Office of International Services (OIS) The Office of International Services

Transcription

1 The Office of International Services 708 William Pitt Union

2 Thank you for coming to Pitt!

3 Agenda J-1 Immigration Regulations and Restrictions Other topics: SSN, Health Insurance, Taxes My OIS system and contacting OIS Getting involved at Pitt and in Pittsburgh

4 Department of State U.S. Government agency responsible for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program or Wilberforce Document ights-protections-temporary-workers.html

5 Checking in with OIS Complete the Pre-Arrival & Orientation Checklist through the My OIS system Your SEVIS record will be activated and you will receive a confirmation Your compliance form includes all important information about your visa status If we are missing some of your documentation, please provide it as soon as possible or you will not be activated in the SEVIS system

6 Remaining Requirements Log into My OIS Choose J-1 Scholar Services Complete the necessary e-forms Upload a Valid Passport Upload a Valid Visa Stamp Upload an I-94 record Pittsburgh Address & Telephone Number Insurance Attestation Emergency Contacts

7 Important Documents: Your passport You must maintain a valid passport for the duration of your stay in the United States. Contact your embassy at least 6 months before the expiration date to find out how to extend your passport while you are abroad.

8 Important Documents: Visa Can only apply for a visa stamp outside the U.S. Only needs to be valid when you re-enter the U.S. # of Entries Will include information about 2-year home residency requirement

9 Important Documents: I-94 Access online: If your I-94 is incorrect or cannot be found,

10 Important Documents: DS-2019 Please note your end date OIS is responsible for updating your DS-2019 You are responsible for reporting changes to your program to OIS Requests and changes can be submitted through My OIS or by ing Travel Signature: Valid for one year! 212 (e)- 2 year home residency requirement

11 Your J-1 Category Short-term Research Scholar Maximum length of stay 6 months Research Scholar/Professor Maximum length of stay 5 years Student Intern Maximum length of stay is 1 year Cannot transfer from one category to another

12 Dependents Must maintain a valid Form DS-2019 at all times. Must also get a travel signature from OIS when travelling internationally. May work only with an EAD card See OIS website or meet with an Immigration Specialist May take classes Before turning 21, children who are J-2 dependents must either change status or depart the U.S. If you would like to invite your dependents to join you, please complete the Request to Invite Dependents through the My OIS system

13 Travel Checklist Valid passport Valid visa* DS-2019 with travel signature (valid for 1 year) Drop off your DS-2019 at OIS and pick it up the next day with a new travel signature OR schedule an appointment with an Immigration Specialist Copy of most recent appointment letter Documentation of your financial support

14 Automatic Revalidation You may be eligible to return to the U.S. with an expired visa stamp, only if: You are travelling to Canada, Mexico, certain Caribbean islands (not Cuba); You will return to the U.S. no more than 30 days after departing; The country to which you are traveling is not your home country; You will not apply for a new U.S. visa while abroad; and You are not a citizen of Iran, Sudan or Syria. Please take your I-94 record & expired visa

15 Incidental Employment J-1 Research Scholars, J-1 Professors, and J-1 Short-Term Scholars may engage in occasional lectures and short-term consultations with employers other than the University of Pittsburgh upon authorization. If you will be paid by an employer other than the University of Pittsburgh, you must get authorization from OIS before engaging in this employment. The employment must be both directly related and incidental to your work at the University of Pittsburgh.

16 Transferring to Another U.S. Institution You must notify OIS at least one month prior to transferring to another U.S. higher education institution You should not depart the U.S. before your SEVIS transfer is complete Must be maintaining your program objective at new institution Complete a Transfer Out request through the My OIS system

17 Extending your J-1 Program If you qualify for an extension of your DS- 2019: Contact your department to request an extension Your department will submit a request through the My OIS system You will need to prove financial support & health insurance coverage Please extend before your end date!

