Immigration Information
WELCOME TO THE WESLEYAN COMMUNITY AND WELCOME TO THE
UNITED STATES
Know your
responsibilities.............................
On behalf of the Office of Graduate Student Services, we
would like to welcome you to Wesleyan University and to the world of
graduate education.
Adjusting to a new educational environment, especially in
another country, can be difficult and challenging at times. This
information serves as a guide and deals with immigration issues specific
to International Students: U.S. immigration law and regulations, social
security, and taxes. Our hope is that this guide will assist you in
answering frequently asked (and even unexpected) questions that may arise.
Wesleyan University expects that you will assume
responsibility for obtaining the appropriate entry visa, requesting
extensions of stay in the U.S., and entering the U.S. with sufficient
funds for personal maintenance. Your stay at Wesleyan is legal and
valid only as long as you adhere to the conditions set forth in the
regulations in the Federal Register, Department of Justice on
Immigration and Naturalization.
It is wise to keep an open communication with your
International Student Adviser when it comes to matters of immigration.
Welcome!!!
William N. Blades
Barbara W. Schukoske
Director of Graduate Office
Administrative Assistant V
International Student Adviser
(860) 685-2223
(860) 685-2223
(860) 685-2439 fax
wblades@wesleyan.edu
bschukoske@wesleyan.edu
IMMIGRATION RULES & REGULATIONS
Government Agencies
Forms and Documents
Other Immigration Requirements
Travel Advisory
Social Security and Tax Information
Optional Practical Training
Extension of Stay
F-2 Dependents
Special Registration
Internet Sites Useful to International Students
Events on September 11, 2001 have dramatically changed the
nature of immigration rules and regulations for international students and
scholars. As an international student in the U.S., your legal status is
that of a non-immigrant alien. Please familiarize yourself with this
term and the regulations that accompany it.
It is your responsibility to know and follow
the law.
Your International Student Adviser is here to help, but
ultimately you are responsible for yourself. If you require assistance,
signatures, or paperwork to be processed form the Office of Graduate
Student Services, you must be certain to make your request well in advance
of any deadline you must meet. All questions concerning your status
as an international student and the immigration laws pertaining to you as
a student/visitor should be referred to the Office of Graduate Student
Services.
Do not rely on friends or other students concerning
immigration problems - immigration law is complex and easy to
misunderstand.
Each case is different and is judged separately.
Therefore, the information you receive from others may be inaccurate and
lead to serious problems. Wesleyan will assist you when appropriate,
but again you are responsible for yourself and your actions.
International students who have been offered admission to
Wesleyan and have accepted it receive a SEVIS Certificate of
Eligibility (I-20AB or IAP-66 form) from the International Student
Adviser. This document together with documentary evidence of
financial ability to attend Wesleyan, and the student's passport submitted
to the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy in the student's home country for
issuance of an entry visa. The visa is affixed directly into the
student's passport. This visa stamp is important only for entry into
the United States. Most international students who attend Wesleyan
University will obtain a F-1 visa. There are specific cases where a
student will obtain a J-1 visa. Please communicate with the International
Officer, if you are not certain which visa to obtain.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
United States Embassies and Consulate, located outside
the U.S. in major cities throughout the world, have complete
control over the issuing of visas, which permit entry into the United
States. Website:
http://usembassy.state.gov
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) controls
all immigration regulations and procedures for international students
while you are physically present in the U.S. The closest BCIS
office is in the Federal Building, 450 Main Street, Hartford, CT. 06103.
This is the Hartford website:
http://www.state.gov./www/travel/consular_offices/fco_index.html
FORMS & DOCUMENTS
Passport: Your passport, issued by your home
country, identifies you as a citizen of that country. It must be
valid for at least six months in the future before you apply for a visa.
You are responsible to maintain a valid passport as long
as you are in the U.S. attending school. Renewal of the passport could
take months so make sure you contact your consulate in the U.S. months
before the passport expiration date on the passport. If possible it is
best to visit the consulate personally. It is not always safe to
send important immigration documents through the mail.
Visa: The visa is an ink stamp or a separate form
that is glued into one of the pages of your passport. The purpose of
the U.S. visa is to allow you to enter the United States. Some visas allow
for only one entry, some allow two; others allow "multiple entry". Each
visa has an expiration date.
If you travel while your visa is valid, you should have no
difficulties reentering the U.S.
