{"id":8682,"date":"2016-02-03T08:48:43","date_gmt":"2016-02-03T13:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/?page_id=8682"},"modified":"2016-02-10T16:28:47","modified_gmt":"2016-02-10T21:28:47","slug":"isso-admissions-processing-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/administrators\/new\/isso-admissions-processing-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"ISSO Admissions Processing Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

General Information<\/h2>\n

This section provides you as an administrator with details regarding the process for collecting, reviewing, and issuing immigration documents to our newly admitted international students.<\/p>\n

Before ISSO can begin processing<\/h4>
\n
    \n
  • An admission record must be created in the BU registration system<\/li>\n
  • An international admissions file must be compiled by the admissions coordinator at the school or college<\/li>\n
  • The compiled international admissions file must be received at the ISSO<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    An admissions file should be sent to the ISSO anytime a non-U.S. Citizen or non U.S.- Permanent Resident is admitted or permitted to study at BU regardless of immigration classification, degree program or intent to study full-time or part-time.
    \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Student registration profile in UIS must include<\/h4>
    <\/p>\n
      \n
    1. BU ID#<\/li>\n
    2. The student\u2019s full legal name as it appears in his\/her passport<\/li>\n
    3. Foreign address in \u201cImmigration \u2013 Foreign\u201d field<\/li>\n
    4. Country of Citizenship<\/li>\n
    5. Country of Permanent Residence<\/li>\n
    6. City of Birth<\/li>\n
    7. Country of Birth<\/li>\n
    8. Admission to a university program with accurate program start and end dates, as reflected in the system<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      ISSO processing estimates \u2013 10 business days turnaround<\/h4>
      <\/p>\n
        \n
      • Days 1-2 \u2013 Incoming<\/strong>\n
          \n
        • Admissions documents are received at the ISSO \u2013 ISSO Coversheet is date stamped<\/li>\n
        • Receipt of documents is logged in the ISSO Document Tracking screen<\/li>\n
        • A file is created<\/li>\n
        • File placed in chronological order for review<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Days 3-8 \u2013 Review and decision making<\/strong>\n
            \n
          • File reviewed:\n
              \n
            • If file complete: Immigration document processed or e-mail communication sent out to student<\/li>\n
            • If file incomplete: follow-up e-mail sent to department contact.<\/li>\n
            • Document Tracking screen updated appropriately<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Days 9-10 \u2013 Outgoing<\/strong>\n
                \n
              • Instructions on ISSO Coversheet or in Document Tracking followed (mail out\/pick-up)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • Exceptions to 10 business days turnaround<\/strong> \u2013 will be noted in the Document Tracking screen:\n
                  \n
                • Request for a dependent UID# (because an immigration record is created for them as well)<\/li>\n
                • Name correction<\/li>\n
                • Date of Birth correction<\/li>\n
                • Incomplete files: department will be notified via email if additional information or document is required<\/li>\n
                • Other: additional information or documents requested and needed prior to final processing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

                  Required Documents<\/h2>\n

                  The following is the list of documents that must be submitted with each student file, however, please note that there are 5 different categories for which additional documentation may be required or less may be necessary.\u00a0 Please see each category for the additional information.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. ISSO Coversheet (International Student Admissions Coversheet) \u2013 printed from online university registration screens<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      \n
                    1. Completed and signed International Student Data Form (ISDF) or International Student Coversheet (IAC)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \n
                      1. Copy of passport data page, including expiration date<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          \n
                        1. Financial document(s) \u2013 issued not more than one year from start date of program:\n
                            \n
                          • Student\u2019s bank statement\/letter (and\/or)<\/li>\n
                          • Sponsor letter and bank statement\/letter (and\/or)<\/li>\n
                          • BU Scholarship\/Financial award letter (and\/or)<\/li>\n
                          • Combination of all of the above if\/when required or necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \n
                            1. Proof of English proficiency: ISSO pays close attention to documentary evidence to insure each international admit meets the University English proficiency standards.\u00a0 The ISSO will continue to enforce the need for written explanation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                \n
                              1. Copy of letter of admission<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                Additional information<\/h2>\n

                                and additional required documentation for each category<\/h5>\n

                                Standard Admissions<\/h4>
                                \n

                                International Students outside of the U.S. who require an immigration document.<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • No additional documents required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                                  Transfer Students<\/h4>
                                  <\/p>\n

                                  International student already in the U.S. on a student visa sponsored by another U.S. institution (immigration transfer for F-1 and J-1 student categories).<\/p>\n

                                  Additional documents to include:<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Copies of all current and previous U.S. Immigration documents (I-20s or DS-2019s)<\/li>\n
                                  2. Copy of U.S. Visa<\/li>\n
                                  3. Copy of Port of Entry Stamp<\/li>\n
                                  4. Copy of Employment Authorization Card \u2013 if applicable<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                                    Continuing BU Students<\/h4>
                                    <\/p>\n

                                    International students already in the U.S. on a student visa sponsored by BU who are completing a program: undergraduate, graduate, CELOP, completing non-degree and moving to degree<\/p>\n

                                    Additional documents to include:<\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    1. Copies of all current and previous U.S. Immigration documents (I-20s or DS-2019s)<\/li>\n
                                    2. Copy of U.S. Visa<\/li>\n
                                    3. Copy of Port of Entry Stamp<\/li>\n
                                    4. Copy of Employment Authorization Card \u2013 if applicable<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                                      Students in other immigration status<\/h4>
                                      <\/p>\n

