Transcript Document

F-1 Immigration Workshop
F-1 Visa Status
Rights and Responsibilities
New International
Undergraduate Student
Immigration Workshop 2014
Presenter: Marilena Drakou-Assistant Director, ISSS
Agenda
 Governing Reporting Affiliations
 SEVIS
 I-20
 Visa vs. Status
 I-94 Admission Number
 How to Maintain your status
 Reinstatement
 Employment
 Complete/Transfer your program
 Knowledge quiz
 Q&A
Government Reporting
Affiliations
• Immigration laws are passed into law by the U.S. Congress
• All immigration services in the U.S. are provided by United States
Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS)
• Immigration enforcement is done by United States Immigration and
Customs Enforcements (USICE)
• USCIS and USICE are part of the Department of Homeland Security
More information about Visa at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/questions_1253.html
Government Reporting
Affiliations
DHS
Department of
Homeland Security
CBP
Customs and Border
Protection
ICE
Immigration and
Customs Enforcement
USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration
Services
SEVIS
SEVIS
• Stands for “Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System” It is a U.S. Government tracking system for
students and scholars
• You have already paid $200 for this “service” - I-901 Fee
• Monitored by SEVP (part of ICE)
• All I-20s are generated from SEVIS Schools have
Designated School Officials (DSO i.e. ISSS staff) that are
required to update specific information within certain
deadlines
SEVIS
I-20 Form
Employment Section
Travel Section
Visa vs. Status
VISA = Stamp in passport.
Valid for ENTRY into the U.S
STATUS = Duration of status
in the U.S.
More information about Visa at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/questions_1253.html
Visa vs. Status
VISA is the stamp in your passport that allows you to enter the U.S.
It can expire while you are in the U.S. but you still maintaining in
legal status.
• It can only be renewed outside the U.S. (recommended at your
home country).
• You can have only one visa at one time even though you may have
more than one type of visa in your passport.
Visa vs. Status
STATUS is the student’s classification that is confirmed and maintained with
a valid I-20, I-94, passport. If the student does something that violates his/her
status, he/she must apply to the USCIS for reinstatement to F-1/J-1 status.
• Once admitted, students are given their “status”
• Status determines length of lawful stay in U.S. not visa F-1 Students are
given until “D/S” to stay in the U.S. as indicated on the I-94 Form D/S
means “Duration of Status”
• You are allowed to remain in the U.S. until you complete your program (s)
(including OPT) plus an additional 60 day “grace period” to depart the
U.S.
I-94 Admission Number
Retrieval
I-94 Departure Card Before
I-94 Admission Retrieval After
How to Maintain Your
F-1 Student Visa Status
Maintain Valid Documents
• I-20, Passport, I-94 admission number
Maintain Full Time Enrollment
• Register each quarter 12 credits
• Check with academic adviser and get permission from ISSS
BEFORE dropping below required full time registration
• Due to medical reason- licensed medical doctor’s letter is required.
• You are permitted to count only (1) online course per term toward
full-time enrollment and it cannot register one online course your
last term.!
Make Timely Progress on your degree
• You should not prolong your graduation if you are ready to graduate
• Apply for a program extension if needed
How to Maintain Your
F-1 Student Visa Status
Report Mailing Address Change
• Must be reported within 10 days of the change
• This is for on-campus dorm changes or off campus addresses
• Email the change(s) to ISSS at [email protected]
Obtain Travel Signature
• If the last signature is more than 12 months old request travel
signature in advance
• Print entry records each time you enter the U.S.
International Vacation Request
• After three (3) quarters or two (2) semesters of FT enrollment
• If you stay abroad for less than 5 months-Leave of absence (LOA)
• If you stay abroad for more than 5 months-University Withdrawal
How to Maintain Your
F-1 Student Visa Status
Avoid Unauthorized Work
• On or off campus (less than 20 hours per week) when school is
in session
• Off Campus work is permitted only with approved work
authorization (CPT/OPT/Economic Hardship)
• It is a violation to work off campus without obtaining written
permission from ISSS first!
What if you violate the rules of your
F-1 Student Visa Status?
• DSOs are required to update SEVIS based on your program status.
• If certain dates pass for example without required updates, SEVIS
will automatically terminate your record.
• Subject you to deportation and future exclusion to the U.S.
Reinstatement
By violating the requirements that govern your immigration status, you
may jeopardize your ability to remain in the U.S. as an F-1 student
According to USCIS regulation:
Non-immigrant students or exchange visitors who fall out of status for reasons
beyond their control may be eligible to apply for a reinstatement of status. The
student or exchange visitor must work with the school or program official to
determine if reinstatement is an option.
It is crucial to contact ISSS immediately to seek advice and check if you
qualify to apply for a reinstatement.
F-1 Status Violation
What is next?
In the U.S.A
Apply for Reinstatement to the USCIS to regain your status
OR
Outside the U.S.A
If you do not apply for Reinstatement, you will be expected to leave the
country immediately. You can then apply for an “Initial Attendance” I-20
to return to the U.S.
