Updated 4/5/2013
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a rule to automate the Form I-94. The Form I-94 is the little white card in your passport. The CBP is expanding the definition of I-94 to include an electronic Form I-94 based on the information in its databases. You can read more information here: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/i94_rollout.xml
Here is what to expect:
1. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) plans full implementation by the end of May 2013: Air and Sea Ports of Entry will be implementing the automated I-94 over a 4 week period beginning April 30. Land Ports of Entry (for example, those who enter by vehicle from Mexico or Canada) will continue to issue the paper Form I-94A.
2. Arrival to the United States: Make certain that the CBP officer stamps your passport and annotates the stamp with the class of admission (F-1 or J-1) and D/S (Duration of Status) or “admit to” date. The stamp in your passport will serve as proof of lawful admission. CBP will provide a handout with the CBP I-94 website.
3. After arrival to the United States: Use the CBP I-94 website provided on the CBP handout to enter data to access your electronic I-94 and print it on paper.
4. Departure from the United States: Individuals that entered the U.S. with the automated I-94 will no longer have a paper I-94 to surrender.
Additional information about the Form I-94: The admission of a nonimmigrant student to the United States is evidenced by the CBP immigration officer annotating the nonimmigrant's Form I-94 with the date and class of admission, and the expiration date of the period of authorized stay (for F-1 and J-1 students with proper documentation the expiration date is annotated as D/S, Duration of Status). I-94 is sometimes called the: Alien Registration Receipt Card; Registration Document; Admission Number; or Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document.
International Student Services will continue to post announcements regarding automation of the I-94, as more detailed information becomes available.
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January 25, 2013
Dear International Students,
There are many firms that sell tax software to assist Residents for Tax Purposes with their tax return. Remember, if you are an international student AND a Nonresident for Tax Purposes, these tax filing programs may not be designed to complete the nonresident tax return.
The Office of Global Initiatives will offer access to GLACIER Tax Prep (“GTP”). This is a tax return preparation software program designed specifically for nonresident alien students, scholars, trainees, researchers and other educational statuses to prepare their U.S. federal income tax return - Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ and Federal Form 8843.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) experienced delays with finalizing tax documents for this tax season (due to the late passage of tax law changes). As a result, ARCTIC INTERNATIONAL (the firm that created GLACIER Tax Prep) announced the launch of GLACIER Tax Prep to occur in early February. Please continue to watch this list serv for an announcement regarding its availability.
Many international students will simply access GTP electronically through their GLACIER account. Additional assistance for log-in questions to GLACIER Tax Prep will be offered during computer labs at the University Services Building during the following times:
Location: University Services Building (USB) Computer Lab 310
Wednesday, February 20: 2:30-4:00pm
Tuesday, March 12: 2:30-4:00pm
Thursday, March 21: 10am-11:30am
Wednesday, March 27: 2:30-4:00pm
Friday, March 29: 2-4pm
Thursday, April 4: 10-11:30am
Tuesday, April 9: 2:30-4:00pm
Wednesday, April 10: 2:30-4:00pm
Friday, April 12: 2-4pm
Monday, April 15: 10-11:30am
The following are tax forms that you may receive during tax filing season:
W-2: "Wage and Tax Statement". Employees of the University of Arizona obtain the W-2 through UAccess Employee Self Service at http://uaccess.arizona.edu
1042S: This form is used to report to the IRS (1) salaries and wages that are exempt from federal income tax due to a treaty between the employee's country of residence and the United States, and (2) scholarship or fellowship that is taxable or exempt from federal income tax under an income tax treaty. International students that were issued the 1042S by the University of Arizona received a separate email notification regarding its availability and were instructed to access it through the GLACIER Online Tax Compliance System: http://www.online-tax.net Answers to frequently asked questions about the 1042S are available at: http://global.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/1042S%20FAQ%20for%202013.pdf
1098T: The 1098T is used by residents for tax purposes to claim a credit. However, nonresidents for tax purposes are not eligible for the credit and should disregard the form. The University of Arizona Bursars office was unable to distinguish nonresidents from residents for tax purposes and sent the form to all students. Keep the form for your personal records but do not to enter it into GLACIER Tax Prep when filing the federal tax return.
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Ask a Wildcat: American Culture 101 Panel and Presentation
Wednesday, January 30th from 6-7:30 pm
La Aldea Residence Hall Community Room (enter through doors facing Coronado Hall)
Free pizza!
Feeling homesick? Want to know more about social life in Tucson or how to make American friends? Is the US what you thought it would be like?
