Category: Fall 2024 Workshops
Spring 2021 Student Reminders and Check-In Procedures
Be sure to read our spring 2021 Enrollment Considerations as you finalize your course registration for spring. In addition, please review the reminders below, as they contain important for new student check-in procedures, enrollment requirements and information about F-1 regulatory flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Boston University is required to confirm your enrollment to the Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at the start of each semester. Please be advised that we have changed how we will gather and report your enrollment during this time.
If you are traveling to campus at any time during the spring semester and have questions about COVID testing and quarantine requirements, we encourage you to review the Back2BU website, as it contains important information about student life during COVID.
Initial Check-in ISSO
All international students traveling to the US for the first time and F-1 students returning to campus after a leave of absence will be required to complete Initial ISSO check-in remotely in the StudentLink to upload copies of your immigration documents and notify us of your arrival in the US. You should only complete Initial ISSO check-in after you have entered the US. Students beginning a new program of study should have received separate email messages with additional details about Initial ISSO check-in.
Spring 2021 Semester Verification Suspended for Continuing Students
Continued student check-in (generally referred to as Semester Verification) will not be required in Spring 2021. Rather than asking students in check in in-person at the beginning for the semester, the ISSO will be relying on your academic registration data to update your SEVIS record, since many students will not be physically returning to campus this semester. SEVP COVID Guidance will allow BU to continue keep SEVIS records active for continuing students enrolled full-time, even if they study remotely. If you have questions about how your academic registration will affect your SEVIS record, please refer to our spring 2021 Enrollment Considerations.
Update your address in the StudentLink
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. You must keep your immigration-related addresses in the MyBU Student Portal up to date throughout the semester.
- Local address:
- Will automatically reflect your BU housing address if you reside in BU housing
- Should reflect your most recent US address if you are in the US
- Should reflect a general placeholder address of 881 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215 if you are outside the US
- Foreign-Immigration address: must reflect your address in your home country
- US-Immigration address:
- Should reflect your current US address if you are in the US. If you are living on campus, this address will automatically reflect your BU housing address.
- If you are a continuing student and you plan to study remotely from outside the US, please leave your most recent US address in this section – do not delete this address.
- If this is your first semester you are a new student and you plan to study remotely from outside the US, you should leave this address blank until you arrive in the US.
-
LfA Status Indicator
The LfA Status Indicator was designed for university offices to know where you are living and understand how you plan to participate in classes so they can assign you to the appropriate COVID testing schedule. It is essential that you keep your LfA Status Indicator in the StudentLink updated throughout the semester. If you are returning to Boston, it is recommended that you update your LfA Status Indicator approximately 24 hours before you arrive for the spring semester. You must update your LfA Status Indicator as your situation changes throughout the semester, regardless of whether you will study on campus or remotely. Please be advised that your LfA Status Indicator will not be used for SEVIS record keeping or immigration compliance purposes.
Enrollment
Remember that you must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress in your degree. For most students, full-time is 12 credits. Some graduate student programs may have different full-time equivalents, but you must be certified as a full-time student to maintain your immigration status. The number of remote courses that continuing students can take has been relaxed temporarily due to COVID-19 as long as you are enrolled full-time and making progress in your degree program. If it is your last semester and you need less than 12 credits to graduate, you should request a Reduced Courseload from ISSO prior to the start of the semester. If you have questions about how your academic registration will affect your SEVIS record, please refer to our spring 2021 Enrollment Considerations.
May Graduates
If you plan to graduate in May 2021 and plan to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), please note that you must be inside of the United States prior to May 16, 2021 in order to apply for OPT. This is a requirement of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), and they have not provided any flexibility to allow students to apply for OPT from outside of the United States despite the travel challenges related to COVID-19.
It is also important to note that you will have a 60-day grace period after your program completion date of May 16, 2021 during which you can:
- Apply for OPT provided you are inside the US prior to the May graduation date
- Request that ISSO transfer your SEVIS record to a new school
- Obtain a new I-20 reflecting your plans to study in a new degree level at BU
- Depart the United States.
