Forms and Letters

• Immigration Authorization Transfer Recommendation/Release (SEVIS Transfer Form) – Fill out if you have attended school in the US prior to coming to Macalester
• OPT Application Supplement
• SEVIS Update Form
• Supervisor and DSO Attestation Form – For Social Security Number Application

• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization – OPT Application
• SS5 Application for a Social Security Card
• I-94 Retrieval – Fill out passport information and retrieve your I-94.
• I-9 Form – Fill out to verify your identity and employment authorization if you are hired for employment in the United States; check with your employer if they want paper or electronic version of I-9. If working for Macalester, you will work with Student Employment to complete the college’s I-9 electronic form.
• W-4 Form  – Complete if you wish to become an employee in the US and present to your employer
  • It is important that you consult our W-4 Instructions Page for more specific information on how to complete the form.
• 13614-NR Form – Nonresident Alien Intake and Interview Sheet, to be completed before ISP tax help appointment

• Publication 519 – U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens
• Publication 15 – Employer’s Tax Guide

• Automatic Extension of Visa Validity Law Letter – Bring along if you leave the country for Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados (and the other adjacent islands) with an expired visa.
• Withholding Social Security and Medicare Taxes from International Students – For students on CPT to give their employers, to avoid having their social security and Medicare taxes withheld (FICA).

• Verification of Student Enrollment – Current or previous enrollment at Macalester is verified through the Registrar.
• Requesting Important Documents – Fill out to request copies of important documents that ISP may have, such as previous I-20’s. Please note that students are responsible for their own documentation history and that ISP does not maintain a complete copy of student records.

The U.S. Department of State (which issues visitor visas) has this note about support letters:

Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant’s residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. (based) family and friends (or Macalester College). A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a nonimmigrant tourist visa.

If you would still like a letter, you can write one yourself. Create a copy of this template and follow the instructions on the document, making sure that the information below is included.

Your name and the reason for your living in the U.S.
The name of your family member who wishes to visit and the purpose of their visit. You should prepare a separate letter for each visitor.
The duration of their visit.
If you are providing room and board or any other form of financial assistance, be sure to state that as well.

Please email ISP ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

COPY TEMPLATE

Are you applying for a visa for another country (or going through another process) that requires you to show your (lack of) criminal history? You will need a Criminal History Clearance Letter or Police Report that shows your criminal history. To request this letter, contact one of these departments:

1.  Ramsey County Sheriff Department – If you are attending Macalester and reside within St. Paul, please contact the Ramsey Country Sheriff to request a Clearance Letter. You may submit the request by mail, but if you have other documents that need to be completed, you may want to stop in at their office to clarify things. Present your passport or Driver’s License (or send copy of) and pay the $6 fee (subject to change) by check or cash (don’t send by mail). Note: no debit or credit cards are accepted. Mail documents to: