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Scholars & Employees

bucky

Welcome!

We believe this is a supportive and diverse community, characterized by exceptional people doing important and satisfying work. We are glad you are here!

Information about immigration statuses offered by the University is on the International Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) website: www.ifss.wisc.edu.

Overview of the Application Process

Step 1: Your department/campus contact must submit a New Sponsorship Request in Terra Dotta, our immigration software, also known as the TDS Scholar Portal. IFSS will help determine the immigration status to apply for based on the position offered while also following University best practices.

Step 2: IFSS will approve the request in TDS and create your application “card”. You will receive an email invitation to the TDS Scholar Portal with login information and instructions.

  • TDS emails may get filtered into junk or spam folders (ex: Gmail). The subject line for TDS emails contains “[Caution: External]”. Those emails are safe to open.
  • DO NOT use the login button in the upper, right-hand corner of this website on the red bar. While you may be able to successfully log in there, that is an administrative site only and will not take you where you need to go. Use the link above only or the link in the emails.

Step 3: Enter your information and upload your documents by the deadline in the email. An IFSS advisor will review, prepare, and/or process the immigration application. If IFSS has further questions or needs more documents, you will receive an email from your advisor.

  • Immigration request preparation times vary. Refer to the IFSS website for current timelines.
  • While options for premium processing exist for some applications, it does not speed up the review and/or preparation of the application at the UW. Premium processing only speeds up the USCIS decision on an application.
  • Applications are reviewed, generally, on a first-in, first-out basis to remain fair to all our campus partners. 

Step 4: Depending on which immigration status is being sponsored, IFSS will either generate your immigration document or mail your application to the appropriate government agency that will process your application. You will receive emails from IFSS along the way. It is very important to read all IFSS emails thoroughly and keep them for your records.

All J-1 scholars must check-in within 30 days of the DS-2019 program start date. This is done online through the TDS Scholar Portal (Requests>Submit Arrival Documentation). You do not need to do this check-in at our office.

All incoming J-1 scholars are required to attend a J-1 Scholar Orientation (available in-person and virtual). You will receive information about this from your IFSS advisor.

No check-in or orientation is required for H-1Bs, E-3s, TNs, or O-1s.
Your supervisor or Human Resources office will introduce you to your specific work unit and may also provide a new-employee orientation.

International Payroll and Tax can help with Glacier and tax questions. 
  • Extensions are requested by the department/campus contact. Please contact that individual to start the extension process before your status expires. Do not wait until the last day or minute! 
    • H-1B and E-3 extensions can be initiated 6 months before your current status expires 
    • J-1 and TN extensions can be initiated 3-4 months before your current status expires.
    • O-1 extensions can be initiated 6-8 months before your current status expires.
  • If you have a paid appointment, when you extend or change your immigration status, you must:
    • Reverify your I-9 with Human Resources.
    • Update Glacier, the University’s international tax software