ISSS WEEKLY UPDATE FOR 1/14/2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

New Items

1. CHANGE IN ISSS HOURS: WEEK OF JANUARY 13 - 17
2. NEW INS REGULATIONS PUBLISHED/ INFORMATION SESSIONS
3. F-1 CURRICULAR/OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING WORKSHOP, TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
4. F-1 and J-1 VISA HOLDERS: LIMITED DOCUMENT PROCESSING BEGINNING JANUARY 25
5. DEPENDENT STUDY: F-2s AND J-2s
6. J-1 VISA STAMP ISSUANCE UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS
7. F AND J VISA HOLDERS: SEVIS DOCUMENTS
8. EXCEPTION FROM FULL-COURSE-OF-STUDY FORM
9. CROSS-CULTURAL DISCUSSION GROUP

 

Repeated Items


These are announcements from previous ISSS Weekly Updates. They are current and relevant to this week. Click on the title of the announcement to view it.

1. SMALL WORLD COFFEE HOUR OPPORTUNITY
2. WINTER BREAK F AND J ADVISING WALK-IN SCHEDULE
   
3. NEW SPECIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION
4. ON-CAMPUS WORK PERMIT ENDS ON GRADUATION DAY
5. SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR J-1 DOCUMENT SPECIALIST WALK-INS
6. MAINTAINING YOUR LEGAL STATUS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
7. REMINDER: NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC FUNDING (MN ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)
8. NEW MAILING ADDRESS FOR INS CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM AR-11
9. INTERCULTURAL INTERACTION COURSE OFFERING
10. USING THE GRAD 999 REGISTRATION OPTION
11. CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS
    
12. NEW RULE FOR ENTRY VISA APPLICANTS
13. COPY YOUR EAD FOR POST-COMPLETION OPT TO ISSS

NEW ITEMS

1. CHANGE IN ISSS HOURS: WEEK OF JANUARY 13 - 17

ISSS will be closed on Tuesday, January 14 until 1:00 p.m. and have limited service available on Friday, January 17. We ask you to bear with us as we prepare the INS information so that we can serve you better. Please note that Monday, January 20 is an official University holiday for Martin Luther King Day, and ISSS will be closed.

Please see the ISSS web site for details on hours and services

2. NEW INS REGULATIONS PUBLISHED/ INFORMATION SESSIONS

The Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) has published the new F and J visa regulations. In order to provide better service, ISSS needs to take time to update our web site and publications, train staff, and revise our systems to comply with SEVIS. We realize this means there are fewer appointment times available. We urge you to attend one of the following information sessions that will provide more up to date information on the regulations:

The next sessions will be,
Monday, January 13 at 2:30 p.m . in Tate Laboratory of Physics 150 on the East Bank.
Thursday, January 16 at 9:00 a.m. in Anderson Hall 210 on the West Bank.

Watch the ISSS Weekly Update for additional information sessions dates and times.

New SEVIS information will be added very often to our web site. Please check it frequently SEVIS Information Sessions.

3. F-1 CURRICULAR/OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING WORKSHOP, TUESDAY, JANUARY 21

Attend one of these workshops to find out everything you need to know about Curricular and Optional Practical Training!
For more detailed information, please visit this workshop and the whole ISSS career series on the web site.

4. F-1 and J-1 VISA HOLDERS: LIMITED DOCUMENT PROCESSING BEGINNING JANUARY 25

ISSS will be limited in document processing beginning January 25 until SEVIS is fully implemented. If you will need an immigration document or other ISSS document action (e.g., travel signature) during Spring semester 2003, ISSS recommends submitting your request by January 21. Please refer to the ISSS web site for “SEVIS: F-1 & J-1, NEW INS REGULATIONS” to find out what documents ISSS can prepare for you before January 25.

Please note that J visa documents may have longer processing times than usual

5. DEPENDENT STUDY: F-2s AND J-2s

F-2 DEPENDENTS AND STUDY: A new regulation effective January 1, 2003 specifies that individuals holding F-2 status are not eligible to pursue a program of study in U.S. educational institutions. If you are an F-2, or if you are an F-1 with F-2 dependents, please see the ISSS web site for “SEVIS: F-1 & J-1, NEW INS REGULATIONS” for further information:

J-2 DEPENDENTS AND STUDY: Current regulations allow J-2 visa holders to enroll in an academic program and to take courses at the University. But the U.S. Department of State has indicated that it will prohibit study for J-2s in the future. If you are a J-2 dependent, or if you are a J-1 with J-2 dependents, please see the ISSS web site for “SEVIS: F-1 & J-1, NEW INS REGULATIONS” for more information:

6. J-1 VISA STAMP ISSUANCE UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS J-1 VISA STAMP ISSUANCE UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS

If you will be traveling outside the U.S. and your entry visa stamp in your passport needs to be renewed, after January 30, 2003, the U.S. consulates will require a full DS-2019. They will no longer accept only the pink page of your DS-2019 for visa issuance. Please see the ISSS web site for “SEVIS: F-1 & J-1, NEW INS REGULATIONS” for further information:

7. F AND J VISA HOLDERS: SEVIS DOCUMENTS

ISSS will inform you when and how you will receive your SEVIS I-20ID or DS-2019. We expect to begin issuing SEVIS documents for the F and J visa holders in mid-March 2003. Do not contact us about your SEVIS document unless you need a document before mid-March. For a list of reasons that we will do a document before mid-March, please see the ISSS web site for “SEVIS: F-1 & J-1, NEW INS REGULATIONS”.

8. EXCEPTION FROM FULL-COURSE-OF-STUDY FORM

Recently the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) revised their full-course-of-study regulations for F-1 students. New full-course-of-study Exception Forms for both F-1 and J-1 visa holders are in process at ISSS. In the meantime, use the current form. For an explanation of the changes, please see the following ISSS web site:

9. CROSS-CULTURAL DISCUSSION GROUP

INTERNATIONAL and U.S. STUDENTS are invited to join our new discussion group. Group members will share cross-cultural experiences, personal thoughts and feelings in a relaxed small group atmosphere.

Why join a Cross-cultural Discussion Group?

• Make friends from all over the world
  
• Expand cross-cultural understanding
  
• Give and get support from group members
  
• Help each other to make your study abroad experience successful
  
• Develop self-awareness of your own cultural background
  

Cross-cultural Discussion Group Schedule: Every Wednesday 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (February 12 – April 30)

To join the group, please contact International Student and Scholar Services (612-626-7100) to schedule a pre-group interview with one of the group leaders. The pre-group interview will start AFTER January 23. For more information about the group, check our web site:
The group may fill up quickly, so please contact us as soon as possible. We look forward to meeting you!

UNIVERSITY EVENTS CALENDAR Click

Visit the University Events Calendar regularly for programs, films, concerts, and celebrations of special interest to you! Many events are free or affordable to University Community members and the public.

SUBSCRIBING TO THE INTL-L LISTSERVE