F VISA RULES & REGULATIONS How to Maintain … Visa Rules and...OTIS CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL...
Transcript of F VISA RULES & REGULATIONS How to Maintain … Visa Rules and...OTIS CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL...
IMPORTANT TERMS PDSO: Primary Designated School Official – Policy DSO: Designated School Official – International Student
Advisor SEVIS: Student Exchange Visitor Information System USCIS: US Citizenship and Immigration Services CPT: curricular practical training OPT: optional practical training EAD: employment authorization document (card)
What is F-1 Status? F visas are a type of non-immigrant student visa that allows
foreigners to pursue education (academic studies and/or language training programs) in the United States.
F-1 visas are only issued in U.S. embassies and consulates outside the United States
F-1 students must show that they are able to support themselves during their stay in the U.S., as their opportunities for legal employment are quite limited
F-2 visas are given to dependents of an F-1 student. F-2 visa-holders are prohibited from any form of compensated employment.
Period of Authorized Stay? Your admission to the U.S. is for “Duration of Status," that is,
for the length of your F-1 status. F-1 status covers the period when you are a full-time
registered student making normal progress toward your degree (or exchange program), plus a period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) following
completion of studies, plus a 60-days "grace period" to prepare to depart the U.S. or
change to another status.
Your length of authorized stay is not related to your F-1 visa expiration date. The F-1 visa is specifically for entry into the U.S. The F-1 visa might expire before your status expires, and your status might end before your visa expires.
Have you checked in yet? New F-1 students are REQUIRED to check in with Registration within 10 days of the start of the semester
Bring your documents to the Registrar -
Ahmanson Hall, Floor 2
I-20 Passport Address of U.S. Residence
Travel Information Travel within the US does not require a travel signature from an Otis DSO
Travel outside the US requires that your I-20/DS2019 be signed for travel by an Otis DSO
Drop off documents at the Registration office one to two weeks prior to international travel
Visa expired? You must apply for and receive a new visa before re-entering the US
We recommend you carry clear copies of your immigration documents if you travel to US border areas or large metropolitan areas
Travel Signature
Your I-20…Must Be Valid At All Times! Program dates are current, and the program information is correct.
A DSO can extend your I-20 BEFORE it expires.
A DSO cannot extend your I-20 AFTER it expires.
You may receive an email alert from the Otis before your I-20 expires.
When your duration of status on your I-20 ends, your F-1 student status will terminate.
Events that Require an Update to your I-20
Visit the DSO in the Registration Office if…
Program Extension Changing Schools Change of Level Change of Major Change of Funding Name Change
Events that Require an Update to your I-20 Visit the DSO in the Career Services Office if… Curricular Practical Training Optional Practical Training
After you received your Form I-20, you applied for an F-1 visa at a US Consulate/Embassy.
Your F-1 visa has an expiration date. If the VISA expires while you are in the US, it is Not a problem.
Travel outside the US requires a valid visa to reenter the US.
Otis provides international travel and immigration information throughout the semester.
Visa Information
I-94 Card Updates If you entered the U.S. after April 26, 2013 your I-94 information is available to you though www.cbp.gov/I94.
Maintain a Valid Passport Your passport must be valid at least 6
months into the future Passport renewal procedures vary,
depending on country – typically, you may renew your passport 6 months prior to the expiration date
Contact your country’s
Embassy/Consulate in the US to determine the procedure for obtaining a new passport
SEVIS Student & Exchange Visitor Information System
Personal Address Information
Financial Information—education funding
Academic Program Information—full time/part time enrollment, major changes, disciplinary actions, extension of program
Employment information: optional/curricular practical training, off campus employment authorization
Termination or completion of study
Dependent information
SEVIS reports the following information to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement):
Are you a new transfer student? A SEVIS transfer (transfer of your SEVIS
record) is different from an academic transfer (transfer of past academic credit and current program)
If you attended another institution in the US
and have not obtained an Otis I-20, you must transfer your SEVIS record to Otis. Contact the Admissions Office to complete this process.
Full-time Enrollment F-1 degree-seeking students must enroll and complete full-time
credit in the fall and spring semesters to maintain lawful immigration status.
ENROLL IN and COMPLETE the required number of units. There are limited reasons for under-enrollment. You
must have permission from a DSO prior to under-enrollment.
12 units Undergrad
9 units Grad
Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
Specific Academic Reasons
Documented Medical Condition
Final Semester Thesis Credit Concurrent Enrollment
ONLINE Courses US immigration regulations limit F-1 students to
only ONE online course per semester toward the minimum full-time enrollment requirement.
You can take more than one online course, but only
one will meet your full-time enrollment requirements.
Independent Study Courses Do not generally count toward the full-time
enrollment requirement. They are not required to be completed within a given semester, nor do they require in-class time.
An Independent Study course must be a degree requirement to count toward full-time enrollment.
The Registration office must have documentation in your file from your academic advisor regarding the necessity of the independent study course.
Other Enrollment Issues “I”—incomplete—or “N” – no credit assigned - grades
do NOT count toward the full-time requirement. Auditing a course does NOT count toward the full-
time requirement. Withdrawal from a course at ANY point in the
semester does NOT count toward the full-time requirement.
Courses that BEGIN in the middle of the semester do NOT count toward the full-time enrollment
You must COMPLETE the required number of Units each fall and spring semester to maintain your
immigration status.
