Office of International Services

If you are a new student, you will receive an email from Dr. Corinna Noelke from Middlebury College with the subject: MIIS Immigration Data Request.

This email will direct you to Foreign National Information System (FNIS) website. You will be given login/password information and instructions on completing the information.  This is not a U.S. government website; FNIS is the database system that MIIS/Middlebury uses for managing its tax compliance issues for international students and scholars.  You are being asked to provide this information in order to establish a tax status in the United STates.  Even if you don’t plan to work in the U.S., you are still required to complete this.

If you have any questions about this, please contact Dr. Corinna Noelke noelke@middlebury.edu or visas@miis.edu

Graduation!!

If you are graduating in December, NOW is the time to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).  OPT is a 12-month work authorization for students in F-1 Status.  To apply for OPT you must submit an application to USCIS and the processing time can take up to three months.  The Office of International Services suggests that you begin your application process very soon in order to choose the best start date for your employment.  For more information, please look at the following resources:

Optional Practical Training Instruction Video

Optional Practical Training Information

Optional Practical Training Request form

If you have any questions, please email: visas@miis.edu

If  you are a new international student and will be working on campus, you will need to apply for a social security number.  In order to apply for a social security number, you will first need to pick up an SSN Application packet from Human Resources or the Office of International Services.

As a part of the approval process, the Social Security Administration will need to verify your current non-immigrant F-1 or J-1 status.  It is recommended that you wait at least 2 weeks after your arrival in the U.S. to apply for the card.

For more information, the Social Security Administration has an international student page on its website.  For questions directly to OIS, please email: visas@miis.edu

If you were not able to make the International Student Orientation, you can view the International Student Orientation.  The viewing time is about 24 minutes and you will be provided with information on the Office of International Services, basic immigration information, student regulations and work authorization. watch?v=64AruAjm93Y

General new student orientation begin on Monday, August 24, 2009.  On TUESDAY, AUGUST 24TH FROM 1:30 TO 2:30 there will be a meeting for international students in the Irvine Auditorium.  Information to be covered includes:

• Introduction to the Office of International Services
• Immigration essentials for international students
• Types of work authorization
• Travel information
• Social Security and DMV information

Please be sure to arrive on time as the meeting will begin on time.

One of the truly unique aspects of a graduate education at MIIS is the exposure to students from all over the world.  International students make up 40% of the incoming Fall 2009 students and come from approximately 40 countries. 

AFGHANISTAN, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, AZERBAIJAN, BELARUS, BELIZE, BRAZIL, BURKINA FASO, CANADA, CHINA (PRC), DENMARK, EL SALVADOR, FRANCE, GERMANY, GUATEMALA, ICELAND, INDIA, ISRAEL, ITALY, IVORY COAST, JAPAN, KAZAKHSTAN, KOSOVO, MAURITANIA, NEPAL, NORWAY, OMAN, PAKISTAN, PARAGUAY, PUERTO RICO, RUSSIA, SAUDI ARABIA, SLOVAKIA, SOUTH KOREA, SPAIN, SUDAN, TAIWAN, TAJIKISTAN, TOGO, TURKEY, YEMEN

WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS!