1. USCIS = United States Citizen and Immigration Services (formerly INS, BCIS) DSO = Designated School Official (International Student Coordinator) SEVIS = Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Abbreviations

2. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain status. Maintaining F-1 Status

3. You must maintain a full-time course load throughout the academic year  CAS/SBA (day session) Undergraduates at least 12 credits each semester  SPCS (evening) Undergraduates at least 9 credits each trimester  MBA and MS in Accountancy at least 6 credits per trimester  MA in ED at least 6 credits per trimester OR 9 credits per semester Maintaining F-1 Status (cont’d)

4. Reporting Requirement for Colleges ! The DSO is mandated by law to update every student’s record to reflect registration in SEVIS within 30 days of the add/drop period AND any subsequent changes within 21 days of the change. For example, if an undergraduate registers for 12 credits during the registration period (prior to add/drop deadline) he will be registered as full-time in SEVIS. If he then withdraws from a class and is now only enrolled in 9 credits his SEVIS record will be “terminated” because he has dropped below full-time without authorization. Once a SEVIS record is “terminated” immigration is aware that you are out of status and you may face consequences of deportation, denial of re-entry to the US, inability to change degree level, denial of requests for Practical Training, denial of requests to change visa status, and possible denial of future visa applications. You are STRONGLY ADVISED to speak to your DSO before dropping any courses. Academic advisors are not trained in immigration regulations. Your status is your responsibility. Maintaining F-1 Status (cont’d)

5. Must maintain normal progress towards completing your course of studies before the completion date on your I-20 Must keep I-20 valid by following the procedure for any change in information appearing on the I-20 Extension of Stay – must be entered into SEVIS before I-20 expires – valid reason for extension must be logged Change of Major – once filed in the Enrollment Services Center notify DSO immediately Change in Degree – once filed in the Enrollment Services Center notify DSO immediately Change in Schools – notify DSO of intent to transfer before the expiration of the 60 day grace period following program completion Maintaining F-1 Status (cont’d)

6. You must not remain in the United States longer than 60 days after completing your degree unless prior to completion you have followed the procedures for applying for practical training, moving educational levels or school transfer.  Remaining in the US illegally for 120 days to 1 year will carry a ban of 3 years barred from entering the United States.  Remaining in the US illegally for over 1 year will carry a ban of 10 years barred from entering the United States. Change of address – notify the DSO of change of US address within 10 days of the move. Only those subject to NSEERS registration must file AR-11 in addition to notifying the DSO.  You must specifically notify the DSO – call, e-mail or stop by. Changing address in any other College office will not get the information to the DSO and your reporting burden will not be met. You must keep a valid passport at all times (unless exempt). You must not work unless specifically authorized by USCIS. Maintaining F-1 Status (cont’d)

7. Authorized Leave of Absence or Less Than Full-Time Pre-Approval - You are only legally allowed to be enrolled less than full-time in the FINAL SEMESTER or TRIMESTER of your last year PRESUMING that the reduced course load is all that you need to graduate. Any other term in your academic career you need DSO permission BEFORE dropping below full-time. There are certain circumstances for this to be legally authorized. Zero Tolerance for unauthorized drops below full-time! No other administrator is trained in immigration law. Even if a dean or program administrator gives you permission academically to skip a semester you may not be in compliance with immigration law. You must obtain permission from your DSO who will update your SEVIS record. Request for Less Than Full-Time

8. Authorized Leave of Absence or Less Than Full-Time DSO authorization will only be considered in the following legally recognized circumstances: 1.Medical bring DSO an original letter from a licensed medical doctor (note: the law limits the type of permissible doctors). partial reduction of credits or term leave may be authorized throughout the academic program no more than 12 months medical reduction may be authorized 2.Academic Difficulty cannot be reduced beyond 6 credits only an option for first year students having initial difficulties with the English language, reading requirements, American teaching methods, or improper course level placement Request for Less Than Full-Time

9. NOTE: Dropping below full-time (or not registering at all) because of a treasurer’s hold will absolutely not be authorized. As an F-1 student you had to prove sufficient funds to study. USCIS does not allow less than full-time for financial reasons. Authorized Leave of Absence or Less Than Full-Time How to get authorization: 1.See the DSO to obtain the form “Request for Less Than Full-Time” 2.Bring the form to the Dean/Program Administrator for academic permission 3.Return the form to the DSO for final approval and update of SEVIS record Request for Less Than Full-Time

10. Optional Practical Training (OPT) Important  To be eligible the international student must have maintained F-1 status for 1 full academic year.  The permit may be used for off-campus employment.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT BEFORE PROGRAM COMPLETION  Eligible students have a total of 12 months of full-time practical training per degree level. These 12 months may be used before or after graduation.  If used after graduation the request must be for a full-time permit. (not able to apply during the 60 day grace period  If used before graduation, during the academic year, the request must be for part-time employment. Using part-time optional practical training will detract from post-completion optional practical training at a 50% rate. (Example. If you use 4 months of part-time optional practical training it will count as 2 full months of optional practical training. You would then have a maximum of 10 months of full-time optional practical training remaining.)

