Visa Categories Other Than F or J
There are dozens of U.S. visa categories. The following are the most commonly found at UT Dallas among the student population.
Non-Immigrant Ability to Work and Study
For information about international faculty and researchers contact the Human Resources department.
| Category | Description | Degree Study Allowed | Campus Work Allowed | Proof of Work Authorization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1, A-2 | Foreign Diplomatic Personnel & their Dependents | Principal A-1 or A-2 visa holders may engage in incidental study. Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | Only dependents may be allowed to work with a valid EAD document | Principal A-1 or A-2 visa holders may be employed only by the foreign government entity. Dependents such as spouses and certain children may apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Source: 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(1) |
| A-3 | Employees of foreign Government official & their Dependents | May engage in incidental study Source: Ice.Gov | No | Cannot be employed in the U.S. May be employed only by the foreign government official. Source: Travel.State.Gov |
| B-1/B-2 | Visitor for Business/Tourism | No Source: INA 101(a)(15)(B) [8 USC 1101(a)(15)(B)] | No | N/A B-1 and B-2 visitors cannot receive work authorization or be employed in the U.S. Source: INA 101(a)(15)(B) [8 USC 1101(a)(15)(B)] |
| C-1/C-2/C-3/C-4 | Foreigners in transit from one country to another “stopping over” in the U.S. | No Source: Travel.State.Gov | No | N/A C visa holders cannot receive work authorization or be employed in the U.S. Source: Travel.State.Gov |
| D-1/D-2 | Foreign crewmen in the U.S. on “stopovers” | No Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A Permitted to be employed in the U.S. only by the vessel or aircraft. |
| E-1/E-2/E-3 | Treaty Trader, Treaty Investor, and Treaty specialty workers and their dependents | Principal E visa holders may engage in incidental study while maintaining E status. Dependents may engage in part or full-time study. Source: USCIS.Gov | Only dependent spouses may be eligible to work with an I-94 with COA code E-1S, E-2S, or E-3S OR with an EAD card. | Principal visa holders may be employed only by the employer sponsoring them. Dependent Spouses may work “incident to status” with an I-94 with COA code E-1S, E-2S, or E-3S OR may apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (EAD). No work authorization allowed for E dependent children. Source:USCIS.Gov / 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(2) |
| F-1 | Student | Yes Source: INA 101(a)(15)(F) | Yes, students on an F-1 status with a valid I-20 may engage in on-campus employment. | Once the student completes their term, they may apply through USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Source: 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3) |
| F-2 | Dependent of F-1 student | Yes, but less Than Full Time Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A F-2 dependents are not provided work authorization. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(15)(i) |
| G-1/G-2/G-3/G-4 | Diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations and their dependents | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | Only certain dependents may be allowed to work with an EAD card. | Certain dependents of G-1, G-3 or G-4 nonimmigrants may apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) on Form I-765 Source: 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(4) |
| G-5 | Personal employee of a G1-4 visa holder | May engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A Personal employees can only be employed by the G1-4 visa holder. G-5 visa holders and dependents cannot receive work authorization or be employed in the U.S. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(g)(9) |
| H-1B | Skilled employee | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No, unless H-1B obtained through UTD to work at UTD. | N/A, unless H-1B obtained through UTD to work at UTD. Source: 8 CFR214.2(h)(1)(ii)(B) |
| H-2A/H-2B/H-3 | Agricultural workers, temporary workers, and Trainees | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No, unless visa obtained through UTD to work at UTD | N/A, unless visa obtained through UTD to work at UTD. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(h)(1)(i) |
| H-4 | Dependents of principal H visa status holders | Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | Some H-4 dependent Spouses may be allowed if an EAD card has been issued. | H-4 dependents may apply through USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Source: USCIS.gov |
| I | Representative of Foreign Media | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A, Principal visa holders are employed by Foreign employers. Dependents cannot receive work authorization or be employed in the U.S. Source: USCIS.gov |
| J-1 | Exchange visitor | Yes Source: INA 101(a)(15)(J) | Yes, with written permission from ISSO | The principal visa holder may only work for the employer listed on their visa or DS-2019 Source: 22 CFR 62.23(g) |
| J-2 | Dependent of an exchange visitor | Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | Yes | J-2 dependents may apply through USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Source: 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(5) |
| L-1 | Intracompany transfer | May engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A Principal L visa holders can only be employed by the employer on their Visa petition. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(A) |
| L-2 | Dependent | Yes Source: USCIS | Some L-2 spouses may be allowed -see work authorization | L-2 spouses may be authorized to work, with an I-94 showing COA code L-2S. Spouses may also have a previously issued USCIS Employment Authorization Document (EAD) No work authorization allowed for L-2 dependent children. Source: USCIS |
