Visa Sponsorship Policy for Scholars (Professors / Researchers)

Welcome! U.S. visa types cover the alphabet from A-Z. Learn more about the most commonly used scholar visa types sponsored by Columbia.

Whom Do We Sponsor?

We provide visa sponsorship for specific academic titles. Titles are determined by the academic unit in consultation with the Dean’s office or Provost’s office. These include:

Researchers / Professors

Officer-level collaborative research appointments
Officer-level instructional appointments
Visiting Scholars invited by a faculty sponsor to use Columbia resources to conduct independent, non-collaborative research
Research technicians at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC)

Obtaining Visa Sponsorship

Once your academic title and the terms of the invitation have been determined by your sponsoring academic department, the department will contact us to initiate visa sponsorship on your behalf. Please do not contact us directly.

Types of Scholar Visa Sponsorship

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: For those coming to lecture, conduct research, observe or engage in research-based internships. Learn more.
H-1B Temporary Worker: For full-time salaried employees holding long-term instructional or research appointments, such as tenure-track faculty or researchers at the Associate level.
This must be a “specialty occupation” that requires a “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” at a wage that meets the higher of the prevailing wage or the actual wage. Learn more.
E-3: For Australian citizens meeting the same criteria employment requirements and credentials as the H-1B described above. Learn more.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability: For full-time salaried faculty or researchers who are recognized as being at the very top of their field in the sciences, education, business or athletics and who are coming to the United States to continue work in their field of expertise Learn more.
TN-1/TN-2: Only for Canadian and Mexican citizens coming temporarily in specific professions and with specific credentials meeting the requirements of the USMCA treaty (formerly NAFTA). Learn more.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

In certain situations, this may be possible. Read more about this at:

Visa Sponsorship Policy for Scholars (Professors / Researchers)

Can I transfer my current visa sponsorship to Columbia?

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Visa Sponsorship Policy for Scholars (Professors / Researchers)

On this page

Whom Do We Sponsor?

Obtaining Visa Sponsorship

Types of Scholar Visa Sponsorship

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Can I transfer my current visa sponsorship to Columbia?