FAQs for Faculty Staff Postdocs and Scholars

We are in Young Hall, 155 S Grant Street, Fifth Floor, West Lafayette, IN 47907.  We are on the 5th floor.

For general information or questions first browse our website.  The quickest way to get an answer to your questions is to email our office at: intlscholars@purdue.edu.   We respond within 2 days, normally within a few hours

You can also call our office and speak with a counselor Monday-Friday 1:30PM – 4:00PM. Our Main Office Phone number is 765-496-0653.

HOW DO I “CHECK-IN” WHEN I ARRIVE TO BEGIN MY PROGRAM?

You will receive an email with E-check In instructions.  Sometimes the email will instruct you to complete arrival e-forms online and then visit your liaison, in other departments the email will instruct you to visit your liaison before starting the e-forms.  Once you complete this process then you will receive an email from the Bursar’s Office when your Purdue ID is ready for pick up.  The liaison will also activate your Purdue email and your BoilerKey.

HOW DO I FIND MY ISS PORTAL?

Click here to login to myISS. my.ISS is your online portal to fill out eForms, request documents, update ISS, and more. 

Please Note: BoilerKey is required to login to my.ISS. If you are having difficulty logging in, please contact ITaP or visit the BoilerKey Help Page for more support information.

HOW TO PICK UP A DOCUMENT?

For J-1, a link will be sent to you when your document has been processed and ready for pick up.

For H-1B, you can complete a request for approvals and receipts, then you will be sent a link once it is approved.  Follow the link to the booking site.

 

Here is a quick link to the booking site

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Once in the Bookings site:

  1. Select the service you want 
  1. Once the service is highlighted, select the date you want 
  1. Then select the time you want 
  2. Then input your information including directions your email to contact you​ if necessary

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If you are working with an attorney to file for a Green Card(i-485), please submit a Supplement J request through my ISS.  You will receive a link by email once it is complete to book a pickup appointment.

HOW CAN I GET A DOCUMENT SHIPPED TO ME?
  1. Once a document is ready, you will receive an email notifying you and giving you the options to either pick it up in person or have it shipped. 
  2. If you would like it shipped, follow the link in the email to request it to be shipped.
  3. The first part of the request is in myISS, then you are directed to Eshipglobal to create the shipping order.
  4. Once you are in Eshipglobal, create a label and pay for it, then our office will take care of printing the label and shipping the document.
  5. When the document leaves our office, you will receive another email that the document is in transit and the tracking number of the package.
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS AND WANT TO TALK TO A COUNSELOR.

The quickest way to get an answer to your questions is to email our office at: intlscholars@purdue.edu.   We respond within 2 days, normally within a few hours

You can also call our office and speak with a counselor Monday-Friday 1:30PM – 4:00PM. Our Main Office Phone number is 765-496-0653.

I MOVED. HOW DO I REPORT MY CHANGE OF ADDRESS?

If you change addresses during your stay, you must notify ISS within 10 days.  Update your address on file by submitting a Current Scholar Request.  You can submit this request by logging into your myISS account at connect.iss.purdue.edu.  We will update your ISS record and your record in SEVIS.

 

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I AM PLANNING TO TRAVEL. WHAT DO I DO?

If you plan to travel outside of the USA, you must contact ISS by submitting a Travel Request in myISS.

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We will review your travel plans and determine whether they are feasible. If the plans are approved, you will receive a confirmation email.  Follow the instructions in the email to stop by our office for your travel signature. Be sure to bring your DS-2019. We will add another signature to your DS-2019 here:  If you will be away from campus for longer than 21 days, please contact ISS for additional instructions. Travel signatures are valid for 1 year.

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HOW DO I GET A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

If you are interested in applying for a Social Security Number:

Please contact our office via email (intlscholars@purdue.edu) explaining that you would like an SSN. We will give you a Visiting Undergraduate SSN Eligibility Letter, which you will need to apply for the SSN. We will send you instructions on how to apply for an SSN at the local Social Security Administration office.

HOW DO I GET MY PURDUE ID CARD?

You will receive an email with E-check In instructions.  Sometimes the email will instruct you to complete arrival e-forms online and then visit your liaison, in other departments the email will instruct you to visit your liaison before starting the e-forms.  Once you complete this process you can then you will receive an email when your Purdue ID is ready for pick up.  The liaison will also handle activating you Purdue email and your BoilerKey.

DO I NEED TO FILE TAXES?

Yes, if you were present in the US during a calendar year, you are required to file tax paperwork in the following year. For example: if you were in the US in 2015, you must file tax paperwork in 2016 even if you did not work.

The US Internal Revenue Service is in charge of taxes. Please refer to their website for official forms and information.

Please contact the Purdue Tax office. https://www.purdue.edu/hr/workpurdue/tax/index.php

HOW DO I INVITE A FAMILY MEMBER TO VISIT?

Family members who are NOT children (under 21) or spouse of the J-1 exchange visitor should apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa which allows eligibility to visit the United States temporarily for tourism or business purposes. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to travel to the U.S. for visits of up to 90 days without a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program. It is recommended that you give your family members a letter of invitation to document the purpose of their visit. Refer to Family Visitors to the U.S. for an invitation letter template and more details on the visa application requirements.

CAN MY SPOUSE GET AN EAD?

To request an EAD, you must file  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You will need to apply for an EAD if you:

  • Are authorized to work in the United States because of your immigration status or circumstances (for example, you are an asyleerefugee, or U nonimmigrant) and need evidence of that employment authorization, or
  • Are required to apply for permission to work; in other words, you need to request employment authorization itself. For example:
    • You have a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
    • You have a pending Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
    • You have a nonimmigrant status that allows you to be in the United States but does not allow you to work in the United States without first seeking permission from USCIS (such as an F-1 or M-1 student).

Our office does not process EADs.  For this, either self-file or contact an immigration attorney to process it on your behalf.

MY PROGRAM IS ENDING. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?

Please fill out the Intent to End J Program before the end of your Program. You will receive an email notification 30 days prior to your DS-2019 end date to fill out the form in your myISS account.  Let us know if there is anything that you loved, or think could be improved.

If you need to end your program early, please contact ISS and let your supervisor know. 18 Grace Period After the program end date on your DS-2019, you have a 30-day Grace Period.  You must finish your duties at Purdue, but may remain in the US for tourist purposes.  If you can, explore more of the USA! The USA is HUGE and there is much more to explore beyond West Lafayette! You MUST leave the US before the end of your 30-day grace period.

Additional Resources -Wilberforce Pamphlet More information from USCIS

Additional Resources -DOS Welcome Brochure More information from Department of State