If you have any of these questions or have some of your own, come to our program, “Ask a Wildcat: American Culture 101.” This fun program will include a short presentation and an international student panel so bring your questions! Also, enjoy some warm cheesy pizza! (*vegetarian options provided)
For any questions, please email Noelle at ncarampa@email.arizona.edu or Lara at larapfaff@email.arizona.edu.
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Saturday, November 10th at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Gallagher Theatre, Student Union
$3 ticket fee (at door) or 1 canned food donation to ISS (drop off starting October 29th)
Free popcorn!!
International Students Got Talent! Talent Show
For any questions, please email Noelle at ncarampa@email.arizona.edu or Lara at larapfaff@email.arizona.edu.
Cheer on your fellow international students at this first-time event! Performances will include traditional/modern dance, instrumentation, vocals, and much more. Cash and gift prizes of $100, $50, and $25 awarded to top three contestants. Click here for more information.
Contact Noelle or Len at ncarampa@email.arizona.edu or tecson@email.arizona.edu for more information.
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International Student Thanksgiving Dinner-FULL
Friday, November 16th at 6 pm
First United Methodist Church
As of 11/9/12, this event is completely FULL.
Open to international students and their families only. Learn about the Thanksgiving tradition and enjoy a FREE traditional meal associated with this holiday! Limited to first 100 students that sign-up.
Dinner will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 6 pm located at 915 E. 4th Street (corner of Park and 4th Street). Hosted by Campus Christian Ministries.
Sign up here to reserve a spot!
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ALERT: News Flash- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) no longer provides admission stamps on the Form I-20 and Form DS-2019
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for immigration inspections at the Port of Entry. These officers annotate the form I-94 and I-20/DS-2019 with the period of authorized stay and nonimmigrant classification. CBP announces the following:
“As of Aug. 10, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) no longer provides admission stamps on the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” and Form DS-2019, “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status,” for prospective and returning F, M and J nonimmigrants seeking admission to the United States. This change makes CBP processes consistent with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) recent change to stop stamping the Form I-20 and Form DS-2019.”
The CBP did encounter delays with their notice of not stamping documents reaching the different ports of entry. However, the CBP has now implemented their new policy of not stamping the I-20 or DS-2019.
Since your I-20 or DS-2019 will not be stamped by the CBP, you will need to rely on your properly stamped I-94 card as documentation of your F-1 or J-1 and Duration of Status (D/S). Additionally, the Port of Entry stamps a page inside of your passport with the same information as the I-94 card. If you apply for a driver’s license or non-drivers identification card with the Department of Motor Vehicles and they reject an unstamped Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, then you can take the document to the CBP office at the Tucson International Airport, in order to receive a stamp on the I-20 or DS-2019. However, the stamping of the I-20 and DS-2019 is a transitional step that will end on Nov. 21, 2012.
CBP and USCIS encourages F and J nonimmigrants who encounter issues with their state or federal benefit applications to contact the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at 703-603-3400 or SEVP@dhs.gov.
If you apply or renew your drivers license, or have applied for a Social Security Number, and receive a notice that refers you to your school sponsor, then meet with an International Student Advisor regarding a potential interface system problem.
Continue to check the International Student Services listserv regarding CBP and USCIS plans to automate some of their processes. We will provide new information as it becomes available.
Program Extension on I-20 or DS-2019:
If you thought that you were going to complete your degree in May 2012 and now realize that you are going to need more time, please note the expiration date of your document (item #5 for I-20 or item #3 for DS-2019). It is important to know that we cannot extend your document after it has expired. If an extension is necessary, please submit a complete program extension request at least 2 weeks before the end date on the I-20 or DS-2019 and register for subsequent terms. Failure to extend your I-20 or DS-2019 prior to the program end date is a status violation.
If you are graduating in May 2012 and your program end date is beyond May, please bring a letter from your academic advisor with program completion date. ISPS must shorten your I-20 or DS-2019 to reflect your actual completion date. Students who are planning to transfer to another U.S. school will need to contact ISPS regarding transfer procedure and timeframe.
F1 students who have successfully completed their program and graduated have a 60-day grace period after their program completion date. Visit with an ISPS advisor regarding available options during this timeframe (i.e. OPT, transfer out, change of level, change of status). J1 students have a 30-day grace period.
If you have any questions or concerns, please see an international student advisor at ISS. Walk-in advising is held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-3:30 pm.
You may view the advising schedule at: http://internationalstudents.arizona.edu/office-advising
If you prefer to schedule an appointment with an advisor, please call (520) 621-4627.
