Before coming to the United States, check out the following links for important information. NEW OPT REGULATION April 8, 2008 Read SEVP policy on NAFSA’s
Find the U.S. Embassy closest to your home Visas DHS Special Notice (PDF) Visa Denials (learn why they are denied) Airport Security & Information Travel Issues Port of Entry Fact Sheet for F-1 Visa Holders (PDF) The 30-day period before program start date Now that I am in the United States, what do I need to know? My responsibilities as a F-1 student After completion of F1 studies New Travel Documentation Requirements (updated: October 31, 2006)
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The 30-day period before program start date F-1 students may be admitted to the United States no more than 30 days before the program start date that is stated in SEVIS and in the Form I-20. Now that I am in the United States, what do I need to know? You need to attend the International Student Orientation. SEVIS is the Student Exchange Visitor Information System used by the federal government to monitor your visa status. When you enter the United States, the immigration officer issues the Form I-94 (arrival/departure record) marked with the date and place of entry, your status as an F-1, a 11-digit admission number, and the period of admission that is known as "duration of status" D/S.
This is what an I-94 looks like:
Keep it in a safe place. My responsibilities as a F-1 student It is extremely important for an F-1 student to maintain his or her status. Failure to maintain the status could result in deportation. To maintain F-1 status, students MUST:
There are 5 types of employment available for F-1 students: On-Campus Employment You can work on campus part-time while classes are in session (20 hours per week) and full-time during breaks (40 hours per week). Of course, you have to maintain your F-1 status to do so. You don't have to ask for authorization by your DSO, and it is not a SEVIS-reported event. If you would like to work on-campus, you must go to Financial Aid. They will give you all the information you need regarding on-campus jobs.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) This is off-campus work permission that is granted in conjunction with an internship in your field of study. In other words, it has to be a curricular requirement. It also needs to be approved by your academic advisor. Students have to be enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a year before applying for CPT permission. CPT permission can be granted part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (over 20 hours per week). Students can only use the CPT permission for the specified employer. This permission is reported in SEVIS. The use of full-time CPT for one year or more eliminates the possibility of using OPT. Optional Practical Training (OPT) This is one year of off-campus work permission granted for each level of study obtained in the United States. The goal of this permission is to allow students to gain practical training in the field of their major areas of study. It is available both before and after the completion of the program.
Students may work 20 hours per week if they are doing the OPT while pursuing the full course of study. Students are allowed to work full-time during school breaks or after graduation. The USCIS grants the OPT work permission and issues the Employment Authorization Cards. If you need to apply for OPT you need to see Linda Palumbo Olszanski. Important: The OPT is terminated if the student transfers to another school or begins study at another educational level (for example, advancing from the Bachelor to Master level). Employment Authorized Due to Economic Hardship In order to apply for work permission due to economic hardship, the student has to be enrolled one year before applying for such permission. The student must present his/her case to the USCIS showing that the economic hardship was caused by circumstances beyond the student's control. Employment with an International Organization F-1 students can work for recognized international organizations. (Please visit the Office of Campus Globalization for information regarding the international organizations that qualify within this category.) Students are eligible as long as they maintain good standing in their status. This work experience can be part-time or full-time. The spouse and the unmarried minor children of F-1 students may come to the United States with the F-1 student. They will have F-2 status. F-2 visa holders cannot work. F-2 visa holderscannot engage in full-time study. F-2 children can study full-time only if the study is in an elementary or secondary school. After completion of F-1 studies Options: 1. Apply for OPT after completion of studies. See Optional Practical Training. 2. Depart the United States within 60 days of completing the studies 3. Continue to be a F-1 student by continuing to study at the same institution or another institution 4. Change the immigration status within 60 days of completing the studies Disclaimer: The above information is based on the information of NAFSA Adviser's Manual of federal regulations affecting foreign students and scholars, ISBN 0-912207-63-9. The immigration information on this website aims to provide quick and easy information to students. All F-1 students should interact directly with the Office of Campus Globalization before making any decisions. In the event that a student makes a wrongful decision based on this website's information, Shorter College would not be responsible. |
