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Visa Information

The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard collaborates with The MGB Office of Global Professionals and Scholars (GPS), formally known as PIPS, to offer immigration services for Mass General Brigham Institutions. This includes, but is not limited to, facilitating visas for Foreign Exchange Visitors.

This page includes a comprehensive overview of visas that are sponsored by Ragon and visas that are recognized by Ragon without sponsorship. For visa types that are not listed below, please reach out directly to Ragon HR. Ragon does not sponsor B1 visas or issue OPT. OPT visas are issued by the employees designated school official (DSO) at their academic institution. For specifics about all visas, please refer to GPS’s website.

Note:

  • Not all roles are eligible for visa sponsorship. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis by Ragon HR and GPS.
  • Hiring Managers seeking to sponsor a visa must obtain approval from both Ragon HR and GPS. Employees must first discuss visa requirements with their manager. Subsequently, the manager should seek approval from HR.

Visas Sponsored by Ragon

J-1 Research Visa

J-1 is the most used visa option within Mass General Brigham. According to the U.S. Department of State, the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created to “increase mutual understanding between people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.”

Some features of J-1 visa status are:

  • Flexible source(s) of funding
  • Those with J-1 may participate in conferences/lectures and be paid from other sources
  • Dependents of J-1 visas are eligible for J-2 status and may apply for permission to work in the U.S.

See more about J-1 Research visas here.

For the process document regarding obtaining a J-1 visa at the Ragon, click here.

J-1 Student Intern Visa

A J-1 Student Intern Visa may be granted to undergraduate students who are enrolled in a college/university abroad to participate in U.S. internship programs.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the J-1 Student Intern category, you must:

  • Be invited by a hospital department or lab who will serve as host in the U.S
  • Continue enrollment in an undergraduate degree program outside the U.S. for the entire length of the internship
  • Participate in an internship that will fulfill educational objectives contributing to your current degree program
  • Participate in an internship program between 3 weeks to 12 months
  • Demonstrate access to funds of at least $31,500 ($2,625 per month)
  • Maintain health insurance while in the U.S
  • Possess the ability to communicate effectively in English while in the lab and in the broader Boston-area community
  • Resume your undergraduate degree program abroad after your U.S. internship has ended

See more about J-1 Student Research visas here.

The process document regarding obtaining a J-1 student visa at the Ragon will be coming soon.

H-1B Visa

An H-1B visa provides temporary, specialty worker status to professionals who are coming to the United States to perform services in a specialty occupation, and the job must require at least a bachelor’s degree in the job’s area of specialization for entry-level proficiency.

An I-797 “Approval Notice” is the document provided for purposes of applying for an H-1B visa and entry in H-1B status. Dependents are eligible for H-4 visa classification, which does not permit employment.

See more about H-1B visas here.

For the process document regarding obtaining a H1-B student visa at the Ragon, click here.

TN Visa

The U.S. hospital department offering you a job will coordinate the TN paperwork and act as the liaison for our office for any questions you have.

The TN visa enables Mexican and Canadian citizens (not landed immigrants or permanent residents) to be admitted to the U.S. to engage in “business activities at a professional level” in certain fields, for one or more specified employers.

See more about TN visas here.

The process document regarding obtaining a TN visa at the Ragon will be coming soon.

Visas Recognized by Ragon Without Sponsorship

F-1 Visa

An F-1 Student visa is the most common visa type for those who wish to study at an accredited college or university in the United States. Overview:

  • You may qualify for F-1 status if you are full-time student at an academic institution in the United States.
  • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) maintains F-1 student information. Your SEVIS record is maintained by an Advisor/Designated School Official (DSO) at the International Office of the university where you study.

F-1 Training or Working in the U.S.:

  • Your first point of contact for all questions regarding how to maintain your F-1 status and possible training/employment options is the Advisor at your university’s International Office.
  • Always inquire about training or work authorization timelines.
  • It is recommended you consider all of your training and work authorization options in F-1 status before changing your visa status.
  • Your F-1 Student visa status will continue while you train/work pursuant to F-1 benefits.

See more about F-1 visas here.