International Students and Scholars Office
|
|
Archives - Important Immigration and Programming Updates2005 Message from ISO: Programming Update(12/05/2005) The International Student Office in cooperation with the Intercollegiate Athletics Department is pleased to announce another event for the INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUNDEVIL EXPERIENCE. Let's cheer on the Sundevil Men's Basketball! We have 3 international students on the team: Serge Angounou from Cameroon, Antwi Atuahene from Canada and Bruno Claudino from Brazil. Mark your calendars for the following games! Dec. 21, 2005 Dec. 22, 2005 Feb. 4, 2006 Wells Fargo Arena map: http://thesundevils.collegesports.com/facilities/asu-hoops-interactive.html The complete 2005-06 ASU Men's Basketball Schedule/Results can be found at http://thesundevils.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/asu-m-baskbl-sched.html Free tickets will be distributed starting Wednesday, December 7th at the ISO, SSV Bldg 265 between 3pm and 4 pm daily until gone. First come-first served basis. Please bring your ASU ID to receive tickets. Go Sundevils!!!! Message from ISO: End of semester reminders Fall 2005 (11/29/2005) Greetings from the ISO! As we approach the end of the Spring Semester,
the staff of the International Student Office wishes you success
in your finals and other academic endeavors. A. INFORMATION FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS 1. Students completing their program this Spring 2005 semester who want to apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit must apply before COMPLETION of degree program. Failure to meet the deadline will result in the loss of OPT benefit. For Undergraduates, completion date is Dec 15th. For Graduates, it could be thesis/dissertation defense date, comprehensive exam date or project defense date. 2. After completion of studies, F-1 students
must be in one of the following 3. J-1 students have 30 days to enter a new program, start Academic Training or depart the US. 4. After completion of studies, you are not allowed to continue to work on campus as a student. Any employment after degree completion is considered unauthorized and will jeopardize your immigration status. 5. If you intend to enter another degree program here at ASU, you must come to the ISO to request for an I-20 reflecting the new program. 6. If you transfer to some other institution, you must present your new I- 20 or DS-2019 to the foreign student adviser at the new school within 15 days after the start of the next school term. Failure to do so will cause loss of student status. 7. If you have received a Notice of Action from USCIS regarding a change of your immigration status, please contact the ISO immediately to get your record updated in SEVIS. 8. Graduating students are advised to keep their immigration documents indefinitely. After you leave the University, the ISO keeps your file for a limited period only and will not be able to assist with requests for documents or verification of student status after files have been discarded. B. INFORMATION FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS 1. Students who have made any change to their academic programs, i.e. switched degree options must report to the ISO for immigration advisement as soon as possible. The impact of the change may cause you to lose your F-1 status. 2. OPT students who did not complete as reported on the completion of coursework form or any other reason must report to the ISO prior to the completion date for appropriate immigration advisement. Failure to do so will cause loss of F-1 status and consequently, lose the OPT benefit. 3. F-1 or J-1 students who are getting close to the expiration date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019 must file a request for an extension at the ISO before your immigration document expires. Failure to do so will cause loss of F-1 status. 4. Students who are on administrative hold will not be able to register for classes for Spring 2006 semester. If you discover you have an administrative hold in your record, email isoeadvisor@asu.edu with your situation. The hold will be taken off after your status has been cleared by the ISO. 5. AUDIT grades are not counted towards full-time enrollment. 6. Undergraduate students planning to do a concurrent enrollment at a local community college in the Spring 2006 semester must request a letter from the ISO. Processing time for this transaction is 7-10 days. You cannot register for a class at the other school without this letter so please plan accordingly. 7. J-1 students must update the ISO with their dependent J-2 insurance information. Failure to do so will cause loss of J-1 status. 8. 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. Failure to do so will cause loss of student status. 9. Residence Life students who check out must remember to update their address information in ASU Interactive. 10. The processing time at the ISO for any
document/form signature request is 7-10 full working days. Other
