Dear International Students and Scholars,
Please read this email carefully for updated information regarding International Center services while the Student Activities Building is closed.
Dear International Students and Scholars,
The Student Activities Building (SAB) is closed to the public until further notice, based on the governor's "stay at home" order.
Effective Tuesday, March 24, the Student Activities Building (SAB) will be closed to the public based on the governor's "stay at home" order.
The International Center will remain open during normal business hours to assist international students and scholars.
However, in response the COVID-19 virus and the measures the University of Michigan has implemented on campus to encourage “social distancing”, all international student and scholar advising will be done via email and phone appointments through April 6, 2020, in order to limit the possible transmission of the virus. There will be no in-person appointments or walk-in advising hours.
U-M classes will be delivered remotely from March 16 through April 21, due to University measures enacted to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19. Some international students are considering leaving Ann Arbor and completing the Winter Term from outside the U.S.
On Saturday, March 14th, the U.S. government announced new travel restrictions for foreign nationals who have been in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland in the past 14 days due to COVID-19 related risks. These restrictions will be implemented at midnight on Monday, March 16th, 2020 (excluding flights that are already in route by that time).
Dear International Student, Many developments have occurred in the past week regarding the COVID-19 situation. The University of Michigan International Center and Public Affairs websites detail this week's developments. However, I wanted to make sure that you understand these important highlights.
On Wednesday, March 11, the U.S. government announced new travel restrictions for foreign nationals who have been in the Schengen Area in the past 14 days. These restrictions will be implemented on Friday, March 13 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
03/11/2020: In light of the University’s announcement regarding moving toward alternative forms of course delivery (including online formats), the International Center will follow Immigration’s established procedures that will ensure that F-1 and J-1 students maintain legal status. Please plan to participate in your classes in the format in which they are offered when they resume on Monday, March 16th. We will be posting additional information in the upcoming days.
03/11/2020: Tomorrow and Friday all classes are officially canceled. On Monday, March 16th, classes will resume remotely in alternative formats. Classes will not meet in person through the end of the semester, April 21. All U-M events that would convene 100 people or more are also canceled.
If you are concerned about possible health care costs if you did need to be tested or treated for COVID-19, please remember that the U-M health insurance plans, including the International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Plan, and the health insurance plans administered by the U-M Benefits Office, such as GradCare, U-M Premier Care, etc. all cover medically necessary health care costs related to testing and treatment for infectious diseases and medical conditions, including COVID-19.
On March 5, 2020 U-M President Schlissel sent an email to the U-M campus community to share the latest guidelines and information for students, scholars, faculty, and staff related to the COVID-19 virus, including some important COVID-19 updates, guidance for travelers coming to or returning to campus, recommendations for those planning future travel, and campus preparations.
U-M ranked in top 10 for Peace Corps volunteers among large U.S. colleges and universities. U-M also ranked No. 6 among graduate schools, with 11 graduate alumni currently serving worldwide. Overall, U-M ranks No. 4 all-time among top producing schools on the Peace Corps list. It is the only university from Michigan on the list this year. Since the agency’s founding in 1961, around 2,775 alumni from U-M have served abroad as Peace Corps volunteers. There are 211 volunteers from Michigan currently serving worldwide.
On Saturday, February 29th, the U.S. government announced new travel restrictions for foreign nationals who have been in Iran the past 14 days due to COVID-19 related risks. These restrictions will be implemented at 5:00 PM EST on March 2, 2020.
Dear International Scholars, I am writing to bring your awareness to the many medical, health, safety, and campus resources that have been developed in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). As new information is shared, the International Center will continue to post announcements on our website. I also encourage you to reach out to the International Center with your questions about how restrictions related to COVID-19 may affect your immigration status or your ability to re-enter the United States after travelling abroad.
Dear International Students, I am writing to bring your awareness to the many medical, health, safety, and campus resources that have been developed in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). As new information is shared, the International Center will continue to post announcements on our website. I also encourage you to reach out to the International Center with your questions about how restrictions related to COVID-19 may affect your immigration status or your ability to re-enter the United States after travelling abroad.
2/26/2020: University of Michigan-related travel to South Korea is now restricted and personal travel to South Korea is currently discouraged. If you do plan any international travel during the Spring Break, be sure to review the Spring Break Travel Guidance for International Students in Light of the Coronavirus. Have a safe Spring Break!
The International Center would like to remind all international students, scholars, employees, and dependents that they are responsible for following federal immigration regulations and federal laws, in addition to the laws of the State of Michigan.
