Category: Fall 2024 Workshops

Fall 2024 Student Reminders

August 7th, 2024 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Please review the information below for important reminders about maintaining status for new students and continuing F and J students. Please read our updated summaries of F-1 student and J-1 student regulations to learn more!

Update Your Addresses in the MyBUStudent Portal

It is critical that you understand the different addresses on the MyBUStudent Portal and keep each address updated correctly. If you live in on-campus housing, your dormitory address will populate automatically. You must update your current address and your foreign immigration address through contact info section of the MyBU Student Portal. Click here for further instructions and sample addresses. BU will automatically send your address updates during your program of study to SEVIS. Immigration regulations require that you update your address within 10 days of a move so you must keep your immigration-related addresses in the MyBUStudent Portal up to date throughout the duration of your program.

Initial ISSO Check-in for New Students

All international students beginning a new program and F-1 students returning to campus after a leave of absence will be required to complete Initial ISSO check-in remotely through the ISSOPortal. You will be required to upload copies of your US immigration documents to notify us of your arrival in the US so we can activate your SEVIS record. You should only complete Initial ISSO check-in after you have entered the US. Students beginning a new program of study will receive separate email messages with additional details about Initial ISSO check-in.

SEVIS Reporting for Continuing Students

Boston University is required to confirm your enrollment to the US Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at the start of each semester. The ISSO will rely on your academic registration data to automatically update your SEVIS record for fall. You do not need to take any additional steps provided you are academically registered.

Enrollment Requirements

Remember that you must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress in your degree each semester. For most students, full-time is a minimum of 12 credits. Some graduate student programs may have different full-time equivalents, but you must be certified as a full-time student to maintain valid student immigration status. Students are only allowed to take one online course each semester towards the 12 credit enrollment minimum so students seeking to enroll in an online course must enroll in at least 8 credits of in-person instruction. If it is your last semester and you need less than 12 credits to graduate, you should enroll in at least one on-campus course and request authorization for a Reduced Course load from your ISSO advisor prior to the start of the semester.

On-Campus Employment

Immigration regulations allow international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus during the regular semester. If you have multiple jobs, you are still restricted to a maximum of 20 hours per week. The consequences of exceeding the 20 hour per week limit are severe so it is important you pay attention to your hours each week. You can read more about being hired to work on-campus on the ISSO website. If you have not worked on-campus before, you will need to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility form before you begin work. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for one after you secure a job.

Off-Campus Employment

Immigration regulations intentionally limit employment option off campus during the academic year so you can concentrate on your full-time coursework. You can learn about eligibility requirements and the application process from the ISSO website. Consequences of beginning employment without authorization are severe so, it is critical that you obtain specific authorization BEFORE you begin any employment opportunity.

  • F-1 students may qualify for Curricular Practical Training from the ISSO for academic internship experiences specifically required by a program of study or a particular course. Alternatively, if you are interested in gaining work experience related to your major field of study during your program, you may need to apply for pre-completion OPT employment authorization in advance from USCIS for Optional Practical Training for jobs directly related to your field of study.
  • J-1 students may qualify for Academic Training authorization from the ISSO for experiences related to your program of study.

Be Careful of Scams

ISSO would like to remind our community that international students have been targeted by scammers in the past. Please review the information we have about identifying, avoiding and responding to attempted scams. Always remember that no government agency in the U.S. will ever ask you for money over the phone, via text or via email. They will also not ask for money to be paid with gift cards.

We wish you a successful semester. The ISSO team is available in-person or virtually to support you. Please see our website to confirm your assigned ISSO Advisor and make sure you check this frequently as sometimes assignments chance. Attend one of our immigration workshops or visit our website to learn how to contact us, meet with our Advisor-On-Call or schedule an appointment. Given an increased volume of inquiries, it may take your advisor a few days to respond to inquiries and up to 10 business days to issue immigration documents and complete requests so please plan in advance.

 

Fall 2024 Workshops

June 12th, 2024 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Please find our virtual immigration workshop series below. Join us at one of our scheduled workshops to learn about maintaining status and employment benefits as an F-1 student and ask questions. In addition, do access one of our on-demand workshops available on our website about OPT or on-campus student employment.

 

Fall 2024 Workshop Series

Post Completion OPT Application Basics and Q&A

This workshop covers topics for students preparing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including eligibility factors and timing of application, considerations for travel and employment, and tips for preparing and submitting the OPT application. Questions will be taken via chat at the end of the presentation.

