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Important Travel Update - Additional Inspection upon Entry to the U.S.
Date of Announcement: May 13, 2013
Dear F-1 and J-1 Students and Scholars,
Due to heightened security concerns, please note that if you are currently or will be traveling outside the U.S., you will likely experience significant delays when reentering. Per a recent memorandum from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all…
I-94 Automation Information Sessions
Date of Announcement: May 2, 2013
As we previously announced, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), began automating the I-94 process at air and sea ports by eliminating the paper Form I-94 as of April 30, 2013.
ISSS is offering information sessions…
Scheduled Renovation for ISSS
Date of Announcement: April 5, 2013
To the Penn Community:
I am writing to let you know that the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will begin undergoing renovations on April 26.
Here is our modified schedule from April 26 until our relocation on May 7 to…
DHS will automate I-94 starting April 30, 2013
Date of Announcement: March 28, 2013
On April 30, 2013, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will begin automating the Form I-94 process at air and sea ports by eliminating the paper Form I-94.
At this point, there is…
Be aware of scam emails, phone calls, or letters
It has been reported to our office that one of our foreign nationals was contacted by someone claiming to be a Department of Homeland Security officer. The foreign national was asked to wire money to a specified account.
Please note that U.S. government officials or agencies will NOT contact you for…
Visa Services in Damascus Suspended
Date of Announcement: February 6, 2012
The following announcement has been posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria:
U.S. Suspends Consular Operations in Damascus
Effective February 6, 2012, the U.S. Embassy has suspended operations and is not open for normal consular services. Neither U.S. passports nor visas…
Form I-94 copy to ISSS for review
Date of Announcement: December 4, 2012
Starting today, we are requesting a copy of Form I-94, Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record, from all Penn-sponsored individuals in H-1B, E-3, O-1 or TN status for all future entries to the United States for which a new Form I-94 is issued.
This is to ensure that…
Travel During Summer
Dear Students and Scholars,
As summer is approaching, we are writing to provide important travel information. It is crucial for you to proactively prepare for your return to the US to avoid travel delays/problems, such as an I-515A, etc.
We recommend that you meet with an OIP-ISSS advisor to review your…
J-1 Scholars: Updated Minimum Funding Requirements
Date of Announcement: September 19, 2012
Starting 1/1/2013, the new minimum will be $24,595 a year from $21,000 a year. Completed J-1 scholar eforms submitted to ISSS on or after 1/1/2013 should meet the new minimum funding requirement.
Funding requirements for J-2 dependents will not change. For post docs, please continue…
New law affecting Iranian students in the energy, nuclear science, nuclear engineering or related fields
Date of Announcement: September 5, 2012
Good afternoon,
This message is to inform you of the new law affecting Iranian students in the energy, nuclear science, nuclear engineering or related fields. Although this may not affect you, we are sending you this message as an FYI.
Per Section 501 of the…
Government system problems affecting SSN and driver's license applications
Date of Announcement: August 27, 2012
Dear Students and Scholars,
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has discovered defects in the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database used by the Social Security Administration and PennDOT to verify the immigration status of F and J nonimmigrants. Currently the system cannot find…
SEVIS fee website down on 8/26/2012
Date of Announcement: August 23, 2012
The following announcement has been made by Department of Homeland Security
SEVIS Fee (I-901) Website Maintenance
DHS has announced that the SEVIS Fee (I-901) website will be down from 1am to 7am on Sunday, August 26, 2012, for emergency system maintenance.
Travel During Summer
Dear Students and Scholars,
As summer is approaching, we are writing to provide important travel information. It is crucial for you to proactively prepare for your return to the US to avoid travel delays/problems, such as an I-515A, etc.
We recommend that you meet with an OIP-ISSS advisor to review your…
Travel During Summer
Dear Students and Scholars,
As summer is approaching, we are writing to provide important travel information. It is crucial for you to proactively prepare for your return to the US to avoid travel delays/problems, such as an I-515A, etc.
We recommend that you meet with an OIP-ISSS advisor to review your…
Visa Services in Tripoli Suspended
Date of Announcement: March 28, 2011
The following announcement has been posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli:
Visa Services in Tripoli Suspended
The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, has suspended all visa services until further notice. If you have an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa or to…
London: Limited Visa Services During the Olympics
The following announcement has been posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in London, UK:
Visa Services during the Summer
Nonimmigrant visa services will be limited during the period July through to the end of August 2012. Travelers requiring visas are, therefore, advised to apply early to avoid disappointment. The…