May 8, 2024

In this issue:

1. I-20 or DS-2019 Expiring Soon?
2. Access to UH&CS Over the Summer
3. OPT & CPT Workshops
4. How to Request a Cap-Gap I-20
5. VISA News Summer Schedule
6. Celebrate 2024 Graduates with a Clap Out!
7. Senior Week 2024
8. Clap Out, Convocation and Sendoff Celebration
9. Congratulations Graduates!
10. Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12
11. Airport Shuttle Service Available May 2 - 11
12. Five CWRU Students Share Travel Tips for Their Homelands
13. Cleveland Asian Festival

VISA Office Open Regular Hours During Summer

The VISA Office is open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday, even during Summer!  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.

I-20 or DS-2019 Expiring Soon?

Start preparing for the end of the semester and see if you have to take action on your I-20 or DS-2019.

If you need to extend your I-20 or DS-2019:  Please visit our website and scroll down to "request new I-20 extension" or "request new DS-2019 extension" and provide your advisor's email address in the request.
Undergraduates: list your Dean in Undergraduate Studies
Graduate students: list your academic advisor.

If you need to transfer your F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record: Visit our website for the transfer out request.

If you need to get a new travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019: To submit a request for travel signature, visit our website and scroll down to "request new I-20 reprint or travel signature request" or "request new DS-2019 reprint or travel signature request."  You can also read about travel and re-entry for F-1 and J-1 students here.

Check the validity of your visa stamp in your passport and make sure your passport is valid.  Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future.

Do you have additional questions? Get in touch with VISA Office Staff by stopping by our office from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday-Friday, or emailing us at visa@case.edu.

How to Request a Cap-Gap I-20

"Cap-gap" is the term used to refer to the "gap" in F-1 status that occurs in a change of status to H-1B (for cap-subject H-1B petitions), when the student’s OPT or STEM OPT expires before the October 1 H-1B start date.

Click here for more information.

If you properly filed for a change of status to H-1B, you may be eligible for the cap-gap extension. To qualify for the H-1B cap-gap extension:

• a petition must be timely filed
• the employment start date of October 1 of the current year must be requested
• a change of status must be requested
• You must be maintaining valid F-1 status

The cap-gap extension automatically extends a student's duration of status (time period during which an F-1 student is legally present) in the United States. If a student is on a period of valid post-completion OPT or STEM OPT at the time the H-1B petition is filed, employment authorization is also extended. For students who complete their period of OPT or STEM OPT and are in their 60 day grace period at the time the H-1B petition is filed, their duration of status will be extended, but not work authorization.

The VISA Office can help you obtain a cap-gap I-20 if you meet all of the above criteria.

Please be aware that the VISA Office is not notified of an H-1B petition being filed.

The VISA Office can generate a cap-gap I-20 if a student's SEVIS record is updated by USCIS.  To initiate the request for your cap-gap I-20:

• Log in to Terra Dotta via www.visas.case.edu
• click on this link.
• Complete the electronic form and upload all of the necessary materials. The VISA Office must have these items on file in order to process your request.
• Allow 5 business days for your cap gap I-20 to be processed.

If you received a receipt notice or approval notice for the H-1B petition but we find that SEVIS hasn't been updated by USCIS, we will email you about next steps.

VISA News Summer Schedule

After Commencement, the VISA Office will reduce the frequency of VISA News to every two weeks.  Please continue to check your CWRU email regularly over the summer! The VISA Office will resume its weekly VISA News email in August.

OISRE Updates

Clap Out, Convocation and Sendoff Celebration

For graduating graduate students, click on the QR code below.  Undergraduates, register through the Senior Week CampusGroups page.

Features

Airport Shuttle Service Available May 2 - 11

A shuttle with service to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport from the Case Western Reserve University campus will operate May 2–11 as the spring semester comes to an end. The shuttle will pick students up from two stops: the Greenlink stop near the Juniper residence halls and at the Nursing stop across from Fribley Commons.

The shuttle will operate:

• May 2: 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• May 3: Noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• May 4–11: 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m.

To schedule a ride, call or text 216.368.6604 at least 48 hours in advance of your pickup. Dispatch is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

When scheduling a ride, provide the following information:

• Name;
• Cell phone number;
• Day of flight;
• Pickup location;
• Pickup time; and
• Any additional details that might be pertinent, such as need for wheelchair access, amount of luggage if over two bags, etc.

A confirmation text will be sent prior to your pickup date with your scheduled pickup time (based on availability). 

Allow an hour and 15 minutes for pickup and travel. 

The shuttle will follow a strict schedule; riders should be prompt.

Other Opportunities