University of Michigan
International Center

home | events & workshops | international student and scholar workshops

International Student and Scholar Workshops

U-M International Center Events Calendar (month-by-month view)

Registration

Most workshops do not require advanced registration, unless otherwise indicated.

Current Workshop Topics:

U.S. Immigration Regulation Workshops

Reduced Course Load

This 1-hour workshop provides information about reducing a course load below full-time enrollment while maintaining F-1 or J-1 legal status. In order to maintain legal status, F-1 and J-1 students must have permission from the U-M International Center before dropping below full-time enrollment. All F-1 or J-1 students who plan to request this permission must attend a Reduced Course Load workshop.  At the workshop, an International Center Student/Scholar Advisor will explain U.S.C.I.S. approved reasons for part-time study, and accept and review Reduced Course Load Request Forms.

Note: Doctoral Candidates who are in the Dissertation Research/Writing in the U.S. Student Group or who are on full-time detached study do not need to attend one of these workshops.

Pre-requisite: Follow the procedure in Reduced Course Load

Sessions:

Central Campus

Date Time Location Room
Wed, Sept 10 11am - noon International Center Room 9
Fri, Sept 12 1-2pm International Center Room 9
Tues, Sept 16 3-4pm International Center Room 9
Wed, Sept 17 11am - noon International Center Room 9
Fri, Sept 19 10-11am International Center Room 9
Mon, Sept 22 10-11am International Center Room 9
Mon, Sept 22 1-2pm International Center Room 9

North Campus

Date Time Location Room
Mon, Sept 15 11am - noon Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room
Thurs, Sept 18 3-4pm Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room
Thurs, Sept 25 10-11am Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room

J Visa Holders: 212e Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement and Waiver

Some J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to the U.S. Department of State's Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement [Immigration and Nationality Act 212(e)]. If the exchange visitor is subject to the INA 212(e) requirement, he or she cannot change his or her status to that of H, L, K, or immigrant lawful permanent resident (LPR) until he or she has returned to his/her home country for at least two-years or received a waiver of the requirement.

This session will provide an overview of the Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement, including an explanation of which J-1 Exchange Visitors may be affected by the requirement and procedures for applying for a waiver.

Pre-requisite: Before attending the workshop, please read the information at Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement and Waiver. Also, http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html has very useful information.

The following material was presented at the workshop:

Sessions: none at this time

Date Time Location Room
       

Employment Authorization

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a way for F-1 international students to obtain up to 12 months of permission to work in the United States. Generally this “work permit” is used during summer vacation or after graduation.

If you are planning to apply for Optional Practical Training work authorization this term, you must attend one of these workshops.

At the workshop, an advisor will explain the OPT application process and answer any questions so that you will have the information you need to fill out the forms correctly. At the end of the workshop, the advisor will collect the completed OPT applications. The International Center will then issue a new I-20 for OPT for you and you will be notified by email when the form is ready. No appointment with an advisor will be required.

Pre-requisites: Follow the procedure in Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students. Be sure to bring all of the documents listed in the “Documents Needed to Apply for OPT” section.

Sessions:

Central Campus

Date Time Location Room
Thurs, Aug 14 1-3pm Michigan Union Parker
Thurs, Sept 11 2-4pm International Center Room 9
Sat, Sept 27 1-3pm International Center Room 9
Fri, Oct 17 2-4pm International Center Room 9
Tues, Oct 28 1-3pm International Center Room 9
Fri, Nov 7 10am - noon International Center Room 9
Sat, Nov 15 10am - noon International Center Room 9
Tues, Nov 25 2-4pm International Center Room 9
Tues, Dec 9 10am - noon International Center Room 9
Thurs, Dec 11 2-4pm International Center Room 9

North Campus

Date Time Location Room
Wed, Sept 17 2-4pm Pierpont CommonsBoulevard Room
Thurs, Oct 2 10am - noon Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room
Tues, Oct 7 10am - noon Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room
Tues, Nov 18 2-4pm Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room
Wed, Dec 3 10am - noon Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training is a way for F-1 international students to engage in employment which is an integral part of their curriculum. For example, students who would like to be able to accept an off-campus internship may be able to use CPT to obtain the required employment authorization. If you are planning to apply for Curricular Practical Training, you must attend one of these workshops.

CPT is available only prior to completion of a student's degree program. This workshop will explain student eligibility for CPT, the application process, and other important information regarding full-time and part-time CPT.

At the workshop, an advisor will explain the CPT application process and answer any questions so that you will have the information you need to fill out the forms correctly. At the end of the workshop, the advisor will collect the completed CPT applications.

Pre-requisite: Follow the procedure in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 Students. Be sure to bring all of the documents listed in the “Documents Needed to Apply for CPT” section.

Note: You are welcome to attend a CPT workshop to learn about CPT even if you don't have a job offer and/or are not registered for the appropriate course. However, you will not be able to apply for CPT at the workshop; you will have to apply later.

