International Center

International Scholar and Departmental Newsletter

April 2012

April 12, 2012

News from the International Center scholar team

1. Welcome Sonali Kumar, H-1B adviser
2. Congratulations Maria Swanegan, new J-1 adviser!
3. Reminder for departments on J-1 requests
4. Free legal seminar: Paths to Work Visas and Permanent Residency - Friday, April 13, 2012
5. Reminders on permanent residency issues
6. NAFSA: Association of International Educators National Conference, Houston, Texas May 28-June 1, 2012
   

Information for departments

Information for scholars

News from the International Center scholar Team

1. Welcome Sonali Kumar, H-1B adviser! Sonali comes to the University of Missouri from Cleveland, Ohio. Originally from India, Sonali came to the U.S. eleven years ago and began working with The Council of International Programs USA, placing foreign professionals with U.S.-based organizations. Sonali loves gardening and meeting people from all over the globe. If you have questions regarding H-1B scholars, please feel free to contact Sonali at kumarsm@missouri.edu.

2. Congratulations Maria Swanegan, new J-1 adviser! Maria has been with the International Center for two years, working as a document specialist for the scholar team. We are happy to have Maria in the new position as J-1 adviser. Outside of work, Maria is busy running around after her (almost two year old) little boy and spending time with her husband. If you have questions regarding J scholars, please feel free to contact Maria at swaneganm@missouri.edu.

3. Reminder for departments on J-1 requests. Please note that if you are submitting a J-1 request, we appreciate it if you make sure the request has all of the necessary information before sending it to us. Please see below what is required in order for us to process a J-1 request. When submitting the request, please send it to Maria Swanegan at swaneganm@missouri.edu or you may mail it via campus mail to the International Center, ATTN: Maria Swanegan.

• A completed J-1 Visitor Request Form.
• Letter of invitation on department letterhead.
• Proof of financial support if it comes from a source other than the department. If the financial support is coming from the department, please make sure to state that in the invitation letter and please make sure to specify the amount.
• Copy of the scholar’s CV or resume.
• Copy of the scholar’s  passport biographical page.
• Completed International Scholar Services Fee Form.

 4. Free legal seminar: Paths to Work Visas and Permanent Residency - Friday, April 13, 2012. The International Center and International Student Career Services are excited to invite you to a legal seminar presented by William Schiller from Davidson & Schiller LLC on "Paths to Work Visas and Permanent Residency." The workshop will be held Friday April 13, 2012 from 9 - 11 a.m. in room 222 Townsend Hall. In addition, there will be individual consultations and a legal clinic that will start at 11:30 a.m. There will be 15 minutes allotted per person to speak with Mr. Schiller. To sign up, please send an email to iscareer@missouri.edu.

5. Reminders on permanent residency issues

1. Updated guidance on advertising requirements for academic jobs filled by foreign nationals. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued new guidelines regarding the use of electronic publications to advertise for academic jobs that are filled by foreign nationals who seek permanent visa status in the U.S. After many years of requiring print advertisements, freely available electronic-only publications now satisfy the job advertisement requirement.
   • An employer may use an electronic or web-based national professional journal to satisfy the provision found at 20 CFR 656.18(b)(3), which requires use of a national professional journal for advertisements for college or university teachers. The advertisement for the job opportunity for which certification is sought must be posted for at least 30 calendar days on the journal's website. Documentation of the placement of an advertisement in an electronic or web-based national professional journal must include evidence of the start and end dates of the advertisement placement and the text of the advertisement.
   • The new language can be found at: http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/Electronic_Journal_Professional_Adv.pdf.
   • Our office will provide additional guidance on this new provision as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we strongly suggest you maintain detailed records on electronic job postings in the event your candidates may require future sponsorship under the provisions of this labor and immigration policy. For any questions or clarifications please contact Miha Britt at brittm@missouri.edu in the International Center.
2. 18 month deadline from the selection date for filing of a labor certification for an academic teaching position. Applications filed for college and university teachers under 20 C.F.R. §656.18 "must be filed within 18 months after a selection is made pursuant to a competitive recruitment and selection process." Please contact Miha Britt at brittm@missouri.edu for any questions regarding the process.

6. NAFSA: Association of International Educators National Conference, Houston, Texas May 28-June 1, 2012. The scholar team staff will be out of the office, participating in the NAFSA: Association of International Educators National Conference in Houston, Texas May 28-June 1, 2012. Our staff will attend workshops providing valuable immigration information and also in sessions on important topics in the field.