ISS Bytes
May 14, 2008

In this issue:

Reduced ISS Walk-in Advising Hours
H-1B Cap-Gap Extension and Work Authorization
U.S. Visa Stamp Update
Beware of Fraudulent Emails Pretending To Be From IRS
Research Request to Asian Students
Jobs Openings
Souvenirs: A Collection of International Experiences

REDUCED ISS WALK-IN ADVISING HOURS
Please note ISS is reducing walk-in advising hours beginning tomorrow, Thursday, May 15, 2008. Walk-in advising will only be held from 11am to 1pm, from May 15 through next Friday, May 23.

H-1B CAP-GAP EXTENSION AND WORK AUTHORIZATION
Duration of status (D/S) and work authorization will be extended for a student on OPT, who is the beneficiary of a timely filed H-1B petition requesting an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year. This would apply to all students on OPT, not just STEM students. Be advised that the extension of duration of status and work authorization would automatically terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition filed on the student's behalf.

U.S. VISA STAMP UPDATE
Has your U.S. visa stamp inside your passport expired? If it is still valid, is it for multiple entry, or has the entry been used up? Finally, is the category for which the visa was issued the status you currently hold, e.g. if your visa is F-2, are you currently in F-2 status or did that status change after you entered the United States).

Any student traveling outside the United States whose U.S. visa has expired or for whom the status has changed will need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. visa issuing post abroad before the student can return to the United States. In most cases, the visa application will be filed in the home country. Appointments are now required for virtually all non-immigrant visa applications. This has resulted in significant delays at some U.S. visa issuing posts abroad, especially during holiday periods and summer.

Doctoral level students and visiting research scholars who are majoring in the hard sciences, engineering, or computer science may encounter additional delays due to security clearance issues. Students are urged to check with the U.S. consulate or embassy where they will apply for the visa, or its web site link: http://www.usembassy.gov/ prior to leaving the United States to determine that particular post's policies and procedures. For information on waiting times for student visa appointments at embassies and consulates world-wide, visit the following link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php.

Students should start the visa process at the earliest possible time upon their arrival back home.

It is important to note that vacation periods are extremely busy times at visa issuing posts due to the large numbers of travelers and reduced staff who may be taking vacation. Also, in the event of any protests, threats, or terrorist attacks that are judged to be threatening to U.S. embassy or consulate personnel, government officials at those posts may temporarily close or alter their operational hours.

The State Department has also prepared two information sheets about student visas on its web site which may be useful. F-1 visa holders will find the information at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html and J-1 visa holders will locate it at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html.

VISA APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
To apply for a new visa, you will need to complete application form DS-156 “Non-Immigrant Visa Application” and DS-158 "Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant.” If you are male, you must also complete the DS-157, the “Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa Application.” Note that consular officers reserve the right to require a DS-157 from any applicant for any visa classification. Download for DS-156 is at: http://evisaforms.state.gov/.

These forms are also available as paper copies at any U.S. visa issuing post abroad.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date on which you plan to return to the United States. You will also need one photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square, showing full face, without head covering, against a light background. You will need to have sufficient currency to pay the required visa fees, or a receipt showing that you have paid the visa fees. You will need your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form.

You will also need to show proof of financial support, binding ties to your home country which you have no intentions of abandoning, and that you plan to return to your home country upon the conclusion of your studies. Some U.S. consulates will ask you how you plan to use your U.S. education in your home country. Most consulates will ask you to present copies of your academic transcripts to prove that you have been maintaining student status in the United States and that you have been making satisfactory progress in your program. If you are on optional practical training, you will need to present your EAD card and have a letter from your employer, verifying that you are currently employed, your job title and description of duties, and that you are returning to the United States to resume employment.

U.S. visa posts abroad have implemented biometric requirements for visa issuance. You should expect to have your fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken as part of the visa process.

BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT EMAILS PRETENDING TO BE FROM IRS
Beware of Fraudulent Emails Pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).The IRS has reported a series of fraudulent emails circulating to foreign nationals asking for personal information to prepare a tax refund. Be advised that the IRS never sends emails. Recipients of such an email should not respond to it. If the IRS has a question it will send a letter to the person directly. If the person did not include an SSN or ITIN on the tax return, the tax return may be rejected and the IRS will ask the person to file a new return using the correct number. In no case will an email ever be sent. As a reminder, never send a SSN or ITIN in an email – doing so is a very big security issue. Individuals should be careful not to answer emails that make a request for these numbers, regardless of the email source.

RESEARCH REQUEST TO ASIAN STUDENTS
Michelle Barakett is an international student in the counseling psychology doctoral program at Fordham University. She requests participation from Asian international students in her dissertation research examining the feelings and life evaluations. The results of this research may help college counselors to assist students as they adjust to life in the United States. Students from South Asia, East Asia, and South-East Asia are eligible to participate. In exchange for participation, respondents may submit their email address upon completion of the survey to be included in a drawing for an iPhone. Otherwise, one tree will be planted, in recognition of the individual’s contribution, via the Green Belt Movement (www.greenbeltmovement.org). Participation should not take more than 45 minutes. Students interested in participating are directed to https://www.psychdata.com/s.asp?SID=123934.

JOBS OPENINGS
The Greater University Tutorial Service (GUTS) is seeking to hire for three positions. All positions pay $9.19/hr and require a time commitment of 12-17 hours per week. Titles of the positions are Conversational English Coordinator, Academic Match Coordinator, and Study Skills Specialist.
Full job descriptions and application materials are available on the GUTS website at http://guts.studentorg.wisc.edu.

SOUVENIRS: A COLLECTION OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Souvenirs: A Collection of International Experiences is an exciting new publication from WUD-Global Connections advancing the stories and photos of UW students who have studied or volunteered abroad and international students on campus. Free copies are available while the supply lasts in the Morgridge Center for Public Service in room 154 of the Red Gym.

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International Student Services
University of Wisconsin-Madison
217 Red Gym, 716 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706
Telephone: 608-262-2044
Fax: 608-262-2838
Office Hours: 10:00am to 4pm, Monday-Friday
Phone Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday
Web: http://www.iss.wisc.edu/
Email for general questions: iss@odos.wisc.edu

ISS Bytes contains information specifically for UW-Madison international students. It is published twice a month during the academic year. If you have information of interest to all students for future publications, please submit them to iss@odos.wisc.edu