visa-cat-other

Visa Categories (O-1, H-1B, B-1, WB, TN, A-1, A-2, G-4)
VISA Type	Applies To	Subject to 2-Year Home Country Residency Requirement	IGA Waiver By NIH	NOS Waiver By Applicant	Duration
O-1 Alien of extraordinary ability in the sciences	RF(VP) CF(VP)	No - unless subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation	If subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation - only if selected for Tenure-track, Staff Scientist or Staff Clinician.	If subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation. Must have outside job offer and must leave NIH.	Limited to the time it takes to complete the scientific activity or event. Must be renewed annually.
H-1B Temporary worker in specialty occupation	RF(VP) CF(VP)	No	N/A	N/A	6 year maximum.
B-1 Temporary visitor for business	GR SV	No - unless subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation	N/A	If subject, owing to previous J-1 obligation, must have job offer & must leave NIH.	Short term visa. Initial entry up to one yr. Renewal in increments of up to 6 months.
WB Temporary visitor for business	GR SV	No- unless subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation	N/A	If subject, owing to previous J-1 obligation, must have job offer and must leave NIH.	Maximum stay is 90 days. May neither extend stay nor change to another visa status while in US
TN Trade NAFTA for Canada and Mexico	VF RF(VP) CF(VP) GR SV	No - unless subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation.	Yes, if subject owing to previous J-1 obligation, and only if selected for Tenure-track or Staff Scientist.	If subject, owing to previous J-1 obligation, must have outside job offer and must leave NIH.	Initial entry up to one year. Renewals in increments of up to one year.
A-1 Dependent of ambassador, public minister, diplomat or consular officer. Must have employment authorization.	VF RF(VP) CF(VP) SV GR	No- unless subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation.	If subject owing to previous J-1 obligation - only if selected for Tenure-track, Staff Scientist or Staff Clinician	If subject, owing to previous J-1 obligation, must have outside job offer and must leave NIH.	Dependent on principal visa holder.
A-2 Dependent of other foreign government officials. Must have employment authorization.	VF RF(VP) CF(VP) SV GR	No- unless subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation	If subject owing to previous J-1 obligation - only if selected for Tenure-track, Staff Scientist, Staff Clinician.	If subject, owing to previous J-1 obligation, must have outside job offer and must leave NIH.	Dependent on principal visa holder.
G-4 Dependent of representative to international organizations. Must have employment authorization	VF RF(VP) CF(VP) SV GR	No- unless subject owing to previous J-1 visa obligation.	If subject owing to previous J-1 obligation-only if selected for Tenure-track, Staff Scientist or Staff Clinician.	If subject, owing to previous J-1 obligation, must have outside job offer and must leave NIH.	Dependent on principal visa holder.

*Key to Abbreviations : JVERC - J-1 Visa Extension Review Committee, GR-Guest Researcher, SV-Special Volunteer, VF-Visiting Fellow, RF(VP) - Research Fellow (Visiting Program), CF(VP) - Clinical Fellow (Visiting Program)

Note: Regardless of duration of visa category, 5/8 year rule applies to all foreign scientists at NIH. Questions should be directed to IC's Fogarty Immigration Specialist at 496-6166.