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Admissions

Immigration-Maintaining Your Status

MAINTAINING YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS

 

One of the most important responsibilities you will have during your SUBR stay is to maintain your immigration status. This section will assist you in doing that.

 

Remain a Full-Time Student

You must remain a full-time student each fall and spring semester. Failure to enroll as a full-time student is a violation of your immigration status.To be a full-time undergraduate student, you need to take at least 12 class credits during both, the fall and spring semesters. This usually means being registered for at least four classes each semester.

Depending on the SUBR program, the number of class credits required for a graduate level, doctoral or law student to be full-time can vary. Please check with the International Student Advisor to confirm the number of credits you must take each semester to satisfy your full-time status requirement.

 

Keep your Documents Valid

To maintain your immigration status, you must make sure that your passport, and I-20/ DS-2019 remain valid all the time. Your visa needs to be valid each time you enter the U.S.

Your I-20 or DS-2019 will include an anticipated completion date for your studies in the U.S. This date is listed in Section 5 of the I-20 and in Section 3 of the DS-2019. Most students complete their programs in the period of time noted on their I-20 or DS-2019, but occasionally students need an additional semester or more to complete their program. You must consult your International Student Advisor if you need additional time to complete your program, at least 30 days before the completion date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. 

Once your completion date passes, your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire and you may not be able to extend your stay in the U.S. If you are beginning a new program, you must apply for a new I-20 at least 60 days before the completion of your first program. Evidence of funding may be required.

To make sure you keep your passport valid at all times, contact your country’s consulate or embassy for renewal procedures.

Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the day you plan to re- enter the U.S. You cannot enter the U.S. on the F-1 or J-1 visa, using a passport that is less than six months from expiration.

You will always need to maintain a valid F or J visa in order to re-enter the U.S. Check the expiration date on your visa to see when you will need to renew it. Remember, you can only renew it at the U.S. Consulate in your home country. You cannot obtain or renew the visa in the U.S. Know that if your visa expires while you are in the U.S., you do not have to renew it until you leave the U.S. for a vacation in your home country.

If you have a valid visa in an expired passport, always present both, the old and new passport to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer when you re-enter the U.S.

 

Obtain Travel Authorization to Re-Enter The US

Meet with your advisor before you leave the U.S. to obtain the advisor’s travel authorization to re-enter the U.S. If you plan on traveling outside the U.S. during your studies, you must have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed by your International Student Advisor before you leave. The advisor’s travel signature is only valid for a year. Make sure the signature stays current.

If you do not have a current signature on your I-20 or DS-2019, you will have difficulty re-entering the U.S. You should visit your International Student Advisor with your passport that has a valid F-1 visa stamp and I-20 or DS-2019, at least two-three weeks before traveling.

 

Keep your Advisor Informed

  • Changes in Personal Information: Notify your International Student Advisor and your college’s Registrar’s Office within 10 days after obtaining your new address. You must also notify your advisor if there are any changes in your name, citizenship, degree level, major, sources of funding or anticipated graduation date. Your advisor will make the necessary updates to your records in SEVIS. Failure to report changes in your personal information within 10 days of receiving it can place you in danger of losing your student immigration status.
  • Departure from College: Contact your advisor if you plan to leave your college temporarily or permanently. Whether you plan to study abroad, take a leave of absence, withdraw, graduate early, or transfer to another school, you must notify your advisor before leaving.
  • Missing Documents: Contact your advisor immediately if any of your documents are stolen, lost, or misplaced. Your Advisor will instruct you on how to obtain replacement documents. Note: You must always report your lost passport to the police and obtain a police report.

 

Do Not Work Without Authorization

International students are only permitted to work outside the university with permission from either their International Student Advisor or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Working without authorization is a deportable offense. Do not accept any employment unless you have written work authorization.

 

File Income Taxes

As an international student, you are required to file federal income taxes for each year you earn income from U.S. sources including income you make from working in the U.S. and income from scholarships you receive.Taxes are filed between January 1 and April 15 of each year. Visit your International Student Advisor (DSO/RO) for more information.