Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Terms
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Term |
Definition & Explanation |
For More Information |
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Actual Wage |
"Wage rate paid by the employer to all other individuals with experience and qualification similar to those of the H-1B employee for the specific employment in question." |
See H-1B Application |
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Alien |
Any person not a citizen or national of the US (as defined in INA) |
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B-1 |
B-1 visitor for business category. Should be used only when there is no research collaboration with OSU |
Click here for important B-1 information. |
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B-2 |
B-2 visitor for pleasure, also known as the "tourist" visa It is very important to realize that the B-2 visa category is not suitable for official visits to the university. OSU cannot pay visitors on a B-2 visa. |
Visit the Department of State's B-2 webpage |
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D/S |
Duration of Status Some nonimmigrants are admitted to the US for a specific period of time, others are admitted for a "duration of status", which is tied to the date on the status document. |
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Status document for J-1 and J-2 (dependent of J-1) status Use this document, along with the I-94 card and passport, to meet I-9 requirements. |
Click here to see example |
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E-3 |
Australian Citizens in a Specialty Occupation |
Click here for important E-3 information |
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Grace Period |
Some visa categories allow the nonimmigrant to remain in the US for a specified grace period after their program end date. They may not participate in studies or research activities or work. |
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H-1B |
Temporary Worker in a Specialty Occupation |
Click here for important H-1B information |
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Status document for F-1 and F-2 (dependent of F-1) status Use this document, along with the I-94 card and passport, to meet I-9 requirements. |
Click here to see example |
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Status document for H-1B and H-4 (dependent of H-1B) status Use this document, along with the I-94 card and passport, to meet I-9 requirements. Note: in some cases the I-797 includes an I-94 card. |
Click here to see example |
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I-9 form |
Employment Eligibility Verification form I-9 establishes work authorization date. Work authorization ends when the 1st of the documents listed below expires (i.e. passport or status document) Attach: Copy of Form I-94 Passport ID page Status Document To be mailed to OHR with New Hire paperwork |
Click here for the Employment Verification form |
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I-94 card |
Arrival/Departure Card This card is given to all non-US Citizens/Permanent Residents who enter the US and is collected when they leave the US (some exceptions apply) There is either an end date listed on the I-94 OR the letters D/S, which means Duration of Status corresponds to the date listed on either the DS-2019 (if in J-1 status) or the I-20 (if in F-1 status) Update: As of April 30th 2013, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) began implementation of the automation of an electronic version of Form I-94.Once the automation is complete, in late May 2013, travelers will no longer receive a paper copy of form I-94 when entering the United States at all air and sea ports. CBP will stamp admission category, date of entry, and duration of status in passports. Travelers may print out a paper copy of their I-94 card by accessing their record online at www.cbp.gov/I94 . |
Click here to see sample af the paper form I-94. |
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Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) |
Law that governs immigration issues. |
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J-1 |
DOS Exchange Visitor Program |
Click here for important J-1 information |
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Labor Certification (PR) |
A step in the Permanent Residency application process, used only when position is fulltime, tenure track and includes teaching duties. |
Contact Charlotte Ross, Co-Director of ISFS |
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Nonimmigrant |
An individual who seeks to be admitted to the US for a limited period of time and with a purpose that is temporary in nature. |
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Nonimmigrant intent |
US Consulate presumes that all applicants for visas intend to immigrate to the US, the applicant must prove otherwise (show ties to their home country) to be eligible for a nonimmigrant visa. |
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Non-resident alien |
Another term for nonimmigrant |
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O-1 |
Workers of Extraordinary Ability |
Contact Charlotte Ross, Co-Director of ISFS |
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Permanent Resident |
An alien who may lawfully reside in the US after having a petition for permanent residency approved. |
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Prevailing Wage |
a salary that meets the average salary of similarly employed workers in the state of Oregon, determined by the DOL. |
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Required Wage |
H-1B employer must agree to pay an H-1B employee the required wage rate, the higher of the actual wage and the prevailing wage. |
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Security Clearance |
Part of visa application process at US Consulate |
Click here for Visa Delays & Security Clearance Info |
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SEVIS |
SEVIS is an Internet-based application that facilitates timely electronic reporting and monitoring of international students and exchange visitors (EVs) and their dependents in the United States. SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit electronic information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS) throughout a student's or EV's program in the United States. U.S. embassies and consulates also have access to SEVIS. |
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Status |
A nonimmigrant alien must be in a nonimmigrant status while the are in the US |
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Status Document |
Status document is issued by OSU or by USCIS (as petitioned by OSU). The status document allows potential scholars to apply for a visa at US Consulate, to apply for entry to US at port of entry and to verify their nonimmigrant status from within the US. Examples: F-1 = I-20 J-1 = DS-2019 H-1B = I-797 Approval Notice |
See samples of |
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Status expiration date |
End date on status document and I-94 card. |
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TN |
TN Professionals under NAFTA For citizens of Mexico and Canada only |
Visit the Department of State's TN webpage. ISFS information coming soon. |
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Two Year Home Residency requirement aka 212(e) |
The two-year home country physical presence requirement is one of the most important requirements of exchange visitor status. Some J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents are subject to the 212(e). |
Learn more about the 212(e) here. |
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US Consulate |
Consular Affairs is charged with interviewing and issuing visas to all persons applying for entry into the US. Governed by the Department of State. |
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Visa |
A visa stamp issued by the US Consulate, allows the bearer to seek entry into the US in a particular nonimmigrant visa category (i.e. F-1 or J-1) Should not be confused with "status" and cannot be used for work authorization. |
Click here to see sample visa stamp |
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Waiver of 212(e) |
J-1 Exchange Visitors may apply for a waiver, but should be aware of important restrictions to their programs that will result. |
Contact Jackie Bangs for more information. |
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WB |
Visitors for business entering the US using the Visa Waiver Program |
Visit the Department of State's VWP webpage. |
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WT |
Visitors for pleasure entering the US using the Visa Waiver Program |
Visit the Department of State's VWP webpage |
Acronyms
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Acronym |
Stands for |
For more info |
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DHS |
Department of Homeland Security |
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DOL |
Department of Labor |
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DOS |
Department of State |
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ISFS |
International Student & Faculty Services |
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USCIS |
United States Citizen & Immigration Services |
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VWP |
Visa Waiver Program |
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EV |
Exchange Visitor |
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