December 11, 2024

In this issue:

1. Happy Holidays
2. University Closed for Winter Recess
3. Terra Dotta Upgrade
4. End of Semester Reminders
5. Waiver of Registration Information
6. Get Your W-2
7. OISRE Updates
8. Cleveland Talent Alliance Winter Career Expo
9. Donate or Receive a Winter Coat
10. 2024 - 2025 Winter Bucket List
11. Discounted Games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
12. ISF Christmas Celebration

VISA Office Information

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

We have virtual chat advising available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 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.

Terra Dotta Upgrade

Terra Dotta (visas.case.edu) is getting an upgrade over Winter Break!

The Terra Dotta system will be unavailable from January 2, 2025 through January 6, 2025.

If you need to have your I-20 reissued for any reason (i.e., Travel Signature, CPT, OPT), please submit your request by December 20, 2024 to be completed when we return from break on January 2, 2025.

Starting January 7, 2025, our office will begin sending students an invitation to the new system via email.  Be sure to use the link from the email to access the updated system.

If you have any questions or concerns during the transition, please email us at visa@case.edu. 

(The upgrade should not affect the Scholar Portal for current scholars.  If departments or scholars have any questions, please email visa@case.edu.)

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 the program end date on 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 at all times.  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.

For Graduate Students: Waiver of Registration Information

If you are a graduate student planning to submit a Waiver of Registration for the Spring 2025 semester, 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 2024 Filing Year

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 no later than December 31. 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.

OISRE Updates

OISRE Office Information

The Office of International Student Resources & Engagement (OISRE) helps international students adapt to life in the US.  We offer support services and plan events for international students and the campus community.

OISRE is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.  We also have drop-in hours on Thursdays from 11 am to 1 pm in Tomlinson Hall, Room 143.

You can reach us at international@case.edu or call 216-368-2399.

Please note: OISRE will be closed for Winter Recess from Monday, December 23rd through Wednesday, January 1st.

If you have an emergency and require immediate assistance, please call CWRU Public Safety at 216.368.3333.  For non-emergency Public Safety situations, please call 216.368.3300.

If you would like to leave a message for OISRE, you can call: 216.368.2399 or email: international@case.edu.  Please expect a response during regular business hours when OISRE staff is back in the office.  Regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.  The office is closed after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.  We are also closed weekends and holidays.

Cleveland Talent Alliance Winter Career Expo

 Use your holiday break to get a leg up on launching your career at The Cleveland Talent Alliance Winter Career Expo presented by Cleveland Leadership Center and Greater Cleveland Partnership. You’ll gain critical skills and advice for setting your career off on the right foot, make connections with prominent leaders at local employers, apply for a summer internship, and more!

December 16, 3 - 6 pm
CrossCountry Mortgage
(2160 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114)

Schedule
3:00 p.m. Registration opens
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Career expo
3:20 – 5:00 p.m. Professional development breakouts
3:20 – 5:40 p.m. Leader lounge
5:40 – 6:00 p.m. Online job platform launch

Cost
FREE

Professional development breakouts include:

• Interviewing in Today’s World: Tips for In-Person and Virtual Settings (Sponsored by Oatey Co.)
• The Need for Networking: Best Practices for Building Relationships
• Shameless Self-Promotion: Communicating Who You Are and Why You’re Needed
• Fine Tune Your First Impression: Advice for Improving Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

Register here: https://talent.clevelandtalent.org/wintercareerfair

Donate or Receive a Winter Coat

As announced in The Daily, Campus Ministry, United Protestant Campus Ministries, Muslim Student Association and the Office of International Student Resources and Engagement are hosting a coat drive through the end of January.

Those who need a winter coat or who would like to donate can stop by the Creche at Church of the Covenant during drop-in hours Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. To visit, enter through the bell tower doors.

For more information, contact Katherine Chilcote at kchilcote@covenantweb.org.

2024 - 2025 Winter Bucket List

Even though there's a chill in the air, you can still enjoy many activities in Cleveland this winter.  Take a look at the Cleveland Bucket List here:
https://theclevelandbucketlist.com/blog/2024-25winter-cleveland-bucket-list?mc_cid=05d52fd741&mc_eid=a5448a288b

Discounted Games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

Check out the Cavs (basketball), Monsters (hockey), Cleveland Charge (G league basketball), Pickleball, and more at a discounted price! Most events are in downtown Cleveland at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. 

More information is available here:  
https://www.rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com/group/detail/fieldhouseplus?mc_cid=05d52fd741&mc_eid=a5448a288b.
 

International Students Fellowship - Christmas Celebration

International Students Fellowship (ISF) invites you to their Christmas Celebration held on December 13 and December 20, 2024 at 6:45 pm.

Join them for Christmas cookie decorating, painting, carol singing, games, and for a delicious dinner.

For more information about this event, and to register, please email isfcleveland@gmail.com or contact them on Facebook (International Student Fellowship - CWRU) or Instagram (isf_cwru).