Harvard Medical School BostonコミュのNovember 2009 HIO Newsletter

November 2009 HIO Newsletter

Holiday Office Closings
Please note that the HIO and most of the University offices are closed on the following days:
Veteran’s Day on Wednesday, November 11th
Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26th and on Friday, November 27th.
Winter Recess from 12:00 noon, Thursday, December 24th to Friday, January 1st, 2010
Please be mindful of the office closing when planning to visit the HIO and other offices.

Traveling during Winter Recess

Travel Advisory
Many students and scholars travel outside the United States at the end of the fall semester. Please review HIO travel information to ensure a successful return to the United States and contact the HIO with any questions. Please refer to the Travel Advisory on the HIO web site.

Travel Signature
If you are traveling over the holidays and/or winter break, please make sure you have the proper documents for your return to the United States. Please check your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to be sure that the travel signature from the HIO will not be more than 12 months old at the time of your reentry to the United States. If you need a new signature please come to the HIO between 9:00am and 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, with your Form I-20 or DS-2019. No appointment is needed for a signature. For more information on proper documentation for travel, please go to our web site.

November/March Degree Candidates
If you will not complete your academic program or research by the end date of your visa document, i.e. Form I-20 or DS-2019, you will need an extension of your status. Please check your visa document and contact your HIO advisor immediately so a timely extension may be processed. Failure to extend your status is likely to cause negative consequences for your immigration status.

Working in the US 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.

Identity Theft
It has been brought to our attention that some students and scholars have received emails that claimed to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requesting personal information such as social security numbers and date of birth. Please be aware that U.S. Government agencies, banks, the University, and any other legitimate entities generally do not request personal information over email. Please do not respond to such emails as you may become a victim of identity theft. Occasionally you may get requests via e-mail for your personal information from legitimate Harvard offices. However, you will NEVER be asked to respond via e-mail.

Change of Address
Please continue to report any changes of residential addresses to the HIO as soon as possible so your records may be updated and reported to SEVIS when necessary. For further information or to report a change of address, please refer to the HIO web site.