18 Completion of J-1 Program Status ends either on the end date of DS-2019 or last day of employment with Pitt, whichever comes first. 30-day grace period You cannot continue your research during the grace period If you are finishing your work early, complete the Departure Notification form in My OIS If extending your stay, do so before current status (DS- 2019) expires.

19 J-1 Restrictions Two-Year Home Residency Requirement [212(e)] 24-Month Bar

20 Two-Year Home Residency/212(e) Only some scholars are subject See DS-2019 and visa stamp to determine if you are subject Must remain in home country for two years before entering the U.S. in H, L or Permanent Residence status IMPORTANT! Talk to OIS before applying for waiver.

21 24-Month Bar All J-1 Research Scholars and Professors subject to this restriction After completion of J-1 program, may not start another J-1 Research Scholar or Professor program for 24 months No waivers However, no effect on other status such as H, F, L, B or Permanent Residence

22 Social Security Number This number is needed for work purposes. Memorize the number and keep the card in a secure place. Bring the following documents to the Social Security Office: Passport I-94 DS-2019 Offer Letter (from Pitt) Social Security Forms: Wait 24 hours after your SEVIS record is activated to apply! For more information, please see the Social Security instructions or visit

23 Driver s License/State ID Must have at least six months left on your DS-2019 Bring the following documents: Passport, I-94, DS-2019 Social Security Number or denial letter 2 documents verifying PA residency (for driver s license only) Required Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) documents Visit for locations and more information

24 Health Insurance J-1 (primary) and J-2 (dependents) visa holders are required by U.S Federal regulations to maintain medical health insurance coverage at all times during their exchange visit. The minimum basic coverage* is: Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness; Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000; Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000; and A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness. More information about health insurance:

25 $63, Office of International Services (OIS)

26 Health Insurance Employed by Pitt (Postdoctoral Associate, Research Associate, Professor) Speak to your department about attending a Benefits Orientation to enroll in benefits as soon as possible Self Funded/Sponsored Visitor Purchase your own health insurance Suggested companies listed on our website and in the Pre- Arrival Checklist Make sure your plan meets the minimum requirements of the J-1 program & that it will work in the United States!

27 Safety in the United States Immigration U.S. government agencies always contact you by mail Identity Theft Keep important documents safe (SSN, passport, etc.) Memorize and do not share passwords Safety in Pittsburgh Be aware of your surroundings, go with someone, keep personal belongings close to you, be a good neighbor Safety at Pitt Campus Police

28 Taxes Regardless if you earn income or not in the United States, you are required to file at least Tax Form Deadline: April 15 of each year (filing for the past year) Federal, State and Local filing requirements if you earned income in the U.S. Treaties may apply Contact Payroll at for questions about treaties Resources available in OIS each Spring Check for updates!

29 My OIS Log-In Page Office of International Services (OIS)

30 Pitt Address You MUST have a Pitt address while you are at the University of Pittsburgh (i.e. XXX@pitt.edu) Speak to your Department Administrator about getting the address You will use the Pitt address to access the My OIS system as well as the University Library system and on campus computers

31 You must notify OIS within 10 days if you move and your address changes. Make this change in My OIS under Biographical Information

32 How to Contact an Immigration Specialist Office of International Services (OIS) Research your question first at: Schedule an appointment at Phone: Office hours Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:00pm No walk-ins If you want to speak to someone in person, please schedule an appointment.

33 Get Involved Global Pittsburgh: International Women s Association of Pittsburgh: Vibrant Pittsburgh: Venture Outdoors: More information about Pittsburgh:

34 Get Involved PittServes University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association (UPPDA) Pitt Arts University Center for International Studies

35 Experience America

36 Welcome to Pittsburgh Sports! Pittsburgh Pirates: Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh Penguins: Pittsburgh Riverhounds:

37 Thank-You From the OIS Employment Team Genevieve Cook, Director Debra Prvanovic, Assistant Director Jessica Hartman, Immigration Specialist Claire Mokry, Immigration Specialist