The University of Michigan International Center is proud to partner with Welcoming America to celebrate Welcoming Week 2017. This week of events runs from September 15-24, and it is an effort to help international students to connect with the U-M campus, as well as share their culture with other students.
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.
The International Center Student Council (ICSC) is looking for globally-minded students to promote international engagement on the U-M campus. This ICSC volunteer positions are a great way to get involved on campus and build your resume.
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.
International Center staff and peer advisers are looking forward to welcoming new international students, scholars and their families. Summer Orientation Peer Advisers will be available for questions at the Welcome Desk during its business hours (Monday - Friday):
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.
The Department of State (DOS) has posted an announcement summarizing instructions to the consular officers on the implementation of the limited travel ban (for citizens, "nationals" of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen).
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.
Court orders from two U.S. District Courts (Maryland and Hawai'i) temporarily prevented the Government from enforcing the “travel ban” imposed by Executive Order 13780 for citizens ("nationals") of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. On Monday, June 26, the U.S.
If you plan to travel, be sure to review the travel resources provided on the International Center website for international students, scholars and employees. If you are in F or J immigration status, you should, as always, check your I-20 or DS-2019 form to see if you need a new travel signature, and request a new signature if necessary at least a week prior to departure. International students, scholars, faculty and staff may also wish to review the newly released Summer 2017 Travel Guidance, which addresses registering overseas travel, trips within the U.S., and how to handle electronic devices.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a warning about criminals who make calls and identify themselves as “U.S. Immigration” employees in order to obtain personal information. Please review the International Center’s warning about these and other fraudulent calls. Be careful – don’t lose your money or become a victim of identity theft.
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!
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 3/3/17, USCIS announced that it would suspend Premium Processing for all H-1B petitions received on or after 4/3/17 for a period of up to 6 months.
The International Center is hiring international students to assist with its Summer Orientation. Read the job description and submit your application by Sunday, March 19 at 11pm.
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
Effective December 23, 2016, the filing fees for many USCIS petitions and applications, including the fees for Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker), Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status), will increase.
Chinese nationals holding a 10-year B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 visitor visa must enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before traveling to the United States for business or tourism on or after November 29, 2016.
The International Center re-launched its website on Monday, October 3. The new website offers a responsive experience, meaning that the site adapts to users' devices like mobile phones and tablets, and has redesigned navigation and an updated look and feel.
F-1 students: If you have been waiting 90 days or more for a decision on your OPT application (Form I-765), you can call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) to tell them that your OPT application is "outside regulatory processing time" and to request expedited processing.
