The Center for International Faculty and Student Services (CIFSS) conducts the following workshops for students, scholars, and departmental administrators:

• On-Campus-Employment Workshop
• Off-Campus-Employment Workshop (Pre-Completion OPT, & CPT)
• Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop
• Dependents Workshop
• Travel Workshop
• New Faculty/Scholar Workshop
• Departmental Administrators Workshop: Hiring Foreign Nationals

Given our large client population, we are not sufficiently staffed to provide the level of detail on a one-on-one basis that a workshop allows. Therefore it is critical that students/scholars identify which workshop is right for them in a particular situation and make arrangements to attend it. The information in these workshops is presented in a thorough and detailed manner and students and scholars are expected to attend any mandatory workshops that apply to their needs prior to meeting one-on-one with a CIFSS adviser. Please plan to arrive on-time to workshops; late arrivals can not be accommodated as they will have missed important information. Below is a description of each workshop followed by a schedule. You can also find the workshop schedule on our events calendar.

On-Campus-Employment Workshop
Purpose: This workshop is required for F & J students who will be employed by Rutgers University. The workshop, held twice weekly, discusses on-campus employment regulations, the US income tax system and social security number (SSN) application procedures. In this workshop students are guided in filling out forms necessary to work on campus and apply for an SSN, including the Rutgers International Payroll Form, Forms I-9 and W-4.
Attendees must bring: passport, I-94 card and all I-20s or DS-2019s
Sign up required: No
Mandatory for: F-1 and J-1 students wanting to work on campus
Upcoming schedule for this workshop

Off-Campus-Employment Workshop (Pre-Completion OPT, & CPT)
Purpose: This workshop, held twice monthly, is required for F-1 students seeking off-campus employment authorization for work that will commence and terminate prior to their completion of studies. Students who have completed all coursework and whose OPT start date may begin before receiving their degree but will definitely continue after they officially graduate should NOT attend this workshop; instead, such students must attend the Post-Graduate Employment workshop.

Discussed in the workshop are: curricular practical training (CPT), pre-completion optional practical training (OPT), and employment based on severe economic hardship.
Attendees must bring: passport, I-94 card and most recent I-20
Sign up required: No
Mandatory for: F-1 students wanting to work off campus prior to completion of their studies
Upcoming schedule for this workshop

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop
Purpose: Held twice monthly, this workshop is required for F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) for work that will begin after their completion of studies. Students who will engage in OPT that terminates before completion of all their degree requirements must attend the Off-Campus Employment workshop rather than this workshop.
Attendees must bring: passport, I-94 card and most recent I-20
Sign up required: No
Mandatory for: F-1 students wanting to work off campus in a job related to their degree program following completion of their studies
Upcoming schedule for this workshop

Dependents Workshop
Purpose: Held once per month, this workshop discusses issues and procedures related to bringing a spouse and/or children to the U.S. on dependent (F-2 or J-2) visas. I-20 forms for F-2 dependents and DS-2019 forms for J-2 dependents will not be issued unless the F-1 or J-1 principal attends this workshop.
Attendees must bring: most recent I-20 or DS-2019
Sign up required: No
Mandatory for: F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars wanting to bring a spouse and/or child(ren) as visa dependents to the U.S.
Upcoming schedule for this workshop

Travel Workshop
Purpose: Held only during April/May and November/December in preparation for peak travel seasons, this workshop provides the latest information on current travel issues and visa application requirements for F, J and H visa holders.
Attendees must bring: passport, transcript (if a student) and I-20 or DS-2019 with them if they wish to obtain a travel signature.
Sign up required: No
NOT mandatory
Upcoming schedule for this workshop

New Faculty/Scholar Workshop
Purpose: This workshop is held every Wednesday from 3:45 p.m.-5:00p.m. at the Center and provides orientation information for those new professors and research scholars holding any of the following nonimmigrant statuses: J-1, H-1B or F-1 authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Attendees must bring: passport, immigration documents and appointment letter, and should use the side (Richardson St.) entrance to the building since the Center is otherwise closed on Wednesdays.
Sign up required: Yes. The sponsoring department must contact the Center to sign up visitor.
Mandatory for: J-1 and H-1B faculty and researchers newly-arrived on campus
Upcoming schedule for this workshop

Departmental Administrators Workshop: Hiring Foreign Nationals
Purpose: Multi-part workshop for departmental administrators held twice a year (once per semester); covers University policies, government regulations, and application procedures related to the hiring and employment of foreign national faculty and research scholars.
Attendees must bring: N/A
Sign up required: Yes.
NOT mandatory, but strongly suggested for new departmental administrators.
Look for announcement on Center's list serv.