Tips to Avoid Common Scams and Fraud Schemes

July 3rd, 2019 in Fall 2024 Workshops

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

May 3rd, 2019 in Fall 2024 Workshops

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.

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