11. How to Apply for Optional Practical Training 1.Bring the following items to the DSO: a.Completed form I-765 (available at www.uscis.gov)www.uscis.gov – at #16 use code ( c ) ( 3 ) ( i ) a.$180 Check or Money Order payable to "US Citizenship and Immigration Services" b.Passport c.I-94 card d.All previous I-20s e.2 ADIT style photos (instruction sheet available from DSO) 2.As long as you are eligible your request will be entered in SEVIS and you will be given a new I-20 which includes the OPT authorization 3.The DSO will help assemble and copy the packet for SPC records and for your records. 4.The Student mails the package to the Vermont Service Center – certified recommended OPT (cont’d)

12. If you do not receive your EAD card within 90 days of USCIS receipt see your DSO. Such a delay is not normal. However, there is no “rush service” with EAD cards. Application must be pending for at least 90 days of receipt notice for any of the following actions to be taken: The DSO can report it to have a government liaison check its status and determine if there are any problems. Interim EAD cards – If a student has an application pending for longer than 90 days and hasn’t received a decision from Vermont, he may apply in person at the local district office for an interim card. He should bring a copy of all documents that were sent to Vermont AND a copy of the receipt which proves payment. This can be done at the Newark District Office any weekday excluding Wednesday. OPT (cont’d)

13. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Important  To be eligible the international student must have maintained F-1 status for 1 full academic year.  The permit must be used for off-campus employment in the field of the student’s academic major.  Must have an offer letter from the prospective employer AND campus approval (usually through the Office of Cooperative Education) for credit.  Students may engage in Curricular Practical Training on a part-time basis during the academic year and on a full-time basis during the winter/summer breaks.  12 months or less of Curricular Practical Training will NOT detract from the 12 months of Optional Practical Training that international students are entitled to.

14. 3 Steps of Transfer: 1.Notify the SPC DSO of intent to transfer to a specific school before expiration of 60 day grace period following program completion. Your SEVIS record will be released to the transfer school using the date we enter into the system. Once released we cannot access your record or undo the record transfer. 2.The transfer school will then have access to a portion of your SEVIS information when the release date is reached. They will use this partial record to complete a new I-20 for your new program. If you are planning to travel in the summer you should request this I-20 which will be marked “transfer pending” 3.When you actually begin classes at the transfer school the school will report registration in SEVIS thereby completing the transfer. An I-20 printed for you will be marked “continued attendance” Transferring to Another School

15. Under immigration law when transferring you must begin your new program during the transfer school’s next regular term in the academic year or within 5 months whichever is earlier. Example 1: If a student who graduated SPC on August 21 st gets accepted to New York University for a graduate program with fall semesters beginning on September 2 nd and spring semesters beginning on January 2 nd she can only transfer into the fall semester. If she defers her attendance to January she is not eligible to transfer her I-20 even though it is within 5 months. In this case, the next regular term (fall) begins earlier than the 5 month window. Example 2: A graduate student completes his studies during Winter Trimester on February 21 st. He gets accepted into a PhD program on a semester schedule beginning on September 3 rd. Although it is the next available term it begins later than 5 months of his prior program. He cannot “transfer” his I-20 to this school. The student should speak to the DSO at the transfer school to learn what his options are. In this hypothetical case, the student may be able to begin in an optional term such as a summer term beginning before July 21 st. Transferring to Another School

16. For those who are citizens or nationals of the 25 countries subject to “Special Registration” you are advised to include proof of registration in every application you submit even for employment permits. Reminder - when traveling you must go to the appropriate table in the airport for an NSEERS exit interview. If you do not go through this special processing you may not be allowed to re-enter the United States. Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Egypt Eritrea Indonesia Iran Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Morocco North Korea Oman Pakistan Qatar Saudi Arabia Somalia Sudan Syria Tunisia United Arab Emirates Yemen Certain citizens or nationals of the following countries will require Special Registration. Determination by sex, age, or date of travel varies by country. Check the USCIS website for more information: www.uscis.gov NSEERS also known as “Special Registration”

17. Tushar Trivedi 201-915-9415 As the International Student Coordinator, Tushar is your campus contact for all F-1 questions and concerns. If you have an immigration emergency and Tushar is not available, contact: Michele Lacey, Webmaster201-915-9161 Ginny Bender, Office of the Provost201-915-9202 1 2 3 Authorized DSOs at Saint Peter’s College

18. Travel Documents to Carry (within and outside of US) I-20 – signed on page 3 within last term I-94 Passport SPC ID card (EAD card if graduate on OPT) (optional letter from Enrollment Services to verify full-time) Visa Renewal: MUST Contact Embassy before traveling Travel Reminders

19. All information in this presentation is subject to change without notice. Immigration regulations are rapidly changing making it more important than ever to maintain contact with your DSO. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS AND CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT REGULARLY. ttrivedi@spc.edu Disclaimer