| M-1 | Vocational Student | Yes Source: INA 101(a)(15)(M) | No, unless they have been issued an EAD card | M-1 visa holders may engage in employment after their program of study and after applying through USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Source: 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(6) |
| M-2 | Dependent of a Vocational student | Yes, but less Than Full Time Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A M-2 dependents cannot receive work authorization or be employed in the U.S. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(m)(17)(i) |
| O-1/O-2 | Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement & their assistants | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A Principal visa holders are authorized only to work for the employer who sponsored their visa petition. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(o)(1)(i) |
| O-3 | Dependents of O-1 and O-2 Visa holders | Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: USCIS.gov | No | N/A, Dependents are not offered work authorization in the U.S. Source: USCIS.gov |
| P-1/P-2/P-3 | Athlete, entertainer, or artist | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A Principal visa holders are authorized only to work as described in their visa petition. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(p)(1)(i) |
| P-4 | Dependents of P1-3 Visa holders | Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: USCIS.gov | No | N/A, Dependents are not offered work authorization in the U.S. Source: USCIS.gov |
| Q-1 | Cultural Exchange Visitors | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A, Q-1 visa holders may only work for the designated employer(s) who sponsored their visa petition. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(q) |
| R-1 | Nonimmigrant Religious Workers | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A, R-1 nonimmigrants can only work as described in the R visa petition for the qualifying organization. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(r)(1) |
| R-2 | Dependents of R-1 Visa holders | Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A, Dependents are not offered work authorization in the U.S. Source: USCIS.gov |
| TN | NAFTA employee | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Source: Ice.Gov | No, unless visa obtained through UTD to work at UTD | N/A, unless visa obtained through UTD to work at UTD. Source: 8 CFR 214.6 |
| TD | NAFTA dependent | Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | No | N/A, Dependents are not offered work authorization in the U.S. Source: USCIS.gov |
| NATO | Officials and employees of NATO | Principal visa holders may engage in incidental study. Dependents may engage in part or full time study. Source: Ice.Gov | Only certain dependents may be allowed to work with an EAD card. | USCIS Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Source: 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7) |
Immigrant Ability to Work and Study
Find detailed information on U.S. visa categories that allow immigrants to work and study by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s official website here.
B-1/B-2 Visa Holders
UT Dallas permits qualified students to enroll in classes, and to engage in degree-seeking study. However, immigration regulations specifically prohibit study in the U.S. while in B-1 / B-2 status. If you currently hold B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant status and would like to enroll in classes, you may apply for a change of status to F-1 if:
- You have not yet enrolled in classes
- Your current status has not expired
- You have not engaged in unauthorized employment
Dependent Students Under 21 Years of Age
If you are in the U.S. as a dependent on your parent’s visa, please be aware that your current immigration status expires on your 21st birthday, regardless of the expiration date displayed on your visa or I-94. To remain in the U.S. legally you must obtain a new, independent visa status such as F-1. You must apply for the new status before your 21st birthday. For more information about changing visa status, contact the ISSO or an immigration attorney.
Change of Status to F-1
If you are considering changing to F-1 status, you may find the ISSO Change of Status Guide helpful. It provides general information about the two methods of changing status, procedures and timelines. Please be aware that while USCIS may post processing times of 3 months of less, processing for a change of status commonly requires approximately 6 months, so plan ahead.
Pending Permanent Residents
If you have applied for U.S. Permanent Residency (PR), please note that you will be considered an international student until you submit a copy of your Permanent Resident card (a.k.a. Green Card) to the following offices:
- International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) at ISSODocuments@utdallas.edu
- UT Dallas Registrar’s Office
The ISSS fee will still be applied to students who are pending Permanent Residency and have not yet been approved.
Approved Permanent Residents
If you have been approved for Permanent Resident status and have received a Permanent Resident card or an I-551 stamp from a U.S. consulate, you may change your student category at UT Dallas. Submit a copy of the card or stamp to the Registrar’s Office and the ISSO. If you submit this proof prior to Census Day, all international student fees for the current semester will be dropped. Submissions after Census Day become effective in the following semester.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Some people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to allow them to remain in the U.S. for a period of two years, subject to renewal. USCIS provides instructions on applying for DACA for the first time and for renewing an existing period of DACA.
Deferred action does not provide lawful status. However, it does provide some benefits such as:
- Eligible for work authorization
- May begin or continue study at UT Dallas
Students who are DACA recipients, but who are coded as F-1 in Galaxy may request ISSO to update their status. Please contact an ISSO advisor with the details of your specific situation.
