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2023 ISSC Spring Carnival We invite you to our upcoming spring carnival. This is an opportunity for international students and scholars to continue having positive cultural exchanges and experiences, and continued access to support. There will be food, games, prizes and more. Check your email for the invitation. Your department contacts are also welcome to attend. ISSC Spring Carnival Student Services Building Lawn Friday, March 31, 2:30–4:30 p.m. (register button) https://na.eventscloud.com/isscspringcarnival23 Upcoming webinars As part of our efforts to keep you updated and informed, we’re offering a series of webinars for departments and beneficiaries that will cover topics such as visa categories, timelines, application processes, maintaining immigration status and more. Look for more information in the coming days. F-1, J-1 and H-1B work authorizations If you’re interested in hiring staff or faculty members on Optional Practical Training (OPT), come learn about how it works, the H-1B or J-1 scholar transition process, and more. We’re also holding a webinar for those interested in bringing a J-1 scholar to ASU, including the requirements and application process. F-1, J-1 and H-1B Work Authorizations Thursday, April 6 10–11 a.m. on Zoom Register (button) https://asu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1aUMQcULRtq9_utQE6IfzA J-1 Scholar Overview Wednesday, May 10 10–11 a.m. on Zoom Register (button) https://asu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H1gvTLi1QtSIsaBtx8sYzQ J-1 scholar updates Financial requirements increase Beginning immediately, the financial requirements for J-1 scholars and their dependents are increasing due to the increased cost of living. J-1 scholars will now need at least $2,500 per month, and each accompanying dependent will require an additional $1,000 per month. Updates for inviting new scholars Apply early: When submitting an application, select a start date that is far enough into the future to accommodate any possible delays. We recommend submitting at least two to six months prior to the intended start date. Late arrivals: If you have new scholars with an approaching arrival date, be mindful that program dates may need to be deferred in order to accommodate delays. This will require a new invitation letter from the department with a new start date. Initial J-1 eForm applications If you have an initial J-1 eForm application in process, please let us know if something changes or if the exchange visitor is no longer coming to ASU. After two months of inactivity, pending applications will be canceled. Additional J-1 scholar FAQs can be found here. Employment-based immigration updates H-1B dependents: USCIS will once again adjudicate dependent H4 Extension/Change of Status I-539 applications along with the primary H-1B I-129 petitions. As a reminder, only H4 dependents who are already in the U.S. need to submit an I-539 application to extend their status, or change status along with the H-1B beneficiary. For individuals coming to the U.S. through consular processing, dependents will apply directly for H4 at a U.S. consulate (or at customs for Canadian citizens). It is the H-1B employee’s responsibility to inform ISSC of their dependents, and to apply for H4 on their behalf. H-1B to permanent residency: If your unit has foreign national employees, whether tenure-track faculty or in staff positions, who the department wishes to retain long term, a permanent residence petition should be started early. H-1B is limited to six years per individual. Currently, the initial steps of most permanent residence processes, the Prevailing Wage determination and Labor Conditions Application, are taking 12 to 18 months. The entire process may take two to three years. It may even be longer for citizens of India and China in certain employment-based categories. Please review your H-1B employees’ plans and get started early on the permanent residence request for those whom the department wishes to retain. Waiting until year five or six of H-1B status may be too late.
ASU ID numbers are required for all H-1B Sunapsis requests. Only applications submitted with ASU ID numbers will be accepted. All other requests will be rejected and must be resubmitted with the foreign national’s ASU ID number. If the foreign national does not have an ASU ID number, please create one in PeopleSoft before you initiate the H-1B request. Make sure to accurately complete the “Determine H-1B eligibility” and “Petition and Job information” eForms first, and then forward the link to the beneficiary information to the beneficiary. Canvas training opportunities As a reminder, our Canvas training courses can be accessed below:
If you would like to learn more about bringing international scholars to ASU, or if you have questions, please contact us to set up an information session by emailing issc.scholars@asu.edu. You should also inform us of any relevant staffing changes for anyone responsible for handling nonimmigrant and immigrant processes within your department. |