STEM OPT Basics and Q&A

This workshop is designed for students who have already applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and who may already be working on OPT. Covers advanced OPT topics including an overview of STEM OPT, allowing OPT extensions for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.  After this workshop, students should be prepared to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

    Employment Authorizations for Internships

    It’s not too early to begin planning for a summer internship. This workshop covers F-1 student employment authorization options for off-campus work and internships including: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

    CCD x ISSO- International Student Workshop Series

    Each semester, ISSO collaborates with Center for Career Development (CCD) on a workshop series especially for International Students. These workshops are in person at the CCD with presenters from the CDC and ISSO.

    Special Topics in Immigration with Featured Immigration Attorneys

    Join ISSO and local attorneys who specialize in immigration to learn more about special immigration topics;

    Immigration Options after OPT

    Learn from an immigration attorney what options for employment based visas you may have after your OPT period ends.

    Immigration Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Non-Traditional Employment 

    Looking to start your own business in the United States? Learn about visa options for start ups and entrepreneurs from a local immigration attorney.

    Immigration Options for Medical Students 

    Specific immigration information for MD students going into residency from a local immigration attorney.

     

    On-Demand Workshops – access them anytime!

    Student Employment

    This workshop covers tips for finding a job on campus, U.S. work permission, your rights and expectations as a U.S. worker, Social Security numbers, getting paid and taxes. It is now offered online in an on-demand format.  If you are interested in learning about how to work at BU, you can watch the video any time!

    You're Hired! On Campus Employment for International Students- on demand workshop

     

    OPT Application Basics

    Want to know more about the OPT Application process? Check out the OPT Application Basics Workshop below. This video is a 25 minute overview intended to introduce you to basic concepts and terms.  You will learn more about what OPT is, when you should apply, and how to maintain your status while on OPT. We recommend that you watch this video when you are starting to think about OPT as it gives you a good overview of the entire process.

    OPT Applications Basics – on demand workshop

     

    ISSO Collaboration with Center for Career Development

    Please register for these Center for Career Development sessions through the CCD website. Dates will be published shortly

    Spring 2024 Workshops

    January 12th, 2024 in Fall 2024 Workshops

    Please find our virtual immigration workshop series below. Join us at one of our scheduled workshops to learn about maintaining status and employment benefits as an F-1 student and ask questions. In addition, do access one of our on-demand workshops available on our website about OPT or on-campus student employment.

    Spring 2024 Workshop Series

    Post Completion OPT Application Basics and Q&A

    This workshop covers topics for students preparing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including eligibility factors and timing of application, considerations for travel and employment, and tips for preparing and submitting the OPT application. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

    STEM OPT Basics and Q&A

    This workshop is designed for students who have already applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and who may already be working on OPT. Covers advanced OPT topics including an overview of STEM OPT, allowing OPT extensions for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.  After this workshop, students should be prepared to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

     

    Employment Authorizations for Internships

    It’s not too early to begin planning for a summer internship. This workshop covers F-1 student employment authorization options for off-campus work and internships including: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

     

    Special Topics in Immigration with Featured Immigration Attorneys

    Join ISSO and local attorneys who specialize in immigration to learn more about special immigration topics;

    Immigration Options for Medical Students

    Thursday, February 8th 5pm    Register here

    Immigration Options after OPT (H-1B/Employment visa options) 

    Thursday, March 7th 5pm   Register here

    Immigration Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Non-Traditional Employment (beyond the H-1B)

    please note that this session is not about H-1B visa basics. If you would like to know about the H-1B process, please attend the March session

    Thursday, April 4rd 5pm    Register here

     

    On-Demand Workshops – access them anytime!

    Student Employment

    This workshop covers tips for finding a job on campus, U.S. work permission, your rights and expectations as a U.S. worker, Social Security numbers, getting paid and taxes. It is now offered online in an on-demand format.  If you are interested in learning about how to work at BU, you can watch the video any time!

    You're Hired! On Campus Employment for International Students- on demand workshop

     

    OPT Application Basics

    Want to know more about the OPT Application process? Check out the OPT Application Basics Workshop below. This video is a 25 minute overview intended to introduce you to basic concepts and terms.  You will learn more about what OPT is, when you should apply, and how to maintain your status while on OPT. We recommend that you watch this video when you are starting to think about OPT as it gives you a good overview of the entire process.

    OPT Applications Basics – on demand workshop

     

    ISSO Collaboration with Center for Career Development

    Please register for these Center for Career Development sessions through the CCD website. 

    Wednesday, January 31, 2024 4 to 5pm Internship and Job Search for International Students

    Monday, February 5, 2024 2 to 3pm Networking for International Students

    Monday, February 26, 2024 10:30 to 12 Interviewing in the US

    Spring 2024 Student Reminders

    January 10th, 2024 in Fall 2024 Workshops

    Please review the information below for important reminders about maintaining status for new students and continuing F and J students. Please read our updated summaries of F-1 student and J-1 student regulations to learn more!

