OISS assists scholars and accompanying family members with settling in, employment permission, validating their arrival with immigration, maintaining their visa status, and many other concerns.

As the only WU resource knowledgeable in current immigration and visa regulations, it is imperative that prospective international visiting scholars, researchers, physicians, and their departments consult only with the OISS scholar advising staff on these issues. The OISS staff makes every effort to accommodate emergency situations. However, it is important to remember that usually the earlier an application is begun, the less chance there is that a department and a prospective scholar will be disappointed by a delayed employment start date. Four months is not too early to begin any type of visa application.

Who is the international scholar?

Throughout the U.S., an international scholar is usually considered to be an individual not enrolled in a formal degree program, who holds a temporary, non-immigrant visa, and who engages in scholarly activities including teaching, research, and/or training at a university, research institute, or hospital. At WU, international scholars may be faculty members, research associates, postdoctoral research fellows, visiting scholars, or physicians.

What responsibility does WU bear in bringing international scholars to the U.S.?

First, the sponsoring department must make the appropriate arrangements for an individual’s university appointment. If the appointment is a non-salaried one, the department should confirm that sufficient funding is available for the scholar. Please bear in mind that not all visa types allow for unpaid positions. Secondly, the department needs to consult the OISS in a timely manner to begin the initial paperwork necessary for processing a document or petition for a particular type of visa. The department and the prospective international employee must remember that the turn around time for some visas may be as short as 10 working days or as long as 6 months.

General Information for All Statuses

• Scholar Walk-in Hours



• Payroll Procedures for New and Continuing Scholars



• Finding Housing



• Reporting Your Address



• Living in St. Louis



• Working at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL)



• Leaving Washington University



• "Visa" and "Status": A Common Confusion



• Glossary of Terms



• Information Regarding Filing Taxes

Information for international scholars

The following links provide status specific information on the various visa types for which the OISS offers advice, issues visa documents, and processes petitions to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

• J-1 Exchange Visitor



• H-1 Temporary Worker



• O-1 for Individuals of Extraordinary Ability



• TN - NAFTA



• Other Visa Types, including:
  B-1 and Visa Waiver Program
  F-1 OPT
  J-1 (not sponsored by WU)
  Employment Authorization Cards (EADs)
  Permanent Residence

What is the purpose of this website?

The information provided on this website is intended only for prospective and current international scholars sponsored by Washington University in St. Louis.
We hope that you will find the information provided helpful. Please be aware that U.S. immigration law is complex, and that the information presented here should be used as a source of general information. If you have questions regarding your specific situation, please contact your International Scholar Advisor.