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International Office

Obtaining a Visa for Research at Scripps

The process to obtain the appropriate visa classification for your research at Scripps Research begins in the Scripps lab. If you will enter the U.S. or transfer (from another U.S. institution) to Scripps Research as:

B-1 or WB

Request an invitation letter from your Scripps Research Principal Investigator.

F-1 OPT (graduate students only)

Obtain F-1 Optional Practical Training work authorization approval and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS (immigration) prior to starting employment at Scripps Research. Your Scripps lab will process a change of non-immigrant status on your behalf before the EAD expiration date if they plan to continue your employment.

J-1 Academic Training (graduate students only)

Obtain J-1 academic training and a letter authorizing employment from the International Office at your current institution prior to commencing employment at Scripps.

J-1 Exchange Visitor

All required forms will be initiated by the lab using our online system. Complete the requested forms as instructed in the email. The lab will request the International Office to issue and send you a form DS-2019 so you can apply for a J-1 visa or, if in the U.S., transfer your J-1 status to Scripps Research.

H-1B Temporary Worker

All required forms will be initiated by the lab using our online system. Complete the requested forms as instructed in the email. The lab must request H-1B status on behalf of the international scholar. The International Office will prepare and file the H-1B petition with USCIS (immigration). Once received and approved at USCIS, the International Office will issue the receipt and approval notices directly to the H-1B scholar.

TN

Complete the TN Beneficiary Information Form and return to your Scripps lab. The lab must request TN status on behalf of the international scholar. The International Office will contact the scholar and assist with the TN application.