F-2 Dependents F-2 dependents CAN study in a degree program at Otis or
any other degree granting institution part-time or up to 6 units (undergrad) or 4 units (grad).
F-2 dependents must be approved for a change of status to F-1 by the USCIS prior to commencing study at the university. Applications take 6-8 months to be approved by USCIS. Plan Ahead.
The Admissions Office provides support for the application procedure for a change of visa status. Apply at least 6 months in advance.
Employment Options for F-1 Student in the U.S. On Campus Employment Curricular Practical Training Optional Practical Training
On Campus Employment
USCIS allows F-1 students to work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the Fall and
Spring semester without special permission
Employment must be on the Otis campus.
F-1 students may work more than 20 hours per week on campus during school vacations (summer break, spring break and fall break)
ON-Campus Employment Continued…
You can only work on the campus of the school that issued your Current I-20
Minimum GPA-2.0, may vary Must be enrolled in 12 units (undergrad) or 9
units (graduate) for Fall/Spring (per UCSIS and Otis regulations)
ON-Campus Employment Continued To find a job, visit the Career Services. Campus is on a limited budget but there are
several international students working on-campus. Visit Financial Aid to learn about the Otis
Work Study program. Most on-campus jobs involve customer service or
assisting other students Work assignment renewal is done every semester
based on performance
CAUTION! Employment in the US
You must receive permission from USCIS
or Otis to be LEGALLY employed off-campus
OFF CAMPUS Employment Authorization
You may work off-campus ONLY with permission from USCIS or a DSO.
Students cannot apply for off-campus work authorization until
they have been in full-time student status for one academic year.
Otis provides employment authorization workshops each semester – schedule will be posted on the Otis website on or after the third week of semester.
The off campus work options available to F-1 students are known
as CPT and OPT. Attend a workshop for more information.
Social Security Numbers SSNs are issued for tax purposes only. You cannot
receive an SSN for identification purposes. Dependents cannot receive an SSN.
You must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to
work in the US.
The SS-5 form provides complete instructions on SSN applications. Information on obtaining a SSN is available on the International Services website and at the Career Services office.
Termination and Reinstatement A violation of status will result in a termination of
your F-1 status
Students whose F-1 status is terminated may qualify for a Reinstatement of Status
You must apply directly to USCIS requesting reinstatement back into F-1 status
This option is not available for all violations, notably employment violations
Make an appointment with the Center for
International Education for details
Change of Address Procedure F-1 students must update their address with-in ten
days of moving.
Please contact Registration to update your Personal Data.
This is a requirement of your visa status
COMMUNICATION IS KEY! Otis communicates regularly with
students by email. Newsletters are sent out monthly
Bookmark and check the following websites regularly – www.otis.edu www.uscis.gov A complete list of Otis forms and links can be found at: life@otis;
select Registration & Records; followed by, International Students
CPT/OPT employment authorization workshops Your Instructor
I Go See a DSO…When I Need… Contact the Admissions Office for the following reasons
You are a new student seeking to attend Otis Change of Status Advisement You are new student seeking to Transfer-in to Otis College
Available DSOs
Rebekah Kim – Assistant Director
Emily Leon – Admissions Counselor
I Go See a DSO…When I Need… Contact the Registration Office for the following
reasons Academic & Immigration Status Advising Academic Issues (Probation & DQ)
Approval of Benefits Approval to Attend Part-time
Concurrent Enrollment Change of Address forms/ reporting
Driver’s License Information Extension of Program
New Student Check-in Passport or Visa Questions
Severe Economic Hardship Transfer-out Requests
Travel Signatures
Available DSOs
Alia Saeed – Registration Specialist
Rhianna De Hoyos – Registration Office Assistant
I Go See a DSO…When I Need… Contact the Career Services for the following reasons On-Campus Employment Curricular Practical Training Optional Practical Training Social Security Guidelines
Available DSOs Angelina Lee – Associate Director Bernard Pollard –Employment Coordinator
I Go See a P/DSO…When I Need… Contact the Center for International Education for the following reasons Cultural Adjustment Advising Reinstatement Advising Travel Study or Mobility/ Exchange Travel Signatures OPT & CPT Workshops
Available PDSO
Darren Grosch –Director
Otis Staff: Assisting
F-Visa Students
Admissions: Ahmanson Hall, 2nd Floor
Rebekah Kim – Assistant Director (DSO)
Jennie Mynhier – Graduate Admissions Counselor Registration: Ahmanson Hall, 2nd Floor
Alia Saeed – Assistant Registrar (DSO)
Rhianna De Hoyos – Registration Office Assistant Center for Creative Professions: Ahmanson Hall 2nd floor
Angelina Lee – Associate Director (DSO)
Bernard Pollard – Employment Coordinator (DSO) Center for International Education: Student Union, 1st Floor Darren Grosch – Director of International Education (PDSO)
Office Hours
Admissions: 9-5 Registration: 9-5
Career Services: 9-5 Center for International Education: 9-5
Student Resources: 9-5
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Otis General Contact Information
Main Campus: 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone:
Main Line (310) 665-6800
Main Voice Mail (310) 665-6808
Main Fax (310) 665-6801
Emergency Information Line (888) 751-7523
Weekly Events Line (310) 846-2593
Website: www.otis.edu