On February 20, 2020, U-M President Schlissel delivered a statement on COVID-19 Virus at the Board of Regents Meeting extending his support to the members of the U-M community who are affected by the COVID-19 virus epidemic in China and beyond
(Jan 31, 2020) Today the White House Administration announced a suspension of the overseas issuance of immigrant visas for certain nationals of Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Nigeria; and will disallow Diversity Visa Lottery participation for Sudan and Tanzania.
The U-M University Health Service (UHS) released a new webpage with resources regarding the Coronavirus, symptoms and preventative measures, and considerations for travel to impacted regions. Please visit https://uhs.umich.edu/2019-nCoV to review and to stay informed.
Are you a U-M International Student? Interested in taking part in the U.S. elections this year? Then read on!
Happy 2020! May the new semester, year, and decade bring you good health, learning opportunities, and great success.
Many troubling things are happening around the world these days -- from wildfires to protests to tensions between nations. Should you be personally impacted by any of these issues, or find yourself concerned and unable to concentrate on your academic goals, please know that the University of Michigan offers numerous resources for you.
The International Center and the Office of New Student Programs welcome new U-M international undergraduate students to U-M and to Ann Arbor. The International Center has posted information for new international undergraduate students on the Winter 2020 International Undergraduate Orientation event page.
The International Center would like to remind all international students, scholars, employees, and dependents that they are responsible for following federal immigration regulations and federal laws, in addition to the laws of the State of Michigan.
The University of Michigan Office of Public Affairs recently posted some updated information about the international student fee described below. If you have additional questions after reading the updated information, you can email internationalstudentfees@umich.edu
The LSA Opportunity Hub is a transformational initiative that helps students connect their liberal arts education to their aspirations and professional paths. LSA international undergraduate students are strongly preferred, but international students from other U-M schools and colleges are welcome to apply.
Residence Education is beginning the search for next year’s ResStaff (live-in student employees) who will work in all of the Undergraduate Residential Communities as Resident Advisors (RAs) and Diversity Peer Educators (DPEs). Applications are due by Oct. 27 by 11:59 PM. Read more on the University Housing Jobs.
Dear Faculty, Postdoctoral Researchers and Graduate Students: During the Q&A that followed the President’s leadership breakfast last week, a community member asked about the challenges we face in the context of recent federal concerns of “foreign influence” on research at U.S. universities. This issue is very front of mind for many of us in leadership positions at U-M, and we want to share our views on this important issue with all of you.
Are you looking for an amazing job at the University of Michigan? Well, look no further! Come work for the Center for Campus Involvement! CCI is looking for some students who want to develop skills in facilitation, adaptability, and relationship building while supporting student organizations on campus.
Protect yourself and others from the flu this year. Flu shots are available on campus and are covered by many insurance plans, including the International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Plan and GradCare. The University Health Service also suggests some ways to help reduce the spread of flu and other illnesses.
The University of Michigan International Center (IC) is proud to announce its Welcoming Month schedule of events for new and returning international students, faculty/staff, scholars, and their families. Throughout the month of September, the IC will host several events to help members of the international community learn about U.S. culture, get to know each other, and explore Ann Arbor.
The International Center would like to warn you about phone calls and emails from criminals pretending to be from your home country consulate (or embassy), from U.S. law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, or from U.S. government agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), or the Michigan Department of Treasury. The calls may also be "robocalls" making "urgent" callback requests.
Dear Students,
Welcome to the University of Michigan!
Effective September 1, 2019, the U-M International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Plan will change insurance companies from Aetna Student Health to Blue Care Network (BCN).
The International Center is currently looking to hire a Graduate Student ICSC Co-Leader for the 2019-2020 school year. ICSC Leaders facilitate ICSC meetings, manage ICSC communication (emails, social media, flyers, etc.), ensure deadlines by volunteer members are met, organize ICSC events, and serve as a liaison between ICSC members and the U-M International Center. ICSC Co-Leaders will be supported by the Global Engagement and Education Abroad (GEEA) team. For a full job description, click here. Those interested in applying must do so by August 19. Click here to access the application.
The International Center and the Office of New Student Programs welcome new U-M international undergraduate students and their parents to LSA International Transfer Orientation and International Undergraduate Orientation. The International Center has posted information for new international undergraduate students and their parents on the Orientation Overview page.
August 5, 2019 Source: Office of the President
Nine killed while enjoying a summer night out in Dayton, Ohio.
Twenty-two killed while shopping in El Paso, Texas.
Three killed while attending a local festival in Gilroy, California.
