You have arrived Welcome, new exchange students! We re glad you re here!
Today s Agenda Welcome & Intro to ISSS! Immigration Survival Guide: J-1 Visa Regulations iterp Documents Check-In Tutorial
In 2014, International Terps came to UMD from 135 countries!
We look forward to meeting you! Fall 2014 Total Enrollment at UMD: 37,610 Undergraduate: 27,056 Graduate: 10,664 Fall 2014 International Students at UMD: 5,138* (13.5% of population) International Undergraduate: 991 International Graduate Students: 3,278 *includes MEI students and former students on academic/practical training Top countries of citizenship: China 48% India 17% South Korea 5% Taiwan 3% Iran 2%
Who are we?
We ve been in your shoes ISSS Staff have studied, worked, or lived in 25 countries.
We are here for you Advocates Issue and update your immigration documents Ensure you received the correct immigration status (and if not, advise how you resolve it) Provide immigration advising to help you understand how to maintain your legal status while at UMD Help you problem-solve if you encounter immigration issues Facilitate legal permission to engage in internships and employment
We are here to help you Bridges Offer workshops and trips so you get to know UMD and local culture Provide resources to help you navigate local area and get settled (driver s license, housing, social security, etc.) Connect you to other campus units/ services if you need personal or academic support
ISSS Office Location: 3109 Susquehanna Hall 3 rd Floor General Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday Website: www.isss.umd.edu
How to find us on a map McKeldin Library & UMD Mall South Campus Dining Knox Road
Get Important Announcements Immigration updates Office closings Trips to DC Workshops ISSS News (via email) Follow ISSS @UMD_ISSS umdinternationalservices
No time to visit ISSS? Find the answers to your questions at isss.umd.edu
Click Students Click Newly Admitted isss.umd.edu
You will arrive at New Student Central To Do List tasks for all new students links for each step And many more topics to help your transition
Later in your studies, Continuing Student webpages will be useful. Click Students Click Continuing isss.umd.edu
Click Quick Links Frequently Asked Questions Chat Letter Requests Isss.umd.edu
Introducing iterp! A new system to improve our services to YOU As ISSS goes paperless, more student requests will be made through your iterp portal. Emails from iterp_isss@umd.edu are important!
Get Connected ISSS Orientation Lunch, American Culture 101 session & Services Fair Thursday, August 27 Student groups on campus - http://orgsync.umd.edu/ ISSS Excursions to local area DC Trip this Friday August 28 Coffee Hour Wednesdays 3-4:30 pm starting September 9 Dorchester Hall, Basement Lounge
Have fun Aug 28: Trip to DC Aug 26: IKEA Trip Upcoming events! Meet new people Aug 27: Welcome Reception & Services Fair
Staying Legal: Regulations that impact J-1 Student Visa Holders
Overview of Immigration Issues What are J-1 students? Get to know your important immigration documents Traveling Outside the United States How to maintain your J-1 status iterp Check-In Immigration Survival Guide
What are J-1 students? Non-immigrants who pursue a full course of study to obtain a specific educational objective Registered in SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) Non-immigrant = Expected to return to home country after achievement of academic objective Immigration Survival Guide
Immigration Survival Guide Important Immigration Forms DS-2019 Passport Visa I-94 entry record
Form DS-2019 SEVIS number Program dates Education Level Field of Study Subject to 2-year home residency requirement? Immigration Survival Guide
Passport Most passports should always be valid 6 months into the future Some countries have an agreement with the US that allows their citizens to enter and exit up until the actual expiration date It is possible to renew your passport in the US at your embassy in DC Immigration Survival Guide
Machine readable Zone (name) Expiration date Name on the Machine Readable Zone primarily populates: The Automated I94 record The information that flows to SAVE SAVE is the system that is accessed by Motor Vehicle Administration Social Security
J-1 Visa Immigration Survival Guide Visa Status Expiration date # Entries SEVIS number
Visa vs. Status The terms visa and status are two different concepts we will clarify: A visa is the physical stamp in your passport. It may expire during your studies in the US and this will not negatively affect your J-1 status. If your visa expires and you leave the US, you will need to renew your visa before trying to re-enter the US to continue your studies.
