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Immigration Issues

Immigration Issues. F-1 Student Visa Information. Immigration Issues at a Glance. What is an F-1 student? Important immigration forms Maintaining F-1 status Assessment. What is an F-1 student?.

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Immigration Issues

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  1. Immigration Issues F-1 Student Visa Information

  2. Immigration Issues at a Glance • What is an F-1 student? • Important immigration forms • Maintaining F-1 status • Assessment

  3. What is an F-1 student? • F-1 students are non-immigrants who pursue a full course of study to obtain a specific educational objective (Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D.) • F-1 students are registered in SEVIS (the Student Exchange & Visitor Information System) • F-1 students are expected to return to their home country after they have achieved their academic objective

  4. Important Immigration Forms • Passport • Visa • I-94 Card • Form I-20

  5. Passport • To be on the safe side, passports should be valid 6 months into the future at all times • It is possible to renew your passport in the U.S. at your embassy. Find your embassy in the D.C. metro area • Some countries have an agreement with the U.S. that allows their citizens to enter and exit the U.S. up until the actual expiration date of the passport

  6. F-1 Visa Visa status Expiration date SEVIS number

  7. Visa versus Status • The terms visa and status are two different concepts that need to be clarified: • A visa is the physical stamp in your passport. It may expire while you are continuing your studies in the U.S. and this will not negatively affect your F-1 status. If your visa expires and you leave the U.S., you will need to renew your visa before trying to re-enter the U.S. to continue your studies • Status is a state of being. It is intangible. Steps to maintain your F-1 status will be given later on in this Orientation

  8. I-94 Card I-94 departure/arrival number Airport code where you entered the U.S. Date and status on which you entered the U.S. Explanation of D/S on next slide…

  9. D/S = Duration of Status 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)

  10. Form I-20

  11. Form I-20 Close-up Education level Field of study Date by which you must report to the University Date by which you are expected to complete your degree program

  12. Maintaining F-1 Status • Valid immigration documents • Full course of study • Work authorization • Verifying information in SEVIS • Travel & Special Registration

  13. Maintaining F-1 Status continued… 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 U.S.

  14. Maintaining F-1 Status continued… 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 • Click here for a more detailed explanation of the units system for graduates

  15. Maintaining F-1 Status continued… 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

  16. Maintaining F-1 Status continued… Verifying information in SEVIS • Students must verify their addresses and contact information at the beginning of each semester (August and January) • If you move, you must verify your new address in SEVIS within 10 days of your move

  17. Maintaining F-1 Status continued… Special Registration (NSEERS) • Students from the following countries are subject to Special Registration: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria • For more information, visit the ICE website

  18. So You’re Traveling • To re-enter the United States after traveling abroad for a short time, the following documents are required: • Valid passport • Valid U.S. Visa • Valid form I-20 • If the information on the I-20 is correct, you will need a travel signature on the 3rd page of your I-20. Travel signatures are valid for 5 months. Drop your I-20 off at the IES front desk (3116 Mitchell Building). You may pick it up after 2:00 pm on the next business day. Please fill out a travel form when submitting your I-20 • All previously-issued I-20s • Current proof of financial support • Transcripts* • Proof of current enrollment* *Not required, but recommended

  19. Questions? • At any point during your degree program, if you have immigration, academic or personal questions, please feel free to stop by International Education Services (IES) to speak with an International Student Advisor • 3116 Mitchell Building, (301) 314-7740, iesadv@umd.edu • Appointment & walk-in schedule: http://www.international.umd.edu/ies/83 • Our website is also a great resource that you may use at any time • http://www.international.umd.edu/ies

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