City Colleges of Chicago

International Student at the City Colleges of Chicago

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LewerMark Scholarship Contest

The Lewer Agency has renewed its LewerMark, "Make Your Mark" Scholarship contest for the third consecutive year. The contest rewards international students sponsored by a school enrolled in any of the agency's LewerMark programs.

The students are challenged to answer the question "How Will An International Education Help Me Make A Difference In The World?" in 500 words or less.

Three scholarships will be given in the amounts of $1000, $500 and $250 respectively.

The deadline for the contest is March 1, 2008. Please encourage your students to enter the contest.

Contest details are posted at www.lewermark.com

Increase in USCIS Filing Fees
Effective October 26, 2005 the USCIS filing fees will be increased.

The I-539 will be increased to $200
The I-765 will be increased to $180

Please review http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm for more information.

USCIS Announces New Photograph Standard

The USCIS has recently announced a change in the photograph standard used in applications. Effective immediately, USCIS will now require photographs, which are full frontal color photographs, similar to those used for passports to be submitted with all applications, and petitions that require photos. Note: from now until September 1, 2004, either type is acceptable. Photographs previously submitted with applications will not be affected by this change. Starting on September 1, 2004, only full frontal color photographs will be accepted.

When more than one photo is required, all photos must be identical. All photos must meet the specifications for full frontal/passport photos and must be no more than 30 days old when an application is filed.

For more information about this policy, as well as applications and petitions which require photos please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/04_08_02Photo_flyer.pdf.

For more information on photo standards, please see the Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html.

Drivers License Information

The State of Illinois recently passed a law, which will allow certain non-immigrants the ability to obtain an Illinois Driver's License. In summary, the law states that the Illinois Secretary of State's office can issue temporary driver's licenses to foreign nationals who reside in Illinois , are ineligible to obtain a social security number, and present documentation issued by the USCIS authorizing the individual's lawful presence in the country. The law indicates that the temporary driver's license to be issued to the foreign nationals will be valid for three years or the period of time that the foreign national is authorized to remain in the U.S. , whichever is earlier.

The new law becomes effective on January 1, 2005; however, before the new law can come into effect, the state of Illinois will need to devise regulations to implement the law. This means that non-immigrants may not be able to benefit from this new law until some time after January 1, 2005.

If you would like to read the Illinois House bill please visit: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.shtml?Name=093-0752