An extension of this grace period due to COVID-19 has not been provided, so we encourage you to keep this in mind as you are planning your next steps. Please note, if you are outside of the US, you do not have a grace period and should not plan to travel into the US after your program completion (graduation) date.
On-Campus Employment
Immigration regulations allow international students to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the regular semester. During spring 2021, some on-campus jobs may be approved to be performed remotely by students who are within the United States, and some will require that you be available in-person on campus. 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. Social Security Offices are currently closed to walk-in traffic due to COVID-19, but you can review details of how you can apply for an SSN on our COVID-19 FAQs page.
Travel Concerns
ISSO acknowledges that travel has become very complicated by COVID-19. If you are considering international travel, we strongly recommend that you review our Current Travel Advisory and be aware that travel restrictions are subject to change at any time. US Embassies/Consulates closed for routine visa processing in mid-March and began a phased-in reopening in mid-July in many locations. COVID spikes during the Fall/Winter caused appointments in some locations to be canceled or delayed with little advanced notice. If your F-1 visa stamp has expired, you should expect substantial delays in applying for a new visa. If you are considering international travel, we suggest that you contact your ISSO advisor before finalizing your travel plans.
ISSO continues to work remotely, and we remain available to support you. You can visit our Menu of Remote Services to learn how to contact us. You can also contact your ISSO advisor if you have specific questions. Given an increased volume of inquiries, it may take your advisor a few days to respond so we appreciate your patience!
Court Sets Aside New H-1 Wage and Eligibility Rules
On December 1, 2020, the US District Court struck down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) interim final rules. The DOL rule, effective October 8, 2020, modified the calculations to raise the minimum prevailing wages for employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions while the DHS rule, slated to go into effect on December 7, 2020, increased the regulatory requirements for qualification in the H-1B specialty workers and sought to implement other restrictions to the H-1B program.
The litigation was filed in the Northern District of California lawsuit, Chamber of Commerce v. DHS, in which BU joined other academic and research institutions in filing an amicus brief last month. The order grants the plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment and sets aside both the DOL and DHS interim final rules, thus blocking both rules from being enforced or implemented. The basis for the Court’s order is that both DOL and DHS “failed to show there was good cause to dispense with the rational and thoughtful discourse that is provide by the APA’s notice and comment requirements.” The Court also noted that, given that the DHS rule was under consideration as early as 2017, the Government could not claim that the COVID-19 pandemic was sufficient to document ‘good cause’ due to their delay in issuing the final rules after the start of the pandemic.
This is a vital first step to mitigate the harmful nature of these rules as it delays implementation but there will need to be further regulatory rulemaking required to officially nullify the rules moving forward. DOL has announced that they will update their systems to revert back to the wages prior to rule change in the next few days. The ISSO will continue to work with individual hiring departments to strategize H-1 sponsorship for eligible BU positions.
See more details about both rules below:
On October 8, 2020, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Department of Labor (DOL) published interim final rules today that:
- modify the calculations to raise minimum prevailing wages for employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions
- increase the regulatory requirements for the H-1 specialty worker category
- clarify "employer-employee relationship"
- restrict third party placement
- implement other program restrictions
Each rule has varying effective dates and comment periods but both rules have been published as interim final and will be effective on the dates outlined in each the rule. It is expected that there will be numerous court challenges to both given they did not follow standard federal rule making process. However, departments seeking to initiate new or extended H-1 sponsorship should expect processing delays and potential increased eligibility and wage requirements.
