Updates & Reminders
21 October 2011
F-1 Visa Holders...It's Time to Get Those OPT Apps In!: If you are graduating in the Fall 2011 semester and you plan to apply for OPT, you'll need to get your application to ISSS as soon as possible. Don't forget that you have to attend the OPT workshop before submitting your application. Visit the OPT page for more information.
Spring 2012 Registration Is Just Weeks Away: Now is the time to check your holds and take care of them to avoid last-minute stress. Have a hold? Take a look at a reference guide created by the Registrar to assist you.
Urgent Visa Document Reminder: We have spoken with far too many students lately who have either lost their visa documentation or aren't sure if they've lost it. Thus, we send this critical reminder:
YOU are responsible for keeping ALL visa documents
for your own records, Immigration applications, etc.
ISSS scans what you provide at new student check-in but we do NOT have a way to accurately record every document issuance from our office. Your visa status is between you and Immigration, so please keep track of your documents. Save yourself the stress later and keep track of your paperwork now.
Fs & Js--It's Almost Time to Buy Insurance: Remember that your insurance hold activates on 1 November and that you'll need to buy insurance for the 1 January to 31 July time period for yourself and, if you have them, your dependents. Aetna's website will be up on 1 November. It takes up to two business days to remove your hold...the sooner you get your insurance, the lower the chance you'll miss a space in a class you need.
I-20 or DS-2019 Expiring in December?: If so and you will not be eligible to graduate, now is the time to begin collecting your documents for an extension. There are three things to submit for your new document: new I-20/DS-2019 request, recommendation form from your department and financial documentation. Financial documentation must be original so if you need time to get new documents, now is the time to request them!
Tax & Travel Signature Days: It will soon be time for this year's Tax & Travel Signature Days! TTSD will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, 17 November and Friday, 18 November; the location will be announced soon. Within the next couple of weeks, we will send out an RSVP form and ask that you respond. Tax forms need to be done for all visa types who plan to work on campus for any part of the 2012 calendar year. Travel signatures will be provided to F and J visa holders who have visa documents from ODU and meet eligibility. Stay tuned for more details!
Meet with a Lawyer About Employment After Graduation: ISSS is coordinating with a local law firm to bring you a chance to have free individual consultations with an immigration attorney. Consultations will be 15 minutes each on Monday, 31 October and Thursday, 3 November between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A more detailed e-mail will be sent out soon.
Happy Autumn!
