The decision whether to offer immigration sponsorship is the sponsoring department’s.  The Office of International Services' (OIS) International Employee & Exchange Visitor (IEEV) team is responsible to let the sponsoring department know their immigration sponsorship options and then to file OSU’s immigration sponsorship applications.  In order to know what immigration sponsorship is possible, International Services must review both the position and the immigration history of the candidate.

Please use the link below to inquire about what immigration sponsorship options are available to an international employee or visitor through OSU. 

Sponsorship Request

Immigration Status Sponsored by Oregon State University:  

Oregon State University sponsors immigration status for eligible positions. The Office of International Services' International Employee & Exchange Visitor team is responsible to let the sponsoring department know its immigration sponsorship options and then to file OSU’s immigration sponsorship applications.  In order to know what immigration sponsorship is possible, International Services must review both the position and the immigration history of the successful candidate. 

Immigration statuses often sponsored by OSU for employees or visitors include:   

J-1 Exchange Visitors

Visiting professionals, researchers, and students participating in collaborative research, internships and training.

H-1B Specialty Occupation

Employees in positions that require a bachelor’s degree.

E-3 Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia

Australian nationals in positions that require a bachelor’s degree.

TN NAFTA Professionals

Canadian or Mexican citizens in professional-level positions.

O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement

Work authorization for individuals with extraordinary ability who are employed by OSU in their area of expertise.

Employee or Visitor’s Personal Immigration Status Supported by International Services 

Employees and visitors may have personal immigration status which authorizes their activities at Oregon State University.  An employee or visitor may choose to use any immigration status that authorizes their activities.  International Services works with international colleagues and hosting departments to answer common questions and provide referrals. 

There are many personal immigration statuses that can authorize activities at OSU.  The most common  personal immigration statuses used to authorize activities at OSU include: 

(Tourist) Visitor (B-1/B-2/Visa Waiver "ESTA")

For short term visits.

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or J-1 Student Academic Training

Students who receive work authorization as a part of their studies to complete on-the-job training to further their educational goals.

Third-Party J-1 Exchange Visitor

Exchange visitors participating in collaborative research, internships and training whose program is sponsored by an organization other than OSU.

Permanent Residency Sponsored by Oregon State University

Oregon State University sponsors permanent residency for eligible positions and individuals. The Office of International Services' International Employee & Exchange Visitor team is responsible to let the sponsoring department know when permanent residency is an option and then to file OSU’s immigration sponsorship applications.  In order to know what immigration sponsorship is possible, International Services must review both the position and the immigration history of the successful candidate.

OSU uses a variety of employment-based immigration pathways to sponsor international employees for permanent residency:

Permanent Residency

Permanent residency pathways include Labor Certification, Outstanding Professor/Researcher and National Interest Waiver.