Staying in Status Maintaining F-1 or J-1 Status

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Staying in StatusMaintaining F-1 or J-1 Status

• University of South Carolina
• International Student Services

Revised Fall 2009
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SEVIS

• SEVIS is a federal government database of the
  USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
  containing student information on F, J, and M
  visa holders.

This is an electronic immigration record while
you are in F, J, or M visa status.
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• International Student Services
• uses SEVIS to
• Produce I-20 DS-2019 documents
• Request benefits on behalf of F J students
  (i.e., work authorization)
• Report your enrollment each term
• Report any changes in your personal or academic
  information
• Report any violations of your F or J visa status

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• International Student Services is responsible for
  maintaining your SEVIS record.
• Help us keep it
• current and accurate!

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• If you
• Leave the country for a semester,
• Change to another visa status,
• Apply for permanent residency, or
• Complete studies and leave the U.S.
• Please tell us!
• Help us maintain your SEVIS record.

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Keep documents current!

• Do not let your passport expire.

• Do not let your I-20/DS-2019 expire. If you need
  an extension, apply for it before the document
  expires.

• Update your I-20 with major or degree changes.
  J-1s should consult their sponsor before making
  academic changes.

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Length of Stay

• The amount of time given on your immigration
  document is an estimate, which may be extended or
  shortened based on the time you need to complete
  the degree.
• Your F-1 or J-1 stay comes to an end when you
  complete studies.

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Completion of Studies

• Students with coursework requirements only
• F-1 or J-1 stay ends the last day of term in
  which you complete coursework requirements.
• Students writing a thesis or dissertation
• F-1 or J-1 stay ends the last day of term in
  which you defend your thesis or dissertation.

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Grace Period

• F-1 60 days to leave U.S. or transfer to a new
  degree upon completion or termination of studies
• J-1 30 days to leave U.S. or transfer to a new
  degree upon completion or termination of studies
• F-2 or J-2 dependents may not remain after the
  F-1 or J-1 has permanently left the U.S.

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Keep your Address Current!

• USCIS requires that you report your address to
  USC within 10 days of moving.
• Update your address in VIP. International
  Student Services will forward your information to
  SEVIS.

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Entry Visas
If your entry visa has expired (the visa in your
passport) and if you are inside the U.S., thats
ok!
If your entry visa has expired and you are
outside of the U.S., you will need to renew it
before re-entering.
You cannot renew a visa inside the
U.S.
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Travel Re-entry
Before traveling outside the U.S., be sure your
I-20 or DS-2019 has been signed for travel at
International Student Services. (See page 3 of
your I-20 or page 1 of your DS-2019)
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Enrollment Requirements for Maintaining Status

• All international students on F-1 or J-1 visas
  must enroll in a full course of study each fall
  and spring term.

• Full-time enrollment
• 12 credit hours minimum, Undergraduates
• 9 credit hours minimum, Graduates
• 6 credit hours minimum, Grad. Assistants

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Other Enrollment Concerns

• Only ONE (1) online course (per semester) counts
  towards full time enrollment
• Summer enrollment is optional, unless required
  for a GA position.
• If you withdraw from a course, and you fall below
  the minimum number of credits, you will be
  under-enrolled and out of status.
• If you audit a course (take a course without
  earning a grade), the course will not count
  toward your full-time enrollment.

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Possible Exemptions from Full-Time Enrollment

• Illness or injury
• Difficulties with English language or reading
  requirements difficulty with American teaching
  methods
• Improper course-level placement
• All coursework completed except
  thesis/dissertation
• You are in your final semester of study.

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Exemptions from Full-Time Enrollment
For an exemption, contact International Student
Services BEFORE you under-enroll. See an
international student advisor.
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Five-Month Absence from U.S.

• A 5-month absence from the U.S. terminates your
  F-1 status (some exceptions exist).
• Students who have interrupted their F-1 status
  are not eligible for off-campus work benefits
  until they have completed 9 months in F-1 status
  after re-entry.