Employment
Employment Options
F-1 Student Employment
Work Authorization
On Campus
Off Campus
PRACTICAL TRAINING
Optional (OPT)
Curricular (CPT)
Co-op, Internship,
Practicum
Economic Hardship *
Pre
Completion
Post
Completion
17 Month STEM
Extension
Employment
On Campus Employment
On-Campus Employment Options:
•
•
•
•
•
•
TA, RA Positions
Bookstore
Cafeteria
Admissions
Creese Café
Ross Commons
http://www.drexel.edu/hr/atDrexel/employmentOps/student
F-1 students can work on-campus
up to 20hrs/week while classes are in session and
more than 20hrs during vacation periods or University breaks.
Off Campus Employment
OFF-Campus Employment Options:
 CPT
 OPT
 Economic Hardship
Off Campus Employment
ISSS E-Workshops
Please visit
www.drexel.edu/isss
and then the
Programs and
Workshops tab to
access the online
workshops.
Social Security Number
 Social Security Number (SSN) is required to receive compensation
for a paid employment.
 Offer letter should be submitted to the ISSS office and to receive a
support letter that is required for the SSN request.
 Application can be submitted no earlier than 30 days of the
employment start date and it will take up to 2-3 weeks to receive the
card.
 Students are responsible to file their annual Taxes.
Drexel Tax office could help.
Completing/ Transferring
your Program
• 60 Day Grace Period after the last day of the quarter/semester
• Transfer Students need to bring an acceptance letter from next school
to ISSS
• When transferring you must start next term, within 5 months
• SEVIS Record must be released within grace period to maintain status
Quiz?
Question#1
Which part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is responsible
for granting benefits such as the employment authorization card (EAD),
changes of status, and reinstatement?
a. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)
b. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
c. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE)
d. Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS)
Question#1
Which part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is responsible
for granting benefits such as employment authorizations,
changes of status, and reinstatement?
b. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Question #2
SEVIS stands for “Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System” and is the immigration database
that tracks all international students in the U.S.
True or False?
Question #2
SEVIS stands for “Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System” and is the immigration database that tracks all
international students in the U.S.
True!
Question #3
What does “D/S” on stands for?
a. “doing something”
b. “duration of status”
c. “dear son”
d. “duration of studies”
Question #3
What does “D/S” on stands for?
b. “duration of status”
Question #4
What should you do if your student visa has expired?
a. Leave the U.S. immediately to apply for a new visa
b. Apply to renew my visa at my nearest consulate while I’m in the U.S.
c. Nothing until I leave the U.S. in which case if I wish to return as a F1 student, I will need to renew my visa.
d. Complain that my ISSS Advisor never told me about this.
Question #4
What should you do if your student visa has expired?
c. Nothing until I leave the U.S. in which case if I wish
to return as a F-1 student, I will need to renew my visa.
Question #5
How many credits define a “full course load” of study
for an undergraduate International student at Drexel University?
a.
8 credits
b. 10 credits
c. 12 credits
d. As many as I want
Question #5
How many credits define a “full course load” of study
for an undergraduate International student at Drexel University?
c. 12 credits
Question #6
How many credits of online courses can I take?
a.
1 credit course per quarter/semester
b. 3 credits per FT enrollment (i.e.12cr)
c.
as many courses as I like
d. not allowed to take online classes during my studies
Question #6
How many credits of online courses can I take?
b. 3 credits per FT enrollment (i.e. 12cr)
Question #7
An international student may enroll less than full-time
in their final term of study.
True or False?
Question #7
An international student may enroll less than full-time
in their final term of study.
True!
Question #8
You must have approval from an international advisor in the
ISSS before you may enroll less than full time.
True or False?
Question #8
You must have approval from an international advisor in the
ISSS before you may enroll less than full time.
True!
Question #9
Before traveling outside of the U.S., what must the
continuing international students do?
a. have their I-20 signed by a school DSO
b. check to make sure their passport is valid
c. check to make sure their U.S. visa is valid
d. all of the above
Question #9
Before traveling outside of the U.S., what must the
continuing international students do?
d. all of the above
Question #10
What is NOT a requirement of the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?
a. to keep my I-20 valid at all times
b. to not work off campus without permission
c. to notify the US ICE of my on campus employer
d. to be enrolled full-time
Question #10
What is NOT a requirement of the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?
c. to notify the US ICE of my on campus employer
Question #11
An international student may work on campus up to 40 hours
per week while school is in session.
True or False?
Question #11
An international student may work on campus up to 40 hours
per week while school is in session.
False!
Question #12
When you change your address, within how many days of
moving should you notify the ISSS office?
a. within 10 days
b. within 30 days
c. the day I first pay my rent
d. anytime during the semester
Question #12
When you change your address, within how many days
of moving should you notify the ISSS office?
a. within 10 days
Question #13
How many days can I remain in the U.S. as a
“grace period” after completing my program?
a. 30
b. 60
c. 90
d. 120
Question #13
How many days can I remain in the U.S. as a
“grace period” after completing my program?
b. 60
The end of the Quiz
Thank you for your attention!
Q &A
Contact ISSS
 Website:
www.drexel.edu/isss
 Office Phone:
215-895-2502
 Office Hours:
M-T 8-6pm/Fri.8-5pm
 Email:
[email protected]
 Facebook page:
International Students &
Scholars Services at Drexel University
 Twitter:
Drexel ISSS