If your visa is not valid and has expired and you leave
the U.S., you must take your valid SEVIS I-20 to a U.S. embassy/consulate
and apply for a visa renewal. You must return to your home country
to renew your visa. You should see your International Student Adviser for
further instructions and a letter of support form the University.
If you do not leave the U.S., it is not necessary to
renew an expired visa. In fact, as long as you remain in the
status (full time student) and have a valid passport, it is not a problem
if your visa expires while you are in the U.S.
Form I-94 (Entry Permit/Arrival Departure Record)
Each time you enter the U.S., the immigration officer at
your port of entry will give you a new I-94 . This is a small white
card which every foreign entrant receives upon arriving in the U.S. and
which a U.S. immigrating official will usually staple into your
passport. Each time you leave the U.S., you will be asked to return
the I-94 at your port of departure. The I-94 is very important
because it indicates how long you remained in the U.S. (It should not be
confused with the visa, which only authorizes permission to enter the
country).
F-1 students will be granted the status of D/S, or
"Duration of Status" as the length of time they may remain in the U.S.
Duration of Status is defined as "the period during which the student is
pursuing a full course of study in any educational program and any period
or periods of authorized practical training." Take special care not to
lose the I-94 document. It is difficult to replace. If you do lose
the document, please see the International Student Adviser immediately.
SEVIS I-20:
This is the basic document that F-1 students use to obtain
student visas (F-1_ from the U.S. consulates in their home country as well
as to enter and exit the U.S. during the program of study, and to transfer
from one school to another. Form SEVIS I-20 is the "Certificate of
Eligibility" which is issued by the International Student Adviser to a new
international student to enable the student to obtain an F-1. This
document should be presented at the consulate when applying for the F-1
visa. There are usually fees in obtaining a visa and a SEVIS fee.
Check the consulates websites thoroughly for all necessary information.
Upon arrival in the U.S., the student presents the SEVIS
I-20 to an immigration officer who reviews all documentation (SEVIS I-20,
financial statement, passport). The SEVIS I-20 then becomes the "official
record" of the student. It will carry a SEVIS number that will be unique
to the individual student.
All international students must report with their
passport, I-94, and SEVIS I-20, to their International Student Adviser
immediately following their arrival at Wesleyan.
All students must have the SEVIS I-20 along with them for
any travel (even for a short trip) outside the U.S. and wish to return to
study. Do not surrender the I-20 upon temporary departure from the
U.S. You will need it to re-enter. Before departure, the
International Student Adviser will provide you with a letter to present to
the appropriate authorities, if necessary, indicating that you are indeed
a student at Wesleyan and are expected to return and resume your studies.
Before you plan to travel outside the U.S. be certain
to confer with your International Officer. (Read "Travel Advisory" for
further information.)
Form SEVIS IAP-66 (for students that hold a J-1 visas)
Form SEVIS IAP-66 is used to obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor
visa for a person coming to a college/university to study, teach, conduct
research, or receive training. The SEVIS IAP-66 is necessary whenever the
exchange visitor leaves the U.S. temporarily and wishes to re-enter the
country with the J-visa. If the J-1 status must be extended, it may be
done through Wesleyan's Human Resources Office or through the exchange
visitor's sponsoring agency. A request for an extension of J-1
status should be submitted to BCIS in a timely manner so contact
the appropriate adviser for assistance.
OTHER IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
Full-time Requirement: All F-1 and J-1 students
must be classified as full-time. If you must fall below the
full-time status, you must inform and receive permission to do so from the
International Student Adviser before it happens. This change in
full-time status must be reported into the SEVIS system.
Failure to maintain full-time status without prior
approval will place a student "out of status". Failure to maintain
full-time status may be cause for dismissal from the University.
School Transfers: International students who
transfer directly to a college/university from another school in the U.S.
are required to meet with the International Student Adviser upon their
arrival at the new college/university. Each student should notify
the college/university that they are transferring from that they wish to
transfer to Wesleyan University. Each student should bring his/her
passport, SEVIS I-20 form from the old university, and Wesleyan's Transfer
Form that must be completed by the other school's International Student
Adviser. After this meeting, a new SEVIS I-20 will be initiated in the
SEVIS system once the past school releases the student's record in their
SEVIS system. An international student who transfers to another
school should also consult with the previous school's International
Student Adviser before leaving. Students who do not properly complete the
transfer process are considered "out of status" by the Bureau of
Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Departure Requirements: When you plan to leave, you
must notify the International Student Adviser of your forwarding address,
and date and method of departure. Allow the adviser sufficient time to
make sure that all necessary forms and requirements are completed.