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Employment Basics

• NEVER ...

work without employment authorization!
Any unauthorized employment is a violation of
your F-1 status.
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Employment Conditions for F-1 Students

• Student is in good academic standing
• Student continues to engage in a full course of
  study each semester
• Employment totals no more than 20 hours per week,
  except during official school breaks/vacations
• The employment must be considered ON-CAMPUS
• Work authorization ends when the program of
  study ends or when the students program
  is terminated.

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Employment Conditionsfor J-1 Students

• Student is in good academic standing
• Student continues to engage in a full course of
  study each semester
• Employment totals no more than 20 hours per week,
  except during official school breaks/ vacations
• The employment must be considered ON-CAMPUS
• Work authorization ends when the program of study
  ends or when the students program is terminated.
• Your program sponsor must approve the work in
  advance, in writing.

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On-Campus Employment

• Includes graduate assistantships, jobs in the
  school library, cafeteria, and administrative
  offices, etc.
• Companies that are located on campus, but are NOT
  providing school services are not considered
  on-campus employment.

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Unauthorized Employment

• Very serious violation of your visa status
• Obligation to report unauthorized employment to
  SEVIS
• Not a fixable problem inside the U.S.

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Off-campus Employment Authorization

• Economic Hardship (F-1 J-1)
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (F-1 only)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) (F-1 only)
• International Organization (F-1)
• Academic Training (J-1 only)

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Off-campus EmploymentAuthorization (F-1 J-1)

• Economic Hardship
• work authorization for unexpected and severe
  financial difficulties

Always see an international student
advisor regarding off-campus employment
questions. Do not work off-campus without
receiving authorization from International
Student Services.
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Off-campus EmploymentAuthorization (F-1 only)

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• work authorization for employment situations that
  are required to complete your degree

Always see an international student
advisor regarding off-campus employment
questions. Do not work off-campus without
receiving authorization from International
Student Services.
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Off-campus EmploymentAuthorization (F-1 only)

• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• work authorization permitting up to 12 months of
  work experience in your field of study

Always see an international student
advisor regarding off-campus employment
questions. Do not work off-campus without
receiving authorization from International
Student Services.
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Off-campus EmploymentAuthorization (F-1 only)

• International Organization
• work authorization permitting work with certain
  international organizations

Always see an international student
advisor regarding off-campus employment
questions. Do not work off-campus without
receiving authorization from International
Student Services.
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Off-campus EmploymentAuthorization (J-1 only)

• Academic Training
• work authorization for off-campus work in your
  field of study for up to 18 months (or longer for
  post-doc work)

Do not work off-campus without receiving written
authorization from your program sponsor.
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Off-campus Employment Options

• Internships that are required to fulfill
  coursework and degree requirements
• USC Co-operative Education Program

Require CPT (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1)

• Other work opportunities

Require OPT (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1) work
authorization or Economic Hardship, if eligible
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Dependent Visa Benefits

• F-2 No work benefits cannot be pursuing a
  degree, but can take courses for recreational
  purposes only
• J-2 Can apply to USCIS for work benefits can
  pursue study

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Tax Information

• International students working on-campus should
  complete a tax information form. Submit to
  Byrnes Building, Rm. 212
• Tax reporting (February April) to the IRS
  Internal Revenue Service
• Students who have not worked may still need to
  establish residency with the IRS.
• CINTAX software available

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Enrollment for Student Health Insurance

• USC requires all graduate students and
  international students to carry health insurance
  coverage.
• All J-1 students are required by immigration
  regulations to carry health insurance for
  themselves and their dependents.

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Enrollment for Student Health Insurance

• The university health insurance provider is
• Pearce and Pearce, Inc.
• www.studentinsurance.com.
• Enrollment information is also available at the
  Thomson Student Health Center.

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Health Insurance Waiver

• You will be billed for the student health
  insurance policy, unless you request a waiver
  online through Pearce Pearces website.
• To request a waiver you must demonstrate you have
  comparable health insurance coverage.

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Meeting with Advisors

• Walk-in advising is offered Tuesday-Friday, from
  100-430
• Other hours available by appointment
• Call International Student Services, 777-7461,
  to schedule an appointment.

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• Got an immigration question?
• iss_at_sc.edu
• An international student advisor will respond.
• Helpful websites
• www.sa.sc.edu/iss
• www.uscis.gov