News & Alert
Announcements from the OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES (OISSS)
Immigration Attorney Presentation
Employment and Visa Options for International Students and Scholars
Wednesday, November 10th from 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Presenter: Immigration Attorney Liz Goss
Please RSVP to submit questions and receive the Zoom link.
Questions should be submitted by 5 PM, Monday, Nov. 8th.
The focus of this informational session, geared toward students and scholars, will be on nonimmigrant employment with special emphasis on visa options after optional practical training (F-1) or academic training (J-1)*. Ms. Goss will discuss various types of working visas and applicable filing requirements, and update participants on current H-1B provisions and the petition process for H-1B visas. Other work visas and employment-based permanent residency (green card) will be introduced as well.
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New Appearance for OISSS Gateway Portal
OISSS Gateway will be upgraded on Tuesday, November 9th. All students and OPT alumni will receive an automated email next week with the new login link. Students will continue to access the portal using their Brown credentials.
The new interface should make it easier for students to submit requests to OISSS and securely store their immigration documents. We appreciate your patience while we make this transition.
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Check Your Travel Signature
If you will be traveling outside the U.S. over the Thanksgiving Holidays and/or during winter break and you do not have a valid travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 or the lower right corner of your DS-2019, please drop off your current document within the next 1-2 weeks at OISSS in Page-Robinson Hall, Suite 319, Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm.
Travel signatures are valid for 1 year (6 months on post-completion OPT) and can be used multiple times before they expire.
Given the volume of pending requests, students should allow for a minimum of three days for processing.
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Presidential Proclamation, “On Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
This proclamation, effective 12:01 AM November 8, 2021, will lift the restrictions on travelers coming to the United States who were physically present in Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom during the 14 days prior to arrival and replace them with a global requirement that “noncitizens who are nonimmigrants” traveling to the U.S. by air from any part of the world establish that they are fully vaccinated, with some exceptions.
Resources:
COVID vaccine and test requirements
Centers for Disease Control International Travel Requirements and Recommendations
Rhode Island Department of Health travel guidance
Brown University travel policies
Brown University’s International Travel Risk Management website
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Electronic I-20 Policy Here to Stay
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) had temporarily allowed students to travel with printed scanned copies of their I-20s during the pandemic. As of Nov. 1, 2021, this policy has been extended indefinitely.
SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20 establishes the procedures for the use of electronic signatures and transmission of the Form I-20. This guidance permits designated school officials (DSOs) to sign in ink or electronically, and to transmit the Form I-20 to initial and continuing students and their dependents.
Students no longer need the original Form I-20 for travel and visa applications. A printout of a scanned or digital copy of the I-20 can be used in place of an original. Students should carry a printed Form I-20 with them to present to Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officers upon re-entry to the U.S.