ISSO Scholar Services Communiqué

Volume 5, Number 7

August 27, 2009

The Communiqué is an on-going series of messages to departments who sponsor international scholars at Boston University. With the Communiqué, we offer information that helps in the processing of scholar immigration-related documents and petitions. We hope you find the Communiqué a useful tool in working with the ISSO and in successfully hiring and sponsoring scholars from around the world. Past Communiqués are archived on our web site. Click here to go to the archive page.

Reminders About I-9 Times and Required Documentation

As we begin a new academic cycle, we wanted to remind all departments of Boston University’s policy with regard to completion of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification for foreign national employees.

# 1.  ISSO Completes I-9s for all Foreign National Employees

Any professor, researcher or employee of Boston University who is not a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder), must complete an I-9 at the ISSO within 3 days of beginning employment. This includes individuals who obtain employment authorization from the USCIS without Boston University sponsorship (such as students in F-1 status who are authorized for Optional Practical Training, pending lawful U.S. permanent residents, J-2 dependents, asylees, etc.)

# 2. International Employees must come to the ISSO during Designated I-9 Times

The ISSO holds standard I-9 walk-in hours for international employees every week as follows:

Due to the volume of scholars we assist, I-9s cannot be handled on a walk-in basis. Please make certain employees in your department are coming to the ISSO at an appropriate time to ensure that we will be available to assist them.

New employees sponsored in J-1 classification will complete their I-9s during New Scholar Orientation.

The ISSO generally arranges an individual I-9 appointment for employees sponsored in H-1B or O-1 status.

# 3. Proof of Valid Employment Authorization and a Letter of Appointment/Employment are Required for I-9 Completion

All employees needing an initial or updated I-9 should bring original immigration documents demonstrating their unexpired employment authorization in the U.S.  A list of acceptable documents can be found on page 5 of the following link: www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

In addition, employees who do not hold employment authorization sponsored by Boston University must also bring an academic appointment letter (for teaching or research positions) or a job offer letter (for staff positions). This letter should specify the job title, hiring department (including the unit/department code), and start date of employment (or dates of employment if temporary). The ISSO may already have an appointment letter or job offer letter on record if we have completed immigration sponsorship on behalf the employee.

# 4. International Employees must Renew their I-9s if their Employment Authorizations Changes

Please note that a new I-9 may be required whenever there is a change to the employment authorization, including:

• Whenever an employee receives renewal or change of employment authorization (including a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or new Curricular Practical Training or Academic Training authorization from a sponsoring school)

1. If there is a change in the employee's immigration classification.

2. When a BU student in a nonimmigrant classification moves to a regular staff, faculty or casual position at Boston University, or if a BU department wishes to employ a former student beyond the date of graduation.

3. When an employee obtains lawful U.S. permanent residence (a "green card") after starting employment at BU.

Further information about I-9 completion at the ISSO can be found on our website at: http://www.bu.edu/isso/scholars/I-9EmploymentEligibilityVerification.html

The ISSO has moved to 888 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd Floor!  Directions to our new office can be found at: http://www.bu.edu/isso/news/2009/ISSOmove.html

Your Scholar Services team,

Jeanne E. Kelley
Director
jkelley@bu.edu

M. Andrea Popa
Assistant Director for Scholar Services
apopa@bu.edu

Peter F. O'Meara
International Scholar Advisor
pomeara@bu.edu

International Students & Scholars Office
Boston University
888 Commonwelth Avenue, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02215

Tel: (617) 353-3565
Fax: (617) 358-1170

www.bu.edu/isso
issosch@bu.edu

Are you a new BU department contact or new host to an international scholar? Are you a BU affiliate who wants to receive the ISSO Communiqué? To update your department's contact information or to sign up for the ISSO Communiqué, please complete a Department Contact/Host Update Form on-line at: http://www.bu.edu/isso/administrators/contacts/index.html

ISSO
Boston University
February 28, 2005