From: VISA Office
Date: February 28
Subject: VISA News: OPT/CPT Workshops, Spring Break, Taxes, OISRE Updates and MORE


VISA news header

VISA Office Information

The VISA Office is open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.  We are located in Crawford Hall, Suite 215.

On Monday, Thursday, and Friday, we have virtual chat advising available from 11am to 1pm.  Access virtual chat from our website here.

You are also welcome to contact us for an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment.  Please email visa@case.edu to request an appointment or schedule from our website here.

 

OPT and CPT workshop branding telling students that workshops are available online

OPT & CPT Workshops

The VISA Office is offering Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshops to review the application process, student responsibilities, and other important considerations.

It is important to be well informed before you apply.  It is also important to apply early!

OPT is mostly for students who are graduating and wish to work after graduation.  You first have to obtain your OPT I-20 from our office. Then you must apply for an Employment Authorization Document  from US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), which is required to begin work on OPT. It takes USCIS 3-4 months to process EAD applications. You must complete an OPT workshop to obtain an OPT I-20 from the VISA Office, so we strongly recommend that you attend a workshop as early as possible if you plan to apply for OPT this semester. Remember, you do not need a job offer to apply for OPT!

CPT is for currently enrolled students.  For CPT, you have to have a job offer before applying for authorization. You are not eligible to begin your experience until you have CPT authorization in place. It can take several days to become authorized.

Please sign up for a workshop!  You can sign up here.

spring break sign

Traveling During Spring Break

Spring Break is March 11 - 15.  If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. during the break, be sure to check the entry requirements for all of the places you will visit. As a visitor, it is necessary to comply with all of the laws put in place by a host country’s government.

A valid travel signature on your I-20 (F-1 students) or your DS-2019 (J-1 students) is required to enter the United States.  Check your I-20 or DS-2019 for a valid travel signature now!

A travel signature is valid for up to one year for current students.  For alumni on OPT or STEM OPT, the travel signature is valid for six months.

To request a travel signature, go to our website and scroll down to the request to reprint your I-20 or DS-2019.   Clicking on the link will take you to Terra Dotta to complete your request. Allow 5 - 7 days for processing.

For more information related to travel for F-1 and J-1 students, click here.

Please Note: While we hope you'll be resting and relaxing over Spring Break,   the VISA Office will be open if you need assistance.

Tax Information for 2023 Filing Year

Tax Deadline is April 15: Forms & Sprintax Availablity

Sprintax is a tax-return-preparation software program designed primarily for international students and scholars. It can help you prepare your U.S. federal income tax return, which you are legally required to file to the Internal Revenue Service.  The VISA Office has arranged for a limited number of coupons for free access to Sprintax for your federal tax filing needs.

You may access Sprintax and begin preparing your tax return by following these steps:

  1. Register and follow the simple instructions
  2. Complete the online questionnaire
  3. Enter Case Western Reserve University’s unique code. This code was sent to you via email on February 6.
  4. Sprintax will prepare your tax return

If Sprintax determines that you are required to file a state tax return, you may use Sprintax to file your state return at your own expense. You are not required to use Sprintax to file your tax returns but, remember, it is your responsibility to comply with the law and properly file all required tax returns. 

If you haven't yet received your Form W-2 from CWRU, contact Payroll at payroll@case.edu.

For more information regarding the 1098-T, please visit the Financial Services website to download the Nonresident Alien 1098-T Request Form.

1042-S forms will be prepared by mid-March and sent to students by Payroll. Please contact Payroll if you have questions about the issuance of your 1042-S.

For more information, visit our International Tax Resources page and if you have any questions, the Sprintax team will be happy to help via their 24/7 live chat function or via email at hello@sprintax.com. Remember, VISA Office staff members cannot advise you on tax questions, so please reach out to Sprintax for help.

Sprintax Offers Tax Webinars to Prepare for Tax Filing Season 2023

The VISA Office partners with the tax experts at Sprintax, who offer tax filing services to international students who are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes. The Sprintax team will be hosting a series of free open tax webinars to provide helpful information about non-resident tax filing obligations.

You can find the details and registration links below for each:

The informational webinars will cover the same topics on each occasion:

  • An overview of tax for nonresident students and scholars for the 2023 tax season
  • Who must file
  • Tax residency
  • FICA
  • State returns
  • Implications of misfiling
  • How to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return

OISRE Updates

The Office of International Student Resources and Engagement (OISRE) is Now Open in Tomlinson 143


OISRE is a welcoming and supportive space for our current and incoming international and exchange students. We provide a wide variety of services and programs to assist students with cultural, non-academic and social needs. Whether you have to open a bank account, obtain a driver's license, or understand your health insurance, the OISRE team can connect you to a range of resources. We offer Lunch and Learn workshops, fun activities, and special campus events such as Lunar New Year, Holi, and International Education Week. OISRE is dedicated to facilitating cultural growth, self-awareness, and global competency through transformative experiences. Come visit our office, learn about our campus and community resources, and get involved!  

