About GSS
- Global Strategic Services (GSS) provides immigration services to faculty and staff (including J-1 scholars and non-student interns) at Virginia Tech. Our services include:
- Prepare and file H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1 nonimmigrant petitions for VT employees
- Process visa requests for J-1 Exchange Visitors, including professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, specialists, and interns, and monitor compliance with J-1 program requirements · Prepare and file employment-based permanent residency applications (green cards) for eligible VT employees
- Advise departments and foreign nationals on appropriate immigration course of action
- Manage the Memoranda of Understanding and Student Exchange Agreement processes
Employees/departments may not hire private immigration attorneys to prepare/file employment-based petitions/applications on VT’s behalf. If GSS in unable to assist in a particular matter, we will provide the employee and/or department with a referral to outside immigration counsel that has been approved by the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia.
GSS does not assist with family-based or self-sponsor petitions.
Appointments/Office Hours:
Immigration consultation/individual meetings are provided by appointment only. Please email vtgss@vt.edu to schedule an in-person or virtual meeting.
For document drop-off or pick-up:
Our office is open 8:30 am – 5 pm
University Gateway Center, Suite 120
902 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Faculty and Staff
Jeff Van Doren
Director
Email: jvandoren@vt.edu
Mingzhi Li
Senior Immigration Program Manager
Responsible Officer for J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
Phone: 540-231-1425
Email: mingzhil@vt.edu
Manu Soto Casanova
Senior Immigration Program Manager
Phone: 540-231-7887
Email: manucasanova@vt.edu
Ruby Elankumaran
Immigration Specialist
Phone: 540-231-7128
Email: rubyrs@vt.edu
Tammy Roethlisberger
Global Services Coordinator
Phone: 540-231-3958
Email: troeth868@vt.edu
Maureen Van Doren
Immigration Program Manager
Email: mvandoren@vt.edu