INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT SERVICES

Primary Services

Immigration and Related Services

How can International Student Services help you? Here is a list of services we provide:

• Preparation of the initial immigration documents (DS-2019 or I-20) to enable admitted students to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Preparation of documents to permit spouses and children of students to obtain visas and enter the U.S. in F-2 or J-2 dependent status.
• Mailing of I-20s/DS-2019s, along with a welcome letter from our office, instructions on the visa application process, and a letter from an appropriate nationality group or International Student Fellowship. These organizations provide new international students with airport pickup, temporary lodging, and assistance with finding long-term accommodations or help getting established.
• Responding (primarily via e-mail or telephone) to innumerable questions and requests for information from prospective students, admitted students, and current students
• Helping family members to obtain visitors' visas
• Assistance to newly admitted students, current students, and family members with applications for a change of immigration status in the U.S.
• Providing a liaison between students and their home governments or other sponsoring agencies, such as the Kellogg Foundation, the Institute of International Education (conducts the graduate-level Fulbright Program), LASPAU: Academic and Professional Program for the Americas, and others.
• New Student Orientation, which includes:
  1. Overview of immigration regulations that affect student status (J-1 & F-1); printed information to reinforce "how to stay in status."
  2. Information regarding University Health Service, medical insurance, and tuberculosis testing.
  3. Introduction to Case campus and student services.
  4. Information about obtaining a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN).
  5. Introduction to various resources, services, shopping, recreation and entertainment in and around Cleveland with particular emphasis on the special needs and interests of international students.
• Confirmation of appropriate income tax status for all international students and permanent resident students employed on the Case campus.
• Advising international students on all non-academic matters, from landlord/tenant relations to cultural adjustment. Making appropriate referrals to other professionals or services on campus or in the community, as needed.
• Sponsoring informational programs and providing printed handouts on such topics as filing income tax returns, the healthcare system in the U.S., transferring funds from their home countries, and off-campus employment authorization for summer internships or after completing a program of study.
• Informing students about any changes in immigration regulations and publicizing any events that may be of particular interest to international students by way of our e-letter, ISSNews.
• Information on U.S. visa renewal in a student's home country or in a third country (including Canada).
• Preparation of documents to extend students' stays in the U.S. as needed to complete the programs of study or to permit changes in the program of study or sources of funding.
• Granting of on-campus work authorization for all international students.
• Authorization of "academic training" (employment) for J-1 students.
• Assistance to students and J-2 dependents of students in applying for employment authorization through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Advisory Services

• Helping international students to resolve various day-to-day problems with telephone bills; rental rights and responsibilities; settling disputes with roommates; and overseas shipping information
• Providing printed information on such matters as obtaining a driver's license in the state of Ohio; buying, maintaining, or selling an automobile; purchasing automobile or renter's insurance; purchasing insurance for dependent family members; and filing insurance claims.
• Finding free English classes for family members
• Providing advisers for the Case International Club and other nationality groups on campus.
• Sponsoring social and cultural programming for international students at Case (usually done in cooperation with the Case International Club).
• Maintaining and making arrangements for the Muslim prayer rooms (Room 219 of the Sears Building, divided for men and women).