DHS Rule
Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program
Interim final rule effective December 7, 2020 with concurrent 60-day comment period for the rule portion and 30 days for the forms portion.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending certain regulations governing the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program by:
- revising the regulatory definition of and standards for a "specialty occupation" to better align with the statutory definition of the term
- adding definitions for "worksite" and "third-party worksite"
- revising the definition of "United States employer”
- clarifying how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will determine whether there is an "employer-employee relationship" between the petitioner and the beneficiary
- requiring corroborating evidence of work in a specialty occupation
- limiting the validity period for third-party placement petitions to a maximum of 1 year
- providing a written explanation when the petition is approved with an earlier validity period end date than requested
- amending the general itinerary provision to clarify it does not apply to H-1B petitions
- codifying USCIS' H-1B site visit authority including the potential consequences of refusing a site visit
DHS has explained that these changes are intended to realize program efficiencies and better ensure that each H-1B nonimmigrant will be working for a qualified employer in a job that meets the statutory definition of a "specialty occupation." DHS asserts these changes are necessary to strengthen the integrity of the H-1B program during the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency to more effectively ensure that the employment of H-1B workers will not have an adverse impact on the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
DOL Rule
Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain
Interim final rule effective October 8, 2020 with concurrent 30-day comment period
The Department of Labor is amending Employment and Training Administration (ETA) regulations governing the prevailing wages for foreign workers on a temporary basis through H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 nonimmigrant visas and, on a permanent basis, through employment-based immigrant visas. DOL is amending regulations governing permanent labor certifications and Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) to incorporate changes to the computation of wage levels under the Department's four-tiered wage structure based on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) wage survey administered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). DOL asserts that these changes will update the computation of prevailing wage levels under the existing four-tier wage structure to better reflect the actual wages earned by U.S. workers and to allow them to more effectively ensure that the employment of immigrant and nonimmigrant workers do not adversely affect the wages and job opportunities of U.S. workers.
DHS Proposes New Regulation to Eliminate D/S
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published proposed regulation 85 FR 60526 that seeks to eliminate “Duration of Status” or D/S for F international students, J exchange visitors and F-2 and J-2 dependent family members. This a proposed regulation that makes extensive changes to how long students and scholars could be granted admission to the United States in the future. The proposed rule indicates that individuals in F-1, F-2, J-1 and J-2 status would be granted a specific expiration date of their status instead of D/S which would require them to submit a form, application fee and supporting documents to USCIS to apply for extensions if they need additional time to complete an academic program, begin a new program of study or, in order to apply for post-completion employment authorization like OPT or STEM OPT.
Please see an ISSO summary and a NAFSA summary of the proposed regulations for more details.
A number of offices at the University are reading the proposed regulations to evaluate how this will impact our community. Boston University intends to comment and participate in efforts to mitigate this proposed rule change. It is important to keep in mind that this is still in the federal proposed rulemaking process and will not result in any immediate changes for our international students and scholars. The public has 30 days (until October 26, 2020) to comment on these proposed changes. The rule will follow normal APA public notice and comment procedures. After the comment period ends, the government is required to review all comments submitted and address any substantial comments. Based on comments, they are likely to make some changes to the regulation before publishing it in a final format. Sometimes changes to the final version of a regulation are small, and sometimes they are quite substantial. It is difficult to predict if, or when, the government might complete this process and publish new regulations in a final format.
If you are interested in commenting on the proposed regulation, NAFSA's summary provides detailed instructions on how to submit a comment. The President's Alliance and NAFSA have jointly published a talking points document for this proposed regulation, and NAFSA has created a tip sheet for writing a successful comment letter that interested parties may find useful.
On Tuesday, October 20, ISSO offered an information and Q&A session on the proposed regulation to eliminate Duration of Status. You can view the recording of the information session below.
Fall Student Reminders and Check-In Procedures
Please see instructions below for Fall 2020 check-in procedures and information about regulatory flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic for F-1 students. Boston University is required to confirm your enrollment to the Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at the start of each semester. Please be advised that we have changed how we will gather and report your enrollment during this time. Please read this information carefully and contact the ISSO team should you have any questions.
Initial Check-in ISSO
All students beginning a new program of study on campus and students returning to campus from a leave of absence will be required to complete Initial ISSO check-in remotely through new functions on the MyBU Student Portal. You should only complete Initial ISSO check-in after you have entered the US in F-1 student status and, only if you are beginning a new program. New students will receive separate emails message with detailed instructions for check-in.
