Immigration

Welcome to Human Resources — Immigration. We are here to provide support services for faculty and staff in need of immigration assistance. For more information, please contact us at FHCRC Immigration.

FHCRC Immigration on Twitter

Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) Launches Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
DHS TRIP provides a central gateway for travel-related issues.

New Procedures for Nonimmigrant Visa Application
With the boom of nonimmigrant visa applications in U.S. embassies and consulates all over the world, the U.S. Department of State is adopting and transitioning office-by-office to the new online form DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application.  The online form is intended to efficiently collect application information from nonimmigrant visa applicants and to facilitate the visa application process.

The list of the selected U.S. embassies and consulates currently using the new form DS-160 can be found below under Non-Immigrant Forms.  While this advisory is intended to introduce the new procedures for nonimmigrant visa applications for the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, please note that the U.S Consulate General in Shenyang is on the list, and the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou is preparing to launch the online form DS-160 tentatively in March 2010.

It is important to check the U.S. embassy or consulate Web site where you will apply for your nonimmigrant visa to verify the application process currently in place.  The embassies and consulates that have not converted to the DS-160 will continue to require all the original application forms, e.g., DS-156/157, etc. for nonimmigrant visa applications.

U.S.-Visit Entry/Exit Mandatory Procedures
Applies to all visitors (with some exceptions) entering and exiting the US Details can be found on the following website: US-Visit

ECFMG Policy on "Moonlighting"
In the past, we have received inquiries regarding "moonlighting" options for foreign medical graduates. The ECFMG does not allow this type of work authorization. Any individual engaged in such employment will face serious consequences (termination of J-1 program). For your convenience, the section regarding moonlighting for foreign graduates is below. This statement also addresses other frequently asked questions intended to clarify the ECFMG's interpretation of the guidelines related to training in US medical education programs. http://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/usiastmt.html. For other concerns not addressed in the policy statement, please review the Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program Reference Guide, which can be found on the ECFMG website at: http://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/evspcont.html.

The new USCIS Seattle Office is located at:

The Seattle - USCIS Office is located at:
12500 Tukwila International Blvd., Seattle, WA 98168.

All Application Support Services (i.e., fingerprinting and other security related issues) are also located at this address. For more information, please go to: USCIS Seattle Office

H-1B Quota
The H-1B quota does not impact the Center's ability to hire new individuals requiring this visa status.

J-1 Exchange Visitors
Dept of Homeland Security Travel Tips for J-1 Exchange Visitors

Travel Documents   

If you will be traveling outside of the U.S. temporarily, you must carry specific documentation for re-entry. Requesting an employment verification letter for your travel is not necessary, but it can be helpful if a Port of Entry officer is requesting evidence of current employment.

J-1 Visitors should have the following:

  1. Valid Passport
  2. Valid J-1 visa stamped in your passport
  3. Form I-94 Departure/Arrival Card (should be stapled into your passport)
  4. Valid Form DS-2019 (with a valid signature from the Responsible Officer or Alternative Responsible Officer)

H-1B Visitors must have the following:

  1. Valid Passport
  2. Valid H-1 visa stamped in your passport
  3. Valid Form I-797 Notice of Approval or Extension of Nonimmigrant Visa Petition.

F-1 Students on Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training:

  1. Valid Passport
  2. Valid F-1 visa stamped in your passport
  3. Valid signature on page 4 of your Form I-20 from your school (Employment Authorization Document alone does not allow re-entry)
  4. Dependents in F-2, J-2, or H-4 status must also have valid passports and visas. If they are traveling alone, they must also have the appropriate form with them (e.g. DS-2019 or I-797, I-20).

E-3 Visitors must have the following:

  1. Valid Passport
  2. Valid E-3 visa stamped in your passport
  3. Valid Form I-797 Notice of Approval or Extension of Nonimmigrant Visa Petition

If your visa stamp has expired or if you have changed your status while in the U.S., you will need to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the U. S. to apply for a new visa.

O-1 Visitors must have the following:

  1. Valid Passport
  2. Valid O-1 visa stamped in your passport
  3. Valid Form I-797 Notice of Approval or Extension of Nonimmigrant Visa Petition

If your visa stamp has expired or if you have changed your status while in the U.S., you will need to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the U. S. to apply for a new visa.

Trips to Canada, Mexico

For trips (fewer than 30 days) to Mexico, Canada or adjacent islands, you do not need a valid visa to re-enter the U. S. However, you must carry all of the other items listed above and an unexpired Form I-94 (white card). If you have any questions, please contact Amy Garrett-Cowan.

Visa Issuance   

Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than ever before. If you intend to travel internationally and plan on applying for a new or extended visa, please consider purchasing a plane ticket with flexible return dates.

For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is now required as a standard part of visa processing. Individuals subject to an interview will be informed of this at the time they submit their application. Individuals will be advised to expect delays, as adjudication of the visa is completely unpredictable.

In addition to the interviews, individuals engaged in advanced research or studies involving any of the scientific/technical fields listed in the Technology Alert List (TAL) may be required to go through a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO). The SAO can take several weeks before it's issued to the US Consulate. Details regarding the TAL can be found at: Technology Alert List.

It is recommended that you prepare ahead of time in case you're subject to the SAO. In writing, state your research interests, current position, employer name, address and phone number. Also, list your US point of contact, specifics of your advanced (doctoral, postdoctoral or research scholar) research or studies in the US. They will want to know if you'll be returning to work in a country that sponsors terrorism or to an entity that is under sanctions and how, and where, does the applicant plan to use the knowledge acquired. Letters of recommendation from US sources are also helpful.

Any questions should be directed to Amy Garrett-Cowan, (206) 667-4460 or Stephanie Otis, (206) 667-5818.

J-1 Visa Request Forms   

(revised 06/16/06)

Immigration Forms   

AR-11 Address Change Forms

Department of State Nonimmigrant Visa Application Forms

Helpful Links   

 


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