Visa Specialist

Mass General Brigham; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 63,571,000 - 90,780,000; Full time

Job summary

Mass General Brigham seeks a Visa Specialist to support international scholars and employees through U.S. immigration processes. You will guide departments and visa holders, ensuring compliance and a positive onboarding-to-employment experience.

The role handles J-1 and H-1B cases, collaborates with hiring departments, and maintains documentation while meeting deadlines. Hybrid schedule with onsite work at Assembly Row, Somerville.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, International Relations, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in immigration services, international education, global mobility, higher education, healthcare, or related field.
• Knowledge of J-1 and H-1B immigration regulations, policies, and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage J-1 visa requests for research fellows and graduate student trainees, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Process J-1 amendments, extensions, and internal transfers while complying with DOS rules.
• Support H-1B sponsorships by preparing postings, LCAs, I-129 petitions, and tracking USCIS progress.
• Answer questions on sponsorship processes, travel, timelines, and dependent family members.
• Participate in new employee and scholar orientation as a presenter on a rotation basis.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of J-1 and H-1B immigration regulations and best practices.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case records while managing priorities and deadlines.
• Perform other duties to support Immigration Services team.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Customer service

Discretion

Problem-solving

Cross-cultural teamwork

International programs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/IR/HEA/Business

Job description

Site: Mass General Brigham Incorporated

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Help Advance Healthcare and Research Through Global Talent!

At our organization, groundbreaking research, exceptional patient care, and world-class education are made possible by talented people from around the world. As a Visa Specialist, you will play an essential role in supporting our international workforce by guiding departments and visa holders through the U.S. immigration process while ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
This position is ideal for an organized, customer-focused professional who enjoys managing complex processes, building relationships, and helping international scholars, researchers, physicians, and employees successfully begin or continue their work within our academic medical community.

Why Join Us?

Every visa application you process helps bring exceptional talent to our institution—individuals who contribute to life-changing research, innovative education, and outstanding patient care. As part of our Human Resources Operations team, you’ll collaborate with colleagues across the organization while developing specialized expertise in employment-based immigration.

Position Summary

The Visa Specialist manages a caseload of J-1 Exchange Visitor and H-1B employment visa requests, ensuring timely processing and compliance with federal immigration regulations. This role serves as a trusted resource for hiring departments and international visa holders by providing guidance throughout the sponsorship process and supporting a positive experience from onboarding through employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and review J-1 visa requests for research fellows and graduate student trainees, ensuring applications meet regulatory requirements and requesting additional information from sponsoring departments when needed.
• Process J-1 amendments, extensions, and internal transfers while maintaining compliance with Department of State regulations.
• Support H-1B sponsorships under the guidance of senior immigration staff by preparing posting notices, filing Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), assembling Form I-129 petitions, and monitoring case progress with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for departments, international employees, scholars, and trainees by answering questions regarding sponsorship processes, application requirements, travel, processing timelines, and dependent family members.
• Participate in new employee and scholar orientation programs as a presenter on a rotating basis.
• Maintain current knowledge of J-1 and H-1B immigration regulations, policies, and best practices.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case records while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Immigration Services team.

Schedule: Hybrid - 3 days onsite at Assembly Row in Somerville required

Qualifications

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, International Relations, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Experience

• One to two years of experience in immigration services, international education, global mobility, higher education, healthcare, or a related field.
• Experience or knowledge of J-1 and H-1B immigration regulations, policies, and best practices.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple cases and competing priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Effective problem-solving skills and initiative.
• Ability to work successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Interest in international programs, employment-based immigration, and supporting a global workforce.

Hybrid Schedule

• 3 days onsite at Assembly Row (Somerville) are required
• M-F 8-4:30pm
• This is an administrative support position in a professional office environment. The role requires regular computer use, frequent communication with internal stakeholders and international employees, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced setting.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

Remote Type

Hybrid

Work Location

399 Revolution Drive

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Pay Range

$22.22 - $31.71/Hourly

Grade

4

At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth.

EEO Statement

0100 Mass General Brigham Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.