Sessions

Central Campus

Date Time Location Room
Tues, Sept 9 11am - noon International CenterRoom 9
Wed, Oct 1 2-3pm International Center Room 9
Fri, Nov 14 3-4pm International Center Room 9
Thurs, Dec 4 1-2pm International Center Room 9
Fri, Dec 12 11am - noon International Center Room 9

North Campus

Date Time Location Room
Fri, Sept 19 2-3pmPierpont CommonsBoulevard Room
Thurs, Oct 23 11am - noonPierpont CommonsBoulevard Room
Wed, Nov 26 3-4pm Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room
Tues, Dec 2 11am - noon Pierpont Commons Boulevard Room

Long-Term Employment Authorization Options: H-1B and Permanent Residency

Designed for international students who plan to work in the U.S. following graduation, as well as internationals who are currently employed or are seeking employment at U-M. Topics covered include H1-B Temporary Work Visa, Employment-Based U.S. Permanent Residency, basic eligibility requirements, and specific procedures.

The speaker, Vicky Farah, one of U-M's retained immigration attorneys, is a lifelong Michigan resident who has been practicing immigration and nationality law for over 24 years. She has a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. Vicky has been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Michigan Chapter since 1981.

Co-sponsored by Rackham Graduate School and the International Center.

Workshop Preparation: The handout for this workshop, Long-Term Employment Authorization Options: H-1B and Permanent Residency [PDF] is available online. Be advised that this handout will not be provided at the workshop. So please remember to print and bring it with you to the workshop so you can follow the presentation. If you have questions about the handout, please save your questions for the workshop.

The previous handout for this workshop from March 2008 is also available for your review Long-Term Employment Authorization Options: H-1B and Permanent Residency [PDF].

Pre-requisite: Read H-1B Visa - Temporary Worker in a Specialty Occupation

Date Time Location Room
Fri, July 25 2-4pm Rackham 4th floor, Amphitheatre

U.S. Job and Internship Search

U.S. Job Search Strategies for International Students

Do you plan to work in the United States after finishing your degree? This program is designed to help international students maximize their chances of finding employment in this country. We'll discuss interview preparation, resume writing, cross-cultural issues, networking, and ways to identify appropriate opportunities. We'll also provide information about immigration regulations pertinent to international students, and Career Center services that are available to you on this campus.

The following material was presented at the workshop:

Co-sponsored by the Career Center.

Pre-requisite: None

Sessions:

Date Time Location Room
Sat, Oct 18 10am-12:30pm Michigan Union Anderson ABC

Taxes

Introduction to U.S. Taxes for International Students, Scholars, Faculty, and Staff

This workshop is designed for international students, scholars, faculty, and staff who are interested in learning more about the U.S. tax system and tax return filing requirements applied to foreign nationals. Department administrators who would like to understand more about this topic are also invited to attend. This workshop will not offer assistance with individual tax return forms, but will provide background that will be helpful to you in discussions with tax professionals and in preparing your tax forms. Topics covered will include residency for tax purposes, filing requirements, exemptions and deductions, types of income (including fellowships), application of tax treaties, and “dual status” (both resident and non-resident in one year) situations.

The presenter is Sarah C. Braun, Senior Tax Consultant – Global Employer Services Deloitte Tax LLP. Sarah has a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from University of Michigan - Dearborn. She has more than 7 years of tax experience in the global employer services area and is known throughout Deloitte & Touche for her knowledge of the U.S. taxation of foreign nationals.

Co-sponsored by Rackham Graduate School and the International Center.

Workshop Handout: Introduction to U.S. Taxes [PDF] for the slide presentation.

Note: Please remember that although this workshop will not offer assistance with individual tax return forms, the University does offer free use of CINTAX tax preparation software for non-resident federal tax forms. Use your U-M uniqname and password to login.

Sessions: none at this time

Date Time Location Room
       

Michigan Tax Workshop

A representative from the Michigan Department of the Treasury will explain the State of Michigan tax form to international students and scholars. This workshop is specifically designed for international students and scholars. It will not help permanent residents or U.S. citizens. Individual assistance will be available after the presentation.

Workshop preparation:

  1. The handout for the workshop, 2007 Michigan State Income Tax for Non-Resident Aliens [PDF] is available online. Be advised that this handout will not be provided at the workshop. So please remember to print and bring it with you to the workshop so you can follow the presentation. If you have questions about the handout, please save your questions for the workshop. International Center staff are not able to answer tax questions.
  2. Please prepare your federal (national) tax form and bring a copy of it to this workshop. The easiest way to prepare your federal tax form is to use CINTAX, which U-M international students and scholars can use free of charge.
  3. Please read the state tax information at Non-Residents for Tax Purposes to see if you are required to fill out a Michigan tax form.

Sessions: none at this time

Date Time Location Room
      

Last reviewed: 8/08