Foreign National Employees

University Hall seen from the other side of the oval with lots of students walking around on a sunny day

Human Resource Services

Foreign National Employees

As global recognition of the ��ؿ�’s outstanding academic and research programs continues to grow, the diversity of our job applicant pools has also grown. It is increasingly common for job postings to attract international applicants, and Human Resources Services is here to help hiring managers, prospective employees, and current employees who have questions about foreign national employment at UM.

The ��ؿ� University System (MUS) has contracted with who provide immigration legal services on many immigration matters involving UM employees, including H-1B visa sponsorships.

Questions?

I am a...	How to submit a question...
Current UM Employee or Hiring Manager	Please submit an .
Prospective employee, job applicant, or other non-employee	Please email ASKHR@mso.umt.edu or call (406) 243-6760

H-1B Sponsorship Process Guide

H-1B visas are the most common type of visa sponsorship at the ��ؿ�. The following process summary is provided for reference by hiring managers and prospective employees, but please remember that all visa sponsorships are unique. Any sponsorship case may require substantially more time than the estimates provided below and may require additional steps. Human Resource Services does not guarantee a favorable adjudication of any petition submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

A flowchart with the title “H-1B Sponsorship Process Overview”. Step 1. Job Vacancy Posted Step 2. Job Offered and Candidate Identifies Visa Sponsorship Need Step 3. Hiring Manager Alerts Recruitment Specialist Step 4. HR Foreign National Liaison Provides Sponsorship Cost and Processing Time Estimate Step 5. HR Foreign National Liaison Opens Case with BAL Immigration Law firm Step 6. Prospective Employee Completes BAL Questionnaire Step 7. Submission and Processing of USCIS Petition Step 8. Prospective Employee Completes Consular Visit and Responds to Other Information Requests Step 9. H-1B Visa Petition Approved Step 10. Employee Begins Work Steps 5 through 8 are described as taking between 3 to 6 months. There is a note stating that with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Premium Processing, that steps 5 through 8 will take approximately 2 months. There is a note that an H-1B visa will usually expire within 1 to 3 years. There is a note that an H-1B visa can usually be extended for no more than a cumulative total of 6 years. The following disclaimers are included: The ��ؿ� is not obligated to sponsor any person for an H-1B visa. Every H-1B visa petition and sponsorship is unique. The above information is provided for reference, and is not intended to describe all requirements of the H-1B petition and sponsorship process. The provided time estimates will not apply in all cases. Human Resource Services does not guarantee a favorable adjudication of any petition submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

U.S. export control laws govern the transfer of technology, information, and commodities overseas or to a foreign national within the U.S.

Some research activities and work at UM may be subject to these export controls, which may impact the employment of foreign nationals in related positions. Human Resource Services coordinate with our colleagues in the UM Office of Research Compliance, who work with hiring managers and employees in the event that export control regulations apply.

Visa Type Quick Reference

There are over 100 U.S. visa types! The following table provides a summary of the most common visas at UM, but it is not intended to be comprehensive. If you have a question about a specific type of visa or employment circumstance, please reach out using the . Please note that all information provided in the table below is subject to change at any time.

Visa Reference Guide

A table providing information about F-1 visas.
Eligibility	Full-time academic and language students
Authorized to Work	May be authorized to work on campus; May be eligible for CPT work status; May be eligible for OPT work status after first academic year.
Visa Duration	Dependent on program of study; OPT status may not exceed 12 months; STEM OPT status may not exceed 24 months.
Employment Authorization Documents	All new and returning student employees are required to submit copies of the documents listed below at the beginning of their employment AND again every fall semester that their employment continues. Foreign National Information Form (Completed on first day of work) Passport Form I-94 Form I-20 F-1 Visa Social Security Card Work Authorization Letter (if applicable)
Notes	F-1 visa sponsorship, CPT authorization (see below), and OPT authorization (see below) are managed by the Global Engagement Office. F-1 visa holders may be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) status before completing their degree program. CPT grants work authorization for training directly related to the student's major area of study and which is an integral part of the school's established curriculum. F-1 visa holders may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) status before completing their degree program or after completing their degree program. OPT grants up to 12 months (in some cases up to 24 months) of work authorization for training directly related to the student’s major area of study.

A table providing information about H-1B visas.
Eligibility	Specialty occupations requiring at least a Bachelor’s degree
Authorized to Work	Yes, authorized to work. Limited to a single employer at a single work-site.
Visa Duration	Up to 3 years; may be extended but not to more than 6 total years.
Employment Authorization Documents	Foreign National Information Form (Completed on first day of work) Passport Form I-94 H-1B Visa Social Security Card
Notes	H-1B work authorization allows for dual-intent, which means that an employee may apply for permanent residency while in H-1B status.

A table providing information about J-1 visas.
Eligibility	Cultural exchange visitors who will be professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, specialists, students, or student interns.
Authorized to Work	May be authorized to work depending on terms of exchange program.
Visa Duration	Dependent on terms of exchange program.
Employment Authorization Documents	All new and returning student employees are required to submit copies of the documents listed below at the beginning of their employment AND again every fall semester that their employment continues. Foreign National Information Form (Completed on first day of work) Passport Form I-94 Form DS-2019 J-1 Visa Social Security Card Work Authorization Letter (if applicable)
Notes	J-1 visa sponsorship is managed by the Global Engagement Office. Individuals who have had a J-1 visa may be required to complete a two-year home country residency or secure a waiver before they can be eligible for an H-1B visa.

A table providing information about TN visas.
Eligibility	Citizens of Canada or Mexico who will be engaged in business activities at a professional level (as defined by NAFTA)
Authorized to Work	Yes, authorized to work.
Visa Duration	3 years; may be extended for 3-year periods indefinitely.
Employment Authorization Documents	Foreign National Information Form (Completed on first day of work) Passport Form I-94 TN Visa Social Security Card
Notes	Professions covered by NAFTA can be found at 8 CFR 214.6(c)

A table providing information about Permanent Residency..
Eligibility	Varies.
Authorized to Work	Yes, authorized to work.
Visa Duration	Not applicable. Permanent Residents receive a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), not a visa, and are subject to any applicable renewal requirements.
Employment Authorization Documents	Foreign National Information Form (Completed on first day of work) Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) Social Security Card
Notes	More information about Permanent Residency eligibility is available from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on this webpage: .

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Human Resource Services