Visa vs. Status Status is a state of being. It is intangible. Although you may have correct documents, you can lose your status if you do not follow J-1 immigration regulations. Steps to maintain your J-1 status will be given shortly!
Immigration Survival Guide I-94 Record (Admission Record) Your I-94 record is a record of your entrance into the United States. You have a new I-94 record assigned to you each time you enter the US. Why is it important? The I-94 is proof of your legal entry in a specific immigration status, and defines how long you can remain in the US Needed to apply for immigration or public benefits like Social Security/Driver s License
Immigration Survival Guide I-94 Record: Electronic Record If you entered the US by air or sea after April 30, 2013, your I-94 will be electronic. To get your I-94: Go to www.cbp.gov/i94 Enter your information, then click Submit
After each trip, check your I-94 for accuracy I-94 # Check Admit Until Date : It should say D/S Check Class of Admission : It should say J-1 Save this page for iterp Check-In
D/S = Duration of Status It means that, as long as you maintain your status, you are permitted to remain in the United States for the duration of your J-1 program. SPECIFICALLY, you may remain in the US until: DS-2019 program completion date (item 3) PLUS a 30-day grace period time after your program to plan your departure or travel domestically
Traveling Outside the US? Also Recommended: Transcripts Enrollment Proof See isss.umd.edu, Travel Abroad Avoid travel problems:
What is the Travel Signature? Check the bottom right corner of DS-2019 Date must not be older than 1 year for travel abroad If the space is blank, ISSS must sign in this area to authorize your travel abroad. One signed, the signature is valid for duration of your program or 1 year max. This is checked by Customs at the airport DO NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT A VALID TRAVEL SIGNATURE
How to request a new Travel Signature: 1. Complete Travel Signature Request Form available in the ISSS office and online 2. Leave your DS-2019 and Form at ISSS Main Office 1 day processing time
Family visits to the U.S. Any family/friends visiting you in the U.S. will likely come on the B-2 visa. Some countries using ESTA can get the visa waived. In the visa interview for a B-2, a person must show: Purpose for the visit (tourism or you can provide a letter and copy of your DS-2019) Finances to support their trip (bank statements, etc.) Short-term intention (round trip plane ticket) Place to stay on arrival (hotel or your address) Nothing from ISSS is needed unless you plan to bring a spouse/child as a J-2 dependent.
Traveling into the US from another country during the 30-day grace Not possible! period You may not re-enter the US with your J-1 visa after the DS-2019 has expired Some exchange visitors re-enter the US as a tourist (B-2 or ESTA) if they traveled to Canada/Mexico/Caribbean during the 30-day grace period following the exchange. You travel at your own risk in this case!
Two-Year Home Residency Requirement The intent of the requirement is to have the home country benefit from the J-1 s experience in the U.S. You become subject to the requirement if any of the following apply: You receive government funding for your J-1 program You are acquiring a skill in short supply in home country You were previously subject to the requirement and never fulfilled it nor obtained a waiver
Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (cont.) When subject to the requirement you must reside in either your country of nationality or legal permanent residence for a total of two years before you are eligible to: Receive an H, L, or immigrant visa to the U.S. Change your immigration status inside the U.S.