More than two dozen people gunned down while enjoying the everyday tasks of the weekend – shopping, spending an evening with friends, supporting the local community.
The University of Michigan Conference & Event Services is looking for ambitious, customer service oriented student staff for a two-week conference from Friday, July 19th through Friday, August 2nd. Both U.S. and international students are encouraged to apply; this is on-campus employment and a work-study award is not required. The University will be hosting the National Training Institute (NTI), a 10 day educational training conference of electricians who will be our guests on the University campus.
All incoming F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee using FMJfee.com before the Department of State issues a visa.
The Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) now requires applicants to provide information on all social media platforms they have used within the last five years. You will be required to provide your username, screen name, handle, or other identifier for each platform you have used, but you will not be required to provide your passwords. You will also be asked for your current email address and phone number and for any additional email addresses and phone numbers you have used in the previous five years, but you will not be required to provide your passwords.
MPals is a peer-to-peer pen-pal initiative. Incoming international undergraduate students will be matched with current students at the University of Michigan. M-Pals will answer questions via email about all aspects of student life, such as: dorm-living, classes, extra-curricular clubs, banking, transportation, and more! Interested in joining M-Pals? Sign up today!
The staff of the International Center would like to express our sympathy and concern for U-M international students, scholars, and employees from Sri Lanka after the recent terrorist attacks.
We would also like to remind students that Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available to help you find support during this stressful time. You can call them any time at (734) 764-8312 or visit their office in the Tappan Auxiliary Building Monday -Thursday from 8 am - 7pm and Fridays from 8am-5pm.
4/11/2019 – USCIS announced that it has received enough cases to meet the FY 2020 H-1B quota and has completed the computerized selection process.
The University of Michigan International Center is excited to host two Pre-Departure Orientations (PDO) for new undergraduate Chinese students and parents June 2019. These PDO events will be June 15 in Beijing and June 22 in Shanghai. The International Center is seeking 10 student Orientation Leaders to volunteer for each PDO event. Our Orientation Leaders will share valuable information with new students and their parents in order to prepare them for their travel to and arrival in Ann Arbor.
As members of the University of Michigan community embark on international and domestic travel this summer, the campus International Centers, Office of the General Counsel, and Office of the Provost have prepared this informational guide to promote safe and efficient travel. More detailed and expansive information, including emergency contact information while traveling, is available on the Global Michigan website. We encourage you to explore all the travel resources available on that site while planning your travel.
With 63 volunteers around the world, the University of Michigan is ranked 4th among large universities for producing the most Peace Corps volunteers for 2019. U-M, which has made the Top Schools list every year since the ranking system began in 2001, is also the fourth all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers with 2,734 alumni having served the agency since its creation in 1961.
Recent events around the world and here on campus have been upsetting to many students, faculty, and staff. Although reports of an active shooter on the University of Michigan campus on Saturday proved to be unfounded (the noises were actually the sounds of balloons popping), this was a very frightening day for many. As such, the International Center would like to remind you about some resources that are available to the campus community. Students
Effective 3/1/2019, all interviews for H and L visas in China will be conducted at the US Embassy in Beijing or the US Consulates General in Guangzhou or Shanghai. H-visa interviews will no longer be offered at the Consulates General in Chengdu or Shenyang. For more information about the visa application process, please refer to the website of the relevant consulate location.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) has released its 2018 Open Doors report, which is a comprehensive source of data on international students studying at higher education institutions in the United States, and on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit at their home colleges or universities.
On August 9, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented a new policy regarding “unlawful presence” for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, as well as for their dependents.
On 8/31/18, USCIS announced that, effective 10/1/18, the fee for Premium Processing would increase from $1,225 to $1,410. All petitions postmarked on or after 10/1/18 will need to include the new fee.
On June 26, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in the Trump v. Hawaii travel ban case. Since the Supreme Court ruled for the government, this decision means that the travel ban will continue to be in effect. After the decision was announced, U-M’s President Mark S. Schlissel issued a statement expressing the University’s disappointment in this decision, and reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering an environment in which all members of the U-M community can flourish.
The International Center would like to warn you about phone calls and emails from criminals pretending to be from U.S. law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, or from U.S. government agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), or the Michigan Department of Treasury. The calls may also be "robo-calls" making "urgent" callback requests.
Graduate Housing is offering two great opportunities for graduate students living on or off-campus to be engaged in community building through their newly posted Graduate Diversity Coordinator and their Transdisciplinary Fellow positions. Both positions are offered in Munger Graduate Residences and Northwood Community Apartments.
