U.S. Immigration Law Basics

U.S. Immigration Basics ISSO advisors are here to helpISSO advisors are here to help Visa stamps and visa “status”Visa stamps and visa “status” “Regulations” & “Maintaining status” – (how to follow the rules)“Regulations” & “Maintaining status” – (how to follow the rules) WorkingWorking TravelingTraveling

ISSO advisors are your advocates We are here to assist you, but…We are here to assist you, but… We need YOUR help…We need YOUR help… It is a partnership...It is a partnership...

Visa Stamps & Visa Status What’s the big difference?

Visa Stamps & Visa Status The Visa Stamp in your passport is only used for entering the U.S. -- it only needs to be valid when you enterThe Visa Stamp in your passport is only used for entering the U.S. -- it only needs to be valid when you enter

Visa Stamp The visa stamp is like a key to get in the door of the U.S. =

Visa Stamp After you open the door and get in, You can have an expired visa stamp and still be valid to stay here in the U.S. you do not need the key.

Renewing the Visa Stamp You will only need to renew your expired visa stamp when you travel outside of the U.S. and plan to re-enter.

Visa Stamps & Visa Status Your Visa Status is the Visa “Classification” that you are in while you are here, like:Your Visa Status is the Visa “Classification” that you are in while you are here, like: –F-1 Student or –B-2 tourist, or –H-1 Temporary Worker

Visa Stamps & Visa Status We can illustrate this by telling the story of how you got your visa “status”…We can illustrate this by telling the story of how you got your visa “status”… Once upon a time… Once upon a time… In land far far away… In land far far away…

Visa Stamp Most of you had to get a visa stamp in your passport in order to come to the U.S. (unless you are Canadian)Most of you had to get a visa stamp in your passport in order to come to the U.S. (unless you are Canadian)

Visa Stamp First you got admitted to Cornell…First you got admitted to Cornell…

Visa Stamp and then, Cornell asked you to show that you had the funding to afford Cornell…. and then, Cornell asked you to show that you had the funding to afford Cornell…. … and you did!

Visa Stamp So Cornell sent you an I-20So Cornell sent you an I-20

Visa Stamp certificateAt the top of the I-20, you will see it states “certificate of eligibility” Cornell is saying to the U.S. consulate, we think this person is eligible for an F-1 visa

Visa Stamp Then you went to the consulate to apply for your visa stampThen you went to the consulate to apply for your visa stamp

Visa Stamp The consulate officer was probably very busy…The consulate officer was probably very busy…

Visa Stamp Just like the I-20, the visa stamp says that the consulate officer also thinks you are eligible for F-1 statusJust like the I-20, the visa stamp says that the consulate officer also thinks you are eligible for F-1 status

Visa Status Next you got on the plane…Next you got on the plane…

Visa Status … Finally you landed at the port of entry and presented your documents to the port of entry officer… Finally you landed at the port of entry and presented your documents to the port of entry officer

Visa Status At that point, you were asking the Port of entry officer to give you F-1 or J-1 “STATUS” in the U.S.At that point, you were asking the Port of entry officer to give you F-1 or J-1 “STATUS” in the U.S. You only get the actual F-1 or J-1 “status” at that point when you finally ENTER the U.S.You only get the actual F-1 or J-1 “status” at that point when you finally ENTER the U.S.

Visa Status Your “Visa Status” is written on your I-94 card by the port of entry officerYour “Visa Status” is written on your I-94 card by the port of entry officer

Visa Status Most of you are either “F1” or “J1” “D/S” = Duration of Status

Visa Status “D/S” = Duration of Status (instead of a specific end date) status will be valid as long as you are doing what F1 students or J1 students are supposed to be doing status will be valid as long as you are doing what F1 students or J1 students are supposed to be doing

Visa Status End Date The end date of your status is either the end date of your form I-20 or DS OR the day you complete your program or graduate: WHICHEVER IS EARLIER

Visa Status You have a grace period during which time you can pack up your things or travel around the U.S. You have a grace period during which time you can pack up your things or travel around the U.S. F-1 = 60 daysF-1 = 60 days J-1 = 30 daysJ-1 = 30 days

Regulations & Maintaining Status For each visa status, there are regulations or rules that you must follow while you are hereFor each visa status, there are regulations or rules that you must follow while you are here We call this “maintaining” your statusWe call this “maintaining” your status

“Maintaining status” To maintain valid status both F1 and J1 students must:

Check in at the ISSO If you have not yet checked in at the ISSO, you MUST do so: ISSO is in B-50 Caldwell HallISSO is in B-50 Caldwell Hall Bring your passport, I-94 card and I- 20 or DS-2019Bring your passport, I-94 card and I- 20 or DS-2019

Enroll Full Time Undergraduates must be enrolled in 12 credit hours in the fall and spring semestersUndergraduates must be enrolled in 12 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters Graduate students just need to be registered in the Fall and Spring semestersGraduate students just need to be registered in the Fall and Spring semesters Each department has specific course-load requirementsEach department has specific course-load requirements

Update your address Update your local residential address within 10 days of moving within the U.S.Update your local residential address within 10 days of moving within the U.S. To update your address you must:To update your address you must: –Update “Just the Facts” –Notify the ISSO of your address change on the isso web site:

Keep Your Documents Valid Keep your passport validKeep your passport valid Make sure your I-20 or DS-2019 has the correctMake sure your I-20 or DS-2019 has the correct –Level –Major –End date If you need more time to complete your degree, get an extension of your I-20 or DS-2019 BEFORE the end dateIf you need more time to complete your degree, get an extension of your I-20 or DS-2019 BEFORE the end date

Discuss Plans for After Graduation with ISSO New Degree Program at CornellNew Degree Program at Cornell New Degree program at another schoolNew Degree program at another school Working after you graduateWorking after you graduate

Do NOT work off campus without authorization F1 and J1 students may work on campusF1 and J1 students may work on campus –20 hours per week while enrolled –40 hours per week during vacation F1 and J1 students are eligible to apply for certain types of off campus work authorizationF1 and J1 students are eligible to apply for certain types of off campus work authorization

F1 Work Authorization After being enrolled full time for one full academic yearAfter being enrolled full time for one full academic year Practical Training in your field of studyPractical Training in your field of study

F1 Work Authorization Curricular Practical TrainingCurricular Practical Training –For academic credit –For internships or Co-Op programs Optional Practical TrainingOptional Practical Training –Summer work that is not for credit –Work after graduation We will hold workshops

J1 Work Authorization Academic TrainingAcademic Training –For practical training in your field –Either in summer vacation or after graduation Some other work authorization in special circumstancesSome other work authorization in special circumstances Come to the ISSO to discuss optionsCome to the ISSO to discuss options

Traveling outside of U.S. When you travel outside of the U.S., be sure you have with you:When you travel outside of the U.S., be sure you have with you: –Valid Passport –Current visa stamp in your passport –I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel –Financial support documents –Proof of enrollment (available at the registrar’s office)

Stay Informed!!!! These days, there are OFTEN changes in the regulationsThese days, there are OFTEN changes in the regulations ALWAYS read the s from the ISSOALWAYS read the s from the ISSO

Questions…? ASK US! Come to the ISSO

International Students & Scholars Office B-50 Caldwell Hall Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00-4:30 Wednesday: 1:00-4:30