F-1 Student

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F-1 Student

• International Student Orientation
• January 25, 2007

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F-1 Student Status

• Status refers to the actual activity for which a
  person has been admitted to the United States.
• In the case of F-1 that activity is student.

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F-1 Visa

• The visa is the actual document in the passport.
  It is authorization from the US Department of
  State to present yourself at a port or point of
  entry to the United States and request admission
  to enter the US in a particular status.
• The F-1 visa indicates that you wish to enter the
  US as a student.

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Important documents for the F-1 Student

• A valid passport from your country of
  citizenship.
• A valid U.S. F-1 type visa
• A valid SEVIS I-20
• A valid I-94
• must be valid only when entering the U.S.

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(No Transcript)
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SEVIS I-20-See Sample I-20

• Important Items on I-20
• Page 1
• Name and other personal and school information
  are correct and the same as your passport and or
  visa
• Item 5 the end date is very important.
• Page 2
• Page 3 Signatures

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United States I-94 Card
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Duration of Status (D/S)

• The student is admitted to the United States for
  duration of status, defined as the time during
  which the student is pursuing a full course of
  study at an educational institution
• The US government grants duration of status to
  F-l students by entering the notation D/S in
  the upper right corners of Form I-20 and the Form
  I-94)
• Duration of status also extends to the students
  time spent engaging in authorized practical
  training following completion of studies, plus 60
  days grace period to prepare for departure from
  the United States.

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Duration of Status (D/S) continued

• The student is considered to be maintaining
  status if he or she is making normal progress
  toward completing a full course of study.
• If you successfully complete an academic program
  and apply and are accepted to another academic
  program at the same school or to another
  educational institution then your status as
  student continues AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE
  GUIDELINES REQUIRED FOR TRANSFERING YOUR STATUS
  FROM ONE DEGREE PROGRAM TO ANOTHER DEGREE
  PROGRAM.
• If you choose to transfer mid-degree from one
  educational institution to another institution,
  you must follow the appropriate procedures for
  the transfer of your F-1 status.

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Maintaining Status

• The student must
• Once admitted to the United States in F-1 status,
  an international student must follow the rules in
  order to maintain status.
• Maintain a valid passport at all times
• Attend the school he or she was authorized to
  attend

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Maintaining Status continued

• REGISTERED FOR and MAINTAIN ACADEMIC CREDITS
  EQUAL TO FULL TIME ACCORDING TO YOUR DEGREE LEVEL
  EVERY SEMESTER
• 12 credits for Undergraduate Student
• 9 credits for Graduate Student without an
  Assistantship
• 6 credits for Graduate Student with an authorized
  Assistantship
• Full time thesis continuation

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Maintaining Status continued

• Seek permission FIRST from the International
  Student Center for a Reduced Course Load (RCL)
  for the following reasons only
• either first semester adjustment to new
  educational system,
• Last semester because the number of credits
  required for completion of program is less than
  full time
• for medical reasons with documentation from a
  medical professional.
• Graduate students must be registered for
  Continuation of Thesis when credit course work
  is completed and research project or thesis is
  being prepared

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Maintaining Status continued

• Follow certain procedures for Program Extensions.
  A program extension is required if the student
  must remain in the United States longer then
  completion of studies date in Item 5 on the
  most recent Form I-20.
• If your completion-of-studies date has expired or
  if you do not meet the other eligibility
  requirements for a program extension, you may
  need to immediately consult with the
  International Student Center.

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What happens if I do not maintain status?

• Failure to follow the regulations can result in
  loss of status which places the students
  presence in the U.S. in jeopardy.
• Students must know and follow the regulations for
  their visa type.
• The University is REQUIRED by law to report to
  SEVIS on your activities including failure to
  maintain status.
• If you fail to maintain your status then you will
  have to apply to US CIS for reinstatement or in
  some cases leave the U.S. and re-enter to
  establishment legal status again

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Employment in F-1 Status

• New students with F-1 status may only work on
  campus until they have been registered for a full
  academic year.
• Total number of hours worked must be twenty hours
  weekly, during the Fall and Spring semester.
• During the Winter intercession and Summer
  vacation the total number of hours worked may be
  up to forty per week.

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Employment in F-1 Status

• International Students are eligible for any non
  work study position on campus.
• International Students may only work off-campus
  with permission of the International Student
  Center and USCIS.

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What is SEVIS?

• SEVIS is the acronym for Student and Exchange
  Visitor Information System.
• Since January of 2003, all international students
  who have required an I-20 have had an electronic
  record created in the database SEVIS.
• All educational institutions who admit and enroll
  F, J or M visa students MUST, by law, use SEVIS.
• SEVIS requires the University to report the
  activities of each student regularly.

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What must be reported to SEVIS by the University?

• Your initial arrival and registration for classes
  at UMass Dartmouth
• Your full time registration every semester, and
  the dates when the semester begins and ends
• Pre-authorized reduced course load (RCL)
• Unauthorized reduced course load (RCL) or
  withdrawal from all classes without prior
  approval
• Your current US address
• Any change to a new address. You must notify the
  ISC within 10 days of the move to your new
  address
• Any changes to your name
• Transfers to another school
• Authorized off campus employment
• Unauthorized off campus employment
• Any failure to maintain status

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When Must I Leave the United States?

• If you remain in duration of status by the
  definitions above and if the date of completion
  on your current Form I-20 is still in the future,
  then you may remain in the country to complete
  your authorized program objectives.
• However, as soon as your program is finished, for
  example, either when you complete your academic
  program requirements, or when you reach the end
  of your authorized post-completion practical
  training (OPT) you will enter your grace period
  and must be prepared to leave the country within
  sixty days. You may not work or study during the
  grace period.
• You may not remain in the US after you complete
  your degree program (and the sixty days grace
  period) unless you have been authorized for post
  completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), are
  admitted and enroll in another degree program, or
  change your status.

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When Must I Leave the United States continued?

• If you must end your participation in the
  academic program, either for personal reasons or
  academic dismissal then you are no longer in
  status. In this case you must leave the U.S.
  immediately and are not eligible for the 60 days
  grace period
• If you fail to follow the regulations, fall out
  of status you apply for reinstatement and are
  denied, you will be required to leave the U.S.
• If you must take an academic leave of absence for
  personal or medical reasons from your program you
  must consult with the International Student
  Center regarding your status

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IMPORTANT E-MAIL and a Web Addresses for all
International Students

• You may contact us at
• INTL_Office_at_umassd.edu
• We will contact you with important information by
  using the list
• ISO_at_umassd.edu
• Our WEB Address www.umassd.edu/international_stud
  ents/