Helpful Links

• UAF's Office of International Programs: http://www.uaf.edu/oip/

• International Travel Visa Requirements: http://travisa.com/

• International Travel Information: http://travel.state.gov/

• Temporary Insurance: https://purchase.imglobal.com/quote/gateway?imgac=57691

Sponsor Information

Initiating the Process:

If you are a Geophysical Institute Faculty or Staff member and are interested in hosting an International Visitor, there are several steps you will need to take to initiate the process.

(All Forms and Templates notated in the following steps can be found on the bottom of this website)

1. Complete and Submit the 'GI International Visitor Request Form' to the GI Director's Office at visa [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu.
2. Upon receipt of your completed form the Director's Office will contact you to confirm the most appropriate visa status and required processing times. (See our 'Visa Options' page for more details)\
3. Once a start date and visa type have been determined you will need to draft an invitation letter for your upcoming visitor. (See below for and Invitation Letter template)
4. When you have completed your drafted invitation letter please submit to the Director's Office at visa [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu for review and Director's signature.
5. The Director's Office will now contact your visitor to initiate the process.

 

Funding:

International Visitor on GI Payroll:

For those visitors being hired as Geophysical Institute employees, please contact our PPA's in the Business Office, Room 611 Elvey Building, immediately to initiate the hiring process.

International Visitor NOT on GI Payroll:

For those visitors who are externally funded but will be receiving monthly stipends from the Geophysical Institute, please contact our Purchasing Department in Room 608 at least one month in advance.

Attachment	Size
GI_Visitor_Request_Form.pdf	202.72 KB
Sample_J1_InvitationLetter.docx	15.52 KB

Visa Options

H1B Specialty Worker:

Processing Time - Please allow Four month notice to allow for document collection and delays in processing. Expedited H1B visa processing is available for a fee and must have a legitimate reason for a rushed hire.

Fees:

1. Premium Processing (Rush Fee / Optional) = $1225.00
2. Initial Processing / Extension Fee = $150.00
3. I-129 Petition Filing Fee = $325.00
4. Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee = $500.00

 

J1 Research Scholar / Short-Term Scholar:

Processing Time - Please allow Three month notice to allow for document collection and delays in processing.

Fees:

1. SEVIS Fee = $180.00
2. Initial Processing Fee = $300.00
3. Extension / Change Fee = $150.00

 

J1 Student Intern:

Processing Time - Please allow Three month notice to allow for document collection and delays in processing.

Fees:

1. SEVIS Fee $180.00
2. Initial Processing Fee = $300.00
3. Extension / Change Fee = $150.00

 

TN:

Processing Time - Please allow Two month notice to allow for document preparation.

 

For further information on UAF visa options and their requirements, please visit the UAF Office of International Programs and Initiatives webpage at:

http://www.uaf.edu/oip/information-for-uaf-depar/

Visitor Information

Preparing for Arrival:

1. Please provide the GI Director's Office with a copy of your arrival flight prior to your departure for the United States.
2. Upon your arrival in Fairbanks you are asked to check in as soon as possible with the Geophysical Institute Director's Office, Room 601 Elvey Building, and the UAF Office of International Programs and Initiatives, Room 215 Eielson Building. Please be sure to bring your visa documents so that we can collect the nessisary copies.
3. An International Visitor Orientation is mandatory for all foreign visitors with the UAF Office of International Programs and Initiatives (OIPI). Orientations are scheduled for Thursdays at 9:00am and last approximately two to three hours. OIPI can be found in room 215, Eielson Building.

 

Travel:

Prior to Travel:

When preparing for travel outside the United States while on a U.S. visa you will need to collect a 'Travel Packet'.

If you are a Geophysical Institute employee here on a U.S. visa, this packet will include the following items:

1. Your original DS2019 (signed by OIPI) or I-797 depending on the type of visa you hold. (These items would need to be collected from the UAF Office of International Programs)
2. An employment verification letter.
3. A copy of your contract letter.

To request documents for travel please contact the GI Director's Office at visa [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu or at 907-474-6742.

An online travel packet request form will be coming soon to our website for your convenience.

We ask that a copy or your flight itinerary be provided to the Director's Office for any international travel during you stay in Fairbanks.

Upon Return from Travel:

Once you have completed your travel and returned to Fairbanks the Director's Office will need to collect copies of the following items:

1. All passport stamps encurred during travel.
2. A copy of your digital I-94 card.

 

Preparing for Departure:

1. Please ensure that you have provided the GI Directors Office with a copy of your departure flight itinerary prior to your departure from Fairbanks.
2. If you are leaving prior to your visa's expiration date please provide the Director's office with a memo stating the reason for your premature departure.