Immigration Attorney Presentation for International Students and Scholars

Tuesday October 1st from 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Presenter: Immigration Attorney Elizabeth Goss
Location: Petteruti Lounge (Campus Center Room 201)

The focus of this informational session, will be on nonimmigrant employment with special emphasis on visa options after the completion of studies* or research program. 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.

*Students with questions related to F-1 CPT/OPT work authorization should consult with an OISSS
advisor.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Address and Phone number reporting requirement

A friendly reminder to International Students:

Residential address and phone number updates need to be provided through your Banner record within 10 days of the change.

Students living off campus:

Please make sure to create and/or check your LOCAL RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS (LO) and phone number in Banner and update as needed. The address needs to be residential (University or Business address or P.O. box is not acceptable).

Students living on campus:

If you live on-campus, there is NO NEED to do anything other than keeping your phone number current. Please DO NOT enter any additional information in the Local Address (LO) field in Banner. Campus address and mailbox updates will be communicated to OISSS via a data link from Banner.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Diversity Visa Program (Green Card Lottery) Opens October 2nd, 2019

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The U.S. Department of State will be accepting applications for the 2021 Diversity Visa Program as of Wednesday, Oct 3. For instructions please see here.

There is no application fee, beware of scams. More information can be found here.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Travel Signature Reminder: Drop off your I-20 or DS-2019 at OISSS

If you will be traveling outside the U.S. this fall or over winter break, please take a moment to check that you have a current (less than a year old at time of re entry to the U.S.) travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 for F-1 students, or in the lower right hand corner of your DS-2019 for J-1 students/scholars. Travel signatures are valid for 1 year to the date signed (6 months on post-completion F-1 OPT) and can be used multiple times before they expire.

If you need a new travel signature, please drop off your I-20 or DS-2019 to the OISSS to be signed. Do not wait until the last minute! Please keep in mind that due to the volume of requests, the travel signature process can take 5 business days.

At this time we also remind you to take a moment to review the travel information on the OISSS website here.

If you have already submitted your I-20 or DS-2019 due to a planned trip outside the U.S., please make sure to pick-up your document prior to departure between 9 am - 12pm or 1:30pm - 5pm Monday through Friday.

------------------------------------------------------------