United States Laws: Laws in the United States may
be quite different from the laws in other countries. As long as you are
present in the United States, you are subject to its laws. This includes
Connecticut State automobile laws. Remember - ignorance of the law
is not a valid excuse for breaking it. If you are arrested in the
U.S., the police must read you your rights and must allow you at least one
telephone call. You also have the right to consult a lawyer before
making any statements to the police.
If you find yourself in trouble with the law, contact your
International Officer. Your adviser will help to make sure you are
fairly treated. Your adviser may also be able to refer you to a lawyer who
can assist you.
TRAVEL ADVISORY:
For International Students Planning to Travel Outside
the United States and Return to Continue Study at Wesleyan University
Required documents for re-entry into the United States:
-
A valid Passport at least 6 (six) months into the
future.
-
A valid Student Visa.
-
Current Form SEVIS I-20 with recent certification
signature.
-
All previous Form SEVIS I-20 (to show your
history).
-
If you are on OPT, a valid Employment Authorization
Card.
Suggested additional documentation:
-
Official transcript from Wesleyan University.
-
Official transcripts from previous U.S. college or
university. (This is optional)
-
Current financial support documentation.
-
Request a letter of support from Marina Melendez
(if traveling without valid visa).
-
Request a letter from your faculty adviser
(graduate students) stating hardship in the department if you do not
return to the university.
-
If you are on OPT, a letter from your employer
stating that you have a job, the job description and the dates of
employment (which will need to match you EAD). If you are near the end of
your OPT, it is not likely that you will be allowed to re-enter the U.S.
for this purpose. Please think twice about traveling.
-
Be prepared to talk about your educational goals
here in the U.S., your intent to return to your home country and your
plans once you do return home.
-
Maintain a respectful attitude and avoid making
jokes.
If you need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the
U.S., make sure you discuss this issue with the International Student
Adviser. There are some risks involved for specific students. This is also
a timely process, so timing is very important.
Please think twice about traveling. Thoughtful and
timely planning will lead to a successful trip and return to Wesleyan.
Note: Please be aware that this list of
required and suggested documentation is not a guarantee that you
will be allowed to re-enter the U.S. We expect you will have time delays,
opened luggage, restrictions on carry-on baggage, additional questions and
an altogether uncomfortable sense from security personnel at any embassy,
consulate and port of entry you visit. When packing, be smart. Be
careful of what you are putting in your bag. Items such as nail
clippers, wrapped gifts for family and friends at home and electronic
equipment may cause further inspection of your luggage and longer delays
for you. Please remember the reasoning behind all of this and have
patience. These precautions are for everyone's safety.
Upon Your Return: Please bring any new
immigration documents to Marina for copying and submission to your file.
We need to hear about your experience so we can better inform future
travelers. Good luck! Safe and happy travels!
For International Students:
Marina J. Melendez
(860) 685-2764
mmelendez@wesleyan.edu
If you require a letter of support and a signature on
the SEVIS I-20 for travel purposes from Marina, please submit a request
via e-mail and allow 3 - 5 days for processing. PLAN AHEAD!!!!!
Travel to Canada: All F-1 students wishing to
travel to Canada require a Canadian visitor visa unless they are citizens
of countries exempt from the Canadian non-immigrant visa requirement.
You may check with your International Officer or the Canadian consulate to
find out whether your home country is exempt form this visa requirement.
The Canadian government will issue a visitor visa to a student of the
United States only if convinced that the student is re-admissible to the
United States. The Canadian government advises that at least 4 weeks in
advance of your planned trip to Canada, you submit to the appropriate
Canadian consular post a completed visitor visa application form, a valid
passport, form I-94, two passport-sized photographs, proof of adequate
funds for the stay in Canada, and current form SEVIS I-20. These documents
may be sent to the Canadian consulate in the U.S. by certified mail or you
may take these documents to the consulate personally.
For citizens of certain countries, an interview is
required before a Canadian visitor visa will be issued. Students
wishing to visit Canada should telephone the Canadian Consulate General in
their area to ascertain whether or not an interview is required and the
days and hours of the consulate's operation. Students in the Middletown
area are asked to contact the Consulate in New York City.
