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FAQs for ISSIS Processing Fee
General Questions
- Are there any restrictions on funds that can be used to pay the OIE fees?
Any type of Account may be used to pay the ISSIS Processing Fee; restricted grant accounts require additional documentation.
- Whom in ISSIS or OIE should departments contact for questions regarding the intra-university payment process?
Kasha Puskarz, kpuskarz@uga.edu, 706.425.3151(Business Manager, OIE)
- If the scholar or employee is unable to obtain the requested visa or immigration status, are these fees refundable?
No. These fees are fees for service; ISSIS cannot guarantee the outcome of any visa or immigration application.
- Can the department recapture this expense for the ISSIS Processing Fee from the employee or scholar?
No. The department shall not undertake such measures as recapturing this money from the scholar or employee, as this could have negative implications on that employee’s immigration status.
- Can a department make a payment of one lump sum that includes the immigration application fees as well as the OIE fees and have OIE cut the checks to go to immigration (federal)?
No. Fees to ISSIS must be paid by departments by intra-university payment; Fees to the Federal Government must be paid by separate checks requested by the department. OIE cannot make payments to the Federal Government.
- If after filing the initial request for visa or immigration status the scholar or potential employee chooses not to come to UGA is the fee refundable?
No. Fees are for services rendered. Departments should do their best to ensure that a potential hire or visitor will come the University. Departments should notify OIE immediately if a scholar or potential employee does not come to the University.
- Does OIE have to receive payment of the ISSIS Processing Fees before any visa or immigration documents will be processed?
Once ISSIS receives the completed and signed ISSIS Processing Fee Authorization Form for the appropriate visa or immigration request, processing will begin. The ISSIS Processing Fee Authorization form must be signed by both the department head/director and dean/VP for processing to begin.
- What if my department is bringing in a visiting scholar/researcher for a short period of time (i.e. for a guest lecture or short seminar)? Does the department still have to pay the fee?
The Department should consider all options, including the B and TW visa categories, for which there are no ISSIS Processing Fees.
- Are faxed or scanned copies of the ISSIS Processing Fee Authorization Form acceptable?
Yes and no. ISSIS can use a scanned or faxed copy of the Fee Authorization form to initiate the process, but we must receive the original, signed document to complete the process.
- Do both the department head and dean/VP have to sign the Fee Authorization Form?
Yes. Unsigned or partially signed documents will be returned.
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J Scholars