Other Employment-Based Options Information for HR/Partners/Department Administrators

While the J-1 and H-1B categories are most commonly used for international employees at UC Denver, we also host international employees in the TN, E-3, O-1, F-1 Optional Practical Training, F-1 Curricular Practical Training, and J-1 academic training visa categories. International employees who have an Employment Authorization Document issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Service can also be employed by the University. 

TN: Treaty NAFTA

• Used for Canadian & Mexican citizens
• The position must align with the list of professions in the treaty
• Cannot be used for clinical faculty
• The International Scholar Services unit needs to be notified when the scholar travels and returns with new expiration date on their I-94 card

E-3: Australian Professionals

• Overview for Australian Professionals
• Similar to the H-1B category because ISS needs to do the PW and LCA
• Similar to the TN category because it does not need a USCIS petition if the employee is outside the USA and will gain status via consulate processing
• Can be used for clinical faculty
• The International Scholar Services unit needs to be notified when the scholar travels and returns with a new expiration date on the I-94 card because ISS must keep the LCA current

O-1: Workers of Extraordinary Ability

• Overview for Workers of Extraordinary Ability
• Usually used only when other visa categories are not available or not a viable option
• Can be used for clinical faculty

F-1 Optional Practical Training

• Available for students in F-1 status who have graduated from a U.S. college or university.
• The international employee will have a USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document valid for one year as evidence of eligibility for employment.
• Some employees on F-1 OPT may be eligible for a STEM Extension see the documents below to learn more about this process:
• Comparing H-1B & F-1 Employment Authorization
• STEM OPT Requirements for Hiring Units
• STEM OPT Actual Wage Form

F-1 Curricular Practical Training

• Available for students in F-1 status who are still enrolled in a U.S. college or university and have been given permission to work off-campus in a position related to their studies.
• The international employee will have Form I-20 on which Page 3 reflects the position and the amount of time the student is eligible to work for the University.

J-1 Academic Training

• Available for students in J-1 status who are either still enrolled in or have graduated from a U.S. college or university.
• The international employee will have a letter from the program sponsor authorizing the J-1 to work for the University and specifying the length of time and the amount of time the employee can work, along with Form DS-2019 showing valid J-1 status