requests may take more time so please plan accordingly. C. TRAVEL ADVISORY 1. If you are traveling this winter break please bring your I-20 to the ISO as soon as possible for SEVIS travel authorization. This process may take up to 7-10 days. Failure to submit it in a timely manner may cause delay and the cost of mailing it to your country of destination will be your responsibility. 2. If you travel outside the U.S., you need
the following documents to return to the U.S. in student or
exchange visitor status: 3. 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. You can access it through the State Government website http://www.state.gov and follow the link Foreign Consulates in the U.S. 4. Automatic visa revalidation: Citizens of some countries who are in the US with expired F-1/J-1 visa will be able to return to the US after travel to Mexico, Canada and the neighboring islands US territories under the following conditions: visit is not more than 30 days and the purpose is pleasure or vacation only, maintained full-time status at all times, has I-20/ DS-2019 endorsed for travel within a year. Check with an ISO adviser if your country is on the list of non-eligibility to receive the automatic visa revalidation benefit. 5. If you are planning to renew your expired student visa in your home countries 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. 6. When traveling within the U.S outside the local area, you may be asked by an officer of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement 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. 7. Students subject to SPECIAL REGISTRATION should remember all entry and exit requirements to avoid delays. For additional information or specific questions on special registration, go to the USICE website link http://www.ice.gov/graphics/specialregistration/WalkawayMaterial.pdf or contact USCIS National Customer Service Center 1-800-375-5283. Important! International Night and Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation You are all invited to “International Night” organized by the Coalition of International Students at ASU in celebration of the US State Department’s International Education Week 2005, “International Education: Improving Student Achievement Around the World” Celebrate international education at ASU and enjoy a night of international dance, music, fashion show and food from around the world! When: November 19th, Saturday -PRIZES will be given away at the event. -If you are interested in performing, or volunteering at the event, go to website http://www.asu.edu/clubs/cis or send an email to cis@asu.edu Free gifts await performers and volunteers! For more information about the event go to website: http://www.asu.edu/clubs/cis -Support International Education Week! Support our very own Coalition of International Students! See you all there! Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation Thanksgiving is an American holiday which will
be celebrated on Thursday, November 24th, 2005. 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. Deadline for sign up is Monday, November
21st Homecoming Week & Free Football Tickets! (10/18/2005) Greetings From Your ISO Family: Message from ISO: Fall 2005 Welcome/Updates (08/25/2005) Programming Update I. OPT/CPT Information Sessions The International Student Office will hold information sessions on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). OPT & CPT are employment benefits for F-1 students. To know more details about your own OPT & CPT eligibility, please refer to this link http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/iso/opt.htm Schedule: OPT Basics (Optional Practical Training) 1) 09/23/05 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
SSV Bldg. Rm 274 CPT Basics (Curricular Practical Training) 1) 11/18/05 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
SSV Bldg. Rm 274 Seating is limited. Call 480-965-7451 to make a reservation. II. Meet the ISO ADVISOR Learn more about:
- SEVIS and Immigration updates Bring your F or J immigration and visa questions! Schedule: 1) 09/23/05 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
SSV Bldg. Rm 274 Seating is limited. Call 480-965-7451 to make a reservation. Message from ISO:
Fall 2005 Welcome/Updates (08/25/2005) The International Student Office will be closed for SEVIS maintenance on Friday, June 24, 2005. The ISO will close at 5:00pm on Thursday, June 23, 2005 and will not take appointments, walk-ins, phone calls or respond to emails until the office reopens at 8:00am Monday, June 27, 2005. Please plan your immigration and advisement needs accordingly. The Friday closure will not be considered a business day for ISO processing timeline purposes because the ISO staff will have no access to SEVIS during this time. Please remember that all transactions at the ISO take up to a maximum of 7 to 10 business days to process so when submitting items for processing please keep this in mind and plan accordingly. TRAVEL REMINDERS Message from ISO: End of semester reminders Spring 2005 Greetings from the ISO! As we approach the end of the Spring Semester,
the staff of the International Student Office wishes you success
in your finals and other academic endeavors. We appreciate your
attendance at Arizona State University and consider it a privilege
to have worked with you. If you are completing your studies
and moving on from ASU, we congratulate you on your achievements.
