From: VISA Office
Date: April 17
Subject: VISA News: End of Semester Reminders, Graduation Cap Decorating, Late Night Breakfast, Summer Internships, and MORE!


VISA News

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.

keep calm the semester is about to end meme

End of Semester Reminders

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 information 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.

summer schedule change with sun clipart

VISA News Summer Schedule

After Commencement, the VISA Office will reduce the frequency of the 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.

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

OPT & CPT Workshops

The VISA Office is offers 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.

There aren't any more CPT workshops this semester, but there is one more OPT workshop on May 2nd!  You can sign up here.

One Final Reminder about Taxes!

The deadline to file your U.S., state, and local tax returns, if required, was April 15, 2024. If you did not file a required return, please consult a tax professional, as you may be subject to penalties. Resources are available at https://case.edu/visa/forms-and-resources/international-tax-resources. 

OISRE Updates

Thanks for Celebrating Holi 2024!

Check out the Holi Photo Book here! Thanks again to the leadership of the Case Hinduism Club for a fantastic event!

Graduation Cap Decorating Party

 
Tuesday April 30, 1 - 3 pm

Are you graduating this May? Come to Tomlinson Lobby and decorate your graduation caps/mortarboards! We will have ribbon, decorations, glue and more to make your caps/mortarboards look fantabulous! OISRE will provide graduation sugar cookies, lemonade and water for the event. Bring your music, festive attitude, and caps/mortarboards!! The Alumni Office will be available to answer questions about your Case email once you graduate as well as discuss the benefits of the Alumni Newsletter. Register in CampusGroups. 
 

For Graduating Seniors:  Senior Week 2024!

Are you a graduating senior? Make sure to register for Senior Week 2024 events organized by the Senior Week Committee. These include outings to Swings N Things, Cedar Point, Goodtime III boat ride, a theatre performance, and more!

 


Taco Week-- Through April 21st

If you love tacos, take a look at Taco Week events in Cleveland!

Free PNC Financial Webinars


Student Webinar: Early Career: Creating Your Financial Foundation
 

Date:  April 25th, 2024 at 7 pm ET
 

Description: This workshop will give you a high-level overview you need to make good choices about housing and commuting expenses, company health and retirement plans, personal credit use, and even an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.

See this article: Mindful Money: How Net Worth Affects Your Well-Being | PNC Insights.

 

The more you know about money, the better you position yourself to reach your financial goals, not just for today but for life. Be sure to take advantage of PNC My Finance Academy’s videos, podcasts, articles, and other tools to help you build your financial knowledge and confidence at My Finance Academy.

Late Night Breakfast

Case Western Reserve University students are invited to Late Night Breakfast on Thursday, May 2 from 8 to 10 p.m. at both Fribley Commons and Leutner Commons. 

The event will feature music, candy, raffles and breakfast favorites such as biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sausage, eggs, fresh fruit and smoothies.

Late Night Breakfast is open to all students, even those without a meal plan. A CWRU ID is required to attend.

Play Ball!

The Cleveland Guardians baseball season has started so enjoy a game downtown with $10 student tickets! Check out their schedule! 

Features

Showcase Your Home Country in The Daily

Are you an international student at Case Western Reserve University interested in being featured in The Daily? National Tourism Day is May 7, and The Daily's editorial team is looking to feature a handful of international students who'd like to give their best tips about traveling to their home country (best things to do, things to avoid, your favorite food spot). This would all be done via email, and would require you to submit a photo or two of your home country. If you're interested in being featured, email case-daily@case.edu no later than April 20. In the email, include your name, home country, and your affiliation at CWRU. Make sure the subject line is "National Tourism Day." 

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.