    Update Your Addresses in the MyBU Student Portal

    It is critical that you understand the different addresses on the MyBU Student Portal and keep each address updated correctly. Local address is used by the university to know your location while the Foreign-Immigration and the US-Immigration address are reported to the US Department of Homeland Security through SEVIS. Immigration regulations require that you update your address within 10 days of a move so you must keep your immigration-related addresses in the MyBU Student Portal up to date throughout the duration of your program.

    • Foreign-Immigration address: must reflect your address in your home country
    • US-Immigration address: must reflect your current US address (If you are living on campus, this address will automatically reflect your BU housing address)

    Initial ISSO Check-in for New Students

    All international students beginning a new program and F-1 students returning to campus after a leave of absence will be required to complete Initial ISSO check-in remotely through the ISSOPortal. You will be required to upload copies of your US immigration documents to notify us of your arrival in the US so we can activate your SEVIS record. You should only complete Initial ISSO check-in after you have entered the US. Students beginning a new program of study will receive separate email messages with additional details about Initial ISSO check-in.

    SEVIS Reporting for Continuing Students

    Boston University is required to confirm your enrollment to the US Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at the start of each semester. The ISSO will rely on your academic registration data to automatically update your SEVIS record for fall. You do not need to take any additional steps provided you are academically registered.

    Enrollment Requirements

    Remember that you must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress in your degree each semester. For most students, full-time is a minimum of 12 credits. Some graduate student programs may have different full-time equivalents, but you must be certified as a full-time student to maintain valid student immigration status. Students are only allowed to take one online course each semester towards the 12 credit enrollment minimum so students seeking to enroll in an online course must enroll in at least 8 credits of in-person instruction. If it is your last semester and you need less than 12 credits to graduate, you should enroll in at least one on-campus course and request authorization for a Reduced Course load from your ISSO advisor prior to the start of the semester.

    On-Campus Employment

    Immigration regulations allow international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus during the regular semester. If you have multiple jobs, you are still restricted to a maximum of 20 hours per week. The consequences of exceeding the 20 hour per week limit are severe so it is important you pay attention to your hours each week. You can read more about being hired to work on-campus on the ISSO website. If you have not worked on-campus before, you will need to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility form before you begin work. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for one after you secure a job.

    Off-Campus Employment

    Immigration regulations intentionally limit employment option off campus during the academic year so you can concentrate on your full-time coursework. You can learn about eligibility requirements and the application process from the ISSO website. Consequences of beginning employment without authorization are severe so, it is critical that you obtain specific authorization BEFORE you begin any employment opportunity.

    • F-1 students may qualify for Curricular Practical Training from the ISSO for academic internship experiences specifically required by a program of study or a particular course. Alternatively, if you are interested in gaining work experience related to your major field of study during your program, you may need to apply for pre-completion OPT employment authorization in advance from USCIS for Optional Practical Training for jobs directly related to your field of study.
    • J-1 students may qualify for Academic Training authorization from the ISSO for experiences related to your program of study.

    We wish you a successful semester. The ISSO team is available in-person or virtually to support you. Attend one of our immigration workshops or visit our website to learn how to contact us, find your ISSO advisor, meet with our Advisor-On-Call or schedule an appointment. Given an increased volume of inquiries, it may take your advisor a few days to respond to inquiries and up to 10 business days to issue immigration documents and complete requests so please plan in advance.

    USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increases

    January 3rd, 2024 in Fall 2024 Workshops, Featured

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced increases to premium-processing fees effective February 26, 2024.

    Premium processing allows for accelerated case review for certain petitions. Premium processing is available for several services, including OPT and STEM OPT extensions, certain Form I-539 applications to extend/change nonimmigrant status and Form I-129 petitions for nonimmigrant employment. The increased fee will be required for all requests postmarked on, or after February 26, 2024. See details below for the most common fees utilized by our international community:

    • Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (OPT/STEM OPT) will increase from $1500 to $1685.
    • Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Employee (H-1B, TN, etc.) will increase from $2500 to $2,805.
    • Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status will increase from e is $1750 to $1965.

    Please consult with the ISSO if you are unsure which fee will apply to your application/petition before filing as USCIS will not accept requests that are not accompanied by the appropriate fee on the date the request is received. You can find additional details about premium process options here.

