Archives
- Important Immigration and Programming Updates
2003
 Visa
Application & US-VISIT Information (12/24/2003)
NSEERS
Update (12/05/2003)
Travel
Advisory/Important Reminders (11/21/2003)
Programming
Update - Thanksgiving/Men's Basketball Free tickets (11/06/2003)
Programming
Update - Free Football tickets (09/02/2003)
Fall
2003 Welcome/Immigration Update (08/28/2003)
Visa Application &
US-VISIT Information
I. REGARDING VISA APPLICATIONS AT THE U.S.
CONSULATE IN NOGALES, SONORA, MEXICO:
Two important changes are now in immediate
effect at the consulate:
1- The consulate is canceling ALL appointments
made by Chinese citizens for the next several months - applicants
are being contacted individually by email or phone.
2- Visa applicants whose research areas are
on the Technology Alert List (TAL) will likely face a 2-week
to 4-month wait in Mexico for a security clearance before obtaining
the visa. Even if the student or exchange visitor (EV) academic
department provides a letter proving that the area of study/research
is not a threat to national security, student/EV may still be
subject to the security clearance. Chek this website for complete
TAL list http://travel.state.gov/state147566.html
ISO recommends that it would be best for students/EV
to get the visa in home country whenever possible. If students
& EV still want to risk pursuing a visa in Nogales, they
should make it clear in their visa application what the area
of study/research/teaching they are in. This information will
give the Consulate an idea if they would be subject to the lengthy
security clearance or not.
II. US-VISIT INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON DEPT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY WEBSITE
On January 5, 2004, the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) will begin implementation of the new US-VISIT
program at 115 airports and 14 seaports. A pilot of the program
is already underway at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport.
US-VISIT is a new biometric system for processing
visitors upon entry to the U.S. It will use scanning equipment
to collect biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints, in an
inkless process, along with a digital photograph of the visitor.
Together with the standard information gathered from a visitor
about their identity and travel, the new program will verify
the visitor's identity and compliance with visa and immigration
policies.
According to DHS, the new procedures are expected
to add just seconds to the entry and exit process.
DHS has posted information on its website to
alert visitors about the new requirements. The information is
available at: http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit
Also available on the site is a webcast of
the October 28, 2003 unveiling of the new system: http://www.vodium.com/mediapod/us_visit/
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FACT SHEET: CHANGES
TO NATIONAL SECURITY ENTRY/EXIT REGISTRATION SYSTEM (NSEERS)
INTERIM RULE
The Department of Homeland Security has decided
to suspend the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System
(NSEERS) re-registration requirement that mandated aliens to
re-register after 30-days and one year of continuous presence
in the United States.
Previous Re-Registration Requirements affected
by the changes:
1. All individuals registered under NSEERS were required to
re-register after thirty days if initially registered at a port-of-entry.
2. All individuals registered under NSEERS
were required to re-register annually if they are remaining
in the United States past one year. The annual anniversary date
for re-registration is based on the last time that an individual
registered.
Changes Made By the New Rule effective December
2, 2003:
- There will no longer be a 30-day re-registration requirement
- There will no longer be an annual re-registration requirement
* In place of the previous requirement, the new rule will allow
DHS, as a matter of discretion, to notify individual nonimmigrant
aliens subject to NSEERS registration to appear for one or more
additional continuing registration interviews in those particular
cases where it may be necessary to determine whether the alien
is complying with the conditions of his or her nonimmigrant
visa status and admission.
* The rule also provides that F, M, and J nonimmigrants who
report changes in address and educational institution as required
through SEVIS are not required to also report those changes
using Form AR-11SR, although changes to F, M, or J employment
must still be reported on the AR-11SR
* The new rule applies ONLY to registrants whose re-registration
deadline or 30/40-day deadline is on or after December 2, 2003.
