Harvard Medical School BostonコミュのHIO October 09 Newsletter

October 2009 HIO Newsletter

Green Card Lottery
The Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available 50,000 diversity visas (DV) annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The online entry registration period for the DV-2011 Diversity Visa lottery is between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Friday, October 2, 2009, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday, November 30, 2009. Entrants apply on Form DS-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form, available only during the DV open registration period. Please review the instructions of how to enter DV-2011 Diversity Visa lottery.

Traveling outside the U.S.
Many students and scholars travel outside the United States during long weekends and winter recess. Please review the HIO travel information to ensure a successful return to the United States and contact the HIO with any questions. When making your travel plans, please keep in mind the following:
· Obtain a travel signature* from the HIO before your trip
· Check if your U.S. visa will still be valid at the time of your return to the U.S.
· Allow sufficient time to apply for a U.S. visa if you need one
· Review HIO travel information
*Please check your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to be sure that the travel signature will NOT be more than 12 months old at the time of your reentry to the United States. Otherwise you will need to obtain a new signature from the HIO. You do not need an appointment to get a travel signature. Simply stop by the HIO during its office hours (9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Mon-Fri) with your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and your passport. The J-1 visa holders whose DS-2019 is issued by another organization such as Fulbright must contact that organization to get a travel signature if needed.

Informing HIO of Change in Your Status
If you have changed your immigration status or have obtained U.S. legal permanent residency (green cards) during your stay at Harvard University, please inform the HIO at your earliest convenience so your immigration record can be updated accurately.

Working in the U.S. after Graduation
If you are a November or March degree candidate and would like to work in the United States after graduation now is the time to apply for U.S. work authorization. F-1 students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and J-1 students may apply for Academic Training (AT). Please contact your HIO advisor with any questions.

Extending Your Immigration Status
If you will not complete your academic program or research by the end date of your visa document such as Form I-20 or DS-2019, you will need an extension of your immigration status. Please check your visa document and contact your HIO advisor immediately so that a timely extension may be processed. Failure to extend your status is likely to cause negative consequences for your immigration status.

HIO Hosting Green Card Presentation
The HIO is pleased to announce that local immigration attorney Steven Clark will present an informative session for Harvard students and scholars who are interested in basic information about permanent resident status (also known as having a green card) in the United States. The session will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, at 1:00 pm in the Longwood Medical Area, the Armenise Auditorium, 210 Longwood Avenue, Boston.