IMMIGRATION IN THE U.S. F-1 STUDENT ORIENTATION 2013-2014
Slide 3
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN F-1: 1. Key Immigration
Terms 2. Your Visa 3. How to Stay in Status 4. What to Do 5. What
NOT to Do 6. Who Can Help You 7. Useful Resources
Slide 4
IMMIGRATION TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Slide 5
PASSPORT A passport is an official document issued by the
country of which you are a citizen It includes important
identification information such as your name, picture, and
birthdate Make sure to always use your name as it is on your
passport, U.S. visa, and I-20 (Social Security, drivers license,
banking, school records, etc.)
Slide 6
SEVIS SEVIS is the national database of information on students
Keeps information on your I-20, finances, address, work
authorization, course of study, times you left and entered the USA
Anytime you apply for a benefit the agency will look at your SEVIS
record Stay in status
Slide 7
FORM I-20 Official U.S. government document issued by the
school you are attending You need this to get an F-1 (student) visa
Proof from Messiah College to the U.S. government that you are
eligible to be an F-1 student according to law An important
document to keep with you when-ever you travel ALWAYS keep ALL
I-20s (where you have been in school ) The I-20 allows you to gain
F-1 status Get F-1 visa Change status to F-1 Allows you to apply
for other benefits (practical training) WHAT IS THE I-20 FOR?
Slide 8
I-94 A white card stapled in your passport when you arrive in
the U.S. The I-94 records your arrival & departure to and from
the U.S. Shows you entered the country legally and at a legitimate
Port of Entry (POE) The I-94 has your admission number on it One
part of it is retained by USCIS/DHS when you arrive When you leave
the U.S. the I-94 will (should) be taken from you. You will be
issued a new one when you return Required for certain applications
(drivers license, OPT, etc.) Be sure to keep it in your
passport
Slide 9
THE DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL (DSO) The Designated School
Official is there to help you with basic immigration situations,
i.e. signing your I-20 before you go home The PDSO is the Primary
Designated School Official and is the official liaison with the
U.S. government and Messiah (the current PDSO at Messiah College is
John Chopka, Vice President for Enrollment Management) For more
complicated immigration issues, several DSOs may be involved in
your case Seek help from a DSO when you need it or have
questions
Slide 10
WHAT IS A VISA? A visa gives you permission to enter a country
and has to be valid at the time of each entry to the U.S. A visa is
a document (stamp/notification) usually issued in the home country
at an embassy or consulate of the country one is planning to visit
Generally, visas must be renewed in your home country The USA
issues more than 20 types of visas Example: a student in Peru might
get an F-1 stamp from a U.S. consular officer in Lima.
Slide 11
YOUR VISA YOUR F-1 STUDENT VISA IS VERY IMPORTANT
Slide 12
WHAT IS AN F-1 STUDENT VISA? A visa issued by the U.S.
government for people who study in the USA Persons with F-1 visas
must be a full-time students (at least 12 credits per semester)
Obtaining an education must be the main reason for being in the USA
Not everyone can get an F-1 visa The student is responsible to
maintain status
Slide 13
STAYING IN STATUS WHAT YOU MUST KNOW
Slide 14
DURATION OF STATUS (D/S) This is most often found on your I-94
form or in your passport If you are an F-1 (student visa holder)
duration of status means you can stay in the U.S. until you have
finished your education You have a 60-day grace period after your
educational goals are complete before you must leave the U.S. (date
listed on your I-20- line 5) Or you can enroll in a graduate or
doctoral program, or begin Optional Practical Training (OPT) You
must enroll within 60 days after the end date Need a firm plan
prior to graduation
Slide 15
MAINTAINING YOUR VISA STATUS 1.Report to the DSO for SEVIS
registration when you arrive at the school 2.Attend the authorized
school listed on the visa and I-20 3.Pursue a full course of study
(12 credits; few exceptions) 4.Transfer or extend program in a
timely manner; keep status 5.Keep continuity in the program of
study; do not leave the country for more than five (5) months
(unless on approved study-abroad)
Slide 16
MAINTAINING STATUS (CONT.) 6.Make normal progress towards your
degree (no academic probation or suspension) 7.Refrain from
unauthorized work Work ONLY on campus (no more than 20 hours a week
while school is in session) or in authorized work off campus
(Curricular Practical Training or economic hardship work permit)
8.When travelling abroad, always return in proper F-1 status (do
not enter on a B-type visitor/tourist visa or other kind)
Slide 17
MAINTAINING STATUS (CONT.) 9.Keep your passport valid for six
(6) months into the future 10.Report any address changes to the DSO
within 10 days of the change 11.File timely requests for extension
of stay; change of status; transfer; practical training, and other
benefits 12.Do not work, except when specifically authorized under
immigration regulations 13.Obey all state and federal laws; do not
engage in criminal activity 14.Do not get suspended from Messiah
(academic or social)
Slide 18
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? VISA A visa gives you permission to ENTER
a country STATUS Status gives you permission to STAY in a
country
Slide 19
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Slide 20
YOU SHOULD Pass your classes (avoid academic probation) Make
normal progress Pay your bills Keep your documents Notify
immigration advisors of changes Get your documents signed (next
slide) Always be able to prove that you have maintained status
Slide 21
YOU SHOULD GET YOUR I-20 SIGNED The I-20 needs to be signed by
a DSO at the following times: When you leave the country If you
want to do Optional Practical Training or Curricular Practical
Training For extension of status (i.e. changed major and need an
additional semester) If you want to transfer See the DSO for any
other changes/questions
Slide 22
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE USA, YOU SHOULD Get your I-20 signed by the
DSO Get a verification letter from the Registrars Office (you can
request it online) Get a travel letter from a DSO Travel with ALL
of your documents Keep contact/emergency telephone numbers with
you
Slide 23
WHAT NOT TO DO
Slide 24
DO NOT: Drop below 12 credits without special authorization
Work off campus unless authorized Let your passport expire Lose any
of your documents Engage in criminal activity
Slide 25
WHO CAN HELP YOU DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIALS
Slide 26
MESSIAH COLLEGES DSO S Kevin Villegas, Director of
International Student Programs Sarah Wade, Director of
International & Transfer Student Recruitment Gina Hale,
Administrative Assistant for the Intercultural Office Faith
Minnich, Director of International Programs James Sotherden,
Registrar Alisa Wacker, International Admissions Assistant John
Chopka, Vice President for Enrollment(PDSO) Laurie Brantner,
Administrative Assistant for Enrollment Management Ryan Gladwin,
Program Director of MCPC Kevin Villegas Director of ISP, DSO
Slide 27
USEFUL RESOURCES
Slide 28
RESOURCES USCIS:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscishttp://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
- Forms, 8CFR (regulations) Department of Homeland Security:
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtmhttp://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm - OPT,
E-verify, etc. US State Department:
http://www.usembassy.gov/http://www.usembassy.gov/ - Visa info,
wait times, location of U.S. embassies or consulates Your home
country consulate or embassy - renewing your passport