All aliens (non-citizens of the United States) are subject to the Federal immigration laws which regulate their employment and their conditions of residence in the United States.
An alien must have an offer of employment on this campus in order for the University to secure a visa for the alien. The University must secure visas for its own employees. Aliens may not work on a temporary visa at Florida State which has been secured by another university or agency. H-1B visas are processed on Form I-129 H through the Office of the Dean of the Faculties for faculty employees. J-1 visas are processed through the International Student Office for faculty employees.
A non-immigrant alien is an alien who has been admitted temporarily to this country for a specific purpose and for a specific period of time. Every alien entering this country temporarily is issued a white, 3x5 piece of paper, an Arrival-Departure Record, or Form I-94. It is usually stapled into the passport. The Form I-94 records actions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), showing the visa classification, the initial period of stay authorized, any extensions of stay authorized, and any change of nonimmigrant classification. The I-94 is a required document for the appointment papers to be processed through this office. An appointment may not extend beyond the expiration date on the I-94.
In order to remain in this country after the expiration of the date on the I-94, an alien must have received an offer of employment and must have filed for an extension of the visa or received approval of the extension. The process takes at least 60 days after the petition is filed by this office. See attached page for information and instructions on the H-1 visa.