To the continuing students, congratulations for the successful
completion of this semester- we look forward to your return! A. INFORMATION FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS 1. Students completing their program this Spring 2005 semester who want to apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit must apply before COMPLETION of degree program. Failure to meet the deadline will result in the loss of OPT benefit. For Undergraduates, completion date is May 12th. For Graduates, it could be thesis/dissertation defense date, comprehensive exam date or project defense date. 2. After completion of studies, F-1 students must be in one of the following situations: - must have already applied for OPT- admitted to a new program at ASU or other institution - applied for change to another statusIf not in any of the above situation, students must depart the USA within 60 days. 3. J-1 students have 30 days to enter a new program, start Academic Training or depart the US. 4. After completion of studies, you are not allowed to continue to work on campus as a student. Any employment after degree completion is considered unauthorized and will jeopardize your immigration status. 5. If you intend to enter another degree program here at ASU, you must come to the ISO to request for an I-20 reflecting the new program. 6. If you transfer to some other institution, you must present your new I- 20 or DS-2019 to the foreign student adviser at the new school within 15 days after the start of the next school term. Failure to do so will cause loss of student status. 7. Graduating students are advised to keep their immigration documents indefinitely. After you leave the University, the ISO keeps your file for a limited period only and will not be able to assist with requests for documents or verification of student status after files have been discarded. B. INFORMATION FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS 1 - Students who have made any change to their academic programs, i.e. switched degree options must report to the ISO for immigration advisement as soon as possible. The impact of the change may cause you to lose your F-1 status. 2- OPT students who did not complete as reported on the completion of coursework form or any other reason must report to the ISO prior to the completion date for appropriate immigration advisement. Failure to do so will cause loss of F-1 status and consequently, lose the OPT benefit. 3- F-1 or J-1 students who are getting close to the expiration date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019 must file a request for an extension at the ISO before your immigration document expires. Failure to do so will cause loss of F-1 status. 4- Students who are on administrative hold will not be able to register for classes for Fall 2005 semester. If you discover you have an admin hold in your record, email isoeadvisor@asu.edu with your situation. The hold will be taken off after your status has been cleared by the ISO. 5- AUDIT grades are not counted towards full-time enrolment. 6- J-1 students must update the ISO with their dependent J-2 insurance information. Failure to do so will cause loss of J-1 status. 7- 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. Failure to do so will cause loss of student status. 8- Residence Life students who check out must remember to update their address information in ASU Interactive. 9- The processing time at the ISO for any document/form signature request is 7 full working days. Other requests may take more time so please plan accordingly. C. TRAVEL ADVISORY 1. If you are traveling this summer break please bring your I-20 to the ISO as soon as possible for SEVIS travel authorization. This process may take up to 2 weeks. Failure to submit it in a timely manner may cause delay and the cost of mailing it to your country of destination will be your responsibility. 2. If you travel outside the U.S., you need
the following documents to return to the U.S. in student or
