By: ISSS As we approach the Thanksgiving break and the transition of the University to fully remote instruction, we would like to provide information and reminders about travel outside of the United States. Due to the continued unpredictability of COVID-19’s impact on travel, we do not recommend international travel for those currently in the United States.…
By: International Student & Scholar Services There have been reports of Penn international students and scholars being targeted by scammers impersonating officials from IRS (Internal Revenue Service), ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), CBP (Customs and Border Protection), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), a U.S. Consulate, law enforcement, or other government agencies. These scammers, who manipulate…
By: ISSS On October 8, 2020, the US Department of Labor (DOL) published a rule amending how prevailing wage rates are calculated for H-1B and Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programs. A prevailing wage rate is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment, and the…
By: ISSS On Friday, September 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule that would eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) for international students and scholars holding F and J visas, as well as their dependents. If the rule is adopted, students and scholars with F or J visas would be admitted to…
By: ISSS During the week of August 24, ISSS and its campus partners hosted two events to welcome new international undergraduate and graduate/professional students to Penn. During both sessions, we introduced current international students, played a variety of interactive games, and gave new students an opportunity to pose their immigration-related questions to ISSS advisors. On Monday, August…
By: ISSS On Wednesday, August 5, ISSS hosted a virtual workshop on “Visa Interview Dos and Don’ts.” The workshop featured a discussion of best practices for visa interview success, followed by a Q&A with ISSS advisors. You can view the recording below. Timestamps with links to questions asked during the Q&A portion will be added…
By: Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives; Beth A. Winkelstein, Deputy Provost The below is a message from Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Zeke Emanuel and Deputy Provost Beth Winkelstein sent to all Penn international students on August 3, 2020. This has been an unprecedented few months for the entire world. Our international students…
By: ISSS Two weeks ago, ISSS shared the news that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) would be reverting to its guidance from March 2020, which allows continuing international students to maintain their nonimmigrant status while taking online coursework whether inside or outside of the United States, among other temporary modifications. On Friday, July 24,…
By: Penn Today
By: ISSS ALERT: SEVP GUIDANCE RESCINDED (7/14/2020) As of July 14, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) guidance from July 6, 2020 has been rescinded and will no longer take effect. Information on the implications of this decision for incoming and continuing students will be communicated soon. We appreciate your patience as we evaluate the…