About Us
The staff members in the Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services assist internationals in three primary capacities:
- (1) As advisors concerning immigration rules and regulations
- (2) as advocates who are sensitive to the unique needs of non-immigrants
- (3) as liaisons between non-immigrants and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service, the U.S. Department of State, various U.S. consulates and embassies abroad, various departments/offices at JHMI, etc.
Advisors
Staff members provide advising services to internationals which relate to their particular visa status within the United States. In accordance with U.S. immigration law and the various rules and regulations contained therein, staff members assist non-immigrants with the following:
- Initial entry to the United States
- Extensions of stay
- Work authorization
- Changes of visa status
- Reinstatement to legal status
- Waiver applications
- Travel authorization / re-entry to the U.S.
- Transfers to/from JHMI
- Accompanying dependents' issues
- Adjustment of status to U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident
This list is by no means exhaustive. In addition to these advisory functions, staff members advise and assist internationals with many other specialized and individualized issues relating to a particular non-immigrant visa status. For more information about the Office of International Services advisors, click HERE.
Advocates
Internationals often have unique needs and require a person sensitive to those needs to be their advocate. Staff members in the Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services are experienced advocates who recognize the value of international educational exchange and who appreciate the many positive contributions internationals make to the Johns Hopkins community and to the United States. As advocates, staff members are well acquainted with cross-cultural adjustment problems and other related issues. As a result, their involvement with internationals at JHMI goes well beyond the area of immigration regulations.
Liaisons
Staff members are routinely called upon to act as liaisons for international students, faculty, and staff at JHMI. In their role as liaisons, staff members function as representatives on behalf of internationals. Staff members work with government agencies, university offices and departments, and a variety of other entities to seek solutions to problems faced by foreign nationals, to voice specific concerns on their behalf, and to request appropriate assistance when needed.
