The Academic Immigration Handbook

The Academic Immigration Handbook was born out of an understanding that the robust exchange of students, researchers, scholars, and physicians is essential to address shared global challenges, enhance American prosperity, and contribute to global peace and security.

Many immigrants serve as (1) physicians providing desperately needed medical services in underserved areas; (2) researchers engaging in groundbreaking research related to medicine, science, and social studies; (3) students building the next great companies, and in other roles. Many students and scholars also return to their home countries where they foster positive views of the United States and improve future diplomatic efforts.

The Academic Immigration Handbook explains the processes that must be followed by both institutions and immigrants, specifically, the rules and regulations regarding studying, working, and training in the United States. The Handbook offers real-world examples and walks the reader through the different visa statuses as they pertain to academia, while answering common questions related to transitioning from one status to another, obtaining waivers, options for studying, working, and training while in certain statuses, obtaining a green card, and much more.

University counsel, university administrators, and student and scholar advisors, as well as foreign-national students, professors, researchers, and international medical graduates, will find this Handbook to be a comprehensive resource that provides a deep understanding of the immigration process in a clear and concise manner.

The Handbook covers the following:
***STUDENTS***
Chapter 1: Studying in the United States
Chapter 2: Working in the United States as a Student
Chapter 3: Training in the United States as a Student
Chapter 4: Post-Graduation and Post-Training Options for Students
***SCHOLARS***
Chapter 5: Working as a Scholar in J-1 Status
Chapter 6: Working as a Scholar in H-1B Status
Chapter 7: Working as a Scholar in Another Status
Chapter 8: Introduction to the J-1 Home Residence Requirement
Chapter 9: J-1 Waivers
***PERMANENT RESIDENCE***
Chapter 10: Introduction to Permanent Residence and the PERM Labor Certification
Chapter 11: EB-1 and National Interest Waivers
***INSTITUTIONS***
Chapter 12: Important Considerations for Institutions
Chapter 13: Hiring an Immigration Attorney