Fall 2020 Semester Verification Suspended for Continuing Students
Continued student check-in (generally referred to as Semester Verification) will not be required in Fall 2020. SEVP COVID Guidance will allow BU to keep SEVIS records open for continuing full-time students, even if they study remotely or remain outside of the United States. The ISSO will be relying on the data that you enter in the new LfA Status indicator on the MyBU Student Portal and your academic registration data to update your SEVIS record instead of Semester Verification since many students will not be returning to campus this semester. Therefore, it is essential that you keep your LfA Status indicator and your addresses in the MyBU Student Portal up to date throughout the fall semester.
- Local address should reflect your US address if you are in the US, or should be left blank for the fall semester if you are studying remotely from outside the US. If you are living on campus, this address will automatically reflect your BU housing address.
- Foreign-Immigration address should reflect your address in your home country
- US-Immigration address should reflect your current US address if you are in the US. If you are living on campus, this address will automatically reflect your BU housing address. If you plan to study remotely from outside the US for the fall, please leave your most recent US address in this section – do not delete this address.
Enrollment
Remember that you must be enrolled full-time and making normal academic progress in your degree. For most students, full-time is 12 credits. Some graduate student programs may have different full-time equivalents, but you must be certified as a full-time student to maintain your immigration status. The number of remote courses that continuing students can take has been relaxed temporarily due to COVID-19 as long as you are enrolled full-time and making progress in your degree program. If it is your last semester and you need less than 12 credits to graduate, you should request a Reduced Courseload from ISSO prior to the start of the semester.
January Graduates
If you plan to graduate in January 2021 and plan to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), please note that you must be inside of the United States in order to apply for OPT. This is a requirement of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), and they have not provided any flexibility to allow students to apply for OPT from outside of the United States despite the travel challenges related to COVID-19. It is also important to note that you will have a 60-day grace period after your program completion date of January 25, 2021 during which you can apply for OPT, request that ISSO transfer your SEVIS record to a new school or change your record to a new degree level at BU, or depart the United States. An extension of this grace period due to COVID-19 has not been provided, so we encourage you to keep this in mind as you are planning your next steps.
On-Campus Employment
Immigration regulations allow international students to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the regular semester. During Fall 2020, some on-campus jobs may be approved to be performed remotely by students who are within the United States, and some will require that you be available in-person on campus. 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. Social Security Offices are currently closed to walk-in traffic due to COVID-19, but you can review details of how you can apply for an SSN on our COVID-19 FAQs page.
Travel Concerns
ISSO acknowledges that travel has become very complicated by COVID-19. If you are considering international travel, we strongly recommend that you review our Current Travel Advisory and be aware that travel restrictions are subject to change at any time. US Embassies/Consulates closed for routine visa processing in mid-March and began a phased-in reopening in mid-July. If your F-1 visa stamp has expired, you should expect substantial delays in applying for a new visa. If you are considering international travel, we suggest that you contact your ISSO advisor before finalizing your travel plans.
ISSO continues to work remotely, and we remain available to support you. You can visit our Menu of Remote Services to learn how to contact us. You can also contact your ISSO advisor if you have specific questions. Given an increased volume of inquiries, it may take your advisor a few days to respond so we appreciate your patience!
SEVP publishes updated guidance for F-1 students for Fall 2020
On July 24, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published additional FAQs designed to give schools and students more detail about how regulatory and record-keeping flexibility would be extended to F-1 students for the Fall semester in light of the ongoing COVID emergency.
Please click here to read more.
ICE withdraws plans to change F-1 rules regarding remote study for fall
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreed in federal court to rescind plans to change temporary F-1 rules for the fall semester and to extend the interim COVID guidance published by the Student Exchange Visitor Information Program (SEVP) in the spring to the fall semester. This guidance will allow schools and students continued regulatory and SEVIS record-keeping flexibility for the fall semester. The ISSO will continue to update resources on the ISSO website. Please continue to review details of the FAQs and travel considerations during COVID for continuing students and for new students on the ISSO menu of services during COVID.
