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Immigration Guidelines: Staying in Status
The International and Study Abroad Center (ISAC) provides international students with information about immigration laws. The staff at the center assist students in dealing with the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS). The center does not enforce the laws nor does it act as a police agency. It does hold records and maintains records in SEVIS, the Student Exchange Visitor Information System.
It is the responsibility of each student to understand and follow regulations of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). Students should also read page 2 of their I-20. For a copy of that document, please ask at the ISAC.
Personnel at the ISAC will answer any questions you may have about these regulations and procedures. Regulations change from time to time. If you have questions about possible changes in laws that may affect you, please contact the ISAC.
The Responsibility Of All Students on an F-1 Student Visa.
- COMPLETE YOUR TRANSFER TO ULV. Be certain to complete your transfer within 15 days of the first day of classes. You will need to sign the new I-20 issued to you by ULV. If you don't, you will fall out of status.
- KEEP YOUR I-20 CURRENT.
Your I-20 is an important document so keep it in your passport and in a safe place.
You will need this document when you:
- travel outside of the U.S.
- apply for campus employment or employment through practical training
- transfer to another school,
- apply for a social security card and a drivers license or identification
- KEEP YOUR PASSPORT VALID AT ALL TIMES.
If your passport expires, you might not be able to travel to your home country. This is very important in cases of emergency.
Your passport can be renewed at the nearest consulate of your country and addresses and phone numbers of many consulates are available in a Los Angeles City telephone book or on the web at the following site: http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/ - KNOW WHEN YOUR VISA EXPIRES. (YOUR VISA IS THE STAMP IN YOUR PASSPORT, GIVEN YOU BY THE U.S. CONSULATE IN YOUR COUNTRY) Visas are for entry into the U.S. Students on an F-1 visa may remain in the U.S. if they are pursing a full time course of studies. If your visa expires while you are studying, you will need to renew it the next time you return home or otherwise leave the U.S. To avoid difficulties in re-entering the U.S., discuss travel plans with an international student advisor.
REMEMBER....IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO RENEW YOUR VISA WHILE YOU ARE IN THE U.S. THE RENEWAL OF YOUR VISA MUST BE DONE AT A U.S. CONSULATE OUTSIDE THE U.S. THE BEST CHOICE IS THE CONSULATE IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY, AS THIS USUALLY PROVIDES FEWER COMPLICATIONS.
- ALWAYS ENROLL IN A FULL PROGRAM OF STUDY Undergraduate students must carry a minimum of 12 units per 14-16 week terms (called semesters). Graduate Students must carry 8-9 units each of two 14-16 week semesters or at least 6 units for three 10-12 week terms.
- WHEN YOU LEAVE THE U.S., HAVE YOUR I-20 SIGNED BY THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR.
This is done on page 3 of the I-20 Student Copy. You also need an endorsed I-20 to cross the border into Canada or Mexico, even if you are going for a few hours. BRING YOUR I-20 TO THE OFFICE AT LEAST 5 DAYS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.
I-20's are not needed for travel in the 50 states of the U.S. However, if you travel to the San Diego area you should carry your I-20 as there are immigration checkpoints in the region.
We recommend that you carry a copy of your passport, I-94 and I-20 with you at all times--to be safe.
- NOTIFY THE ISAC IF YOU:
- Do not register for any reason, including health and financial problems
- Change your major and/or your graduation date changes.
- Plan to transfer to another school
- Graduate
- Move
- Have an I-20 that is going to expire.
- OTHER USEFUL IMMIGRATION INFORMATION
- I-94 ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE RECORD
This white card is stapled in your passport when you arrive in the U.S. Together with your I-20, it is your permit to reside and will be given to officials at the border when you depart the U.S., except when visiting Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days. Like the I-20, the I-94 will have D/S, or "duration of status" stamped. When it is stamped with D/S, the I-94 is good -as long as you are pursuing a "full course of study." It remains valid for 60 days after graduation.
- WORK OPPORTUNITIES
See also the document "What employees should know about hiring International Students." This document answers questions about working off campus. You may get a copy in the ISAC. You may also find it on the web at: http://www.region12.nafsa.org/ scroll down to click on the link "What employees should know about hiring International Students."
- On-Campus Employment.
International students in good academic standing who are pursuing a full course of study may work on campus up to 20 hours per week, or 40 hours per week during vacations. Students must receive a job offer from a ULV Department and a letter of endorsement from the ISAC. Students must have a social security number and all on campus work must terminate at graduation. - Practical Training
Practical training is granted to students who are in good standing and who have been studying in the U.S. for at least 9 months (two terms). An F-1 student may apply for OPT before completion of study. OPT must relate directly to your field of study and is limited to one year. An F-1 student may apply for post-completion optional practical training 120 days before completion of his/her program of study. Details are available at the International and Study Abroad Center. - Curricular Practical Training
An F-1 student may also participate in academic internships, cooperative education and similar programs, when those programs are an integral part of their curriculum. Students may apply for CPT after having been in F-1 status for 9 months (two semesters or three terms).
- I-94 ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE RECORD
