There are serious consequences for foreign nationals who work without proper work authorization. Please be sure to reach out to ISSS with any questions that you may have.
Use the Bringing Researchers form to help guide you in appointing a researcher that you wish to bring to Temple in the correct category. A submitted form will be emailed to Gabby Pavlakis (ISSS), Joan McGinley (ISSS) and Nina Campellone (OPA).
ISSS does not determine job titles (paid/unpaid) or salaries. We are the final stage in facilitating the appropriate visa classification once the department has determined these factors and a prospective employee has been identified.
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) reviews the BIRTU to advise if the candidate meets the criteria to be appointed as either a Visiting Research Scholar or a Visiting Research Scholar in Residence. The OPA will not be involved in the appointment process if the candidate does not meet OPA criteria. ISSS will determine if the candidate qualifies for the J1 Student Intern category.
Use the Hiring Internationals Form to help ISSS determine which immigration status will be best for the individual you wish to bring to Temple. Email the completed form to sharonl@temple.edu
Use the chart below to help guide your department when you wish to appoint/hire a foreign national.
- Note that all appointments with funding sources that include grant funding require additional oversight by the University’s Office of Research. Every immigration status is not appropriate for every position/appointment at Temple University.
- Please note that ISSS does not determine job titles (paid/unpaid) or salaries. We are the final stage in facilitating the appropriate visa classification once the department has determined these factors and a prospective employee has been identified. Appointing a foreign national to a position at Temple University can be accomplished only if both federal regulations and the University's own policies permit it.
- Faculty Affairs: Guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Non-Tenure Track Faculty
- Graduate School / Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Position | Contact | Definition | Position Requirements | Immigration Status | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HR-Hired Position | HR Generalist | Determined by HR | Determined by HR Job Description | * H-1B; E-3; O-1;TN; F-1 OPT; J-1 Academic Training; Valid EAD | Depends on Immigration Status |
Visiting Faculty | Faculty Affairs Office | Typically hold academic appointments at other academic institutions or are employed in business, non-profit organizations, or government agencies and are granted temporary University positions while on leave from current employment; expected to engage in the research and/or teaching activities of a department. | Terminal professional degree or is a recognized expert in her/his field; Full searches are required to appoint individuals, including departmental and college-level reviews and affirmative action procedures | * J-1 Exchange Visitor in Correct J Category; H-1B; E-3; O-1;TN; F-1 OPT; J-1 Academic Training; Valid EAD | Usually appointed for one year or less; not eligible for promotion. [See Faculty Affairs: Guidelines for the Appointment and Promotion of Non-Tenure Track Faculty] |
Non-Tenure Track Faculty | Faculty Affairs Office | Faculty member is expected to engage in the research and/or teaching activities of a department. Appointment must be approved by College / School Dean | Terminal professional degree or is a recognized expert in her/his field Full searches required to appoint individuals including departmental and college-level reviews and affirmative action procedures | * -1 Exchange Visitor in Correct J Category; H-1B; E-3; O-1;TN; F-1 OPT; J-1 Academic Training; Valid EAD | Depends on Appointment Letter & Immigration Status |
Tenure Track Faculty | Faculty Affairs Office | Faculty member is expected to engage in the research and teaching activities of a department. Appointment must be approved by University President | Terminal professional degree or is a recognized expert in her/his field; Full searches required to appoint individuals including departmental and college-level reviews and affirmative action procedures | * H-1B; E-3; O-1;TN; F-1 OPT; J-1 Academic Training; Valid EAD | Depends on Appointment Letter & Immigration Status |
Adjunct Faculty | Faculty Affairs Office | Faculty member is expected to engage in part time research and/or teaching activities of a department. Appointment must be approved by College / School Dean | Terminal professional degree or is a recognized expert in her/his field | *J-1 Exchange Visitor; TN; O-1; F-1 OPT; J-1 Student Academic Training; Valid EAD; The University Does Not Support H-1B Petitions for Adjunct Faculty | Depends on Appointment Letter & Immigration Status |
Postdoctoral Fellow / Postdoctoral Research Associate | Graduate School’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | Primarily associated with the University to obtain advanced research skills under the supervision of one or more members of the University faculty. The postdoctoral fellowship is intended to provide research and training experience to prepare the Fellow for permanent employment in an academic or research position. (See University Policy on Postdoctoral Fellows, 02.54.11, for more details.) | Terminal professional degree or doctorate from an accredited academic institution | * -1 Exchange Visitor in Correct J Category; H-1B; E-3; O-1;TN; F-1 OPT; J-1 Academic Training; Valid EAD | 5 Year Max Appointment at TU / Depends on Appointment Letter & Immigration Status |
Visiting Research Scholar | Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | Individual gains laboratory and research experience, learns to use state-of-the-art techniques, and/or shares unique expertise with the Temple community. Compensation provided by the home institution or government scholarship and/or personal funding; No Temple Funding Permitted | Terminal or first- professional degree S/he may be recently retired or currently employed at, but on sabbatical from, another academic institution. No Temple Funding Permitted The individual MAY NOT receive a Postdoctoral Fellow appointment following the Visiting Research Scholar experience. | J-1 Exchange Visitor in Correct Category | 1 Year Maximum; Appointment may not be renewed. |
Visiting Research Scholar In Residence | Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | Individual is appointed for 12 months or less and is receiving a government or institutional scholarship for at least $24,000. S/he is expected to gain laboratory and research experience, to learn to use state-of-the-art techniques, and/or to share unique expertise with the Temple community. | Terminal professional degree or doctorate MAY receive a Postdoctoral Research Associate appointment with at least two years of research experience following the Visiting Research Scholar in Residence experience. Years of research experience will be determined by the graduation date for the first professional degree, length of the Visiting Research Scholar in Residence appointment, and previous research experiences. The combined appointments of the Visiting Research Scholar in Residence and the Postdoctoral Research Associate cannot exceed five (5) years at Temple. | J-1 Exchange Visitor in Correct Category; H-1B status if Department wishes to appoint applicant as Postdoctoral Fellow Research Associate. | Up to 12 months; Renewable for additional 12 months then must change to H-1B status if Department wishes to appoint applicant as a Postdoctoral Fellow Research Associate. |
J Graduate Student Intern | Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | Enrolled in a Graduate degree program abroad Holds a bachelor's or master's degree Is not participating in a dual- or joint-degree program | A foreign student currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at an international institution outside the US who is participating in a research or scholarly training program under the direction of a Temple University faculty mentor; intern is expected to gain laboratory and research experience, to learn to use state-of-the-art techniques, and/or to share unique expertise with the Temple community. | J-1 Exchange Visitor in Student Intern Category | Up to 12 months per US Department of State Nonrenewable |
J Undergrad Student Intern | ISSS | Enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program abroad Is not participating in a dual- or joint-degree program | A foreign student currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an international institution outside the US who is participating in a research or scholarly training program under the direction of a Temple University faculty mentor; intern is expected to gain laboratory and research experience, to learn to use state-of-the-art techniques, and/or to share unique expertise with the Temple community. | J-1 Exchange Visitor in Student Intern Category | Up to 12 months per US Department of State Nonrenewable |