From: VISA Office
Date: March 6
Subject: VISA News: OPT/CPT Webinar with Global Cleveland Today, Spring Break Reminders, Holi Celebration, 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.

No VISA News Next Week (Spring Break)

Our next issue of VISA News will be sent on Wednsday, March 20th.  Enjoy your break!

 

Today at 6 pm!  OPT/CPT Webinar for International Students

Hosted by Global Cleveland

On March 6th at 6:00 pm ET, Global Cleveland will be hosting a webinar geared towards helping international students leverage their OPT/CPT. They will go over the basics of why Global Cleveland believes Northeast Ohio needs international talent, what CPT/OPT is, and the diverse benefits of both. This is a great opportunity to learn more about these topics and feel more confident about the role international newcomers play in the NEO workforce.

You can find the zoom link below and we look forward to seeing you on March 6th!

Topic: Global Cleveland OPT / CPT Ambassador Webinar

Time: Mar 6, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://globalcleveland-org.zoom.us/j/82053500471

Meeting ID: 820 5350 0471

 

spring break sign

Traveling During Spring Break

Spring Break is March 11 - 15.  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.

Please Note: The VISA Office will be open during Spring Break if you need assistance. 

 

Safety Tips to Keep in Mind over Spring Break

See the important tips in this article in The Daily

 

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.

USCIS Filing Fees Increase Effective April 1

We would like to remind international students, staff, and scholars that USCIS filing fees will increase effective April 1. The increase will affect most forms, including I-539, I-765, and I-140. If you are planning to file an application for immigration benefits in the coming month, please be mindful of this increase. You can learn more about the fee increase at https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/frequently-asked-questions-on-the-uscis-fee-rule. 

Please also note that the fee for premium processing increased on February 26, 2024. Please use the USCIS fee calculator to determine the current fee for the application you wish to submit.

Tax Information for 2023 Filing Year

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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

Features

The Office of Equity Is Here for You 

The Daily recently published an article regarding services offered by the Office of Equity. Please take a moment to review the article and learn how the Office of Equity can support you on campus.  Click here to read the article.

Questions for President Kaler?

On March 19th from 7-8PM, President Eric Kaler will be attending Undergraduate Student Goverment's (USG) General Assembly to answer questions from the student body. This meeting will be open for all students to attend. If you have a question you would like to ask President Kaler, utilize the form below to send in your questions!

March 19th, 7 - 8 pm, Toepfer Room, Adelbert Hall

Submit your questions using this form until Friday 3/8 at 11:59PM

OISRE Updates

Financial Wellness Workshops and Info

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.

Schedule Change!  A PNC representative will conduct the in-person workshop on March 22 from 12:30 - 1:30 pm in Nord Hall, Room 356 as a follow-up to the on-demand presentation and help answer your questions on staying safe from identity thieves. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. Register here. 


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.

Meet K9 Officer Spartie!

Join the Office of International Student Resources and Engagement (OISRE) to meet CWRU Officer Edwards and K9 Officer Spartie on Wednesday, March 13 from 12:00-1:00 pm in the Tomlinson Lobby!! If you are staying on campus during spring break, you can take a photo with Spartie and get a Spartie sticker. 

For more information on K9 Officer Spartie, click here. 

Third Culture Kids Meet and Greet

Are you a Third Culture Kid? Have you spent a significant part of your developmental years outside of your parents' culture or passport country? Join Third Culture Kids at CWRU and the Office of Multicultural Affairs for our first event of the semester to meet others who share your experience of growing up between cultures.

The event will be held on Thursday, March 7 from 1:00-3:00 pm in Sears 409. Light refreshments will be provided.

Register here

Holi 2024 Celebration

Come join the Office of International Student Resources & Engagement for a lively Holi 2024 celebration on Sunday, April 14. Join the Case Hinduism Club for lunch from 1 - 2 PM in the Excelsior Ballroom, followed by colored water games and music from 2 - 4 PM at Freiberger Field.

Campus Happenings

Seeking Talented Performers!

LGBT community members and allies, come perform at the LGBT Center's annual Transgender Day of Visibility Talent Show & Open Mic Night, on March 29th from 6-9 PM at The Spot in Leutner Commons! This event is a fundraiser benefiting Margie's Closet, a local affordable gender-affirming retail business supporting trans and gender-nonconforming folks.

Anyone seeking to perform at the Talent Show can sign up here.

Email mru11@case.edu with any questions.

Not interested in performing, but would like to see the show?  Register on CampusGroups

Phi Rho Your Boat - April 7th

Phi Sigma Rho, a STEM-focused sorority, will host a racing competition where teams construct cardboard boats. Each team of 4-6 gets 90 minutes to construct their boat and have one member sail across the pool.  Whichever team successfully sails across first gets free Mitchell scoops!!  All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will be food concessions available.

Register here

Spring Break - Healthy Food Table

Staying on campus or in Cleveland for spring break? Worried about finding some healthy food options on campus? If so, join UH&CS and the Dean of Students Office for a Make Your Own Fruit Salad Bar and Hummus Tray on Monday, March 11th. The food is free and there will be other information and resources available regarding food security.

This healthy food event will be held during spring break, in person in the Thwing Atrium from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM on 3/11/2024.

Registration for this event is not required, but it is encouraged. Registration serves as a reminder for the event.

Register here

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.