exchange visitor status: 3. 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. 4. Automatic visa revalidation: Citizens of some countries who are in the US with expired F-1/J-1 visa will be able to return to the US after travel to Mexico, Canada and the neighboring islands US territories under the following conditions: visit is not more than 30 days and the purpose is pleasure or vacation only, maintained full-time status at all times, has I-20/ DS-2019 endorsed for travel within a year. Check with an ISO adviser if your country is on the list of non-eligibility to receive the automatic visa revalidation benefit. 5. If you are planning to renew your expired student visa in your home countries 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. 6. When traveling within the U.S outside the
local area, you may be asked by an officer of the US Immigration
and Customs Enforcement 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. The Coalition of International Students are
proud to organize the first ever ASU Olympics. This would be
a celebration of sports, open to all ASU students, faculty and
staff. The games will be held from April 15th to April 24th
at ASU SRC. The games include Cricket, Soccer, Sand Volley Ball,
Badmington, Tennis, Table Tennis (ping pong), Basket Ball, and
Racket Ball. All participants will receive a free t-shirt and
a certificate of participation. Winners will receive a certificate
and trophies. There will be $1.00 charge for registration for
each participant. Please register by sending an email to beshan@asu.edu
with the following information. Note that registration fee is required at time of play. But you may pay earlier to ensure you receive the t-shirts on time. Cricket is 11 a side and Soccer is 6 a side. Tennis, Table Tennis, Racket ball and Badmington will compete in Mens, Womens, and Doubles catagories. If there is any other sport that you wish to include, please let us know. Message from ISO
- ISO presentation Series (03/16/05) The ISO would like to invite you to a two-part presentation series, which will address employment eligibility and job search planning for F-1 students who plan to pursue a career in the US after graduation. It is highly recommended for students who are nearing completion of their degree program at ASU. No reservations are needed. Seating is limited, so please arrive on time. ********************************************* Part I April 5, 2005, Tuesday 1:00 pm -3:00 pm MU 202 Alumni Lounge A. 1:00 pm -2:00 pm B. 2:00 pm -3:00 pm Part II April 7, 2005, Thursday 9:30 am-11:30 am MU 218 Pima room A. 9:30 am-10:30 am B. 10:30 am to 11:30 am I. IMMIGRATION MATTERS -Maintaining status reminders a. LESS THAN FULL-TIME b. ACADEMIC PROGRAM CHANGE c. OPT Optional Practical Training II. WORLD FESTIVAL 2005 You are Invited! III. TAX INFORMATION - All students and dependents
in F/J status must complete and submit tax forms if you were
in the USA for any part of 2004 IV. ASU issues travel safety advisory. On February 3, 2005, ASU issued the following travel safety advisory regarding U.S. citizens traveling to the Mexican side of the U.S. - Mexico border during spring break. This information is also a useful reminder to international students considering travel in Mexico for a business/pleasure visit or visa renewal purposes. For additional information on travel, please consult the ISO website: http://www.asu.edu/studentlife/Prog&Services/ISO/reminders.html#things February 3, 2005 Arizona State University is notifying the university
community about the current security situation along the Mexican
side of the U.S.-Mexico border in the wake of increased violence
among drug traffickers. Message from ISO: Spring 2005 Welcome/Updates (01/26/05) The entire staff of the International Student Office (ISO) would like to welcome new and continuing students as you begin the Spring 2005 semester. Please take a moment to read through the entire message. It is of utmost importance to review deadlines and plan ahead according to your individual circumstances to avoid immigration/visa problems. We highly recommend that you print a copy of the email for future reference. A. SEVIS - ALL NEW & TRANSFER students must report
to the ISO for SEVIS initial registration processing. To facilitate
this, students must bring to the ISO copies of the endorsed
I-20/DS-2019, I-94, passport pages with photo, visa and print-out
of updated local address and immigration information page through
ASU Interactive website http://www.asu.edu/sos/.