What has NOT changed in NSEERS:
- Special Registration in NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit
Registration System) continues to exist, and certain nonimmigrants
will continue to be registered upon admission through a U.S.
port of entry. Nonimmigrants who were subject to Special Registration
at the time the rule was published (those registered at the
port of entry as well as those still subject through one of
the "call-in" registrations) are still subject, but will also
benefit by the changes to the Special Registration requirements.
- Individuals subject to Special Registration in NSEERS are
still required to use only designated ports of departure (after
checking in with an immigration officer at the port on the day
of the departure) when departing the U.S., but the regulation
allows certain nonimmigrants to apply for an exemption of the
departure control requirement, under limited circumstances.
Any exemption would have to be approved by DHS before the nonimmigrant
is relieved of his or her departure control obligations.
- Failure to comply with Special Registration requirements will
still constitute a violation of nonimmigrant status, and individuals
who failed to comply with Special Registration obligations prior
to the publication of this rule are not relieved from any penalties
for having failed to comply in the past.
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Important Information
for F-1 and J-1 Students Enrolled At Arizona State University
Fall 2003
A. TRAVEL ADVISORY
- If you travel outside the U.S., you need the following documents
to return to the U.S. in student or exchange visitor status:
SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 with travel endorsement within a year,
Passport, valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp, Financial guarantee,
ASU unofficial transcript Note: Immigration inspectors at the
port of entry may not ask to see the last two documents but
we recommend that you carry them with you when you travel abroad.
- If you plan to travel to a country other than your own, you
should contact the Consulate of that country to find out if
you need a visa. The ISO has a web address of foreign consulates
in the U.S. You can also access it through the State Government
website http://www.state.gov
and follow the link Foreign Consulates in the U.S.
- If you are planning to renew your expired student visa you
must apply early and expect delays due to security clearance
being implemented by the Department of Homeland Security.Consult
individual embassy websites for periodic updates on country-specific
visa processing. Lists of US Embassies abroad can be accessed
through this website <http://usembassy.state.gov>.
- When traveling within the U.S outside the local area, you
may be asked by an officer of the Border Patrol to show your
immigration documents. Be sure you have your documents with
you; keep them in a safe place so as not to misplace them or
have them stolen from your car.
Automatic revalidation – After traveling to Mexico or
Canada, students may re-enter the US with an expired vias if
you meet the following conditions: visit is no more than 30
days, purpose of visit is for pleasure only, you are NOT a citizen
of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Norht Korea and Cuba. Note
that if your purpose in visiting Mexico and Canada is to renew
visa and it is denied, you will not be allowed to re-enter the
US
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- The processing time at the ISO for an I-20/DS-2019 signature,
letter of certification or other routine document is 3-5 full
working days. Other documents may require more time. PLEASE
PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
- Most University offices, including the ISO, are closed for
a 10-day break during the winter vacation. No immigration documents
will be processed during that time, and students are advised
to make travel or work permit arrangements before the end of
the Fall semester.
- Maintaining F-1/J-1 Status
a. All Returning Students who used NEW I-20/DS2019 to re-enter
the US before the start of the semester must report to the ISO
for SEVIS Registration. Must bring photocopies of immigration
documents.
b. Students who have completed one-degree program and intend
to enter another degree program at ASU must report to the ISO
for I-20 processing within the first two weeks of the next school
term.
c. Carry a full-time program of study each fall and spring semester:
12 credit hrs for undergraduate, 9 credit hrs for graduate or
6 credit hrs, if you have an assistantship (unless your department
or college requires more)
Notes:
i. Only 3-credit hrs online/distance learning class may be applied
towards full-time requirement per semester.
ii. Exemptions to the full-course of study are given on the
following academic and medical grounds with Academic Advisor
and/or ISO approval only: last semester, dissertation/research
or thesis hours, concurrent enrollment at a local community
college, BCIS recognized case of academic difficulties, serious
medical problems and personal issues that prevent academic success.
iii. Important: Student must submit appropriate forms/documents
to receive ISO approval for exception to the full-course-of-study
requirement BEFORE the start of the semester and/or prior to
dropping below full-time.
d. Work no more than 20 hours per week during the academic semesters
and up to 40 hours per week during vacation period in Winter
and Spring. Full-time employment in Summer is allowed only for
students who intend to register for the consequent academic
term. Do not work beyond your completion date!
e. F-1 students who wish to apply for employment authorization
under the Optional Practical Training program must do so up
to 90 days before completion to get the full 12-month OPT benefit.