SEVP Distributes Preliminary Guidance for Fall Enrollment
On July 6, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) distributed a summary of potential guidance regarding continuing accommodations for F-1 students for the fall 2020 semester. This updated guidance appears to continue to allow students to take more online courses than normally allowed by regulation, provided that students continue to take courses in person. Specifically, this preview of guidance supports the hybrid mode of instruction outlined on the Back2BU portal, so this is good news for new F-1 students planning on joining BU and those returning to campus for the Fall.
However, this summary raises serious questions as it does not provide the same level of flexibility afforded to schools and students in spring and summer. It implies that schools may not be able to maintain active SEVIS records for continuing students who choose to enroll in only remote or fully online courses. International students have the ability to enroll in online instruction from their home country, but BU may not be able to keep their SEVIS records open during this time. We are waiting on the publication of the Temporary Final Rule and updated FAQs from SEVP which should offer more specific details and we are actively seeking clarification. We continue to advocate for maximum SEVIS record-keeping flexibility in the best interest of our students.
We will continue to encourage students to travel and return to campus for the fall semester, if possible, given COVID-related travel restrictions. We know students have specific questions as to how this new guidance impacts their fall enrollment decisions, and we appreciate your patience as we seek clarification from SEVP. As more details are known, we will continue to update the ISSO website and we will also update students via e-mail. All international students should pay careful attention to e-mails received from ISSO over the next few weeks, as we may need to collect important information from individual students related to their Fall plans.
ISSO Advisory: Reminders to Students about Maintaining your F-1 Status
We are writing to highlight a few key pieces of information that will be useful to you in maintaining your F-1 status while you are enrolled at Boston University.
- A link to the ISSO webpage on maintaining your status is here
While the webpage above contains more complete details of what we highlight below, please take note of the following key requirements while you are in F-1 status:
We are required to report certain events in SEVIS
If you change your major, change your address or drop below full-time, we must report this information in SEVIS. In some cases, like a change of major, you will receive a new I-20 from ISSO. In some cases, like an address change, we update the information but do not issue a new I-20. It is important that you make sure your “Immigration – U.S.” address in StudentLink is up-to-date at all times.
Full-time enrollment and online classes
You are required to enroll full-time each semester. For most students, this means enrolling in at least 12 credits. Graduate students who are fully funded by teaching or research assistantships may enroll in fewer credits, and some schools and colleges have slightly different enrollment requirements. It is important that you are enrolled for what is considered “full-time” for your major.
Many schools and colleges are offering more online and hybrid courses. Please note that the immigration regulations limit international students in the number of online classes that found towards full-time enrollment. This means that you may only take one class (up to 4 credits) of the 12 credit minimum in an online or hybrid format each semester.
Program extensions
If your I-20 lists a program completion date that is earlier than you will actually graduate, you must request a program extension from ISSO prior to your I-20 expiring! You can find details about how to apply for a program extension on the ISSO website. If a program extension is required, we strongly suggest that you apply early to avoid any problems. Extensions require up to 10 business days for processing.
State Law vs. Federal Law
It can be important for international students to understand the difference in state law versus federal law. This is especially significant since Massachusetts legalized the use of cannabis products/recreational marijuana. Anyone in the United States on a non-immigrant visa (such as a student on an F-1 visa) is subject to federal law, which considers cannabis possession and use to be a federal criminal offense. International students who possess or use cannabis products may be subject to severe consequences (for example, visa refusal or revocation). In this case, where state and federal law conflict, and international students are always subject to federal law. It may also be useful to review BU’s Policy on Alcohol & Drugs.
We know that maintaining status can be complex.
Your ISSO advisor and all of the ISSO staff are committed to helping you make the most of your experience here at BU. Do not hesitate to contact your ISSO advisor with any questions involving employment, travel and maintaining status so we can be of assistance.
