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April 22nd Newsletter
 
TRAVELLING HOME THIS SUMMER?

 
Don't forget the following:
  1. Get your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel by the ISSS Office - http://international.ua.edu/isss/currentstudents/travel-requirements/#abroad
  2. Make sure your passport will be valid when returning – http://international.ua.edu/isss/currentstudents/travel-requirements/#passport
  3. Make sure your visa will be valid for return, and renew your visa if necessary - http://international.ua.edu/isss/currentstudents/travel-requirements/#visa
 
It may also help to carry the following additional documents:
  • Transcript - Unofficial transcripts are available on the Student Tab in MyBama - https://mybama.ua.edu/. 
  • Confirmation of Enrollment - The confirmation of enrollment is an official document which confirms your status as an active UA student and can be obtained through the Student Tab in MyBama - https://mybama.ua.edu/. 
  • Financial Documentation. It is a good idea to carry your most recent financial documentation when re-entering the U.S. to prove your continuing ability to pay for studies. You must have updated financial documentation with you when applying for a new visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. 
  • Additional Proof of Identity – such as an old passport, Driver’s License, or Action Card.
For more information please consult our website: http://international.ua.edu/isss/currentstudents/travel-requirements/
On-Campus Employment Reminders

 

Students on F-1 and J-1 student visas, here are a few quick reminders about what employment is allowed under the student visa.

On-Campus Employment is allowed up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters.  On-Campus Employment means that the employment takes place on the UA campus and also serves UA students, faculty, and staff.  Employment can be for a UA department or for an employer such as Bama Dining which is located on the UA Campus.
On-Campus Employment may exceed 20 hours per week during official university breaks (Summer break, Winter break, and Spring break).  This means that students can work more than 20 hours per week on-campus after exam week. 

To be clear, as an international student visa holder, there are a number of restrictions against employment. Some common employment that is NOT ALLOWED without special authorization by ISSS and the Department of Homeland Security:
  1. Freelancing for non-UA entities;
  2. Tutoring for anyone other than UA for pay;
  3. Gig economy jobs such as driving for UBER, LYFT or delivery for SHIPT or other online companies (these are jobs, and count as employment, even if you are not an employee in the traditional sense);
  4. Waiting tables at a restaurant off-campus, even if only for tips.
http://international.ua.edu/isss/currentstudents/student-employment/ 
If you have any doubts or questions about whether or not something counts as on-campus work or not, please see an advisor in International Student & Scholar Services.
 
Apply for work authorization

Certain students graduating in August may also apply.

 

The earliest date to file for OPT for F-1 students graduating in May 2019 is February 3, 2019. If you are graduating this spring semester, you may apply for Optional Practical Training now. USCIS takes 3 - 5 months to process OPT applications. Therefore, ISSS highly recommend students who plan to work in the U.S. after graduation apply for OPT as early as possible. 

 

Certain graduate students may also apply for their work authorization now:
If you are a PhD student completing your dissertation and are submitting your final dissertation by May 7, 2019, you are not required to enroll in the summer semester.
Thesis master students who submit their thesis by June 1, 2019 are also not required to enroll in the summer.
Even though you may not attend your graduation ceremony and receive you diploma until August 4, 2019, your I-20 is considered to end at the end of this spring semester (05/04/2019).
In short, if you are a doctoral students or thesis master student graduating in August but will not enroll in summer 2019, you are now in the filing window for OPT work authorization. More information about I-20 end date and minimum registration hours could be found here.

 
Students who wish to apply for OPT or Academic Training must gather their documents and secure an appointment with an ISSS advisor. OPT Packet can be found on the ISSS website here. The Academic Training Packet  is here
 

OPT, CPT, and AT processing appointments are held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Please schedule an appointment by calling 205-348-5402, emailing international@ua.edu or going online http://sarsweb.ua-net.ua.edu/eSARS/CINTL_IS/eSARS.asp

 

 
Scam Warning
 
Please be aware that there are a high volume of tax and immigration scams this time of year.  Most of these types of scams will spoof a government agency phone number or email address in order to look official.
Please note: the IRS, DHS, and other government agencies will never contact you by phone or email.
 
Signs of a Scam Phone Call:
  1. Caller requests you to pay a fine using Western Union, PayPal, Green Dot, MoneyGram or some other wire transfer service
  2. Caller threatens your arrest or deportation for failure to act within a very short period of time.
  3. Caller will try to prevent you from hanging up, asking you to visit a retail store to transfer funds while remaining on the phone.
Scam Resources:
•  For more information on immigration scams: http://www.uscis.gov/avoidscams.    
•  For more information on tax/IRS scams: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing and http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts.  
•  For more information on money transfer and check scams: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0090-using-money-transfer-services.   
•  In addition to the USCIS, IRS, and Consumer FTC Sites, scams can be reported here: https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.

 
 
Job Vacancies for International Students
 
Bon Appetit management company has on-campus job opportunities for fall semester. They have several positions posted for part-time jobs, including cashier positions and front of house attendant positions.
If you are interested, you can search hourly positions by zip code 35401 on 
http://www.altogethergreat.com/careers/job-opportunities-compassgroupusa/.
If you choose to applyyou should also inform Trang at  ttnguyen13@ua.edu.

Consider Joining The Rotary House Next Year!

 
 Academic Calendar

April 29th-May 3rd, 2019: Final Exams
May 1st- May 5th, 2019: Spring Commencement
May 27th, 2019: Memorial Day (UA offices closed)
May 29th, 2019: Classes begin (full summer term; first term)
May 30th, 2019: Last day to register or add a course (first term)
                           Last day to drop a course without a "W" (first term)
June 1st, 2019:  Last day to register or add a course (full summer term)
                         Last day to drop a course without a "W" (full summer term)
June 16th, 2019: Last day to drop a course with a "W" (first term)
June 26th, 2019: Classes end (first term)

                         Last day to withdraw (first term)
June 27th-28th, 2019: Finals (first term)
Copyright © 2019 International Student & Scholar Services, All rights reserved.


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