From: VISA Office
Date: February 14
Subject: VISA News: H-1B Visa Workshop, Spring Break, Mocktail Hour, Black History Month 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.

Happy Valentine's Day!


Every year on February 14th, people exchange cards, candy or flowers with their loved ones.
For more information about this popular holiday, see the link below:

The History of Valentine's Day
 
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.

Tax Information for 2023 Filing Year

cartoon people starting up at giant tax word

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
spring break sign

Traveling During Spring Break


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.

Spring break written in the sand next to sunglasses

Spring Break- The VISA Office is OPEN

While we hope you'll be resting and relaxing over Spring Break (March 11-15), please know that the VISA Office is open if you need assistance.

decorated cap

Commencement Information

Make sure you're keeping track of all the important dates and steps for commencement if you plan to graduate this semester!

Visit the Commencement website and follow the instructions in SIS to apply for graduation.

OISRE Updates

Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon 

The Lunar New Year celebration was an incredible success! On February 9, we managed to distribute over 500 red envelopes, each containing bookmarks and chocolate coins. The fireworks display at Freiberger Field was particularly impressive, drawing in an estimated crowd of over 300 people. It was heartwarming to receive thanks from many students who appreciated our efforts in organizing such a memorable day:

"🫶🏻Thank you for the firework show and Magic chocolate. Really wonderful!! It’s an amazing night !! Happy new year!! Have a good weekend! 新年快乐 恭喜发财🧧" Yueran Zhang
 
"Thank you so so much for organizing this fabulous event. This is the best fireworks for the year of the dragon.Thank you and your colleagues and give you my best wishes." Han Xiao
 

We will continue promoting events like these as they are invaluable in fostering internationalization on our CWRU campus.

There are more Lunar New Year events happening in northeast Ohio. Did you know that our University shuttles go directly to Asiatown, Walmart and Target? Get groceries and other items you may need by checking out this link. 

Financial Wellness Workshops and Info 


Student Webinar: Credit Scores and Reports: Understanding and Improving your Score

Date:  February 20th, 2024 at 7 pm ET

Description: Understand how credit scores and reports work to help you keep your finances healthy and achieve your financial goals, such as buying a new home, leasing a car, or paying off debt.

 

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 on March 15 from 12:30-1:30 pm (more details to follow) to help answer your questions on staying safe from identity thieves

 

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.

Campus Happenings

Black History Month Celebrations in Cleveland


Learn about the contributions of Cleveland's African American community at these free events.

Don't forget to visit the Second Annual Black Business Expo on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Tinkham Veale University Center’s Ballroom. This expo will highlight Black businesses around Greater Cleveland, while giving vendors the resources needed to enhance their business. The event will be open to the public from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

 

career fair image

Upcoming Career Fair

Are you exploring career, internship and/or graduate school options? The 2024 Career, Education and Inspiration Expo will help you discover opportunities, grow your network and get first-hand information from representatives of top employers and graduate programs.  This event is open to current students and alumni.

2024 Career, Education and Inspiration Expo, Friday, March 1 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit the Career Center website.

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.