    ISSO Launching New Immigration System for Students

    October 3rd, 2023 in Fall 2024 Workshops

    The International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) is launching a new system to manage all international student documents and immigration processing. The new ISSOPortal will allow students to securely upload documents and to initiate and track requests for immigration processing like travel signatures CPT, OPT, extensions etc. online through a single portal.

    ISSOPortal is scheduled to go live on November 20th, 2023!

    There will be a system cutover period when ISSO will be not be able to process any immigration requests. Students must submit all processing requests by Monday, November 6th at 5pm or they will need to wait until after the system launches.

    This means the following students should submit completed requests to ISSO ASAP:

    • student planning on travelling outside of the US over the Thanksgiving break who need a travel signature,
    • students requiring any ISSO immigration processing before November 20th, and
    • students graduating in January 2024 looking to apply for OPT in November

    In addition, the ISSO will be closed Friday, November 10th in observation of Veterans’ Day. From Monday, November 13th through Friday, November 18th the ISSO lobby will be open from 2-5pm each day to sign immigration documents for travel. We will have in-person and virtual advisor-on-call each day that week from 2-5pm to answer basic questions while we migrate data and train on the new system.

    Once the ISSOPortal is live, international students will:

    • Access the new ISSS portal using your BU login
    • Submit all immigration requests through ISSS
    • View request tracking in ISSS
    • Upload and retrieve documents in ISSS (including immigration documents)
    • Interact with ISSO via ISSS going forward

    Please watch your email inboxes for details in the next few weeks as we prepare for launch.

    Fall 2023 Student Reminders

    August 17th, 2023 in Fall 2024 Workshops

    Please review the information below for important reminders about maintaining status for new students and continuing F and J students. Please read our updated summaries of F-1 student and J-1 student regulations to learn more! 

    Update Your Addresses in the MyBU Student Portal 

    It is critical that you understand the different addresses on the MyBU Student Portal and keep each address updated correctly. Local address is used by the university to know your location while the Foreign-Immigration and the US-Immigration address are reported to the US Department of Homeland Security through SEVIS. Immigration regulations require that you update your address within 10 days of a move so you must keep your immigration-related addresses in the MyBU Student Portal up to date throughout the duration of your program. 

    • Foreign-Immigration address: must reflect your address in your home country 
    • US-Immigration address: must reflect your current US address (If you are living on campus, this address will automatically reflect your BU housing address) 

    Initial ISSO Check-in for New Students 

    All international students beginning a new program and F-1 students returning to campus after a leave of absence will be required to complete Initial ISSO check-in remotely through MyBU Student Portal. You will be required to upload copies of your US immigration documents to notify us of your arrival in the US so we can activate your SEVIS record. You should only complete Initial ISSO check-in after you have entered the US. Students beginning a new program of study will receive separate email messages with additional details about Initial ISSO check-in.  

    SEVIS Reporting for Continuing Students 

    Boston University is required to confirm your enrollment to the US Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at the start of each semester. The ISSO will rely on your academic registration data to automatically update your SEVIS record for fall. You do not need to take any additional steps provided you are academically registered. 

    Enrollment Requirements 

    Remember that you must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress in your degree each semester. For most students, full-time is a minimum of 12 credits. Some graduate student programs may have different full-time equivalents, but you must be certified as a full-time student to maintain valid student immigration status. Students are only allowed to take one online course each semester towards the 12 credit enrollment minimum so students seeking to enroll in an online course must enroll in at least 8 credits of in-person instruction. 

    If it is your last semester and you need less than 12 credits to graduate, you should enroll in at least one on-campus course and request authorization for a Reduced Course load from your ISSO advisor prior to the start of the semester. 

    On-Campus Employment 

    Immigration regulations allow international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus during the regular semester. If you have multiple jobs, you are still restricted to a maximum of 20 hours per week. The consequences of exceeding the 20 hour per week limit are severe so it is important you pay attention to your hours each week. You can read more about being hired to work on-campus on the ISSO website. If you have not worked on-campus before, you will need to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility form before you begin work. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for one after you secure a job. 

    Off-Campus Employment 

    Immigration regulations intentionally limit employment option off campus during the academic year so you can concentrate on your full-time coursework. You can learn about eligibility requirements and the application process from the ISSO website. Consequences of beginning employment without authorization are severe so, it is critical that you obtain specific authorization BEFORE you begin any employment opportunity. 

    • F-1 students may qualify for Curricular Practical Training from the ISSO for academic internship experiences specifically required by a program of study or a particular course. Alternatively, if you are interested in gaining work experience related to your major field of study during your program, you may need to apply for pre-completion OPT employment authorization in advance from USCIS for Optional Practical Training for jobs directly related to your field of study. 
    • J-1 students may qualify for Academic Training authorization from the ISSO for experiences related to your program of study. 

