Colleges and universities are faced with the task of preparing undergraduate and graduate students for lives beyond their degree program – and hiring foreign faculty and having a dynamic team of faculty, scholars, researchers and professional staff provides essential scaffolding for that goal.
Most higher education employers have one primary reason for hiring foreign-born professionals – they simply want to hire the best person for the job, regardless of country of origin. But there are other compelling reasons for hiring foreign faculty, and FordMurray attorneys are happy to help.
Universities and Colleges Should Be Able to Hire the Best Person for the Job
The quality of education at a college or university depends largely on its faculty, so when a higher ed employer identifies the right candidate for a position they want to know they can hire them – whether from Kansas or Kazakhstan. Luckily, U.S. immigration law carves out short and long-term visa pathways for higher education professionals from foreign countries.
Foreign Faculty Open Up Cultural Exchange Opportunities
Faculty from other countries bring diversity in experience, education and ideas that can’t be quantified. The cultural exchange opportunities are so valuable, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services created a visa specifically to support it – the J-1 visa. While the J-1 visa is most commonly tied to student training, it can also be applied to professors for short-term, non-tenure positions.
Foreign Faculty Reflect Changing Student Bodies
Many college and universities actively recruit foreign students, to create foster a diverse campus environment, enrich the learning environment with cultural perspectives, attract the best students and widen their recruitment pool. Employing an international faculty shows your commitment to creating a welcoming and dynamic campus for all students.
Work Visas for Foreign Faculty are Well-Established and Accessible
Even in a highly charged climate that has seen family and business immigration used as a political football, higher education immigration pathways have remained virtually unscathed. Non-profit colleges and universities can hire on the popular H-1B visa without contending with the burdensome lottery and restrictive timeline of the H-1B cap, and additional visa and immigration pathways exist for those with who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field.
Interested in learning more? Download our complimentary 25-page Higher Education Employer’s Guide, or contact us for a complimentary consultation today.
