ISS Newsletter - October 2009
1. Diversity Visa (DV) Green Card Lottery 2011
2. H1N1 Advisory
3. USCIS Site Visits ***Attn: H-1B Scholars***
4. STEM EXTENSIONS and E-Verify
5. New Skills List
6. International Travel
7. Expiration of Work Authorization
8. Updating Your Address
9. Pending I-485 Inventory
DIVERSITY VISA (DV) Green Card LOTTERY 2011:
The annual Diversity Visa program makes a maximum of 55,000 green cards available each fiscal year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
The online entry registration period for DV-2011 will be from October 2, 2009 until November 30, 2009. It ends at 9 AM PST on December 1, 2009. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter. Heavy demand may result in website delays.
Information about the Lottery can be found DV web site.
Please Note: There have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. Only use the www.travel.state.gov site.
H1N1 Advisory:
As you may know, the H1N1 is a recent strain of the influenza virus. The Fall and Winter seasons usually bring a greater potential to catch a cold or flu. The Center for Disease Control along with the Department of Homeland Security and Small Business Bureau has created a preparedness guide about the flu virus: http://www.flu.gov/. Please take the time to look at the guide for the facts. The H1N1influenza shot may be made available in early October 2009.
Prevention Tips:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
USCIS Site Visits:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have been conducting unannounced visits to H-1B worksites. Site visits are used to verify the existence of the employer, the validity of information the employer has provided in H-1B petitions, and whether the sponsored foreign nationals are working in compliance with the terms specified on their H-1B petitions.
If you are approached by someone from the USCIS or a USCIS contractor, please contact the International Scholar Services Office at x2188 immediately.
STEM EXTENSIONS and E-VERIFY:
Currently, neither Caltech nor JPL has a federal contract that contains an E-Verify clause. Once we do, Caltech and JPL will enroll in the E-Verify system and F-1 OPT scholars will be eligible to apply for the 17 month Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training extension, if they have a STEM designated degree.
NEW Skills List Published:
The Exchange Visitor skills list has recently been revised. The 2009 skills list applies to J-1 exchange visitors who enter the U.S. on or after June 28, 2009. View the new 2009 Skills List: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9657.pdf.
The 1997 skills list still applies to exchange visitors who acquired J-1 status between March 17, 1997 and June 27, 2009
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:
If you are traveling abroad this season, please contact the International Scholar Services Office to make sure that you have the correct documents. If you are applying for a visa, you should also check for the latest information at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. J Exchange Visa holders can bring DS-2019s to the ISS office during business hours for a travel signature without an appointment. H-1B visa holders require a valid H-1B visa and H-1B approval notice for re-entry into the United States. H-4 dependents (if any) need valid H-4 visas and H-4 approval notices (if any) for re-entry, as well. Please contact International Scholar Services with questions at 395-2188.
You may also require a valid visa from the country you plan to visit. Visa requirements can be found at the Consulate General webpage for the country you plan to visit.
EXPIRATION OF WORK AUTHORIZATION:
We would like to remind you of the importance of being up-to-date with your immigration status and ability to work in the United States. If your nonimmigrant status will end before the end of your Caltech appointment, please notify your ISS advisor. ISS urges you to make an appointment to discuss any expiration and/or changes to your nonimmigrant status well in advance of a needed change or extension. Extending immigration status can take several weeks to several months. Please plan accordingly and feel free to contact us with any questions.
UPDATING YOUR ADDRESS:
To report a change of address, please use your access.caltech account: www.access.caltech.edu. In addition, if you are in H, TN, O, or E status you should report a change of address to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Form AR-11 at the following link: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa found at www.uscis.gov . F-1 and J-1 students need to report any address changes to their home institutions.
PENDING I-485 INVENTORY:
The USCIS recently published the I-485 Employment-Based Inventory Statistics, a list of all pending employment-based I-485 applications by country and preference. If you have a pending I-485, you can see how many people are ahead of you in the line. See USCIS site.
Wishing you a wonderful Fall Season!
Marjory Gooding, Director
lana Smith, Associate Director
April Pisano, International Scholar Advisor
Batchimeg Batdorj, Case Management Administrator
Alethia White, International Office Administrative Assistant
Contact Information:
California Institute of Technology
International Scholar Services, Mail Code 4-11
266 S. Chester Avenue
Tel: (626) 395-2188
Fax: (626) 795-0502
visa@caltech.edu
