Non-Immigrant Visa Sponsorship | Human Resources | Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University routinely sponsors and/or employs international individuals for positions that qualify for certain visa categories. Our most commonly sponsored non-immigrant visa types include:

H-1B
J-1
TN
E-3
O-1

Please refer to the chart below for further information.

Case Western Reserve University also employs those who hold a visa sponsored by a different institution if regulations allow for the employment. Such visas may include, but are not limited to:

F1 OPT/STEM OPT
J-1 Academic Training and Interns
EAD Employment Authorization Documents

Sponsorship Process

At the discretion of the department in tandem with IHRS, Case Western Reserve University may decide to sponsor qualified individuals for non-immigrant visas for eligible positions. Whether to sponsor the visa is at the discretion of the department. Eligibility is determined by IHRS. Upon departmental and eligibility approval, the department will contact IHRS to initiate the visa sponsorship process.

In most cases, IHRS requires at least 3-6 months advanced notice to process a visa. It is highly recommended that departments and employees contact IHRS as soon as visa sponsorship becomes a consideration.

Depending on the visa type, fees, processing timeframes and processes may differ. IHRS will work with the department and employee/scholar to ensure all required documents and information is collected and will file the petition on the University and employee's behalf.

All questions should be directed to IHRS at visa@case.edu.

Visa Type	Overview	IHRS Lead Time Needed	Maximum Time Limit
J-1 Research Scholar/ Professor	Research Scholars and Professors who engage in research and/or teaching positions at CWRU.	At least 3 months prior to the anticipated start date.	Up to 5 years. Scholars become subject to the 24-month repeat participation bar upon ending their J-1 visa. In some cases, scholars may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement.
J-1 Short-Term Scholar	Research Scholars and Professors who engage in research and/or teaching positions for up to 6 months.	At least 3 months prior to the anticipated start date.	Up to 6 months. In some cases, scholars may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement.
J-1 Student Intern	For students enrolled in degree program abroad coming to CWRU for an educational internship.	At least 3 months prior to the anticipated start date.	Up to 1 year, if the student remains enrolled in a degree program abroad. The student intern cannot graduate while in the US. Interns with internships longer than 6 months become subject to the 12-month repeat participation bar upon ending their J-1 visa. In some cases, student interns may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement. J-1 Interns will be processed by ISS Office.
H-1B Visa	For faculty, staff and research appointees who are coming to CWRU temporarily to the United States to work in a specialty occupation.	At least 6 months prior to the anticipated start date.	Up to 6 years, applied for in maximum 3-year increments
O-1 Visa	For faculty, staff and researchers who are “individuals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, or education.”	At least 6 months prior to the anticipated start date.	Up to 3 years initially; may be extended indefinitely in one-year increments. Due to the complexity, O-1s are used very infrequently and only for those with compelling needs.
TN for Canadians and Mexicans	For Mexican or Canadian citizens to be admitted to the United States to engage in "business activities at a professional level" in certain fields.	At least 3 months prior to the anticipated start date if a USCIS filing is required. At least 1 month prior to the anticipated start date is applying with CBP.	Up to 3 years initially; may be extended indefinitely in one-year increments.
E-3 for Australians	A temporary worker visa designated for Australian citizens coming temporarily to CWRU to work in a specialty occupation.	At least 6 months prior to the anticipated start date if a USCIS filing is required. At least 2 months prior if applying at a consulate abroad.	Up to 2 years initially; may be extended indefinitely in up to 2 year increments