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Immigration
Overview
Passports:
A passport is an international travel
document issued to you by your home government showing
your identity, state of origin and nationality. This
travel document allows you to travel outside your country.
While in the US, you and your family can renew your
passports through your home country embassy or nearest
consulate. It is your responsibility to keep your passport
valid at all times. You should provide OIS with a
photocopy of your passport as well as those of family
members in case of loss or theft. Embassies are able
to replace a passport more promptly if you are able
to provide a photocopy of the original.
Visas:
A nonimmigrant visa is a permit,
affixed or stamped to a page in your passport, to request
entry into the US. At the port of entry the immigration
officer grants admission. As a scholar, you enter the
US under the terms and conditions specified by the particular
type of nonimmigrant visa that you hold. The visa does
not determine how long you or your family can remain
in the US. You will need to revalidate your visa only
if you are traveling abroad after the current visa in
the passport has expired and wish to re-enter in that
status. If you change your nonimmigrant status during
your stay in the US you must apply for a new visa abroad
only if you wish or need to re-enter the US in the new
status. You cannot obtain a new visa in the passport
within the US – only at a US Embassy or consulate abroad. Visa procedures and processing times
vary at different US consulates. We generally recommend
that individuals apply for a US visa at the US Embassy
in their home country, but it is possible in many cases
to apply as a third country national in a different
country. Most consulates require a personal interview
during a scheduled appointment – please do not make
travel plans until you are certain that you have or
can get a visa since many first time visa applications
are delayed and sometimes security background checks
can take longer than expected. For the latest information
on visas, visa applications, visa policies, processing
times, and fees, please go to the US Department of State’s
website at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors.html
Please note:
most F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must pay an additional
SEVIS fee before they can apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa.
Please go to the USCIS website on SEVIS http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/index.htm
or the OIS handout “J-1
SEVIS FEE REQUIREMENT” for additional information
and online filing instructions.
Form
I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record):
At the port of entry into the US, the immigration
officer processes a Form I-94 to every nonimmigrant.
Often the Form I-94 is handed out on the plane shortly
before landing. The Form I-94 indicates your visa classification
and any endorsements made by the immigration officer.
The Form I-94 indicates the place and date of entry
of your admission to the United States and the initial
period of authorized stay.
Noted on the Form I-94 for J-1scholars and their
dependents is "D/S", for duration of status.
For a J-1 scholar, duration of status means the period
during which the J-1 scholar engages in the activity
described on the Form DS-2019 (professor, researcher).
As a J-1 scholar you may remain in the United States
as long as you maintain J-1 status up until the ending
date on the Form DS-2019 plus a grace period of thirty
days.
Social
Security Number:
A social security number is a taxpayer identification
number that you may apply for if you both have employment
eligibility and are paid for your activities in the
US. It is also useful when opening a bank account, applying
for a NC Driver’s License, renting an apartment, opening
utility accounts, etc. The Social Security Administration
will only accept social security applications from foreign
nationals who have employment eligibility, employment
authorization, and proof of employment. You will need
to apply in person at the Social Security Administration
(SSA). If you are ineligible to apply for a social security
number the OIS will provide you with a temporary number
which is valid only at NC State University. The Social
Security Administration is located at 4701 Old Wake
Forest Rd., in Raleigh. Social security applications
and maps to their office
are available at OIS or online at http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.
To apply for a Social Security number and card,
you need to complete Form SS-5 and show at least two
documents as evidence of your age, identity, and lawful
alien status (ex. visa, passport, DS-2019, I-94, I-20,
etc.). The card is generally mailed to your address
several weeks after you submit the form, but we strongly
recommend that new employees to the US wait until at
least two weeks before applying since a long processing
delay may result if the SSA cannot immediately confirm
the port-of-entry details posted by the Customs and
Border Patrol officers at the port of entry (often a
ten day delay in posting that information).
Dependents and those not eligible to obtain
a Social Security Number, but have tax filing requirements
or tax treaty benefits should apply for an Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) that can be obtained
at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The ITIN is used
for tax purposes and can serve as additional documentation
when obtaining the driver’s license.
To obtain the form, please stop by OIS or visit
the IRS web page.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf
North Carolina Drivers License:
This page was written and posted
for international scholars (primarily J-1 Exchange Visitors
and F-1 Optional Practical Training employees) at NC
State University. For information regarding H-1B, TN,
O-1, B-1/B-2, Visa Waiver program and other employment
visas (or Permanent Residency / “Green Cards”), please
consult with the International Employment Services unit
in Human Resources at: http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/hr/intemployment/.
Those not affiliated with NC State University, should
consult a qualified immigration attorney for assistance.
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