As proof that you have been registered in SEVIS, you will receive
a NEW I-20 from the ISO. - TRANSFER students must report to the ISO no later than January 28th for SEVIS registration. - Initial SEVIS registration deadline for NEW and CURRENT students using a new I-20 issued for initial attendance is 30 days after you entered the Port of Entry as indicated on the I-94. Plan to report to the ISO within two weeks after you entered the US or no later than January 28th whichever comes first. - All continuing students who continually maintained status will be automatically registered in SEVIS for Spring 2005 semester. There is NO NEED to report to the ISO for this transaction. - SEVIS registration verifies maintenance of student status. Failure to maintain student status at the time of SEVIS registration 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 to SEVIS occurs for the following events: dropping below full-time without ISO authorization, personal biographical information, address change, degree level and program change. -An international student visa administration fee of $25 will be billed to the account of students who were admitted from Fall semester 2003 onwards. The fee is applied to student accounts EACH semester approximately in the third week of classes to cover administrative costs associated with SEVIS compliance and reporting. You may pay at the Cashier's Office or by using On-line services: <<http://www.asu.edu/sos/>> .- Continuing students admitted prior to Fall semester 2003 will NOT be billed the $25 UNLESS you are readmitted or changing to a new degree program. C. ENROLLMENT ADVISORY - If you have changed majors or pursuing another/higher degree this Spring 2005 semester, please send an email to iso@asu.edu so we can give you the instruction/process to request a new I-20 from SEVIS reflecting the change. - 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). - No more than 3 credit hrs from any online/distance learning course may be applied towards the full-time requirement each semester. - 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, USCIS recognized case of academic difficulties, serious medical problems and personal issues that prevent academic success. Doing poorly in a course is not an approved reason to be less than full time. Please take advantage of academic support services such as the Learning Resource Center at: http://www.asu.edu/vpsa/lrc/ and the Writing Center at: http://www.asu.edu/duas/wcenter/ to ensure your success. - Student must submit the COMPLETION OF COURSEWORK FORM or other appropriate form to receive ISO approval for exception to the full-course-of-study requirement BEFORE the start of each semester and PRIOR to dropping below full-time for any reason. -Students not enrolled in a full course of study without prior ISO authorization will be reported in SEVIS as "out of status".- There are changes to the withdrawal policy and deadlines that are effective Spring 2005. For details, please go to the Registrar’s website http://www.asu.edu/registrar/. Please watch these deadlines very carefully and be in contact with the ISO to determine immigration options if you planning to withdraw or be enrolled less than full time for any reason. D. 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 upcoming semester. - If you plan to travel to a country other than your own, please contact the Consulate of that country to find out if you need a visa. You may also access the information through the Department of State website <<http://www.state.gov>> and follow the link to 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 to determine 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 US Customs Border Protection 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. -For students subject to special registration, please remember the entry and exit requirements when planning your travel. Further information may be found at: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sr.htm E. OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING INFORMATION - Students completing their program this spring semester who want to apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit must apply before COMPLETION of degree program. Failure to meet the deadline will result in the loss of OPT benefit. - To learn more details about your own OPT & CPT eligibility, please refer to this link http://www.asu.edu/studentlife/Prog&Services/ISO/Visa_OPT.html - Students who are currently on OPT must pay attention to the I-20 expiration date. If degree is not completed by the expiration date of the I-20, you must contact ISO for further advisement. Failure to do so will cause termination of your SEVIS record. F. OTHER MATTERS- Students who have insurance coverage through their government or official sponsor may qualify for a waiver and must request it every semester no later than the second week of classes. - Anytime you move, update address information with ASU Interactive Online Services within 10 days at http://www.asu.edu/sos/. Use your home in Tempe/Phoenix area as your LOCAL address and your home country residence as PERMANENT address. Students on OPT must also remember to keep their contact information current. - The processing time at the ISO for an I-20 signature, letter of certification or other routine document is 7 full working days. Other documents may require more time. Please plan accordingly. Please remember to always check your ASU email account to watch for future immigration updates and programming announcements from the ISO. We look forward to a successful semester and wish a happy Spring semester to all. Message from ISO - Tsunami tragedy (01/03/2005) Dear ASU International Students: The ISO would like to extend our sincere sympathy and support to all those who may have been affected by the devastating effects of the Tsunamis that struck South Asia and East Africa over the holidays. We want all international students to know that we are here to offer support and information to help you cope during difficult times. To date, we are thankful that we have not yet received reports of international students from ASU being directly affected by this tragedy and we will keep our hopes high that everyone remains safe. All of us will be touched by this event in some way. We know that many students from impacted countries not only traveled home over the winter break, but are traveling throughout the United States and beyond. For those of you who are currently in your home country, we highly encourage you to please let us know as soon as possible how you are and give us any feedback about your situation by sending an email to iso@asu.edu. Please include if you anticipate experiencing a delay in returning to the US in time for the Spring semester so that the ISO can provide further advisement. Because communication to these areas has been difficult, if you have details about other impacted students please share that information with us as well if you are able. For our students who are in the US who have
been impacted, here are resources which you may find useful:
|
|