Immigration Survival Guide How to Maintain J-1 Status Keep your immigration documents valid Maintain health insurance Attend the authorized school Be registered in a full course of study, and make progress toward academic objective Do not participate in employment during program Complete Check-In in iterp on arrival and update address changes in Testudo within 10 days
Immigration Survival Guide Maintaining J-1 Status: #1
Do you remember what the valid documents are?? Passport valid for at least 6 months DS-2019 should always hold correct information should not expire during your studies I-94 record with J-1 and D/S notations Visa can be expired while you remain in the US, but must be renewed if you will travel abroad and attempt to re-enter the US
Maintaining Status: #2 Immigration Survival Guide
Health Insurance J-1 Students are required by immigration to always maintain insurance for themselves and their dependents Therefore, ISSS is required to regularly verify your insurance Submit proof of your insurance with your immigration documents (online via iterp at isss.umd.edu)
J-1 Insurance Requirements Coverage dates: Semester students must have coverage for entire dates of DS-2019 Full-year students must have coverage for at least 6 months (and then renewed) or for entire dates of DS- 2019 Insurance coverage minimums: Medical benefits: $100,000 per accident/illness Emergency Evacuation benefit: $50,000 Repatriation benefit: $25,000 Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness Underwritten by an insurance corporation or government
Confused by insurance? Attend the ISSS Orientation Week session, Understanding US Health Care August 27! More info is also at isss.umd.edu.
Immigration Survival Guide Maintaining J-1 Status: #3
Immigration Survival Guide Maintaining J-1 Status: #4
What is considered Full-time? Undergraduates: 12 credits/semester Graduates: 48 units**/semester **not a specific number of courses or credits MS/MBA Business students must be in at least two courses every A,B,C,D quarter term Skipping a term is not permitted AUDITED courses do not count Only 1 ONLINE course can count
How to Calculate Units Grad Students Only Immigration Survival Guide Course Number Graduate Unit 000 399 = 2 units/credit hour 400 499 = 4 units/credit hour 500 599 = 5 units/credit hour 600 897 = 6 units/credit hour 799 (master research) = 12 units/credit hour 898 (pre-candidacy) = 18 units/credit hour 899 (Ph.D. research) = 18 units/credit hour 20-hour per week assistantship (GA/TA/RA) = 24 units 10-hour per week assistantship = 12 units
Example 1: Calculating Units Immigration Survival Guide ENEE440/Microprocessors (3 cr.) = 12 un. ENEE600/Solid State Elec. (3 cr.) = 18 un. ENEE663/System Theory (3 cr.) = 18 un. Total units = 48 un. This student is Full-time
Example 2: Less than 48 Units ENEE440/Microprocessors (3 cr.) 12 un. ENEE474/Power Systems (3 cr.) ENEE663/System Theory (3 cr.) Immigration Survival Guide Total units = 42 un. 12 un. 18 un. Enrolled for 9 credits but NOT full-time will lose F-1 status without additional course registration
If you plan to drop or audit a course Make sure it will not take you below the full-time course load you will lose your immigration status! When in doubt, come to ISSS and ask us!
Immigration Survival Guide Maintaining J-1 Status: #5
Making normal progress toward exchange objective This means Attend classes Maintain minimum GPA requirement to be in good standing :
Good Academic Standing Maintain minimum GPA requirements to be in good standing : Graduates: 3.0 (B or higher) Undergraduates: 2.0
Immigration Survival Guide Maintaining J-1 Status: #6 ALL WORK REQUIRES ADVANCED AUTHORIZATION from ISSS, even for unpaid internships. See options/processes at isss.umd.edu You can work 20 hours per week on-campus during fall/spring semester dates Unlimited hours on-campus during summer/winter breaks Off-campus work must be related to your studies Same hourly limits apply during fall/spring semester
Academic Training Off-campus work in your field of study Usually used for internships or short-term jobs after your program You are eligible for authorized AT for the length of time that you have maintained J-1 status To be eligible, you must apply BEFORE your DS-2019 program end date Work period can be no longer than your J-1 studies Must be paid Requires meeting with your academic advisor, getting approval from home university, and getting J-1 authorization from ISSS before start of AT (see isss website for full eligibility and process to apply)
Immigration Survival Guide Maintaining J-1 Status: #7
What is iterp Check-In? Electronic process to submit copies of your current immigration documents and report local address to ISSS Complete at iterp (https://iterp.umd.edu) How many have done this step so far?
