Faculty Staff Immigration Services (FSIS) serves the international faculty, staff, their families as well as hiring units on the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses. We facilitate intercultural and international education and aim to foster a global campus community through comprehensive, high-quality immigration advisement; case preparation and case management; compliance and risk management guidance; programming; and advocacy at all levels.
FSIS is the University's official and authoritative source of immigration advice for all international employees requiring employment-based immigration sponsorship and, in consultation with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), is charged with the responsibility of representing all University campuses on employment-based immigration matters and managing the country's largest, academic H-1B program. As such, FSIS prepares and files all employment-based immigration petitions with the appropriate government agencies. However, note that our office does not provide legal advice. If legal advice on immigration-related matters is required, FSIS will, in consultation with OGC, refer the matter to an immigration attorney outside of the University. Also, FSIS may, after review and at its discretion, assign an immigration petition to outside Retained Immigration Counsel.
In addition, FSIS conducts large and small group workshops on a variety of topics for interested international faculty and staff as well as all university units; we are always happy to come to units to conduct a presentation. FSIS also serves as a resource to improve international and intercultural awareness for faculty and staff and provides consultations on a broad array of topics, including policy development and implementation pertaining to serving the international population.
When you have any question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Important News
- 10/13/2022: On 10/12/2022, USCBP issued arrival restrictions (effective 11.59pm EDT on 10/10/2022) for individuals who were physically present in Uganda within 21 days of the date the person is seeking entry into the US. Flights carrying passengers who were physically present in Uganda within this 21 day period may only arrive at selected international airports, including Hartsfield -Jackson (Atlanta), O'Hare (Chicago), Newark Liberty, JFK (NYC) and Dulles (Washington, DC).
- 9/28/2022: On 9/28/2022, USCIS announced that, effective 9/26/2022, it is automatically extending the validity of green cards for a periodf of two years upon the filing of a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Prior to 9/26/2022, green cards were automatically extended for a period of one year.
- 6/10/2022: The White House announced that, effective 12:01AM EDT on 6/12/2022, the US will end the COVID-testing requirement for air travelers entering the country.
- 5/3/2022: USCIS announced that it will issue a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) on 5/4/2022 to change the automatic extension period for certain EAD categories from 180 days to 540 days, for extension requests filed on or before 10/26/2023. Individuals who filed their EAD extension requests before 5/4/2022 are also covered by this new TFR. Note that USCIS will not be issuing new I-797 receipt notices to affected individuals. I-797 receipt notices for affected categories that refer to a 180-day extension period will still meet the regulatory requirement for employment authorization.
- 3/18/2022: On 3/18/2022, USCIS confirmed that it is updating its policy manual to address the documentation that certain E- and L-nonimmigrant spouses may use as evidence of their status-based employment authorization. USCIS also confirmed it will re-issue I-797 approval notices containing an I-94 section to affected spouses indicating their updated class of admission (E-1S, E-2S, E-3S or L-2S) and employment authorization on or about 4/1/2022.
- 1/24/2022: On 1/20/2022, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that, effective 1/22/2022, individuals other than US citizens, green card holders and US nationals, who are seeking to enter the US via the land border are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.
- 1/3/2022: on 12/28/2021, the Biden administration formally withdrew the travel ban for individuals who had been physically present in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe in the past 14 days, effective 12/31/2021.