No OPT application will be processed 2 weeks before completion
date. Please plan accordingly.
f. J-1 students who want employment authorization should contact
their program sponsor before graduation and follow the sponsoring
institution’s procedures for academic training. J-1 students
have 30 days after completion of studies to find a job and get
permission to pursue academic training.
g. Pay close attention to program limit on your I-20 or DS-2019;
ask for extension before your immigration document expires.
Keep all copies of the I-20/DS-2019 indefinitely.
h. Keep your passport valid for at least six months into the
future (unless you are a Canadian and exempt from passport requirements)
i. Provide updated LOCAL and/or FOREIGN address information
through the ASU Interactive website within 10 days after the
move. PO Boxes are not acceptable. Students who have requested
a service from USCIS or students from certain countries requiring
special registration may have additional address reporting requirements.
Please check the USCIS website for more information at www.immigration.gov
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I. Thanksgiving Dinner
Invitation
Thanksgiving is an American holiday which will be celebrated
on Thursday, November 27th, 2003. Traditionally, Americans celebrate
this day of thanksgiving by gathering together with family members
to eat a big turkey dinner. There are many families who would
like to invite one or more internationals to enjoy this family
time with them.
If you would like to experience this holiday
with an American family, you may sign up by contacting International
Students Club, Oh Analla by email: thanksgiving2003az@hotmail.com
In your e-mail, please give your Name, Country, phone number,
email address, any food restrictions, and name of a friend wanting
to accompany you, if any. Last day of sign up is Monday, November
24th. The Host family will contact you a few days before Thanksgiving
to invite you and arrange transportation.
II. FREE TICKETS - Men's Basketball
Let's cheer on the Sundevil Men's Basketball!
We have 2 international students on the team from Cameroon,
Serge Angounou and Wilfried Fameni. Free tickets will be distributed
at the ISO for the following games so MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
#1 Nov 22, 1 PM Wells Fargo Arena ASU vs. Arkansas-
Little Rock
#2 Nov 29, 1 PM Wells Fargo Arena ASU vs. UC
Riverside
#3 Dec 22, 6 PM Wells Fargo Arena ASU vs. McNeese
St
#4 Dec 29 - 5 PM Wells Fargo Arena ASU vs.
San Diego
Ticket distribution details will be sent through
your ASU e-mail next week.
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Welcome to the Fall
2003 semester!
The International Student Office in cooperation with the Intercollegiate
Athletics Department is pleased to announce the first event
for the INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUNDEVIL EXPERIENCE. The first
opportunity this year will be to attend a football game together.
ASU vs. Northern Arizona University
Sept 6, 2003
7:00 pm
Free tickets will be distributed on Aug 27th, Wednesday, 2:00-4:00
p.m. SSV Bldg Ampitheatre.
One ticket per student with your ASU ID on a first come-first
served basis.
Go Sundevils!!!!
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Subject: FAll 2003
Immigration Update - message from ISO
The entire staff of the International Student
Office (ISO) would like to
welcome new and continuing students as you begin the fall semester.
Please take a moment to read through this entire message about
important reminders.
Please take note of deadlines and actions needed to be done
pertaining to your individual circumstance to avoid immigration/visa
problems. We highly recommend that you print a copy for future
reference.
IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION UPDATE FOR
F-1 & J-1
FALL 2003
A. SEVIS
- New/Transfer students will go through SEVIS registration process.
To
facilitate this, student must bring to the ISO copies of I-20/DS-2019,
I-94,
passport pages with photo, visa and print-out of local address
information done through ASU Interactive website. Registration
deadline is September 5th.
