UCAN International Student Immigration Update

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UCANInternational Student Immigration Update

• Feb. 21, 2008
• Dotty Horton
• Director, International Advising

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Intl Student Immigration Update

• International Studies and Programs
• www.international.unt.edu
• International Advising
• 940-565-2195

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Intl Student Immigration Update

• Dotty Horton, Director 2206
• F, J, H, UNT PR
• Adam Harold, Asst Director -2210
• F, J
• Eve Su, Advisor - 2208
• F

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Immigration- Agencies

• Agencies
• Department of State
• Visa Issuance
• J Exchange Program

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Agencies cont.

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• 1. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• All ports of entry
• 2. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• SEVIS- F, J, M visas
• Enforcement
• 3. US Citizenship and Immigration Services
  (USCIS)
• Benefits

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Documents

• Passport
• Identity document
• Issuing country will take holder back

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IMMIGRATION
Document - Visa

• The computerized label in the passport, issued
  by the U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
• It qualifies individuals to arrive at a U.S.
  border or airport, and apply for admission in a
  particular classification.
• The expiration date on the visa DOES NOT affect
  your stay in the U.S.

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IMMIGRATION
I-20 Front

• Eligibility to apply for F-1 or F-2 Visa
• Inside U.S., shows F-1 details.

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IMMIGRATION
DS-2019
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IMMIGRATION
Document 4 - I-94

• The small, white card perhaps stapled into the
  passport, opposite the visa.
• It shows what immigration status you hold in the
  U.S.
• DO NOT lose this card.
• Carry a photocopy.

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Documents

• I-94
• Official record of admission and departure
• Official record of status in U.S.
• Any mistakes should be corrected by CBP
• Shows how long allowed in U.S.
• For Fs and Js will be duration of status (D/S)
• Replacement cost is 320

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Visa Types F-1

• Must show intent to return to home country
• Issued for a program with objective
• Must be full-time student
• 12 credits undergrad
• What is required by school for grad 9/3 at UNT

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F-1 cont.

• FT Enrollment Exceptions allowed by regulation
• 1. Academic One term during degree
  program-min 6 credits enrollment
• A. Initial problem with English or
  reading requirements or
• B. American teaching methods (when
  beginning studies here) or

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F-1 Cont.

• C. Improper course placement
• 2. Final Semester
• A. completing all requirements this
  semester
• 3. Medical 1 yr. aggregate
• PT or 0 credits
• Treated in US.
• Documentation from Licensed MD, OD, or
  clinical psychologist

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F-1 cont.

• FT authorization process
• 1. Form from Intl Advising or on website must
  be completed and signed by academic advisor.
  (except for medical) If advisor does not agree,
  advisor does not have to sign!
• 2. Student submits to Intl Advising
• 3. Intl Advising notifies SEVIS and issues a
  new I-20 with the authorization/per sem.

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F-1 cont.

• On-Line Classes
• F-1 Regulation allows one 3 cr. on-line course to
  count toward the 12 or 9 cr. minimum enrollment.
• If more than one course, a process to show that
  there is an on-campus component. See
• http//cdl.unt.edu/index2.cfm?M15SM17SSF5PF
  Visa (under faculty/staff policies)

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• Form from CDL must be completed by faculty. One
  copy to them and one to us. We must have this to
  keep student legal and report to SEVIS
  appropriately.

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F-1 cont.

• Employment on campus
• Incident to status (no special permission)
• Up to 20 hours per week during school
• Up to full-time during vacation when not enrolled
• Can not average time week to week
• If you ask student to work longer, student is out
  of status, and UNT has violated regulation
• Only way to get back in to status leave US and
  reenter. Can not fix in US.

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F-1 cont.

• Off campus employment
• 1. CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
• Required of all for degree or
• For credit, course requires employment
• School develops policy
• PT no limit to length of time used
• FT- no limit, but if use 12 mo, can not use
  OPT

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F-1 cont.

• CPT (Curricular Practical Training) cont.
• Regulation says employment experience must be
  an integral part of degree. This does not
  mean required.
• Authorization is specific to an employer and
  dates of employment
• If PT CPT (enrollment
• If FT CPT ( 20 hrs per week) then enrollment

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F-1 cont.

• CPT reality
• Students may need a way to keep their CPT
  job until Oct 1 when the H employment cycle
  begins.
• The H quota is in crisis situation. Some
  students are trying to hold on to a job until
  they can get an H.

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F-1 cont.

• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• 12 month allotment per higher degree
• Can be used during degree half time while FT
  student
• Masters and PHD can use FT after completion of
  coursework
• Most students save for after degree

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F-1 cont.

• OPT cont
• Must be in major field of study
• Do not need job offer to apply
• Post degree must have app at Immigration before
  completion
• Costs 340
• Process takes several months.
• Required workshop every Tues 345 in KH

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F-1 cont.

• Completion
• Immigration considers the student through at
  completion of last degree requirement.
• They do not look at graduation
• If there is a last requirement, such as capstone,
  the student still must be enrolled. (If the
  student is not enrolled, we must report it.
  Student will be o/s and at risk of deportation.)
• If just quitting school, must report to Intl Adv.