From: VISA Office
Date: January 3
Subject: VISA News: Travel Signatures, Immigration Check In, Tax Information, and MORE


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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.

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Need a New Travel Signature?

If you need a travel signature to return to the United States, don't panic! You can request a travel signature by going to our webpage and scrolling down to: "request new I-20: reprint or travel signature"

Read more about what to do on our Travel and Re-entry page for F-1 and J-1 students.

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Check In with the VISA Office

If you are new to CWRU or beginning a new program at CWRU this semester, you need to check in online as part of the process to maintain your visa status.  This includes change of educational level students and students transferring their SEVIS record to CWRU.

To Check In:

Please access the Instructions on How to Check In and complete the process. Please note that you:

  • check in online AFTER you arrive in the US with your valid I-20 or DS-2019

  • can check in up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019

  • must complete the check-in process as soon as possible. The VISA Office uses this information to comply with the US Government's time-sensitive reporting requirements related to your F-1 or J-1 status. If there is a delay, please notify us immediately

We cannot process any on-campus employment or Social Security Number paperwork until you have been checked in.

If you will not be coming to the United States this semester, DO NOT check in using the instructions above. It is critical that you complete the survey instead.  If you have not done so yet, please do so immediately. 

January 15th - University Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

 

Monday, January 15: The university will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 15.

Note:  The VISA Office closes when the university closes for scheduled breaks and inclement weather. If you're ever in doubt about VISA staff availability, please call in advance of visiting the office; we don't want you to be out in the cold, snowy weather if we're not available to help you! If you have an immigration-related emergency when VISA staff members are not in the office, contact CWRU Security at 216.368.3300 and dispatch will know how to reach a VISA staff member.

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For Graduate Students: Waiver of Registration Information

If you are a graduate student planning to submit a Waiver of Registration , it is essential that you understand the impact of this decision on your visa status. The Waiver of Registration is an administrative process of the university, but does not count as registration for F-1 and J-1 students. Proper registration is required to maintain your visa status.  If you are not properly registered, you need to take other steps to maintain your visa status.

F-1 students:

  • If you submit a Waiver of Registration, The VISA Office will shorten the length of your I-20 to reflect the Drop/Add deadline. Your legal status in the US actually becomes shorter because it is now based on this Drop/Add deadline rather than your future intended graduation date.
  • In order to maintain your visa status after submitting a Waiver of Registration, you must apply for OPT or maker other arrangements in a timely manner.

Please note:

OPT applications must be submitted within 90 days before or 60 days after  the new I-20 end date (based on the drop/add deadline). Don't forget, it takes an average of 90 days for an OPT application to be processed.

If you do not intend to maintain your status either through OPT or other action on your I-20, you are required to leave the United States within 60 days of the Drop/Add deadline (which is your 60 day grace period).

If you are a J-1 student, please contact The VISA Office with questions related to the Waiver of Registration.

Tax Information for 2023 Filing Year

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Important Tax Info: Make Sure You Get Your W-2

The W-2 is a critical document for properly filing taxes. Every year between January and February, the university generates W-2 documents for individuals who have earned income from CWRU.

When your W-2 is generated, it's sent to your Permanent Address as listed in SIS.  For international students, this is often a foreign address.  

If your Permanent Address is correct, but you would prefer to have your W-2 sent to another address, for example a US address, it is necessary for you to include that address under the W-2 Override option in SIS.  Using the W-2 Override function will maintain the integrity of your Permanent Address information and ensure that you receive your W-2 at the different, preferred address. 

See more W-2 information here: https://case.edu/controller/payroll

Please contact Payroll if you have questions about receiving your W-2.

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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

Sprintax will also be hosting a free open tax webinar for students who are authorized for OPT/CPT to learn more about their tax responsibilities as well:

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Support Resources

The Dean of Students Office and the Case Western Reserve University community are committed to helping students overcome challenges during their academic careers.  Please see their website that lists resources and services, including information about various food pantries for students who are facing food insecurity. 

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University Health & Counseling Service Offers Timely Care

In addition to support offered at UH&CS, all CWRU students can all access TimelyCare at no cost! 

What Services are Available? 

  • Talk Now- 24/7 in the moment mental health support. 
  • Scheduled counseling- scheduled visits with a licensed counselor, including nights and weekends. 
  • Medical Visits- 24/7, on-demand and scheduled visits with a licensed medical provider. 
  • Workshops and classes- On-demand and live workshops and classes including yoga and meditation. 

Download the TimelyCare app through your app store or visit the TimelyCare website to enroll.

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Beware of Scams

Unfortunately, every year, at least one international student here at CWRU falls victim to a scam.  The VISA office wants to make sure that international students are aware of scams and know how to protect themselves so it doesn't happen again!

One recent incident involved cyber kidnapping.  Read about it here:  www.bbc.com

Visit our website for more information about scams.

Other Opportunities

3 Things To Do in Cleveland in January

As posted in The Daily, here are three ideas for exploring Cleveland this month.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jan. 15

Get free admission to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Monday, Jan. 15, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and explore the role music has played in promoting equity throughout history.

Gospel artist Courtney Tiara will give two live performances at noon and 1:30 p.m. Other special programming includes a full-day screening of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on loop in the Forest City Theater in the Main Exhibit Hall. Guests also can learn how music helped deconstruct racial barriers during segregation with a program led by the Rock Hall’s education team titled “Where the Ropes Fell: How Early Rock & Roll Broke Barriers.” On the fourth floor, visitors also will have the chance to listen to clips of Soul Train.

Learn more about this special celebration.

Note: City of Cleveland residents receive free admission to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame year round.

“Egyptomania: Fashion’s Conflicted Obsession” exhibition
Ongoing through Jan. 28

Don’t miss your chance to see the “Egyptomania: Fashion’s Conflicted Obsession” exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art. On display through Jan. 28, the exhibit features artifacts that explore the influence of ancient Egyptian art on fashion.

The exhibition draws attention to complexities that exist in the discourse surrounding interest in Egyptian art, such as cultural appropriation, African history and Black empowerment.

Learn more about the exhibition.

Ice skating
Ongoing

If you’re willing to brave the cool temperatures, consider stopping by one of Cleveland’s outdoor ice skating rinks. 

Just steps from campus, you can visit The Rink at Wade Oval on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 25 from 1 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $5 before 5 p.m. and include skate rental. After 5 p.m., tickets cost $10.

Employees in University Circle can take advantage of free skating from 2 to 4:30 p.m. every Friday.

Get more details about The Rink at Wade Oval.

Looking for a change of scenery? Head downtown to Public Square to check out the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink. The rink is open most days through Jan. 15 and costs $12 per person, which includes skates.

Learn more about the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink.

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.