UVM employs or hosts several hundred foreign nationals in a range of non-immigrant visa categories. There are a variety of reasons that one category may be better than another in a given situation, so consulting the Office of International Education staff early in the process is advised.

Most commonly, UVM Departments bring visitors as J-1 Exchange Visitors or H-1B Employees.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor program is used for temporary appointments such as postdoctoral appointments, non-tenure track, salaried faculty positions, non-salaried Visiting Scholars, and other temporary academic staff appointments. The J-1 visa is also used for visiting students. It is an appropriate visa for all unpaid academic appointments and many paid ones. It is not appropriate for tenure-track positions or for positions involving anything more than incidental (such as observing) clinical patient contact or care.  More about bringing a foreign national on a J visa.

The H-1B visa is for individuals coming to the United States to perform temporary services in a specialty occupation. A specialty occupation is defined as one that requires "theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree, or its equivalent, as a minimum requirement." It is an appropriate visa for tenure track academic appointments, physician appointments at the UVM College of Medicine and some staff positions. H-1B positions require a bachelor's degree or higher in a related academic discipline. Because the H-1B process has high departmental costs (approximately $1,000 - $3,900), inflexible job requirements and a lengthy processing time (1-7 months), the OIE generally recommends pursuing J-1 if possible.  More about bringing a foreign national on an H-1B visa.

Less common immigration statuses include TN, B-1/B-2/, and O-1

TN status is available for Canadian and Mexican citizens in research and teaching positions. Other occupations specified in the NAFTA Treaty for which the employee has the required minimum qualifications may also qualify for this status. More about bringing a foreign national on a TN visa.

The B visa (B-1, B-2, WB or WT) may be appropriate for short-term visits of 3 months or less in which the visitor will not be paid (except for an honorarium and/or reimbursement of expenses) nor have an academic appointment. These visitors are often coming to attend a conference or workshop or to participate in independent research. If the research provides any benefit to the University of Vermont, this is not an appropriate category. Learn more about bringing a foreign national on a B-2/B-2 visa.

O-1 visas are occasionally used for scholars who may not be eligible for H-1B status. The application process is extensive and requires proving that the professor or researcher is at the top of their field.

Permanent Residency Sponsorship is possible for certain employees that UVM intends to employ indefinitely.  More about Permanent Residency Sponsorship. 

Making iStart Requests

Immigration requests are made in iStart in the Departmental Access section of the system. Before you initiate a request, you will need to know which immigration status you are requesting a document for. Then, you will either Add a new Person if the client has never been at UVM before or initiate a request and look up the person via a past UVM netID if they have a past UVM affiliation. Read instructions in the form carefully to avoid delays. A few important tips:

• iStart uses only two types of "University IDs":  the UVM Network ID (once someone has arrived to UVM and has activated their NetID), and an iStart TEMPID (for use prior to a Visitor or New Employee's arrival). Do not use PeopleSoft IDs nor Banner '95' numbers.
• Accuracy is critical. The immigration documents we issue are based exactly on the information provided in iStart. Inaccurate information can mean delays in arrival, delays in ability to start, or later cancelation of visas which can cost significant sums of money. 

Departmental Access to iStart

Department submit immigration requests for international scholars and employees through iStart. Each department or unit has a single point of contact for these requests, and typically it is a business manager. 

First-time access

1. Visit iStart.
2. Click the Login button under "Current students, faculty or staff"
3. Select "Department" and click "Request Account"
4. Email InternationalScholars@uvm.edu with subject line "iStart access has been requested"
5. You will receive an email when your access has been granted.

Changing department administrators

If you are taking over for a previous departmental administrator, after you request iStart access, please include in your email InternationalScholars@uvm.edu indicating who you are replacing. Once your access is approved, we will provide your department client information. If you will be leaving your position, please notify us in advance, even if your replacement is not yet hired, so that we can calendar a follow-up.

Faculty supervisor, chair and dean access to iStart

Faculty supervisors, chairs and deans do not need departmental access to iStart. When you as the departmental administrator submit a request, you will give supervisor, chair and/or dean names and email addresses as applicable for the case you are working on. iStart will send an email to that individual, and that individual need only click on that unique link to approve a request. The log-in information is pre-populated.