GENERAL PETITION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
The International Faculty & Scholar Services (IFSS) wants to render a more efficient service to our foreign nationals. We have implemented new procedures, which will help expedite the processing of petitions, in a timely fashion. We ask you to comply with them.
1.
Read carefully the entire text concerning Procedural Steps in Obtaining the Visa Classification sought, complete the questionnaire and provide us with the supporting documentation requested.
2.
Please note that all petitions for change of status or otherwise requests of extensions should be filed with this department not latter than
6 months prior to the expiration date of the legal status of the foreign national in the United States.
3.
Every foreign national
must complete the attached
questionnaire to the visa classification sought. This questionnaire is intended to compile important information regarding the individual and his/her family. This information will help IFSS in the processing of the application. The only exception for not completing the enclosed questionnaire is if the foreign national has completed the questionnaire in the past and there has not been any change.
4.
Applications for any visa processing
must enclose the required supporting evidence
. Attached to the different visa categories you will find a
Request for Supporting Documentation
. Please find the applicable category and check that all the documentation requested is enclosed with your petition. This department
will not accept any application for processing until the supporting requested evidence is submitted.
5.
The hiring department will be responsible for the cost of sending the application to INS via US certified mail return receipt. If the hiring department wishes or otherwise is required to send the foreign national's petition by express courier service, the hiring department
must provide IFSS
with the appropriate air bill for the express mail service showing the hiring department's account number and other necessary data.
6. Two complete sets of copies of all supporting documentation must be submitted with the application
. If photocopies are not submitted IFSS will charge the department the cost of the photocopies. Photocopies must be submitted together with a
Certification of True Copies
signed by the beneficiary
.
7.
The IFSS shall not accept checks
from foreign nationals or departments to cover the INS filing fee until such time in which the application has been completed and is ready to be mailed. At such time, a representative of IFSS will contact the foreign national and/or the department representative to request the issuance of a check(s) to cover the filling fee(s). If the foreign national is overseas, arrangements will be made accordingly.