                                      Students currently in the U.S. in an immigration status other than F-1 or J-1 student category<\/p>\n

                                      Additional documents to include:<\/p>\n

                                        \n
                                      1. Copy of Port of Entry Stamp<\/li>\n
                                      2. Copy of Employment Authorization Card \u2013 if applicable<\/li>\n
                                      3. Copies of other immigration documents relevant to immigration status<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                        (if the student is in a dependent category they will also need to provide copies of the primary\u2019s immigration documents)<\/p>\n

                                        Financial documents are not required when compiling the file to send to ISSO. However, if the student informs the admitting office that they intend to change to F-1 or J-1 student status, collecting the financial documents in advance would be helpful.<\/p>\n

                                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                                        CELOP Starts<\/h4>
                                        <\/p>\n

                                        Students who will begin their studies with English Language Training at the Center for English Language and Orientation Program (CELOP)<\/p>\n

                                          \n
                                        • Make a notation on the ISSO Coversheet indicating which CELOP program the student will enroll in and the start date of that CELOP program<\/li>\n
                                        • Additional funding: if the CELOP program is in the Summer preceding the academic program of study, the student will need to be provide additional funding to include the cost of that CELOP program<\/li>\n
                                        • If the student is in the U.S., (Transfer\/Continuing\/Other immigration status) also include:\n
                                            \n
                                          1. Copies of all current and previous U.S. Immigration documents (I-20s or DS-2019s)<\/li>\n
                                          2. Copy of U.S. Visa<\/li>\n
                                          3. Copy of Port of Entry Stamp<\/li>\n
                                          4. Copy of Employment Authorization Card \u2013 if applicable<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

                                            ISSO Processing once a file is received<\/h2>\n

                                            File is complete:<\/h3>\n
                                              \n
                                            • Standard\/CELOP Start outside US: ISSO will process an immigration document.\n
                                                \n
                                              • CELOP Start: Student will be issued an immigration document reflecting the CELOP start date. A remark on the immigration document will read similar to: \u201cProgram to begin with Intensive English Language Training\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                                  \n
                                                • Transfer student: ISSO will send the student instructions and a transfer form via email.\n
                                                    \n
                                                  • Completion of the Transfer Form:\n
                                                      \n
                                                    • The student and the student\u2019s current institution will need to complete their respective section and determine the appropriate transfer release date of the student\u2019s SEVIS record. The current school or the student will need to return the completed form to the ISSO and the current school will need to release the SEVIS record to Boston University.<\/li>\n
                                                    • Upon receipt of the completed transfer form, the release date as indicated on the Transfer Form will be entered in the Document Tracking screen.<\/li>\n
                                                    • The SEVIS transfer release date is generally the date that the student will complete studies or OPT at the current institution. BU will not have access to that student\u2019s SEVIS record to issue an immigration document until that date has been reached.\u00a0 Once the release date has been reached: ISSO\u00a0 will issue a transfer immigration document to the student<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                                        \n
                                                      • Continuing student: ISSO will send the student instructions regarding the process\n
                                                          \n
                                                        • Completion of the Continuing Student Form if one was issued:\n
                                                            \n
                                                          • Student and academic advisor of the current program will need to complete their respective section of the form and return the completed form to ISSO.<\/li>\n
                                                          • Upon receipt of the completed Continuing Student Form, the program completion date indicated on the form will be entered in the Document Tracking screen.<\/li>\n
                                                          • The completion date is generally the date the student will complete the current BU program. ISSO cannot update the student\u2019s SEVIS record to issue an immigration document until after that date has been reached.<\/li>\n
                                                          • Once the completion date has been reached (for CELOP students it is the last date of the program published by CELOP): ISSO will issue a continuing student immigration document.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                                              \n
                                                            • Students in other immigration status: ISSO will email student with information regarding their options which is dependent on their immigration classification:\n
                                                                \n
                                                              • Student\u2019s current immigration status permits them to study<\/li>\n
                                                              • Student is required to change immigration status in order to begin an academic program. They will be instructed in the email to contact the ISSO to discuss change of immigration status options.<\/li>\n
                                                              • Student will receive their immigration document from another sponsor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                File is incomplete<\/h3>\n
                                                                  \n
                                                                • ISSO will contact department to inform and request missing documentation\/information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                  ISSO Document Tracking<\/strong> will be updated by ISSO staff<\/p>\n

                                                                    \n
                                                                  • Please review the ISSO Document Tracking Fields on the ISSO website for details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                    What students receive from ISSO<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                      \n
                                                                    • Welcome letter from ISSO Director<\/li>\n
                                                                    • Appropriate immigration document<\/li>\n
                                                                    • Information packet (SEVIS fee payment, visa application, and other pertinent information)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                                                      General Information This section provides you as an administrator with details regarding the process for collecting, reviewing, and issuing immigration documents to our newly admitted international students. Required Documents The following is the list of documents that must be submitted with each student file, however, please note that there are 5 different categories for which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7558,"featured_media":0,"parent":2942,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8682"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7558"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8682"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8682\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8726,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8682\/revisions\/8726"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}