Announcements for Dec 6 to 12 2012

Announcements for Dec 6 to 12 2012    Off campus employment for graduating students December 2012    For those of you completing all degree requirements this fall, December 15 2012 will be your completion date. If you would like to start your post-completion OPT application advisors suggest doing so around 09/16/2012 since processing can take between 30-90 days before you will get your EAD card from Immigration.  You have between now (Immigration allows students to send completed post completion OPT applications 90 days before their expected completion date) and 60 days after you complete your degree requirements 02/13/2013 to send a complete OPT application if you will be applying for the OPT benefit. OPT is OPTIONAL and not mandatory but is one option students have after completing a degree.   Immigration must receive a completed application and issue you are receipt by the end of your grace period so the latest you should send an application is 01/20/2013  (if you are completing all degree requirements in December and plan to apply for OPT).   Regardless of when you apply for post completion OPT you can request a start date in this time period: December 17, 2012 to February 13, 2013.  Please see an advisor during walk-ins if you have any questions and refer to our website materials:   http://www.uah.edu/ISSO/pdf/student/handouts/OPT_%20Reporting_Requirements_FAQ.pdf    Travel Signatures Please note all students leaving the United States at any time must have a travel signature on the SEVIS I-20 form to enter the US (as well as a passport, F-1 visa, and enrollment verification letter from Charger Central). Advisors request at least 2 weeks advance notice to ensure the I-20 is signed on time; please drop off your most recent I-20 with a request form completed with travel info: dates, place, expiration (visa/passport).There will not be a signing day as in the past therefore students are encouraged to drop off travel signature requests as soon as possible once travel is planned. Once advisors sign off on the I-20 we will call the telephone number provided or email the UAH email address on file. Though the signatures are technically good for 365 days from the date signed, Advisors recommend students to get a new travel signature each semester. Not having a travel signature will cause problems and possibly denial at the port of entry. Please ensure spring 2013 registration is complete prior to dropping off any documents with the ISSO - without course registration a signature cannot be given. Thank you and safe travels!    Student volunteers needed for January 2 and 3 to assist with ISSO spring orientation As you know the ISSO regularly uses international students to help welcome our newly arriving students to campus each semester. This spring our orientation dates are January 2 and 3 and we are looking for outstanding student volunteers to offer a few hours of service to the office to help with activities. Though we do not have the ability to pay you volunteering is a great addition to your resume and we can promise you that it is a huge help to both the office and the new students arriving - just as you arrived in the past excited and nervous about to begin a new adventure and likely met some of your fellow students.  If you are interested please email visahelp@uah.edu with your contact information and availability on January 2 and 3. Thank you in advance and to those of you who regularly volunteer with the ISSO!  Holiday Safe Parking  Unfortunately the holiday season brings with it an increase in crime. UAHuntsville Police Department would like to encourage our resident students to take advantage of their Holiday "Safe-Vehicle" Initiative. If you plan on leaving your vehicle on campus while going away for the Holidays, they would like to offer you a safer place to leave it. This would allow you to spend the school break with family and friends worry free. When you fill out a form from the UAHuntsville Police Department you will be given a designated parking area under 24 hour camera surveillance and patrolled by officers. If you have any questions please call the UAHuntsville Police Department at 256-824-6596. The form is Here and flierHere. Good luck during the final exam period and for students graduating December 15th we will see you at commencement!   Thank you, Mona, Sabrina, and Reva International Student and Scholar Office

Walk-In Advising Hours (no appointment needed)  Monday and Friday from 10:00am to 12:00pm NOON  and  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:30 to 4:00pm

International Student and Scholar Office, The University of Alabama in Huntsville ·  UC 118·UAHuntsville 301 Sparkman Drive Huntsville, AL 35899 · visahelp@uah.edu