1. Immigration Matters

2. Williston Hall 406 Office Hours Walk-In Hours Monday – Friday
8am – 12pm
Closed for Lunch
1 pm – 4:30 pm
Walk-In Hours
Monday – Friday
1 pm – 3 pm
Other times by appointment only
*Change of Status and Reinstatements require an appointment

3. Who do you get your immigration advice from?
ISFO!!!!!!!

4. Enrollment F-1 & J-1 Students
MUST BE ENROLLED FULL TIME!!!!
Undergrads
12 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters
Grads
9 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters
Summer Term not required by Regulation
May have other reasons that you must take classes
Underloads
Talk to ISFO

5. Maintain Good Academic Standing
Undergrads
2.0 GPA
Grads
3.0 GPA
If you are not in good academic standing, you are NOT eligible for:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Travel Signatures (until we know you are retained)
On-campus employment (must get special permission to continue working)

6. Documents DO NOT LOSE YOUR DOCUMENTS Keep in a safe place
If you do lose or damage your documents, come talk to ISFO immediately about replacement
Passport
Must remain valid the entire time abroad
If you renew, make sure ISFO gets a copy
Visa
Can expire while in the U.S.; must renew if you leave the country

7. F-1 I-20 (1st page) SEVIS # School Code Program start & end dates
Student signature

8. CPT employment information
F-1 I-20 (2nd page)
Endorse for Travel

9. SEVIS #
Program Code
Program Dates
J-1
DS-2019
Endorse for Travel

10. Travel Travel Signatures Academic Probation Mid-Semester Travel
Need a recent signature (6 months highly recommended)
Page 2 of I-20
Page 1 of DS-2019
Academic Probation
Your status must be confirmed before a travel signature can be issued.
Mid-Semester Travel
Not recommended, but if there is an emergency, come talk to ISFO

11. On-campus Employment Allowed for everyone right away
20 hours/week limit during Fall and Spring Semesters
Summer work limited to 20 hours per week
No full time allowed
F-1 No Authorization Needed
J-1 Authorization Required

12. Off-campus Employment: CPT F-1 Students only
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Must complete one full academic year (fall & spring semester)
Employment/Internship must be DIRECTLY related to your field of study
Used for required and optional internships, practicums, clinical, placements, volunteer, etc…
ANY regularly performed duties off campus
Can be paid or unpaid

13. Off-campus Employment: OPT F-1 Students only
Optional Practical Training
Must complete one full academic year (fall & spring semester)
Employment must be DIRECTLY related to your field of study.
1 year EAD card provided by the government
STEM Extension
Certified STEM Fields can apply for a 24-month extension to OPT

14. Off-campus Employment: OPT J-1 Students only
Academic Training
Similar to OPT for F-1 students
Employment must be related to your field of study.
Length is based on your program or length of studies
If NIU is your sponsor, come to ISFO to discuss
If IIE, AMIDEAST, LASPAU, FULBRIGHT, etc.. is your sponsor, they will process your academic training