Warm Regards,
The Staff of the ISSO
ISSO Expands Student Advising Services at BUMC
ISSO is now offering mini student advising appointments every Tuesday afternoon from 12pm – 4pm at the medical campus for students registered at the Goldman School of Dental Medicine (SDM), the School of Medicine (MED) and the School and Public Health (SPH). BUMC students should call the ISSO at 617.353.3565 to reserve a 15 minute mini appointment for the following basic ISSO services:
- Drop off documentation to request authorization for Curricular Practical Training
- Complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Form to begin working on campus
- Obtain a DSO signature on documentation required to apply for a US social security number
- Request approval for a Reduced Course load in your final semester
- Obtain a DSO signature on your immigration document to travel outside of the US
- Discuss how to renew your visa
- Drop off paperwork to request a program extension
- Ask a quick question!
All mini appointments during the 2019-2010 academic year will be held in the Talbot Building Room 211E BUMC students are always welcome to visit the ISSO during normal business hours for all services as well.
Please note that these are some conversations and processing that require more time than a mini appointment will allow BUMC students will need to continue to schedule individual advisor appointments at the ISSO to apply for:
- Optional Practical Training
- Reinstatement
- Change of status
- Request Curricular Practical Training to begin effective immediately after your appointment
Tips to Avoid Common Scams and Fraud Schemes
See the BU Today story about rental scams targeting international students and some helpful reminders from BUPD.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security routinely issues alerts to encourage international students to take precautions against fraudulent schemes or scams. See the ISSO web page on Avoiding and Reporting Common Scams and Fraud Schemes for helpful links and information about how to avoid common scams.
You will receive occasional messages from the BU Police as they remind the Boston University community about ongoing phone fraud schemes. Four incidents have been reported since October 12, 2018. All appear to involve similar themes and are targeting our Asian student population. These incidents appear to be part of a much larger scheme, which has been perpetrated over the last several months in cities such as New York, Boston, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, as well as in Canada and Australia.
Please view this linked short video message to help avoid being a victim of this scam here.
BUPD has also translated this information into Mandarin here.
If you receive such a call similar to this scam, hang up. Do not transfer money to the scammers.
If you have been the victim of a call, including giving money, notify BU Police Department at 617-353-2121.
As always, feel free to contact your ISSO advisor should you have questions.
ISSO Travel Advisory – Summer 2019
Are you traveling outside the U.S. over summer break?
If you are planning to graduate in May or September of 2019, or if yourI-20 or DS-2019 is expiring, then you may need to take steps with the ISSO before you depart the U.S. You may have difficulty returning to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status if your classes are done and you have no further academic activities to complete at BU. If you plan to request an I-20 extension, transfer to another school, or apply for post-completion OPT, we would encourage you to do this before you leave the U.S. so that your I-20 correctly reflects your future academic intentions.
We would caution BU students to be especially well prepared with all correct documentation when traveling outside of the U.S. and to expect heightened scrutiny when applying for a new visa or when entering the U.S. Students should also continue to check the ISSO website for up-to-date information before returning to the U.S. Read below to make sure you have all the documents you need to return to the U.S.:
Key Tips for International Travel:
- Is your visa valid for your return?
- Do you have a valid travel signature from the ISSO on your Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students and scholars)?
- Do you have a copy of your I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt?
Do you need to renew your visa on this trip?
The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport must be valid on the day you will reenter the U.S. in order for you to be eligible to return in a student immigration status. If your visa will expire before the date of your return, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy while you are out of the U.S. Plan to request a new travel signature before you leave the U.S. and to speak with an ISSO advisor to make sure you are prepared for your visa appointment. Some international students have reported significant processing delays when applying for a new visa at U.S. consulate or embassy. More students than ever before are being subjected to additional security clearances that are delaying visa issuance by an average of eight weeks please plan accordingly.
- We would continue to encourage nationals from countries on the travel ban Executive Order 13769 to contact a member of the ISSO team to review potential travel plans carefully.
- If your visa has expired and you are planning a short trip to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, read up on automatic visa revalidation to see if this special provision might apply to you.