Connect. Thrive. Impact: Your Global Journey Starts Here.


For any questions, contact OISRE at international@case.edu or 216-368-2517.

Financial Wellness Workshops and Info

Student Webinar: Identity Theft 

Available on demand

Description: Learn how identity thieves can steal your personal information, what's at risk when they do, and how to recognize common scams.

A PNC representative will conduct an in-person workshop March 15 from 12:30 - 1:30 pm in Nord Hall, Room 356 as a follow-up to the on-demand presentation and help answer your questions on staying safe from identity thieves. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. Register here. 


Improve your financial health in 2024! Be sure to join free financial education workshops provided by PNC’s My Finance Academy. Find the full spring schedule of webinars and registration at pnc.com/myfinanceacademy.

Black History Month Celebrations in Cleveland 

·  Cozad-Bates House: Located in University Circle, this is the last-standing home in the area from before the Civil War. Transformed into an interpretive center with a variety of exhibits, this home preserves the charm of 1800s architecture while providing art and educational programming that traces the history of slavery and highlights local freedom seekers.  Cozad-Bates House

 

·  African American Cultural Gardens: Take advantage of a sunny day this spring by visiting the African American Cultural Garden, one of the 34 gardens onsite at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Dedicated in 1977 and undergoing recent renovations in 2022, this garden boasts unique architecture that tells a story, including a “Door of No Return” that signifies an exodus from Africa, tranquil water features to visualize the trail from slavery to freedom, and a North Star plastered at the focal point, to honor Ohio’s own history with the Underground Railroad and the Great Migration.

Are you a Third Culture Kid? Have you spent a significant part of your developmental years outside of your parents' culture or passport country? Join Third Culture Kids at CWRU and the Office of Multicultural Affairs for our first event of the semester to meet others who share your experience of growing up between cultures.

The event will be held on Thursday, March 7 from 1:00-3:00 pm in Sears 409. Light refreshments will be provided.

Register here.

Get Ready for International Women's Day - March 8

Attend a free networking and panel event at the Cleveland Public Library in downtown Cleveland to learn about the lives and accomplishments of international women who paved a path for themselves here in the City of Cleveland. Registration required. For public transportation info, use this link.

The Welcome Center in Cleveland

Over 120 nationalities are represented in Cleveland. The Cuyahoga County Welcome Center provides resources to those with limited English proficiency, refugees, and immigrant populations. Learn more about the Center here. 

Are You Planning to Buy a Car?

Learn tips on purchasing a vehicle, including buying vs. leasing, new vs. used, hybrids vs. battery electric vehicles and more. 

Registration will open on March 5.   

In-person presentations offered at the following Cleveland Heights libraries:

Tuesday, March 19 from 7:00-8:00 pm. Coventry Village Branch Library
Wednesday, May 22 from 7:00-8:00 pm. Lee Road Branch Library

For public transportation options, see the RTA website.

Monthly International Spouse Support Fellowship

Twice a month, a group of ladies, student spouses and some local volunteers get together for a time of mutual support and friendship. Led by Julie Holt, this group does everything from discussing family or child raising matters, taking field trips to the zoo or downtown, learning how to manage finances, and talking about current events. Primarily attended by wives of students, this group also does not discriminate against the stay-at-home hubby. Please contact Julie Holt for more information.

Good news! Meijer's Fairfax Market 


There is now a shuttle stop at Meijer's Fairfax Market! A stop has been added to the UCRC shuttle route. This shuttle runs Mondays-Fridays from 6am to 10pm.  To catch the shuttle on campus, use the Rainbow Babies and Childrens stop. Meijer's Fairfax Market will soon be announcing a 10% student discount as well. Check their social media for details. 

Education Abroad Announcements

Campus Happenings

Barbenheimer Weekend with the CWRU Film Society

This weekend is Barbenheimer weekend with the CWRU Film Society! They are showing Barbie on Friday and Oppenheimer on Saturday in Strosacker Auditorium. Special double feature pricing of $6 to attend both films is available on the Barbie CampusGroups event and at the door. They will also hold a costume contest both nights! Their full schedule is available here:  films.cwru.edu

If you would like to promote your event or opportunity through VISA News, please make a complete submission (including flyers, images, details, etc.) for consideration by noon on Monday to visa@case.edu. The VISA Office cannot guarantee that all submissions will appear in the newsletter, as space is limited, but staff will review all timely submissions for consideration.