- Continuing students will be registered in SEVIS no later than
September 15th. Failure to maintain student status at that time
will cause you to be
terminated in SEVIS. For complete information about maintaining
your visa status, please refer to p. 2 of your I-20/DS-2019.
- Periodic reporting in SEVIS after Sept 15th will happen for
the following
events: dropping below full-time without DSO authorization,
address change, degree level and program change.
- A SEVIS processing fee of $25 will be billed to the account
of NEW
students admitted for the Fall semester 2003 and after. The
fee is applied to student accounts EACH semester approximately
in the second week of classes. You may pay in at the Cashier’s
Office or using On-line services.
- Continuing students will NOT be billed the $25 UNLESS you
are readmitted or changing to a new degree program in the Fall
semester 2003 or after.
B. Enrollment Advisory
- Students must be registered full-time at all times. Full-time
is 12 credit
hrs for undergraduate/ 9 credit hrs, graduate or 6 credit hrs
with an
assistantship (unless the department or college requires more).
- Exception to the full-course of study is given to students
for the
following reasons: last semester, dissertation/research or thesis
hours,
concurrent enrollment at a local community college, BCIS recognized
case of academic difficulties, serious medical problems and
personal issues that prevent academic success.
- Student must submit appropriate forms/documents to receive
ISO approval for exception to the full-course-of-study requirement
BEFORE the start of the semester and/or prior to dropping below
full-time. Students not enrolled in a full course of study will
be reported in SEVIS as out of status.
- Only 3 credit hrs online/distance learning class may be applied
towards
full-time requirement per semester
C. Travel Advisory
- If you travel outside the U.S., you need the following documents
to return
to the U.S. in student or exchange visitor status: ASU I-20
or DS-2019 with travel signature endorsed within 1 year, Passport,
valid 6 months into the future, valid F-1 or J-1 visa, financial
guarantee, ASU unofficial
transcript showing registration for current and, if applicable,
the coming
semester; Transcripts and I-20's from all former schools to
document your history as a full-time student; ISO Exception
form if you received ISO
approval for an exception to the full-course-of-study requirement
in a given semester.
- If you plan to travel to a country other than your own, you
should contact
the Consulate of that country to find out if you need a visa.
The ISO has a
web address of foreign consulates in the U.S. You can also access
it through the State Government website http://www.state.gov and follow the link
Foreign Consulates in the U.S.
- Automatic visa revalidation Citizens of some countries who
are in the US with expired F-1/J-1 visa but maintained full-time
status at all times can travel to Mexico, Canada and the neighboring
islands US territories with your signed I-20/ DS-2019 under
the following conditions: visit is not more than 30 days and
the purpose is pleasure or vacation only. Check with an ISO
adviser if your country is on the list of non-eligibility to
receive the automatic visa revalidation benefit
- If you are planning to renew your expired student visa you
must apply
early and expect delays.
Consult individual embassy websites for periodic updates on
country-specific visa processing. Lists of US Embassies abroad
can be accessed through this website http://usembassy.state.gov.
- When traveling within the U.S outside the local area, you
may be asked by an officer of the Border Patrol to show your
immigration documents. Be sure you have your documents with
you; keep them in a safe place so as not to misplace them or
have them stolen from your car.
D. Other matters
- Students who have insurance coverage through their government
or official sponsor may qualify for a waiver and must request
it every semester and no later than the second week of classes
- Anytime you move, update address information with ASU Interactive
Online Services within 10 days. Use your home in Tempe/Phoenix
area as your LOCAL address and your home country residence as
PERMANENT address. Students from countries with special registration
requirements must submit additional change of address to BCIS.
- The processing time at the ISO for an I-20 signature, letter
of
certification or other routine document is 5 full working days.
Other
documents may require more time. Please plan accordingly.
Happy Fall to all!
The International Student Office
iso@asu.edu
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