Resources

RESOURCES MENU

• Customs and Border Protection
• Department of State
• Financial Document Evaluation
• Helpful University Websites
• Internal Revenue Service
• Law and Regulations
• List Serves
• Lockbox Addresses
• Mailing Documents Overseas
• NAFSA
• Social Security Administration
• SSA/DMV
• US Citizenship and Immigration
• US Immigration and Customs

NEW! DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) 

• Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Tip Line: 866-347-2423
• Study in the States: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov a clearinghouse of information aimed at helping international students and academic officials navigate the international student process.

LAW AND REGULATIONS:

• Code of Federal Regulations and Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
  Sign up for Federal Register listserve: http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/
• NAFSA: Association of International Educators: http://www.nafsa.org/regulatory_information.sec

U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS): 
www.uscis.gov

USCIS is the agency responsible for processing requests for immigration benefits.  You may obtain immigration forms here and look at the status of cases on-line.

• Forms and Fees: http://www.uscis.gov
• Case intervention:  For help with a student case send an e-mail (DSO-use ONLY) with case details to the Service Center with jurisdiction over your school (California, Nebraska, Vermont or Texas) (C, N, V or) TSC.Schools@uscis.dhs.gov. For EAD cases the same acronym for the appropriate Service Center then studentEAD@uscis.dhs.gov, e.g., vsc.studentEAD@uscis.dhs.gov

U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (USICE):
http://www.ice.gov

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) 

Oversees the student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

• SEVP Home: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/
• SEVIS Logon: https://egov.ice.gov/sevis/
• SEVIS Fee Information: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm
• SEVIS Technical Guidance and User Manuals: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/schools/sevis
• DSO Training Course – A Web-based Training Course for Designated School Officials https://www.ice.gov/exec/training/login.asp
• SEVIS Contacts:
  General Questions: email sevp@ice.dhs.gov
  Help Desk: For technical advice only call the SEVIS Help Desk 800-892-4829 between 8 am and 8 pm EST, or send an e-mail to: SEVIShelpdesk@ice.dhs.gov.  For urgent technical cases, contact toolbox.sevis@dhs.gov.
• SEVIS Help Hub  Access Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) resources, including user    guides, frequently asked questions and upcoming and past release information.     https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub
• SEVIS Contacts:
  ♦SEVIS Response Center (SRC)  For general SEVP questions, case-specific questions and SEVIS technical help
  •  Telephone:703-603-3400  or 800-892-4829 for general and case-specific questions
  •  Email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov or for SEVIS technical questions, email SEVISHelpDesk@ice.dhs.gov
• Study in the States: Select the “Schools” menu button to access SEVP DSO information.     http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov
• I-515 questions: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/what-is-a-form-i-515a
• I-901 Fee questions: Hotline for students: 212-620-3418; email fmjfee.SEVIS@ice.dhs.gov
  
• SEVP Mailing Address for I-515s and supporting documents:

Student and Exchange Visitor Program
Branch Name or Job Title Attn: I-515 Processing Unit

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th St. SW, Stop 5600
Washington, DC 20536-5600

DEPARTMENT OF STATE (DOS):
www.state.gov

• Bureau of Consular Affairs: http://usembassy.state.gov  Help with visa denials, delays in issuance, or problems with expedited appointments: 202.663.1225 (8 am to 5 pm ET) or email usvisas@state.gov . To check on the status of a security clearance (allow at least six weeks for initial processing of a security clearance) or pending visa applications that have exceeded normal processing times call 202-663-1851.
• EducationUSA: http://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study  DoS has student advising centers around the world.
• Exchange Visitor Programs: http://jvisa.state.gov
• J1 Waiver Information: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html
• Foreign Affairs Manual: http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP):
http://www.cbp.gov

• Ports of Entry: http://www.cbp.gov
• Deferred Inspection Sites:
  
• http://www.cbp.gov/contact/deferred-inspection/overview-deferred-inspection
  • What CAN be fixed at Deferred Inspection sites: Electronic record errors, name, DOB,passport#, Visa, Classification errors, status errors on I-94, missing stamp on I-20.
    
  • What CANNOT: POE, Inspector #, country of citizenship, Admission #, carrier, flight #. If the I-94 was lost, the I-102 must be filed.
    
