International Student and Scholar Services

January 29, 2013
by shannon.gerber
0 comments

It’s Tax Time Again!

 

Did you know that as an international student, you are still responsible for filing a yearly tax return? It’s true! Even students who did not work or receive any taxable income must still file paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

For students who didn’t work in the year 2012, the form you are responsible for is called the 8843 and it is very simple to complete. This one page form collects basic information such as your name, address, visa type, amount of time spent in the United States in the last five years and the school that is responsible for your visa (that’s UMass Boston!). ISSS has made it even easier by posting an easy guide on our website for download. You can access it here:

http://cdn.umb.edu/images/oita/Taxes8843.pdf

Many students ask, “What will happen if I don’t file an 8843?”. If you apply for a green card in your future, you will be asked to show that you have followed all IRS regulations during your time in the US, including filing 8843 forms each year you were present. If you have plans or even just a thought about staying in the US later in your life, it is an easy step to take.

If you have any questions about the 8843, please email isss@umb.edu

January 28, 2013
by shannon.gerber
0 comments

The INT hold- explained!

Today is the first day of class here at UMass Boston. If you are a new International Student, you might be dismayed to find a “hold” on your account that is preventing you from signing up for courses. This hold is called the “INT” hold, standing for “International”, and it is in place for students who have not yet completed the immigration clearance requirement. As a visa student at UMass Boston, you are required to check-in with the International Student and Scholar Services office upon arrival and provide us with photo copies of all of your immigration documents. Once we have received your documents, we will remove the INT hold on your account.

There is another hold that many students find confusing. The “VIS” hold is not a negative hold but simply means that the student cannot make changes to their international permanent address. The VIS hold will not prevent you from signing up for or making changes to your course schedule.

 

If you find that you have an INT hold on your account- please make copies of the following documents and bring them to the front desk of International Students and Scholar Services for immigration clearance. You are responsible for making your own photo copies.

  • Your passport
  • Your SIGNED I-20
  • Your I-94 card (front AND back)
  • Your visa stamp

January 18, 2013
by shannon.gerber
0 comments

Welcome Back!

As the new, Spring 2013 semester quickly approaches, here are a few reminders about being a visa student at UMass Boston and in the United States.

1. ALWAYS be a full time student. Do not drop below 12 credits if you are an undergrad student or under 9 credits if you are a graduate student. Even taking a W later in the semester that drops you below the full course load will cause a problem for your visa. Keep this in mind and if you are ever unsure about your credit load, ask ISSS and we will be happy to help you.

2. Always report a change in your personal or program information. If you change your name, address, major or expected graduation date, please tell us!

3. If you are traveling abroad, make sure you ask for a travel signature well in advance of your travel. It takes 5 days to process any request, including request for travel signatures.

 

ISSS wishes you a happy and successful spring semester!

January 16, 2013
by shannon.gerber
0 comments

Saudi Student Population on the Rise in ESL Programs- USA TODAY

According to USA Today, US colleges and universities are experiencing an influx of students from Saudi Arabia to study English as a Second Language in the US. In 2006 there were 11,116 Saudi students enrolled in school in the US. Last year that number rose to 71,026. That is an increase of nearly 60,000 students in only 7 years!

There are many benefits for universities, including recruitment through conditional admission as a degree seeking student when a student completes the ESL program as well as increasing diversity and internationalization of their campuses. At the same time, the Saudi students benefit not only from a comprehensive scholarship and a five year visa to the US but also by gaining intercultural experience and learning about American culture and life.

 Until he arrived on campus, “I thought all (Americans) had guns,” says Abdullah Khalid Maghrabi, 19. He stayed indoors for a week before he thought it was safe to go outside. Now, he says, weather is a more pressing concern. “I don’t know what to wear every morning. In my country, all the seasons are the same — it’s hot.”

UMass Boston hosts over 100 Saudi students in our programs.

 

January 10, 2013
by shannon.gerber
0 comments

5 New Countries Sending Students to the US

American universities should watch for the international population on campus to become more diverse in 2013 with a new spike in applications and admission from five countries previously not on the admission radar. The number of students coming to the United States and International Students from Brazil, Indonesia, Myanmar/the Mekong region, Syria and Ethiopia are about to rise according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Maybe we will soon see more students from these regions at UMass Boston?

January 9, 2013
by shannon.gerber
0 comments

New Visa Tracking System Available

Sometimes it is  frustrating to be waiting for your visa to be processed. Unknown processing times can hold up travel plans and cause worry about getting to class on time. Department of State has released a new feature to help visa applicants be more informed on where their application stands- Visa Status Check.

With Visa Status Check, applicants can enter the type of visa that they are applying for, the location of their application and their case number to see the status of their visa at that moment.

So the next time you find your self at home, waiting for a new visa you can be more in the know!

 

January 4, 2013
by shannon.gerber
0 comments

Welcome!

歡迎光臨! Bienvenidos! 환영합니다 ! Willkommen!  أهلاً و سهلاً!

Welcome to the new blog for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). We will use this new space to keep you informed about all things immigration related and also topics and events that might be of cultural interest to the international population of UMass Boston. We look forward to communicating with you via this new platform.

Skip to toolbar