Harvard International Office (HIO)

Transcription

1 Harvard International Office (HIO) Presenter: Elizabeth Capuano Advisor to International Students & Scholars Harvard International Office

2 Agenda Things to Know Right Now: 1. Getting help from the HIO 2. Understanding your immigration status (F, J-1, J-2, H-4, H-1, TN, O, A, etc.) Things to Remember for the Future: 1. Travel 2. Employment Questions for you to consider: Will you apply for OPT or AT? Do you need a new travel signature? Do you have to file a U.S. tax return?

3 Harvard International Office Part of Harvard s Central Administration Serves more than 9,000 students and scholars, plus their family members Advisors are your advocates and liaisons with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor and various Harvard University offices

4 Office Hours at HSPH and appointments in Cambridge Accessing the HIO 864 Smith Campus Center (8 th floor), Monday Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 8 Advisors to international students Advisor On Call ( AOC ) for walk-in service HIO website

5 Advisor on Call (AOC) At the HIO Office in Cambridge Check-in Basic visa and travel questions, and travel signatures General procedures for obtaining visa documents General questions about maintaining visa status Social Security and ITIN letters (ITIN for tax treaty benefits)

6 HIO Advisor Contact Information Elizabeth Capuano Direct Phone: Front desk:

7 HSPH Office Hours

8 Utilizing HIO Website Web to: Read about in-depth topical resources Download forms Periodically check the What s New section Make an appointment. Use Contact Us, then Make an Appointment online links. All scheduled appointments take place in Cambridge.

9 Appointment On-Line

10 Make your Appointment

11 Responsibility and Understanding Students are responsible for understanding immigration regulations and maintaining lawful status in the US HIO assists students with questions about regulations. If you are unsure of something, ASK! The HIO is here to help you!

12 Responsibility and Understanding Caution! Please note that. regulations change. friends and family may hold/have held a different status i.e., good intentions do not equal current, factual information. just because you read it on-line does not mean it s true!

13 Maintain Lawful Student Status Always be registered as a full-time student 15 credits/semester Report address change within 10 days via HIO web site Travel with correct immigration documents No unauthorized employment! Employment is only considered on-campus employment if you work at Harvard and are paid by Harvard University. Get permission from HIO before taking LOA (e.g. maternity, medical ) Request necessary extensions before immigration document expires

14 4 Documents that Confer Status Your government s passport valid 6 mos into the future F-1 or J-1 visa stamp issued by the U.S. Consulate The immigration document* sent to you: F status = Form I-20 J status = Form DS-2019 I-94 electronic record created at port of entry access it and check it at NEVER throw away your imm. docs. keep them permanently.

15 Visa Stamp US embassy stamp in the passport is only permission to seek entry to the US It does not regulate how long one can stay in the US May be expired while inside the US

16 Immigration Documents SEVIS ID #

17 Visa Status vs. Visa Stamp Immigration document expiration Visa stamp expiration

18 I-94 Record I-94 record (a paper card or, more typically, the screen shot from the electronic record) is the ultimate evidence of lawful status in the US: It shows that USICS granted legal status D/S Duration of status

19 I-94 Record the electronic version

20 What to do Right Now Check-in with the HIO everyone done yet? Fulbright, AMIDEAST, LASPAU? Contact your immigration sponsor Use HIO website to report any change of address after HIO check-in Check your electronic I-94 record and save it; scan your I- 20s Applied for a Change of Status? Contact me when you receive the approval or if you need to travel.

21 Travel Inside the U.S.: Carry all of your immigration documents for travel within the U.S.

22 Travel Outside the United States For re-admission to the U.S., you will need your: Passport Valid F or J Visa Stamp I-20/DS-2019 form with a travel signature given within the last year

23 Travel Outside the United States Before you buy your plane ticket: Look at visa stamp for expiration Get travel signature on I-20 or DS form if needed

24 Travel Signature Top Page 3 rd Page

25 Visa Stamp Renewal If the stamp is expired, re-apply for a new visa stamp while outside of the U.S. Visa stamps cannot be obtained within the U.S. Discuss with me before finalizing plans.

26 Employment

27 On-Campus Employment On-campus? = located at Harvard and paid by Harvard University Federal regulations 20 hours per week limit while school is in session Full-time during vacation periods Sometimes Harvard affiliated hospitals are considered oncampus. Before accepting a position with a Harvardaffiliated hospital, check with me first. Additional documentation and information is required.

28 Off-Campus Employment Permitted only after holding student immigration status for 2 consecutive academic semesters. Will likely require employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

29 Employment After Graduation F = Optional Practical Training ( OPT ) - authorization from USCIS J = Academic Training ( AT ) authorization from HIO Both allow extension of stay in the US for: Paid employment directly related to studies Extension of stay in US for career reasons (e.g. Bar Review and Bar Exam Requires approval in advance by USCIS and/or HIO e.g., apply for OPT 3 months before graduation Monday, March 2, 2015 is the earliest possible date (first business day) to apply for F-1 OPT for Harvard graduates. Information session this spring you will receive s about this.

30 Social Security Number ( SSN ) Required for tax purposes (Yes, you must file a U.S. tax return ) Lived and worked in the U.S. before? One SSN per lifetime F visa = obtain job first, then apply for SSN J visa = can apply now Application details on HIO web

31 Social Security officials on Campus Wednesday, September 10, 2014 and Thursday, September 18, :00 a.m. 3:00 Harvard International Office

32 Questions and Answers