New J-1 Scholar Orientation

Mondays 11:00-12:30 – ISSO

Thursdays 10:30-12:00 – MED Campus

All scholars sponsored by Boston University in J-1 classification (as a Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar or Specialist) are required by U.S. Department of State regulation to report to the ISSO and attend a New Scholar Orientation upon arrival in the U.S.

The ISSO offers two New J-1 Scholar Orientation sessions weekly, one at the ISSO and another at the Medical Campus:

Mondays 11:00-12:30 –    ISSO, 888 Commonwealth Avenue , 2nd Floor

 

Thursdays 10:30-12:00 –    MED Campus Office of Human Resources,

                                                  801 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 400

Scholars may attend an orientation session on either campus and no registration is required.

Scholars attending orientation should bring all pertinent immigration documents (Form DS-2019, passport, visa, I-94) for themselves and any dependent family members. Scholars should also bring information about their health insurance coverage in order to complete the required ISSO check-in.

During the orientation session ISSO staff will provide information regarding:

•  Immigration rights and responsibilities of J-1 scholar status

•  Mandatory insurance coverage

•  Obtaining BU identification card and email

•  Nonimmigrant taxation responsibilities

•  Immigration documents required for travel

•  Dependent spouses and children

•  Arrival and adjustment to the Boston area

For scholars who are employed by Boston University, ISSO staff will also complete the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification and discuss the procedure for obtaining a Social Security Number.

Scholars should attend orientation as soon as possible after entering the U.S. and no later than 30 days after the start date specified on their SEVIS Form DS-2019 . Information collected from scholars during New Scholar Orientation enables ISSO staff to “validate” their program participation in their electronic immigration record, which is maintained through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Failure to report to the ISSO and complete SEVIS validation within 30 days of the expected program start date, causes the SEVIS immigration record to become inactive and automatically reports a violation of status to the USCIS and U.S. Department of State.

ISSO
Boston University
February 28, 2005