The address is:
Canadian Consulate
1251 Avenue of America (6th Avenue)
New York, NY 10020
(212) 586-2400
http://gocanada.about.com/
Students with an expired U.S. visa may enter Canada. A new
visa is not required as long as your stay in Canada is no longer than 30
days. You must, however, have a valid passport and meet all other
requirements for your entry to Canada and your return to the U.S.
SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAX INFORMATION
A U.S. social security number is a nine digit number
issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It is used as an
identifier for all government and most commercial institutions in the U.S.
(taxes, bank accounts, credit card applications, etc.).
International students at Wesleyan may apply for a social security number
only after 10 days from arrival to the U.S. Process for the social
security card:
-
Obtain an application from the International Officer.
-
Obtain a letter from the International Officer stating
full-time status at Wesleyan University.
-
Go to the Social Security Administration Office (425 Main
Street, Middletown)
-
Bring your passport, I-94 card and proof of student status
(your SEVIS I-20).
-
Your application will be processed and should be sent to
you in 3 - 5 weeks.
-
Your number will be sent to the address you write on the
application.
-
The social security number is NOT a permit to work
in the U.S.
-
You must present a copy of the card to the International
Officer for your file.
WORK PERMISSION ON CAMPUS
International students who wish to work on campus must
secure permission from the International Student Adviser.
All international students are limited to a maximum of 20
hours of work per week when school is in session, on campus. There is no
restriction on the number of hours a student may work when school is not
in session (semester breaks, summer vacation, etc.).
Working off campus without University and BCIS
permission is a deportable offense. See the section OPT for further
information.
INCOME TAX
During registration, all students are required to fill out
W-4 forms for United States income tax purposes. Students should use their
local Wesleyan address and not their home address; otherwise,
important and urgent mail may be delayed for long periods of time.
Scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship awards that exceed tuition,
minus the cost of course-required books, fees, supplies, and equipment, is
taxable income. Some scholarships, maintenance allowances, prizes, and
payments for teaching and research are considered taxable income by the
U.S. Internal Revenue Services (IRS). Students holding an F-1 or J-1 visa
are subject to withholding and payment of federal and state income taxes
unless they are exempt by provisions of a tax treaty (see IRS publication
515, Withholding on Non-resident Aliens and Foreign Corporations, and IRS
publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide).
The level of taxable earnings fluctuates and must be
checked each year with the Office of Financial Services. You must be
interviewed by Christine Rodrigue, Staff Accountant, to ascertain your tax
liability while studying at Wesleyan.
During the month of January all persons employed by the
University, including students, receive W-2 statements showing their total
taxable earnings and withholdings. All F-1 and J-1 students are
required to file the Income Tax Return before April 15th of each year, in
consultation with the Office of Financial Services.
Whether you earn an income on the U.S. or not, you
must file an annual tax return form. In order to do so, you must
have a Social Security number.
Wesleyan Contact Person for Tax Information:
Payroll@wesleyan.edu
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
Graduate students may apply for permission to engage in
practical training (work internships) after nine months in F-1 status.
Undergraduate students may apply for permission to engage in practical
training once they have declared a major after the sophomore year.
Practical training sessions must be related to your field of study.
There are 2 major categories: Pre-completion and Post-completion Practical
Training.
Practical Training prior to Completion of Studies:
You may be eligible for up to 12 months of pre-completion practical
training, of which there are three types:
-
After completion of course work but prior to thesis. This
allows you to gain practical experiences prior to graduation.
-
Curricular Practical Training. Usually undertaken as
cooperative education, in 6-month blocks. If you work more than 6 months,
other practical training benefits will be canceled.
-
During annual vacation, you may elect to use the summer
and/or winter vacation period to seek practical training.
Practical Training After Completion of Studies: F-1
visa holders may apply for a maximum of 12 months of practical training.
J-1 visa holders may apply for a maximum of 18 months of training.
Students in language training (Native Language Teaching Assistants) are
ineligible for practical training.
-
Application can be made as early as 90 days before
graduation.
-
The student must have been enrolled at the University for
a minimum of 9 consecutive months to qualify for practical training.
-
The job must: (1) be in an area related to the student's
major field of study; (2) give training which will be useful back home;
and (3) give training which could not be received back home.
