Office of International Services. Immigration Issues. Immigration Issues at a Glance. What is an F-1 student? Passport. Important Immigration Forms

Transcription

1 Office of International Services Immigration Issues F-1 Student Visa Information 2111 Holzapfel Hall Students and dependents are welcome to speak with an OIS advisor: Walk-ins (M-Th 1:30 4:00pm) Appointments (M-F 9:00 12:30pm; F 1:30 4:00pm) Live Chat (M-F 10:30 12:30pm) Immigration Issues at a Glance What is an F-1 student? Important immigration forms Maintaining F-1 status Questions? What is an F-1 student? F-1 students are non-immigrants (will return to home country) who pursue a full course of study to obtain a specific education objective (Bachelor s, Master s, Ph.D.) F-1 students are registered in SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) Important Immigration Forms Passport Visa I-94 Card I-20 Passport Should remain valid at least 6 months into the future at all times Most countries have embassies located in Washington, DC if you need to renew 1

2 F-1 Visa I-94 Card May have different school name if you transfer Can expire Must be unexpired with additional entries to enter US F-1 D/S (Duration of Status) Entry date and location Documents your legal status Important! $330 to replace! A student may remain in the United States until: The I-20 program completion date (item 5); OR The last day of class of the final semester, if this day occurs before the I-20 program completion date PLUS A 60-day grace period (to travel, change immigration status, or transfer to another school) Form I-20 Update OIS whenever there is a change to your I-20 information: Name Degree level Major Program dates Finances Do not let it expire if you have not completed degree requirements Okay if it says Transfer Pending Valid immigration documents Full course of study Work authorization SEVIS Verification Travel & Special Registration Valid immigration documents Passport should be valid for at least 6 months I-94 should note F-1 and D/S I-20 should hold correct information at all times. Do not allow your I-20 to expire without completing your degree program. Visa can be expired, but must be renewed before attempting to re-enter the US Full course of study Undergrads must be registered for at least 12 credits each semester Graduates must be registered for at least 48 units each semester 2

3 Work authorization On-campus: no authorization needed 20 hours per week during the semester 40 hours per week during school vacations Off-campus: authorization REQUIRED, whether paid or not In F-1 status one academic year Authorized before working Verifying information in SEVIS Students must verify at the beginning of each semester (August and January) Also, student must verify within 10 days of any change of information So You re Traveling To enter the United States, the following documents are required: Valid passport Valid US Visa Valid form I-20 (with current travel signature) All previous I-20s Current proof of financial support Transcripts (not required but recommended) Proof of current enrollment (not required but recommended) Special Registration Students from the following countries are subject to Special Registration: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria Questions??? POP QUIZ!!! 3

4 Question 1 How long does a student need to be in valid full-time status before he/she can request to work off-campus? Question 2 Are visa and status the same thing? One academic year No Question 3 Can your visa expire while you are INSIDE the United States? Question 4 Name four (4) documents that you need to REENTER the United States? Yes Valid passport Valid visa Valid I-20 Current Proof of Financial Support Question 5 Question 6 A Social Security Number (SSN) gives you permission i to work anywhere. F-1 students must be registered as full-time students t during every academic term. False Trick question! 4

5 Question 7 How many credits does an undergraduate need to register for each semester? A graduate student? 12 credits 48 units Question 8 F-2 dependents may seek advice from an OIS advisor. True Question 9 Where is the Office of International Services (OIS) office located? Question 10 How many days does it take to process a request for a signature on your I-20? 2111 Holzapfel Hall Only one! 5