USCIS Temporarily Resumes Accepting DACA Renewals

January 17th, 2018 in Fall 2024 Workshops

USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA due to a federal court order. Until further notice, the DACA policy will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded on Sept. 5, 2017 but no new applications will be accepted. In response to this court order, the US Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal in the lawsuit seeking review before the Ninth Circuit. The USDOJ also intends to take the rare step of filing a petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment, seeking direct and expedited review in the Supreme Court. Foreign nationals who have applied for DACA protections are encouraged to seek legal advice as to options during this period of time. This situation remains fluid as the US congress negotiates potential legislative action involving “dreamers”. Please contact an ISSO staff member with questions.

Trump administration phases out temporary DACA protections

September 5th, 2017 in Fall 2024 Workshops

The Trump administration announced the end of temporary protections afforded to DACA students by the previous administration between. USDHS FAQs indicate that USDHS will continue to approve new DACA applications and employment authorization renewals already in queue at USDHS and, that they will allow DACA students with employment authorization expiring within the next 6 months to apply to renew temporary employment authorization before the official March 2018 rescission date. See resources for DACA and undocumented students.

H-1B Premium Processing Temporarily Suspended

April 3rd, 2017 in Fall 2024 Workshops

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily suspended their premium processing service for all H-1B petitions to clear the back-log in regular processing. The suspension, effective 4/3/2017, may last for up to six months or until early October. During the suspension, the ISSO will continue to submit H-1B petitions via ‘regular’ processing but USCIS processing times will be difficult to predict. Please be assured that USCIS’s standard processing timelines continue to work well for continuing and new employees already in the H classification. However, employees who require a change of status to H-1B from another non-immigrant classification in order to commence work or continue their BU appointment may be subject to delays or gaps in employment eligibility due to the suspension. The ISSO is reviewing each H-1B sponsorship request carefully and is following up with host departments and employees that may be affected by the premium processing suspension to outline potential outcomes and determine whether or not there are other sponsorship options.

International Student and Scholar Hub

December 1st, 2016 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Check out the new International Student and Scholar Hub that highlights resources provided by the Boston University community in an effort to help ensure the academic success and well-being of our international students and scholars.

U.S. Department of State experiences technical problems with visa issuance

June 25th, 2015 in Fall 2024 Workshops

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, has been experiencing technological system problems since June 9, 2015, that have affected their ability to issue U.S. visas for students, tourists and other travelers to the U.S. Fortunately, consulates have continued to interview visa applicants during the system difficulties.

As of June 24, 2015, 50 consular posts (representing 73% of visa demand worldwide) are now back on-line and issuing visas and U.S. consulates are working to eliminate the backlog of visa approvals within a few days’ time.

All U.S. consular posts will continue to interview visa applicants. Please check the website of the embassy or consulate nearest you for visa appointment availability if you intend to apply for a visa in the near future.

Please refer to the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on visa systems issue and their progress in eliminating the visa backlog.

OPT Workshop at BU Schools and Colleges

March 2nd, 2015 in Fall 2024 Workshops, OPT workshops

The following OPT "Basics" workshops will be presented by ISSO advisors at schools and colleges:

See our complete list of Spring 2015 workshops.

Employment Authorization for Summer Internships Workshop

March 2nd, 2015 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Employment Authorization for Summer Internships

Interested in landing a summer job or internship?

This new workshop offered by the ISSO will discuss F-1 student employment authorization options for off-campus work and internships including:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (pre-OPT)
• Employment through designated International Organizations

We will also discuss guidelines for unpaid internships and volunteering.

This session will be offered twice:

Wednesday, March 4th - 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17th - 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Both sessions will be held at the ISSO.

Interviewing in the USA: A Career Workshop

February 23rd, 2015 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Come join the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) and the Center for Career Development (CCD) for a program designed to help international students understand the job search process in the U.S.

Sharpen your interviewing techniques by bringing your strengths as an international student to the table. This workshop will help you familiarize yourself with the intricacies of the U.S. interview process while learning how to best assess your skills and international experience to answer "difficult" interview questions such as:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about yourself?
• Do you need company immigration sponsorship 

While these questions may seem simple, they are actually multi-layered. Learn to respond with well-informed answers that will lead to more dynamic interviews.

Tagged Spring 2015 Workshops

New ISSO advisor assignments effective 1/12/2015

January 16th, 2015 in Fall 2024 Workshops

Check out the new student advisor assignments for the ISSO advisors and get to know your new ISSO advisor.

Regulatory Changes for J-1 Exchange Visitors

January 16th, 2015 in Fall 2024 Workshops

New J-1 Exchange Visitor New federal regulations means changes for international students and scholars in the J-1 Exchange Visitor status. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was established by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to facilitate the exchange of international research and education.  The DOS oversees the program and has designated BU as a program sponsor.  With this designation, the ISSO must insure that BU is in compliance with all regulations governing the J Exchange Visitor program and must go through an extensive re-designation process every two years.  Boston University sponsors nearly 750 J-1 Exchange Visitors annually.

Subpart A of the J exchange visitor regulations (22 CFR 62), published as a final rule on October 6, 2014, represents the biggest change in immigration regulations pertaining to J-1 exchange visitors since 1993.  The changes were introduced initially in 2009, and program sponsors including BU provide extensive comments on the 2009 proposed rule.  Since that time, no further guidance or rules were published until October.  Regulatory changes, except for the new insurance provisions, went into effect on January 5, 2015.

Changes affecting J-1 students and scholars include the following:

1. Change to Reporting Requirements: Boston University ISSO is required to report biographical, contact and program information for all J-1 scholars via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). These changes must be reported to the ISSO upon initial arrival in the U.S. and within 10 days of any changes. Biographical information that must be reported now includes:
   • Physical or mailing address
   • E-mail address (BU e-mail address, if available, will be sent as default)
   • Telephone number, and
   • Primary site of activity
2. Reporting Requirements for J-2 Dependents: In addition, Boston University is also required to report information related to any dependents in J-2 status:
   • Email address for each dependent
   • Departure from the U.S. of any J-1 dependent who leaves the U.S. permanently prior to the completion of the J-1 program of study.
3. Required Attendance at University Orientation: Boston University ISSO must record attendance at orientation programs for new students to ensure that J-1 students are participating in orientation as required.
4. Increased Requirements for J-1 Health Insurance Minimum Coverage: The U.S. Department of State (DOS) will increase its minimum coverage requirements for medical insurance coverage. This change will go into effect on 05/15/2015. All J-1 Exchange Visitors will need to review their current health insurance plan(s) to insure that their current plan meets the new minimums.  The ISSO will be sending more detailed information and instructions in the coming months to help our exchange visitors insure that they are compliant with the new minimum health insurance coverage requirements.
5. “Objective measurement” of English language proficiency:  While the regulations have always required sponsors to determine that a prospective exchange visitor ‘possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in his or her program.”  Effective 1/5/2015, the English standard has been modified to “sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis.”  This new requirement will mainly affect new J-1 exchange visitors coming to BU and will not be required of exchange visitors already in their J program at BU.