    January 2024 Graduates 

    If you are graduating in January, please note that you will have a 60-day grace period after your official program completion date of January 12, 2024 during which you must: 

    We wish you a successful semester. The ISSO team is available in-person or virtually to support you. Attend one of our immigration workshops or visit our website to learn how to contact us, find your ISSO advisor, meet with our Advisor-On-Call or schedule an appointment. Given an increased volume of inquiries, it may take your advisor a few days to respond to inquiries and up to 10 business days to issue immigration documents and complete requests so please plan in advance. 

    Fall 2023 Workshops

    July 26th, 2023 in Fall 2024 Workshops

    Please find our virtual immigration workshop series below. Join us at one of our scheduled workshops to learn about maintaining status and employment benefits as an F-1 student and ask questions. In addition, do access one of our on-demand workshops available on our website about OPT or on-campus student employment.

    Fall 2023 Workshop Series

    Post Completion OPT Application Basics and Q&A

    This workshop covers topics for students preparing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including eligibility factors and timing of application, considerations for travel and employment, and tips for preparing and submitting the OPT application. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

    **This session will focus on unique aspects of Post Completion OPT for PhD students**

    • Thursday, December 14, 2023 10AM            Register Here

     

    This workshop is designed for students who have already

    STEM OPT Basics and Q&A

    applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and who may already be working on OPT. Covers advanced OPT topics including an overview of STEM OPT, allowing OPT extensions for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.  After this workshop, students should be prepared to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Questions will be taken via chat at the end.

     

    Employment Authorizations for Internships

    It’s not too early to begin planning for a summer internship. This workshop covers F-1 student employment authorization options for off-campus work and internships including: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

     

    Special Topics in Immigration with Featured Immigration Attorneys

    Join ISSO and local attorneys who specialize in immigration to learn more about special immigration topics;

    Immigration Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Non-Traditional Employment

    • Tuesday, October 17, 2023 5PM    In person session located at HAR208. Capacity is limited so please arrive early to ensure attendance.

    Immigration Options after OPT

    Immigration Options for Medical Students

     

    On-Demand Workshops – access them anytime!

    Student Employment

    This workshop covers tips for finding a job on campus, U.S. work permission, your rights and expectations as a U.S. worker, Social Security numbers, getting paid and taxes. It is now offered online in an on-demand format.  If you are interested in learning about how to work at BU, you can watch the video any time!

    You're Hired! On Campus Employment for International Students- on demand workshop

     

    OPT Application Basics

    Want to know more about the OPT Application process? Check out the OPT Application Basics Workshop below. This video is a 25 minute overview intended to introduce you to basic concepts and terms.  You will learn more about what OPT is, when you should apply, and how to maintain your status while on OPT. We recommend that you watch this video when you are starting to think about OPT as it gives you a good overview of the entire process.

    OPT Applications Basics – on demand workshop

     

    ISSO Collaboration with Center for Career Development

    Please register for these Center for Career Development sessions through the CCD website

    • Tuesday, October 3, 2023 6 to 7pm Internship Search for International Students
    • Thursday, October 26, 2023 2:30 to 3:30 pm Networking for International Students
    • Tuesday, November 7, 2023 9:30 to 11am Interviewing in the US

    Reminders for F-1 Students Graduating in Summer

    May 9th, 2023 in Fall 2024 Workshops

    As you near the end of your program, it is important for you to read the information below so you can understand your how program completion impacts your F-1 student status.

    The end date on your I-20 is initially determined by the average length of your program but often changes during your final semester to reflect the date you will officially complete your program. Since the official BU summer graduation date has changed from September 25 to August 25, we will be adjusting I-20 end dates throughout the summer when you apply for OPT, when you apply to be part-time in your final summer semester, or, after your summer graduation is confirmed

    If you have any questions or wish discuss any of these options, please feel free to connect with our virtual advisor-on-call or email our team at isso@bu.edu.

    US Ends COVID Vaccination Travel Requirements

    May 9th, 2023 in Fall 2024 Workshops

    COVID vaccination requirements for all international travelers will be eliminated with end of the COVID public health emergency.

    All nonimmigrant travelers entering US after May 11th via all ports – land, air or sea – will no longer be required to document proof of a WHO acceptable COVID vaccine. In a May 1, 2023 statement, the Biden administration announced that "the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers effective 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 12, 2023, at the end of the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.

    The U.S.-Canada-Mexico land border COVID restrictions will also cease to have effect as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 12, 2023, under a Federal Register Notice to be published on May 10, 2023.

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