USCIS Announces Fee Increases

USCIS has announced that certain fees, including the I-765 application fee for Employment Authorization and I-539 application fee to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, will increase on April 1, 2024. Learn more and see the new fee schedule from USCIS.

In-Person Travel Signature Events

March 6 & 7, 9:30 - 11:30 AM
University Library, Information commons area

F-1/J-1 students planning to travel outside the U.S. during Spring Break are encouraged to check their immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019) for a valid travel signature. Students needing a new or updated travel signature (travel endorsement) can meet with an OISS advisor at the University Library on  March 6 or 7 (9:30 - 11:30 AM) to obtain a travel signature as required for re-entry to the U.S.

View other options for how to obtain a travel signature on the OISS webpage F-1 & J-1 Travel.

See example of travel endorsement (often called "travel signature") section on a Form I-20:

Travel Signature Validity:

• Continuing F-1/J-1 Students/Scholars : The signature on page 2 of the I-20 or on the bottom right corner of page 1 of the DS-2019 is valid for 12 months.
• F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT: The signature on page 2 of the OPT I-20 is valid for 6 months. 
• J-1 Short-term Scholars and J-1 Students on Academic Training: Travel signatures are valid for 6 months or until the end of program, whichever is sooner.

Learn more about travel signatures and documentation required for re-entry to the U.S. at F-1/J-1 Travel

OPT Q & A Sessions

With the introduction of the new OPT online tutorial, OISS has changed the format of the OPT virtual workshops. The online OPT course (delivered via the Homebase platform) is a comprehensive guide to applying for OPT, eligibility, timelines, and reporting requirements. Students interested in applying for OPT should FIRST complete the online OPT course and then attend an OPT Q & A session for any follow up questions. 

Visit the OPT webpage for instructions on how to access the OPT course.

Upcoming OPT Q & A Sessions:

• March 1st, 12:00 PM: Event details & Zoom link
• March 19th, 1:00 PM: Event details and Zoom link
  

OISS Sponsored Tax Workshops

Wed., March 13th, 5:00 - 7:00 PM (CT) - More info and zoom link
Sat., March 30th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM (CT) - More info and zoom link

Tax season is here! The filing deadline for tax year 2023 is April 15, 2024, so don't delay. During this virtual workshop, Alejandro Young from Young & Associates, LLC, will present on the tax filing requirements and rules for international students and scholars. Alejandro has more than 20 years of experience in the area of tax services for internationals and has been providing tax filing workshops for the University since 2018.

Learn more about tax obligations as an international student (whether you  had a job or other source income in 2023 or not) and the various resources OISS has compiled to assist you with filing correctly from the Taxes section of the OISS website:
Understanding your U.S. Tax Obligations

Sprintax Webinars

International students and scholars are invited to join a free webinar focused on nonresident tax for the 2023 tax season. Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, State returns, implications of misfiling as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return.

• Monday, March 11th @ 3pm CT – Register here
• Thursday, March 28th @ 2pm CT – Register here
• Wednesday, April 3rd @ 1pm CT – Register here
• Thursday, April 11th @ 12pm CT – Register here
• Monday, April 15th @ 10am CT – Register here

March 1,  12:00 PM: OPT Q & A (virtual)

March 6 & 7, 9:30 - 11:30 AM: In-person Travel Signatures - University Library, Commons area

March 8, 3:00 - 4:00 PM: Coffee Talk - in person at OISS or join via Zoom

March 13, 5:00 - 7:00 PM: OISS Sponsored Tax Workshop - Virtual

March 19, 1:00 PM: OPT Q & A

March 16 - 25: Northwestern's Spring Break

March 26: Spring term classes begin

April 15: Deadline for filing 2023 tax returns