• Form I-94 Quick Reference Guide: www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/i94-quick-reference-guide.pdf
• Electronic Form I-94 Record Retrieval: www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94-instructions
• Carrier Information Guide: http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Carrier%20Information%20Guide-%20English.pdf
• DHS TRIP (Traveler Redress Inquiry Program) http://www.dhs.gov/dhs-trip
  Use to file a complaint about any POE issue (i.e., flags, repeated trips to secondary, lookouts) the complaint will be addressed by Program Managers assigned to the POE where the incident occurred.
• Inspector’s Field Manual: http://shusterman.com/pdf/cbpinspectorsfieldmanual.pdf
• FAQs: https://help.cbp.gov/

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS):
http://www.irs.gov

• IRS PUBLICATIONS: Publication 15: (Circular E), Employers Tax Guide; Publication 519: U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens for use in preparing [Year] Returns; and Publication 901: U.S. Tax Treaties are available at: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97819,00.html
• Geared toward students: http://world.utexas.edu/isss/tax/ http://www.internationalstudent.com/tax/
• GLACIER Nonresident Alien Tax Preparation System:http://www.glaciertax.com

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA):

Information for international students about how to apply for a social security number can be found at: https://secure.ssa.gov

SSA/Dept of Motor Vehicles problems related to F-1 issues: dmvssa.sevp@dhs.gov

FINANCIAL DOCUMENT EVALUATION:

• For currency conversion:  OANDA, http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
• To estimate the cost of living in your community or region. The calculator list typical expenses, the living wage and typical wagesfor the selected location: livingwage.mit.edu
• For information about per capita income 
  • CIA World Fact Book:
    https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
  • Wolfram Alpha website:
    http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=GDP+Per+capita

NAME STANDARDS:

• SEVIS Name Standards User Guide: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/SEVIS%20Name%20Standards%20User%20Guide.pdf
• Machine Readable Name Document Standards:                                                                                                                                                            http://www.icao.int
• SEVP Webinar and downloadable resources: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stakeholder-webinars

LIST SERVES:

• NAFSA Knowledge Communities – Links to Discussion Forums:http://www.nafsa.org/knowledge_community_network.sec/international_student_3
• Regional NAFSA List Serves: http://www.nafsa.org/connect_and_Network/Engage_with_a_Community/NAFSA_Regions/
• inter-l@yahoogroups.com:  To subscribe go to www.yahoo.com.  Select “Groups” from Connect list on left side of page.  Select “Colleges and Universities”.  Search for “Inter-L”.  To join the group you will need to sign up for a Yahoo id first, if you don’t already have one.  It’s free.

MAILING DOCUMENTS OVERSEAS:

eShip Global: partners with schools to allow students to prepay for their immigration documents to be shipped overseas.  No cost to school, just set up an account. http://www.eshipglobal.com/industries/higher-education/

NAFSA: ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS:
http://nafsa.org/

Their website abounds with professional development information for members.  1307 New York Ave., N.W., 8^th floor, Washington, D.C. 20005-4701. Phone: 202-737-3699.

• IssueNet:  http://issuenet.nafsa.org/
  Use Get Liaison Help when you need help with a specific case; a Regulatory Ombud will follow up with you by email.  Submit information to Report and Issue when you see disturbing policy trends, spot a change in practice that may be inconsistent with regulations, or encounter a case you feel warrants DOS or CBP HQ’s attention; this will alert ISS-Regulatory Practice Subcommittee members on a national level.
• NAFSA Adviser’s Manual: http:/nafsa.org/am
• Regulatory Information: http://www.nafsa.org/find_Resourses/Supporting_International_Students_And_Scholars/Regulatory_Information/.
• Knowledge Community for ISSS: http://www.nafsa.org/Connect_and_Network/Engage_with_a_Community/Knowledge_Communities

ONE TO WORLD:
http://www.one-to-world.org/

One To World offers programs and services to international students and scholars affiliated with colleges and universities in the greater New York City area. One To World’s professional Network membership is made up of over 90 academic institutions and constitutes the single most valuable forum in New York for the exchange of ideas and best practices among international education professionals.

HELPFUL UNIVERSITY WEB SITES:

• Binghamton University Office of International Student and Scholar Services:http://isss.binghamton.edu
• Columbia University International Programs and Services:
  http://www.columbia.edu/cu/isso/
• New York University’s Office for International Students and Scholars: http://www.nyu.edu/global/international-immigration-services.html

*LOCKBOX MAILING ADDRESSES FOR I-765 and I-539:

To ensure that a student’s application is mailed to the correct address, please visit the USCIS website: http://www.uscis.gov.

• Click on the “Forms” button located at the top left corner of the home page.
• Click on the application to be submitted.
• Follow the mailing instructions specific to that form.

• What CAN be fixed at Deferred Inspection sites: I-94 errors:  name, DOB, passport#, visa classification, status
• What CANNOT: POE, Inspector #, country of citizenship, Admission #, carrier, flight #. If the I-94 cannot be accessed on-line, contact your local Deferred Inspection office. The I-102 may be filed to replace a paper I-94 issued prior to automation.