Processes & for International Research Fellows & Postdoctoral Fellows
Table of Contents
International Research Fellows & Postdoctoral Fellows (Visa Types: J-1)
International research fellows and post-doctoral fellows enter the U.S. as non-immigrants for the purpose of receiving additional professional training in their academic fields. Most enter the U.S. on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program in the Research Scholar category using IAP-66 Forms issued by the OIS. J-1 Reseach Scholars may participate in exchange visitor training programs in the U.S. for a maximum of three (3) calendar years. Their immediate dependents arrive as J-2s.
Occasionally, an international research fellow or post-doctoral fellow may arrive at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions on F-1 Optional Practical Training following the completion of a degree program as an F-1 student at another institution. Such Optional Practical Training is generally valid for one year. In addition, an international research fellow or post-doctoral fellow may arrive at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions on an H-1B1 visa as a non-immigrant worker. However, the J-1 is the preferable status and takes much less time to issue than an H-1B1.
Invitation
Departments or divisions wishing to invite international research fellows or post-doctoral fellows must first contact the Office of International Student, Faculty, and Staff Services (OIS). In most cases, the OIS will recommend J-1 visas for the incoming fellows. The departments or divisions must then complete the "Request for Certification for Exchange Visitor Status" Form (or J-1 worksheet). For School of Medicine appointments, these forms must also be approved by the School of Medicine Dean's Office. Once these forms are completed and School of Medicine approval is received (if necessary), the forms are returned to the OIS with financial verification. The OIS reviews the requests and, provided documentation is in order, issues the IAP-66s for J-1 research fellows or post-doctoral fellows.
If international research fellows or post-doctoral fellows desire H-1B1 visas, permission must be granted by the OIS and, for School of Medicine appointments, by the School of Medicine Dean's Office. Please be aware that H-1B1 visa petitions require up to four months to process and require significant departmental or divisional paperwork.
Institutional policy is to use J-1 visas for international research fellows or post-doctoral fellows whenever possible.
Once the petitions are approved for either J-1 or H-1B1 visa documents, the OIS sends the visa documents to the fellows. Supplemental information is included in the mailings about consular processing and U.S. health insurance obligations. The fellows then present these documents to a U.S. Consulate or Embassy in the home country to obtain the appropriate visa stamps to enter the U.S.
NOTE: Financial verification is extremely important and must be in order before visa documents will be issued.
H-1B1 visas require that international fellows be paid by The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
Research fellows or post-doctoral fellows with funding from overseas are ineligible for H-1B1 visas and must use J-1 visas.
Arrival
When international research scholars and post-doctoral fellows arrive at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, they must check in with the OIS located on the 1st Floor of Reed Hall, 1620 McElderry Street. During check in, the OIS staff reviews the fellows' visa documents and provides a brief orientation, discussing legal responsibilities while in the U.S.
Extenstions
Both J-1 and H-1B1 visa documents contain expiration dates.
If an international research fellow or post-doctoral fellow anticipates that the program will last beyond the expiration date stated on the visa documents, the fellow must come to the OIS to apply for an extension of visa status. The extension process must be completed in full before the documents expire and can be complicated for the H-1B1 status.
Severe penalties exist for international fellows who do not extend their documents in a timely manner.
Whenever possible, departments and divisions should help international fellows track the expiration of their visa documents. International fellows frequently forget to extend their documents, and any assistance departments or divisions could render in reminding them would protect international visitors and the institution from severe penalties.
Changes in Program
International fellows wishing to change academic programs must notify the OIS in advance of securing the change (at least 30 days in advance for fellows in J-1 status and at least 120 days in advance for fellows in H-1B1 status) so that amendments may be made to the visa documents. If a department or division becomes aware of an international fellow who is changing programs, please refer the fellow to the OIS immediately. This referral also applies for changes in financial support.
NOTE: Changes in employment for fellows in H-1B1 status may require significant paperwork before the changes can go into effect. Such paperwork can take 4 months or more to process. As a result, close and timely communication with the OIS is essential.
Employment Issues
International fellows are strictly limited in their employment opportunities while in the U.S. They may only engage in employment related to their programs as stated on the IAP-66s or as stated in their H-1B1 petitions. Occasional consultations or observerships may be allowed on the J-1 visa only, but permission for these activities must be received in writing from the OIS prior to performing the services. Similar consultations or observerships are not allowed under H-1B1 status.
NOTE: Engaging in unauthorized employment in the U.S. is a serious offense and can result in severe penalties, including deportation.
Issues of dependent employment must be addressed individually by the OIS.
For information on payroll procedures and tax issues related to international students, simply click on the appropriate link.