APRIL 25, 2018 UPDATE: The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in the Trump v. Hawaii travel ban case on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. The Court is expected to announce its decision by the end of June. Links to a written transcript and an audio recording of the oral argument are posted on the Supreme Court's website.
USCIS processing times for H-1B petitions has slowed down significantly since the beginning of this year. USCIS indicates that the "normal" processing time for an H-1B petition is currently 3.5 - 5.5 months. Please take these increased processing times into account as you are preparing your H-1B requests and submit your petition requests as early as possible. Note that Premium Processing remains available for H-1B petitions submitted on behalf of cap-exempt employers, including the University of Michigan.
The Peace Corps announced that the University of Michigan ranked No. 8 among large schools on the agency’s 2018 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list. There are 61 Wolverines currently volunteering worldwide. The University of Michigan is also a top graduate school, ranking No. 5 with 14 alumni currently volunteering.
The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) and the Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) are seeking diligent, well-connected, and committed graduate and undergraduate students to serve on the University of Michigan’s first API (Asian/Pacific Islander) Celebratory’s Student Advisory Board. Members will work to make the inaugural event characterized by the values of inclusivity, solidarity, and recognition as it applies to the API diaspora on campus.
On March 6, 2017, President Trump signed a new executive order entitled "Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Entry into the United States”, which revokes and replaces Executive Order 13769, issued on January 27, 2017. The new order includes a revised 90-day entry ban on nationals of six countries - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – and is effective on March 16, 2017. Please refer to this page for clarifications as additional information becomes available, for updates on important and relevant changes, for information on how this order affects U-M’s international students, scholars, faculty and staff, and for Executive Order resources.
On October 8, 2017, the United States temporarily suspended nonimmigrant visa issuance at its consulates within Turkey. The United States Embassy in Turkey has now announced that the processing of nonimmigrant visas has resumed on a limited basis. For a detailed announcement and answers to common questions, please visit the U.S. Embassy website.
Do you have great photos from your experiences at U-M, the state of Michigan, or another country? The International Center invites U-M international and U.S. students, scholars, faculty, staff, and dependents to participate in our 2017 Photo Contest! Submit your photos and see if the judges pick you as a winner to be displayed in the 2017 Global Photo Showcase! Winning photos will be used for the International Center’s website, social media, digital signage, or future event promotion material.
Dear Parents,
It was wonderful to see so many families of our new students participate in Monday’s orientation. As a follow-up to our Panel of University Representatives, we would like to provide you with some additional information and webpages, and with responses to some of the questions raised yesterday, in order to clarify these important issues for you.
The International Center and the Office of New Student Programs welcome new U-M international undergraduate students and their parents to international undergraduate orientation. The International Center has posted information for new international undergraduate students and their parents, including PDF versions of the International Parent Orientation agenda and presentation. on the Orientation Overview page.
On August 21, the U.S. Department of State announced changes to nonimmigrant visa processing at the US embassy and consulates in Russia. Beginning on August 23, 2017, all processing will be suspended. On September 1, 2017, non-immigrant visa processing will resume at the US Embassy in Moscow only.
On Monday 7/24/17, USCIS announced that Premium Processing will resume for H-1B petitions filed on behalf of institutions of higher education as well as several other cap-exempt employers, effective immediately.
Nonresidents for tax purposes have two deadlines, April 18 and June 15, depending on their circumstances. Review the deadlines section of Non-Residents for Tax Purposes to see which deadline applies to you. Tax residents have only one deadline, April 18, 2017. If you will not be able to mail (or, for tax residents, e-file) your tax form by your deadline, you can extend your deadline to file your form, but you must still pay any taxes you owe by the deadline.
On March 15, 2017, the U.S. District Court in Hawaii issued a nationwide temporary restraining order, preventing the Government from enforcing certain provisions of the executive order that was scheduled to go into effect on March 16, 2017, including those related to visa issuance and travel to the U.S.
The Peace Corps announced that the University of Michigan ranked No. 4 among large schools on the agency’s 2017 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list. There are 60 Wolverines currently volunteering worldwide. The University of Michigan is also a top graduate school, ranking No. 4 with 15 alumni currently volunteering.
On March 6, 2017, President Trump signed a new executive order entitled "Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Entry into the United States." The new order revokes and replaces Executive Order 13769 that was issued on January 27, 2017. This new Executive Order includes a revised entry ban on nationals of six countries - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – and is effective on March 16, 2017.
The February 9, 2017 decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals means that the temporary restraining order (TRO) described below will remain in place. However, an appeal is still possible, and lawsuits related to
