What You Must Know About Your Immigration Status Presented by the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

What You Must Know About Your Immigration Status Presented by the Office of International Affairs (OIA)

What You Must Know About Your Immigration Status Topics o OIA Overview o SSN/ITIN/Taxes o Maintaining Status o Office Information o Travel o Events o Work Authorization o Q &A

OIA Overview OIA Student Advising Staff Tamara Felden, OIA Director o Chidimma Jones-Mubima , Coordinator for Student Services Policy & o Programming , International Student Adviser for Booth School of Business Mike Kegler, SEVIS & Technology Manager, International Student Adviser o for Humanities, Graham, BSD & PSD Jen Nafziger, International Student Adviser for College, SSA, & Pritzker o School of Medicine Dana Bouche, International Student Adviser for SSD, Harris, Law, & Divinity o

OIA Overview Our Role & Your Responsibility o OIA provides information and advising on immigration regulations, and we help you adjust to life in Chicago. o It is YOUR responsibility to maintain your valid F-1 or J-1 status while in the U.S.

OIA Overview Services OIA Provides o Immigration-related services for all F-1 and J-1 students sponsored by UChicago o Immigration-related services for all J-1 non-students and most H-1B employees sponsored by UChicago o Educational programming & workshops o Social events o Assistance with social security and tax issues

OIA Overview Services OIA Does NOT Provide o Housing o Health care and health insurance o Transportation o Childcare o Visas to countries other than the U.S. o Review of tax documents Visit the Graduate & Professional Student Gateway for information: http://students.uchicago.edu/grad/

MAINTAINING STATUS

Maintaining Status Maintaining Your Status o Check in o Maintain valid documents o Be enrolled full time o Report changes o Work ONLY with authorization

Maintaining Status Maintain Valid Documents o Keep all original Forms I-20 or DS-2019 o Make copies/scans of the following documents: – Passport pages (bio page and entry stamp) – I-94 Departure Record Card (front and back) – F-1 or J-1 visa stamp – Form I-20 or DS-2019 Always check your documents immediately after you go through immigration at the port of entry!

Maintaining Status

Maintaining Status Entry stamp: should show your visa status (F-1 or J-1) and also be marked D/S for “Duration of Status”

Maintaining Status Still have entries available on visa Visa is not expired

Maintaining Status SEVIS ID Entry stamp End date Write name and sign

Maintaining Status SEVIS ID End date Entry stamp Sign and write place

Maintaining Status Maintain Valid Documents ‘Visa’ vs. ‘Status’ o ‘ Visa ’: stamp in passport, request for entry o ‘ Status ’: F -1 (I-20) or J-1 (DS-2019) It is OK if your visa expires while you legally remain in the U.S., as long as your status (e.g. I-20 or DS-2019) is still valid.

Maintaining Status Be Enrolled Full Time o Be enrolled full time for at least three quarters each academic year o For most programs, full time is 300 units

Maintaining Status Report Changes o Report change of address within 10 days of moving via cMore or the Booth Portal

Maintaining Status Report Changes o If you need an extension of your I-20 or DS- 2019, you MUST request it in advance. It is NOT possible to extend your I-20 or DS-2019 after it expires!

Maintaining Status Report Changes Consult OIA before : O o Change of education level or academic program o Transfer to another U.S. institution o Early graduation o Change in your immigration status o Request for a Reduced Course Load o Leave of absence

TRAVEL

Travel Travel Signatures Travel signatures valid for 1 year Available at the OIA front desk.

Travel Re-Entry into The U.S. Necessary Documents: o Valid Passport o Unexpired F-1 or J-1 visa with unused entries o Valid I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature Review the OIA website & plan ahead!

Travel I-515A

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Work Authorization DO NOT work without proper authorization!

Work Authorization What is Employment? o "Employment" is any type of work performed, or services provided, in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, lodging, or any other benefit. o Several types of employment authorization exist for F-1 and J-1 students.

