International Faculty and Staff Services

International Division

International Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) provides comprehensive assistance to the Universities of Wisconsin on all aspects of non-student immigration. The office acts as the liaison between the Universities and all government agencies involved in immigration matters, and assists both the institution and individuals in complying with immigration laws and regulations.

Upcoming IFSS schedule changes:

  • December 23: Virtual services only, Pyle Center building is closed
  • December 24-25: UW closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • December 26-27: Virtual services only, Pyle Center building is closed
  • December 30: Virtual services only, Pyle Center building is closed
  • December 31-January 1: UW closed for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
  • January 2: Normal in-person services will resume
  • January 20: UW closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day)

Services

Advise UW System departments and processes immigration-related documents for employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant statuses

Offer regular workshops on employment based immigration related topics

 

Trainings

Administer the University’s J scholar Exchange Visitor Program, including issuing J scholar documents, advising departments and visiting scholars, and providing weekly J scholar orientation sessions

ALL CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE FACULTY AND STAFF AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO FIRST CONTACT IFSS FOR ASSISTANCE

Important Announcements

Immigration regulations are complex and often difficult to understand, with important changes occurring frequently and at times with little or no advance notice.  IFSS staff expend significant time remaining current with all applicable regulations, far more so than individuals can manage on their own, particularly as this effort includes regular consultation with peer professionals at other institutions and regulatory agencies.  Rather than attempting to navigate this difficult regulatory environment alone, or through conversations with colleagues and friends – – both approaches being prone to inadvertent mistakes or deficiencies that take time to correct. Current and prospective faculty and staff should begin their immigration work by consulting with IFSS on how best to proceed.

What's happening at IFSS?

If the sponsoring division, school, or college’s dean (or senior leader under another title) deems an immigration case taken to International Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) unsatisfactorily resolved after working with IFSS, the case may be considered for review by the International Division’s ad hoc Immigration Employment Advisory Board (IEAB). The IEAB, charged by the vice provost and dean of the International Division, will review the case, and offer its opinion on any points of disagreement on the interpretation of federal regulations or guidance from IFSS. A request from the unit’s senior leader for this review should be made to Associate Dean Ron Machoian in the International Division. The associate dean will then make a recommendation to the vice provost and dean of the International Division on whether the request should proceed to the IEAB. The IEAB’s purpose is to review only those cases in which the petition’s complexity gives rise to divergent interpretations of federal guidance and regulations.