End date of the practical training may not be more than 14
months after completion of studies. Permission to begin optional practical
training is not official until the student has received the "Employment
Authorization Document". Employment is defined as the provision of
services, with or without pay. Students do not need to have a firm job
offer to apply for optional practical training, but employment may not
commence until the student has been issued and is in possession of an
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from BCIS. Adjudications of the
EAD takes between 60 - 90 days.
To begin the process, international students will come to
the International Student Adviser for the OPT hand-out. This OPT
hand-out has instructions on all the documents needed to process the
application. Once all the documents are procured, the International
Student Adviser and the student will have an appointment to process the
paperwork.
EXTENSION OF STAY
All foreign students should pay close attention to their
approved length of stay in the U.S. The length of authorized stay for an
F-1 and J-1 individuals is located on the form I-94 as D/S (duration of
status) and refers to item 5 on the SEVIS I-20 and item 3 on the
IAP-66. People who need additional time to complete their degree
requirements must consult with the International Student Adviser at least
60 days prior to the expiration of their authorized length of stay.
Under circumstances, international students are required
to apply for an extension of stay. These circumstances include:
-
Any student who has been in student status for eight
consecutive academic years;
-
Students who remain in one educational level for an
extended period of time beyond the completion date indicated on the
original SEVIS I-20. This period of time is determined by line 3 of your
first SEVIS I-20.
This procedure must be processed through your
International Student Adviser.
F-2 DEPENDENTS
Eligibility: The spouse and unmarried minor
children of an F-1 student may accompany the student to the United States
or follow to join him/her at later date. They will be accorded F-2 status
provided they established, to the satisfaction of the consular office and
the immigration officer at the port of entry that: (1) they have
sufficient funds to cover their expenses; and, (2) they intend to and will
be able to depart from the U.S. "upon termination of the status of the
principle alien (the F-1 student)".
Obtaining an F-2 visa: An F-1 student's spouse and
children must apply for an F-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
The applicant must present to the Consular official a properly endorsed
immigration form SEVIS I-20 and any other document as may be required to
demonstrate eligibility for F-2 status. These documents include such
items as birth and marriage certificates and financial statements of
support. The SEVIS I-20 is obtained from the International Student
Adviser.
Other Requirements: An F-1 student wishing to bring
his/her spouse and/or children to the U.S. must meet certain requirements:
Clearance from the student's home government, particularly
if the student is government-sponsored.
Satisfactory evidence of financial support. This may be
presented to the International Student Adviser by means of an official
statement of savings on deposit in a U.S. bank, a notarized guarantee by a
personal sponsor living in the U.S., and/or an official document from the
home government authorizing currency exchange beyond the needs of the F-1
student.
F-2 Employment: Individuals holding F-2 status may
not accept employment or engage in business under any circumstances.
There are no exceptions to this rule.
Visits Abroad and Re-entry: An F-2 dependent
leaving the U.S. temporarily must have the documents necessary to enter
the country being visited and to re-enter the U.S. As is the case with the
F-1 principal, the F-2 dependent needs a valid passport and visa, and a
properly endorsed SEVIS I-20 from the International Student Adviser.
SPECIAL REGISTRATION
There are special registration procedures for certain
non-immigrants:
-
If you are a national or citizen of Afghanistan, Algeria,
Bangladesh, Bahrain, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Sudan, or Syria
Please check this website from NAFSA for your specific
instructions or contact your International Student Adviser. Your
International Student Adviser also has special hand-outs.
http://www.nafsa.org/
You have specific instructions as to your stay in the U.S.
Be certain to know when to report to your local BCIS Office. If you travel
outside of the U.S., you have specific ports to depart from and specific
instructions in order to leave in a proper manner.
INTERNET
SITES USEFUL TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
A Comprehensive list of U.S. Embassies around the world:
http://usembassy.state.gov.
The official website of the Bureau of Citizenship and
Immigration Services:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/index.htm
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/
The U.S. State Department of Justice:
http://www.justice-denied.net/department_of_justice_Admin.htm
Foreign Consular Offices in the United States:
http://www.state.gov/www/travel/consular_offices/fco_index.html
Information regarding changes in laws and polices (and
more) as issued by the Department of Justice:
http://usinfo.state.gov/
Federal Register:
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations_.html
American Library Association:
http://www.ala.org/washoff/patriot.html
American Civil Liberties Union:
http://www.aclu.org
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