Work Authorization On Campus Employment for F-1 and J-1 Eligibility: Student must be in F-1 or J-1 status Weekly Hour Limit: 20 while school is in session, full time during breaks and vacation quarters Timing: Before program completion Max. Duration: No Limit Authorization: Not Required* + *If you’re not sure if a job is considered “on campus,” contact your OIA adviser. + J-1 students not sponsored by UChicago must receive authorization from program sponsor

Work Authorization Off Campus Employment for F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Optional Practical Training (OPT) Eligibility: Eligibility: After one academic year (9 months), must After one academic year (9 months), must be maintaining F-1 status be maintaining F-1 status Weekly Hour Limit: Weekly Hour Limit: N/A 20 while class is in session, full time during vacation and after graduation Timing: Timing: Before graduation Before and after graduation Max. Duration: Max. Duration: No limit* 12 months per level of study Authorization: Authorization: OIA USCIS

Work Authorization Off Campus Employment for J-1 Academic Training (AT) Eligibility: Must be maintaining J-1 status Weekly Hour Limit: N/A Timing: Before and after program completion Max. Duration*: 18 months, or length of program, whichever is shorter Authorization: OIA *PhDs are eligible for additional 18 months after graduation

Work Authorization Additional Off Campus Employment Options F-1 & J-1 F-1 Severe Economic Hardship International Organization Eligibility: Eligibility: Must be experiencing extreme financial Must have offer of employment from difficulties that are out of your control organization such as the UN, World Bank, IMF, etc. Timing: Timing: N/A Before Graduation Authorization: Authorization: F-1: USCIS USCIS J-1: OIA

Work Authorization F-2 & J-2 Dependents J-2 F-2 Eligibility: There are currently no work Must be in the country in J-2 status authorization options for F-2 when applying dependents . Timing: Before DS-2019 end date Authorization: USCIS For More Information: OIA ‘Spouses and Partners’ Page

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, ITINS, AND TAXES

SSN, ITIN & Taxes Social Security Number o The Social Security Number's primary purpose is to track employees in the payroll systems of their employer to make proper tax and other deductions to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the tax authority of the United States.

SSN, ITIN & Taxes Social Security Number o You are not automatically eligible for a SSN o You must have a job offer & employment authorization to apply o Detailed information about the application process is on the OIA website.

SSN, ITIN & Taxes Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) An ITIN is required for students who receive taxable o income but are ineligible for a SSN, such as stipend recipients. If you will receive a stipend and will not have a job, o you will need an ITIN. Detailed information about the application process o is available on our website.

SSN, ITIN & Taxes Taxes o All F-1 or J-1 students and their F-2/J-2 dependents MUST file IRS tax forms every year, regardless of employment or income. o Tax forms are due April 15 for those with income, June 15 for those with no income. o OIA will provide software and host tax workshops in March. You will receive email reminders in winter quarter.

Our Role & Your Responsibility o OIA provides information, answers questions, and advises you o It is YOUR responsibility to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status If you have questions ask OIA, not your friends!

OFFICE INFORMATION

Office Information Contact o Contact Information: Email: international-affairs@uchicago.edu Phone: (773) 702-7752 Fax: (773) 702-3058 o Location : International House 1414 East 59th Street Room 291 (second floor) o Hours : Monday – Wednesday: 9 AM-4:30 PM Thursday – Friday: 10 AM-4:30 PM

Office Information Front Desk Services & Appointments o Travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 o Letter verifying your full-time enrollment o Assistance in applying for SSN o Reprint of I-20 or DS-2019 o Schedule an appointment with an adviser: -Call (773) 702-7752 or Email international- affairs@uchicago.edu -In person, phone, and Skype appointments available

Office Information How OIA Communicates with You Online http://internationalaffairs.uchicago.edu http://facebook.com/ucoia Mailing Lists o InternationalStudents: Immigration, important announcements, and events o OIAGenInfo: Weekly digest of events and activities for the international community