Reminders for Continuing Employees, Faculty, and Researchers
Please review these helpful reminders throughout your employment or activity at BU. They will help to insure you remain in compliance employment and immigration regulations for foreign nationals in the U.S.
If you have any questions for us, just ask
International travel
We recommend that you review the travel and visa information on our website whenever you are considering international travel and contact us with any questions as you prepare for your travels.
Avoid common scams and fraud schemes
International students and scholars in the U.S. are sometimes targeted as part of sophisticated scams and fraud schemes. More details are available here.
BU employment/activity changes
Don’t forget to notify the ISSO in advance if any of your employment terms are expected to change (i.e. title, duties, salary, work location, flexible work authorizations, hours, parental or other leaves, etc.). This is particularly important for employees with H-1B, TN, O-1, STEM OPT authorizations, as these authorizations are specific to the terms that were provided in the initial request to the ISSO. In some cases, an amended petition or additional steps may be needed in order for the desired change(s) to occur.
File your U.S. income tax forms each year
If you are receiving any payment from BU or U.S. funding source, you must file tax forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by April 15 of the next calendar year. In addition, you may also be required to file a state tax return for Massachusetts and/or any other state in which you have worked or lived. Each spring, the ISSO provides information and resources to help you comply with your tax obligations. Please note that since laws related to international taxation are complex, the ISSO is not able to assist or advise on tax responsibilities and/or required annual reporting. If you find that you require additional assistance filing your annual taxes, you will need to contact a tax professional. Please see our website for additional details.
Update BU Payroll anytime your immigration status is extended or changed
While the ISSO may process and update your immigration records, it is your responsibility to notify BU Payroll of these changes so that they can update your payroll records as appropriate. You can email any updates and/or send general inquiries to nrapay@bu.edu.
When to contact the ISSO
To ensure that you maintain lawful immigration status, please contact us if any of the following events occur:
- If there is a change to your legal name, U.S. address, phone number, email, country of citizenship, or immigration status;
- If there will be a change in ANY terms of your BU appointment/employment (appointment title, job duties, hours worked, salary, change in appointment percentage, etc.).
- If you intend to travel outside the U.S.
- If you lose any of your immigration documents, or if they are stolen.
- If you are approved for another immigration status
- If you intend to take a leave of absence from BU
- If you are contacted by a U.S. government representative about your J-1 status.
- If you are facing charges for any felony or misdemeanor criminal act.
Don’t do anything to jeopardize your immigration status in the U.S.
Immigration laws in the U.S. impose severe penalties if you fail to comply with your immigration responsibilities, or fail to obtain a required registration or employment permission in advance. Any violation of your status may result in accrual of unlawful presence time which may lead to removal from the U.S. (formerly “deportation”) and/or to a long-term bar on admissibility to the U.S. in any immigration classification from three to ten years. In some cases, a permanent bar on admissibility may apply. You should work closely with the ISSO staff to make certain that you comply with all regulations, and take immediate action to remedy any status violations as quickly as possible after they occur. In the event of a status violation, your ISSO advisor will discuss your legal options. The ISSO may also refer you to an immigration attorney for legal advice.
Submit End of Employment/Activity Notification to ISSO Prior to Leaving BU
Academic researchers, faculty and employees who end their employment or activity at Boston University must complete and submit the End of Employment Notification Form to the ISSO. This form and other information to consider as you prepare for leaving BU can be found on our website. This advance notice is important as it allows the ISSO to make any required notifications to various government agencies to conform with associated immigration and employment regulations.