If you will be applying for a new nonimmigrant visa while abroad, please be aware that U.S Department of State may require additional documentation on the Form DS-5535, Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants. This supplemental form is not required for all visa applicants, but may be requested at the discretion of a consular officer. If you are asked to complete this form, you will need to disclose your travel, address, and employment history, family information, and social media handles. A copy of the Form DS-5535 can be found here.
What is a travel signature?
- A travel signature is a signature from an ISSO official on your I-20 or DS-2019
- This signature is generally valid for one year, and can be used for multiple trips abroad. (The signature is valid for six months only for F-1 students on approved F-1 Optional Practical Training.)
- You need to have a valid travel signature on the date you reenter the U.S. after international travel.
- A more recent travel signature is recommended if you plan to renew your visa on this trip abroad.
- If you have a valid travel signature already, there is no need to come to the ISSO to request one!
Do you need a travel signature?
Check to see if there is a travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 (for F-1 students), or on the right-hand side of your DS-2019 (for J-1 students). If your travel signature is up-to-date (within one year for continuing F-1 and J-1 students, or within six months for F-1 students on OPT).
If you already have a valid travel signature, then you do not need a new one! A travel signature is considered valid if it is dated no more than one year before the date you expect to return to the U.S. A more recent travel signature is recommended if you will renew your visa on this trip abroad.
A valid I-20 travel signature appears on page 2:
A sample DS-2019 signature appears on the right-hand side of the form:
How can I request a travel signature?
Bring your I-20 or DS-2019, along with your passport showing your most recent U.S. entry and your most recent visa, to the front desk of the ISSO to request a travel signature. Please plan ahead as travel signatures may take one business day for ISSO processing. Travel signatures can often be completed upon request if you choose to wait at the ISSO. Please come prepared to wait a few minutes for this expedited service. During our busiest times, we may not be able to accommodate same day travel signatures and next-day pick up of your document may be required.
What is my SEVIS Fee Receipt?
You may have paid your I-901 SEVIS Fee several years ago. All F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors with “initial” immigration documents issued on or after 10/27/2008 were required to pay this SEVIS Fee when you first began your program of study. When entering the U.S. you may be asked to provide proof that this fee was paid. If you have been continuously enrolled with the same SEVIS record, you do not need to pay the fee again, provided you have proof of payment. If you took a leave of absence, had a break in status or traveled to regain status with a new SEVIS number, you will need to pay a new SEVIS Fee for a new SEVIS record. Proof of SEVIS Fee payment can be printed from the I-901 SEVIS Fee website.
What should I do after I return to the U.S.?
When you arrive in the U.S. by air or sea, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will stamp your passport and electronically update your I-94 entry record to reflect the immigration status in which you were admitted and the length of lawful stay that you have been granted. For F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and your F-2 and J-2 dependents, your passport stamp and electronic record should reflect your correct status for “D/S” (duration of status). Each time you reenter the U.S. it is important to check both your passport stamp and your electronic I-94 record to make certain these are correct. Errors to your admission status or length of stay can jeopardize your ability to study, work and remain lawfully in the U.S. If you discover an error to your passport stamp or your electronic I-94 record, come to the ISSO immediately to discuss how this can be corrected.
U.S. Passport Entry Stamp “F-1 D/S” = F-1 status for “Duration of Status”
Both your passport entry stamp and your I-94 record (below) should read F-1 or J-1 status (as appropriate) and “D/S” (for “duration of status) if you are a student pursuing a full course of study.
A clear passport stamp is often sufficient to show your admission in a specific immigration status. However, if the stamp in your passport is not clear, OR, you need to apply for employment authorization or other benefits from federal government agencies, you will need to present a print out of your electronic I-94 record.
If you have further questions about international travel or visa renewal please contact the ISSO with or refer to the ISSO Travel Tips for more information.
In addition, students should pay careful attention to Boston University’s Health and Safety Advisories for travel to high-risk countries.
Welcome, New Students!
Riho Imada (from left) and Akari Noguchi, both students at the Center for English Language and Orientation Programs, and Andrew Burwash (CAS'18) at the International Student Reception, held September 4 at the Trustee Ballroom. Photo by Jackie Riccardi
