News Articles

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Beware of Phone & Email Scams

By: ISSS Beware of Scams There have been reports of fraudulent emails and phone calls from people pretending to be a government official, such as someone from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), CBP (Customs and Border Protection), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), a U.S. Consulate, or other government agencies. It…

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Updated ITIN Support Letter Process

By: ISSS If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) but are receiving U.S. sourced income such as a non-service fellowship, scholarship, or grant, then you may need an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes. The ITIN is a U.S. taxpayer identification number, issued by the Internal Revenue Service, (IRS). It…

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USCIS Adjusting Premium Processing Fee

By: ISSS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for I-129 (H-1B) and I-140 (Permanent Residence) cases starting on November 29, 2019. The premium processing fee will increase to $1,440 from the current fee of $1,410. Premium processing is an optional service which allows petitioners to…

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Rush Fee Implementation 10/1

By: ISSS   Effective October 1, 2019, the Office of the Provost has approved assessing a “rush fee” for all H-1B cases that are initiated with ISSS with an employment start date that is two months (60 days) or less from the date of case submission. Penn will also assess a rush fee for J-1…

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ICE Increasing Site Visits at STEM OPT Work Locations

By: ISSS Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently been conducting site visits at work locations to check compliance with STEM OPT regulations. Although ICE has long had the authority to make site visits for STEM OPT training, reports of site visits were very limited in the past. Lately, there have been reports from employers…

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Alert: SEVIS Fee Increase for F and J nonimmigrants announced by Homeland Security

By: ISSS The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced changes to the I-901 SEVIS Fee charged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).  The fee increase applies to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools and will take effect June 24, 2019.     These fees apply only to new international students or visitors…

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Tips to Prepare for International Travel

By: ISSS TIPS TO PREPARE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL For F & J International Students and Scholars. You must have a valid travel signature from ISSS. If you need a new signature, complete the travel signature eform in iPenn https://www.ipenn.oip.upenn.edu/ Check the F-1 or J-1 entry visa in your passport. (except Canadian/Bermudian citizens) If your visa…

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Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students

By: ISSS What is Curricular Practical Training? Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization for students in F-1 status where the work serves as an integral part of a student’s academic program and an established curriculum. CPT provides students with an opportunity to further their academic experience with hands-on training that is…

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New Version of Form I-539 Required Starting March 22, 2019

By: ISSS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS has announced that it will require applicants filing Form I-539 to use a new version of that form starting March 22, 2019. The new form will require applicants to pay an additional $85 biometrics fee and attend a biometrics appointment at a USCIS Applicant Support Center (ACS).…

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