Why do we do Documents Check-In? As your J-1 sponsor, ISSS issued you an DS-2019 to enter the US for studies at UMD. We are required to send a report to the US government that you arrived to UMD. A local US address must be added to your SEVIS record to confirm your arrival. ISSS must also confirm you hold the right immigration status (J-1) by checking your documents.
What is SEVIS? SEVIS is the U.S. government database that tracks all F-1 and J-1 student information It is where your Immigration record is stored and updated ISSS will report your arrival in the SEVIS system Your SEVIS record status will then be changed from Initial to Active status
Deadline for Documents Check-In: ISSS has to activate your record within 30 days after the DS-2019 program start date. Failure to Check-In will result in termination of your lawful J-1 status, so do not forget!
How to do.
Log in to iterp: https://iterp.umd.edu Full Link: https://iterp.umd.edu/istart/controllers/start/start.cfm As ISSS goes paperless, case management is managed through your iterp portal.
Click Document Check-In Under New Student Check-In
New Student Checklist You will be asked to upload your J-1 visa and I-94 admission record Why? As your J-1 sponsor, ISSS is required to verify: that you have the right J-1 documents that the airport Customs and Border Patrol officer recorded your admission to the US correctly (as J-1, not another visa status).
Visa Stamp Information and Upload
Upload your I-94 Choose whether you have an electronic or paper I-94 record. (Your I-94 is probably electronic)
Your I-94 will probably be Electronic Simply save the screen shot of your I-94 found at cbp.gov/i94 and upload this screen shot to iterp
Report US Address & Phone # Address Line 1 is for Street name and building number Address Line 2 is for Apartment or Room number If you don t have a phone number yet, do not submit iterp Check-In yet it will cause an INTERNATIONAL error. STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES
Correct US Address Format: First line: Street # (Building # and Street) Second line: Apartment, suite, or room # Be sure to get the zip code (post code) right. Check it at US Postal Service (google find zip code USPS and enter street address to check)
Report Emergency Contact
You will receive email confirmation after your submission. Congratulations! You are finished!
After completing Check-In an ISSS Advisor will review your documents Once everything is complete, your J-1 record will become active in SEVIS We will notify you if anything is missing or incorrect and explain how to resolve it.
Deadline for iterp Documents Check-In: ISSS has to activate your record within 30 days after the DS-2019 start date. If you did not do the Documents Check-In today, please do it next week. If not completed on time, you will endanger your immigration status in the US.
Keep address updated at testudo.umd.edu If your address CHANGES, keep address UPDATED in TESTUDO J-1 regulations require you to update your address within 10 days of any change The address is included in ISSS s SEVIS reports TESTUDO data is linked to your immigration record and changes will be sent to SEVIS
How to update your address: From testudo.umd.edu Click Change Address/Email
NEXT, Log in with your Directory ID
Update your US address in Local Address field Your permanent address should be a foreign address in your home country. Your local address should be in the US! Phone number
Click on Changes made Update Address
Immigration Survival Guide In Summary Essential Steps to Staying in Legal J-1 Status: Keep your documents & insurance valid Make progress toward your degree objective, register full-time, and stay in good academic standing Do not perform unauthorized employment Complete iterp Check-In and keep addresses updated in Testudo That s it!
Are visa and status the same thing?
Are visa and status the same thing? NO
Your visa has expired. Can you continue to remain in the US legally?
Your visa has expired. Can you continue to remain in the US legally? YES
What should you do now to activate your J-1 record?
What should you do now to activate your J-1 record? iterp Check-In https://iterp.umd.edu
Do you remember the ISSS website?
isss.umd.edu
J-1 ARO Contact Info 3109 Susquehanna Hall Tel.# 301-314-7740 Louisa Manzeske manzeske@umd.edu Aviana Symon asymon@umd.edu Katrina Knudsen knudsenk@umd.edu Responsible Officer for J-1 Program Connie Jesse Lira cjl@umd.eu
You have arrived But it s only the beginning of your journey. We hope this information helps you get started. Thank you for coming! Enjoy your time at the University of Maryland! Please be sure you signed the attendance sheet to get credit for attending this session.