International Scholar Walk-In hours
International Scholar Advisors
Social Security Information
Immigration Tracker
International Scholar Updates and Reminders

International Scholar Walk-in hours

The IO holds walk-in advising hours on the following days and times. Walk-in advising does not require an appointment, and is generally reserved for short 10-15 minute sessions between the scholar and his/her International advisor. Walk-in appointments are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please plan accordingly.

Evanston Campus
630 Dartmouth Place
Evanston, IL 60208

Wednesday, 10am-1pm and 2-4pm

Chicago Campus
710 N. Lakeshore Drive
Abbott Hall
Suite 1012, 10th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611

Tuesdays, 9am-12pm and 1-4pm

International Scholar Advisors

Based on the department you are in/joining, your assigned International Scholar Advisor is:

• Sabreen Basith (s-basith@northwestern.edu) Chemistry, Kellogg, ANSER, NERC
• Pablo Soledad (p-soledad@northwestern.edu) Children's Memorial, Feinberg, Rehabilitation Institute, Law
• Rachel Legg (r-legg@northwestern.edu) McCormick
• Coryn Shiflet (c-shiflet@northwestern.edu) WCAS, Communication, Medill, Music, SESP and all other departments

Social Security Information

To apply for a Social Security Number, you do not need a letter from the International Office. Please bring the following documents to the Social Security Office:

• Original job offer letter written by your department at NU
• H-1B Scholars: Original Approval Notice
• J-1 Scholars: Original DS-2019
• Passport
• I-94 card (little white card in your passport)

For a handout with more information on how to apply for a social security number, click here. Please note- when filling out the Social Security Application, please make sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your immigration documents.

Immigration Tracker

Immigration Tracker (Tracker) is a software database allows departments and H-1B/E-3 beneficiaries to track and submit H-1B/E-3 visa applications. With this system, departments are able to view each of their beneficiaries' H-1B/E-3 records, submit the department request form and track the process of an H-1B/E-3 application.

Process:

• IO sends department contact login information and Immigration Tracker portal web address
• Department completes the appropriate intake form via Immigration Tracker
• IO reviews and accepts intake form via Immigration Tracker
• IO sends beneficiary his/her login information
• H-1B/E-3 beneficiary completes U.S. Visa Main Questionnaire
• Department complies documents on the appropriate checklist and submits them to the IO
• IO reviews documents, intake form and questionnaire and starts H-1B/E-3 process
• IO will update beneficiary's Immigration Tracker record as process is completed

International Scholar Updates and Reminders

Change in fees to USCIS

• Premium Process Fee: $1,225 (optional for expedited H1B cases)
• H-4 Dependent Application (I-539): $290
• J-2 Employment Authorization (I-765): $380

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has instituted new filing procedures for filing prevailing wages and labor condition applications (LCA).  These two processes are a significant part of the H-1B application process in the International Office (IO).

Difference between receipt and approval:

• A receipt notice is all that is needed to continue working past your current H-1B end date and are a benefit of an H-1B extension application.
• An approval notice is what you need if you are changing status to H-1B or if you are traveling outside the U.S. close before or anytime after your current H-1B end date.

If you plan on changing status to H-1B or if your current H-1B will expire in 2010, please make sure your department allows enough processing time.  We are unable to expedite cases in less time then noted above. 

Visa and Port-of-Entry Interviews
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has recently increased scrutiny of H-1B cases. They have done this by conducting targeted site audits and higher level of inspection during visa interviews and port-of-entry questioning. 

We have had about two sites audits per month since this past fall.  This audit entails a visit to the scholar, department or IO regarding specific H-1B beneficiary's job.  In both audits and visa/port-of-entry interviews, department contacts and H-1B beneficiaries must be ready to answer inspectors' questions about the nature of their employment, their job duties, location and salary. 

When traveling the H-1B beneficiary MUST have a copy of his/her H-1B approval notice AND labor condition application (LCA).  Please review the travel information we have on our website and please contact your advisor at the IO before you leave the U.S. to make sure you have the correct documentation for your visa stamp and re-entry into the U.S.