Welcome Back Academic Colleagues

Happy New Year! We hope you had a nice winter break.



ISSS STAFFING

Due to the departure of two experienced Faculty Advisors, we anticipate longer processing times. Sue and Connie will assist with processing until the positions are filled. ISSS will do its best to meet your requests and we request your patience with this transition.

H-1 and J-1 Processing Updates

As we prepare for the faculty hiring season for Fall 2024, it is time to conduct a review of the expiration dates for your international faculty and scholars’ immigration statuses, specifically F-1 OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, E-3 and O-1 visas. 

• Please review the status of your international employees with their respective supervisors and determine what next steps will be required to continue employment eligibility. We want to maximize the time required for extension of status, to provide time for the international faculty to renew drivers licenses, or spousal employment authorizations.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

As we begin the new year, we remind you that J-1 activities must be performed at the site of activity. In accordance with Department of State regulations, we must determine that each individual scholar to whom we are issuing new J-1 visa documents will perform a majority or all of their research activities in-person at the site of activity. Telework is limited to 1 - 2 days per week. It is expected that the host faculty member will meet regularly and mentor the scholar as they work towards their goals.

 J-1 Processing Tips

• New  During the Fall 2023 semester, we transitioned to issuing electronic J-1 DS-2019s. Scholars are instructed to print and sign the J-1 DS-2019. This version that they print and sign is their original DS-2019; no hard copy of the DS-2019 is printed by our staff. The printed and signed DS-2019 is used for the visa interview and at the port of entry. The printed and signed copy of the DS-2019 is the only copy with Consular notations. This copy is very important for any future immigration applications. A copy of this DS-2019 should be given to ISSS on check-in with the University.
• PHR Start Dates: When possible, we ask that paid J-1 exchange visitors receive PHR start dates on the first of the month in order to simplify the health insurance process for the exchange visitor. When the J-1 participant does not have coverage at the start of their position, they must find alternative insurance until they can be added to the State of Maryland's insurance plan. Careful planning at the beginning of the program is important. The scholar is eligible to participate in UMD SHIP to cover the gap period.
• Use of Faculty Titles: The J-1 status is limited to temporary position titles, such as postdoctoral associate, faculty assistant, and visiting scientists and visiting professors. J-1 regulations prohibit the use of the visa for tenure-track/tenured/permanent positions. 
• J-1 Online Check-in: Upon arrival to the U.S., all J-1 scholars will check-in online through iTerp. In some cases, the scholar may require assistance with uploading documents into iTerp. Please note that a digital photo or a scan can be used for uploading documents into iTerp. Information about the online check-in process is sent to J-1 scholars prior to their arrival. If you would like a copy of the instructions please reach out to an ISSS staff member.

U.S. Consulates/Embassies - Visa Issuance

New Until further notice, the State Department is extending its policy to waive visa interviews. The policy, issued in 2021, permits select H-1B, O-1 and J-1 applicants with a previously approved visa to request a waiver of the visa interview. Visa applicants must apply for a visa while physically present in their country of nationality or residence. The foreign national will be required to complete the DS-160, visa application, and pay all associated visa fees when applying. The visa applicant will be responsible for emailing the consulate to request the waiver. 

We continue to monitor U.S. government entry restrictions and the operations of U.S. embassies and consulates with regard to visa issuance and visa wait times 

Contracts and iTerp

As you prepare for your new international faculty hires, we would like to share processing tips.

• To be eligible for an H-1B, part-time teaching positions require a minimum of 10 hours; research positions require a minimum of 20 hours.
• All J-1 exchange visitors must be full-time through the length of their appointment at UMD.
• Only teaching positions may hold 9-month appointments. 

Contracts, PHR, I-9, and iTerp - Processing Tips

According to the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, we continue to see backlogs in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories for citizens of China and India.

Departmental Responsibilities when Hosting/Employing a Foreign National

The University of Maryland, as a sponsor, is responsible for the safety, health and welfare of all of our J-1 exchange visitors. 

Faculty hosts are responsible to mentor their exchange visitor (J-1) through the length of the program. If your exchange visitor is faced with an emergency, becomes ill or if the J-1 has not reported to their placement for three days and the absence is not excused, please notify ISSS immediately. ISSS would like to perform a welfare check for the J-1 participant.

If there is a change in the site of activity or employment, please notify ISSS so that we may take appropriate action on their immigration status. This needs to be reported to SEVIS (DHS) within 10 days of the change.

H-1B, E-3, O-1 and TN Employment Visas

New Effective February 26, 2024, USCIS will increase the premium processing fee: 

• Form I-129 (H-1B, TN, E-3 and O-1) will increase from $2,500 to $2805
• Form I-140 (permanent residency petitions) will increase from $2,500 to $2805
• Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status will increase from $1750 to $1965
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, will increase from $1500 to $1685

Please submit your H-1B requests in iTerp six months before the start date. This will ensure that these applications are given the lead time required to provide the new employee a smooth transition to UMD. 

Initial and extension H-1B, E-3, and TN petitions filed with a 3-month lead time for processing will necessitate the need for premium processing, or a change to the planned start date of employment.  

Training Workshops - Spring 2024

Click the Session Link to Register

January 18, 2024 at 12:00 - 1:30 pm

ISSS Meet and Greet with Departments

February 6, 2024 at 10:00 - 11:00 am

Types of U.S. Visas: Overview of J, H, B, TN, O

February 13, 2024 at 10:00 am

J-1 Workshop Academic Programs

February 20, 2024 at 9:00-10:30 am

J-1 Student Intern 

February 27, 2024 at 10:00 am

H-1B Workshop

How to Reach an ISSS Faculty/Scholar Advisor

Chat online with ISSS for quick inquiries - M-F, 10:30am-12:30pm

Make an appointment with an ISSS advisor.

Call us directly on our dedicated phone line. 301.405.1617. Our program specialists are your main points of contact for international faculty/scholar questions.