International PostdocsImmigration Issues Human Resources-Compliance and Immigration Services (HR/CIS) and the International Student and Scholar Program (ISSP) at U.Va. are the central resources for matters related to acquiring and maintaining a lawful presence in the United States. The International Studies Office (ISO) also supports international students and scholars with their transition to American society and culture, as well as advising on all matters of concern to the University’s international community. The contact for J1/J2 exchange visitors is Cliff Maxwell (434-982-3015). The contact for Compliance and Immigration Services for H-1/B, O-1, PR-Employment is Tim White (434-982-2735). Compliance and Immigration Services assists with matters concerning employment immigration visas (H-1B, O-1, TN, etc), Permanent Resident applications (green cards), employment authorization, immigration policy and related issues. HR/CIS also holds immigration workshops throughout the year. The contacts for Compliance and Immigration Services are: Jose L. Fleming, J.D., Immigration Compliance Officer (434-243-2031) and Timothy J. White, Immigration Consultant (434-982-2735) Tax Issues The University of Virginia is required to comply with U.S. federal tax law when making payments to or on behalf of non-citizens of the United States. In addition to tax regulations, certain payments are only allowable based on an individual’s immigration status pursuant to immigration law. Since U.Va. is required to comply with U.S. tax and immigration laws when making payments to its foreign visitors, and since these rules can be extremely complex, Human Resources-Compliance and Immigration Services employs a Foreign National Tax Specialist devoted specifically to these matters. The Foreign National Tax Specialist can assist U.Va.’s foreign visitors in understanding their U.S. tax obligations while keeping U.Va. in compliance with tax and immigration laws. Many international students, research scholars and visitors come to U.Va., and most are "nonresident aliens" for tax purposes. Individuals who are deemed to be "nonresident aliens" for US federal income tax purposes are subject to tax under the Internal Revenue Code. In general, all income (wages, scholarships, fellowships, prizes, awards, etc.) paid by the university to a foreign person, or to a third party on behalf of the foreign person, is taxable UNLESS the income is: (1) exempt from tax under the provisions of an income tax treaty between the U.S. and the person's country of residence; These tax laws are complex and can be very confusing to the foreign national and/or staff person responsible for complying with the regulation. The Foreign National Tax Specialist is available to help you understand some of these confusing tax issues whether you are the international student, scholar, or visitor receiving a payment, or the faculty/staff attempting to make a payment to a non-citizen. The contact for tax issues related to foreign nationals is: Andy Meade, Foreign National Tax Specialist (434-924-1377) Other Resources The primary University resource for developing written and spoken English skills is the Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC). CAELC offers a bi-annual course jointly developed by VPR and CAELC and designed specifically for postdoctoral researchers. Postdocs are also welcome to enroll in other CAELC courses as space allows. The National Postdoctoral Association publishes an International Postdoc Survival Guide and provides links to other helpful information targeted specifically to the needs and interests of international postdocs.
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