International Postdoc Survival Guide
Are you dreaming of finding the perfect postdoctoral position in the USA but feel that you could benefit from guidance from international postdocs already in the USA? Do you have visa-related questions? Perhaps you are already in the USA and are now having problems obtaining a credit card? The IPC is creating a comprehensive survival guide to enhance the experience of doing a postdoc in the USA for International Postdocs. It includes our visa guide, information on what it is critical to know before accepting a postdoctoral position, and much more! Click here to check it out.
White Paper on Visa Reform
The NPA has issued a White Paper on immigration reform, calling on U.S. policy makers and agency leaders to consider changes to laws and regulations governing international postdocs. The NPA White Paper, entitled "International Postdoctoral Researchers and Their Importance to the Advancement of U.S. Science, Technology and National Security" was sent to leading officials in the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate committees that have jurisdiction over immigration policies. Click here to download a PDF of the White Paper.
IPC News Service
17-Month Extension of Optional Practical Training for Certain Highly Skilled Foreign Students
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released today (4/7/08) an interim final rule extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students. The extension will be available to F-1 students with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics who are employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program.
Link to DHS website
J-1 Scholar: A New Five-Year Rule and 24-Month Bar
The Department of State has announced an extension of the maximum period of participation from 3 years to 5 years for J Professors and Research Scholars . This new policy became effective on November 4th, 2006 and applies to scholars who have held another nonimmigrant visa within the previous year. However, scholars would have to wait 24-month (two-year bar) before they could apply for another five-year visa once their visas expired. Further information about the Exchange Visitor Program is available on the Department of State Web site.
To read more, click here.
Recent Events
NPA Legal Seminar for International Postdocs
NPA International Postdoctoral Committee as Advocate for International Postdocs
The International Postdoctoral Committee is working to enhance the experience of international postdocs in the USA. Visit the International Postdoc Policy page to find out about action that the committee has taken to advocate for the needs of international postdocs.
Recommended Resources
Mentoring International Postdocs: Working to Advance Science & Careers
An online module available from the federal Office of Research Integrity, developed by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, an NPA member institution.
International Graduate Students: Conflicts between Security and Science in the issuing of visas
A slide presentation by John V. Richardson Jr., Ph.D., Associate Dean, UCLA Graduate Division
