Visas for Postdoctoral Scholars
At Stanford University, approximately 50% of the scholars are non-U.S. citizens. The University's official representative for processing visa requests for postdoctoral scholars is the Bechtel International Center. Bechtel staff offer seminars for administrators to educate them on visa completion.
International Postdoctoral Scholars at Stanford are sponsored on J-1 visas. The sponsoring department originates a J-1 request online. When submitted, the request is received by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. When approved, it is automatically forwarded to Bechtel for processing.
Postdoctoral Affairs requires the full appointment packet to accompany any initial visa request for a new scholar. The only exception to the full packet requirement is proof of degree, where a letter issued by the scholar’s institution indicating the completion or near completion of the doctorate is accepted in lieu of the diploma.
Check the Frequently Asked Questions About Visas on the Web with additional information located at the Bechtel homepage. J-1 Visas are the most commonly processed visas for postdoctoral scholars under Stanford University sponsorship. They are normally issued in 12-month increments and for no more than three years total. Bechtel usually has J-1 visa requests completely processed within one week.
New J-1 Visas require a complete Appointment Package for scholars.
Extensions of existing J-1 Visas are generally processed as long as the J-1 authorization is under three years total and the scholar is being paid at the appropriate level for his/her years of research experience. Bechtel usually has J-1 visa extensions completely processed within one week.
Visa transfer of sponsorship can be accomplished within the prescribed guidelines for individuals who have J-1 sponsorship at another J-1/Academic institution.
H-1B visa status is not a standard status for postdoctoral scholars. H1-B visas may be requested in cases where the J-1 status is not available to Scholars per immigration policies and regulations. The H-1B status prevents a scholar from receiving fellowship stipend support. H-1B visa status at Stanford is treated as exception and involves a petition by the sponsoring Stanford Department on behalf of postdoctoral scholar after approval from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Scholars approved as exceptions on H-1B visas must be paid according to the California Prevailing Wage Rates or the Stanford Minimum Guidelines, whichever is highest. Questions and procedures are found on the Bechtel web site.
H-1B Visas involve different institutional obligations, a revised contract letter, and are completed by the sponsoring department under the direction of Bechtel International Center once approved by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The steps and process for completing an H-1B visa petition are lengthy and time consuming, and require payment of legal fees by either the sponsoring department or the postdoctoral scholars or both, depending upon the arrangements that are made between them.
Other visa status may be sought or already established. In these instances, assistance from Bechtel International Center is strongly advised. Examples of some of these visa types are below. For assistance, please contact Bechtel International Center staff Lynn Kroner or Brian Grooves at (650) 725-7400.
- F-1 Student visas
- TN visas for Canadian citizens
**last updated 9/3/10**