Transcript Staying in Status

Welcome
Missouri State University
International Student Services
Spring 2009
International Services Staff
Carrington 302
Introductions
Folder information
SEVIS is a federal government database of
the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services) containing student information on
F, J, and M visa holders.
This is an electronic immigration
record while you are in F, J, or M
visa status.
International Student Services
uses SEVIS to:
 Produce
I-20 & DS-2019 documents
 Request benefits on behalf of F & J
students (ie, work authorization)
 Report your enrollment each term
 Report any changes in your personal or
academic information
 Report any violations of your F or J visa
status
International Student Services is
responsible for maintaining
your SEVIS record.
Help us keep it
current and accurate!
If you…
 Leave the country for a semester,
 Change to another visa status,
 Apply for permanent residency, or
 Complete studies and leave the U.S.
Please tell us!
Help us maintain your SEVIS record.
 Do
not let your passport expire.
 Do
not let your I-20/DS-2019
expire. If you need an extension,
apply for it before the document
expires.
 Update
your I-20 with major or
degree changes. J-1’s should
consult their sponsor before
making academic changes.
The amount of time given on your
immigration document is an estimate, which
may be extended or shortened based on the
time you need to complete the degree.
Your F-1 or J-1 stay comes to an end when
you complete studies.
 Students
with coursework
requirements only:
F-1 or J-1 stay ends the last day in
which you complete coursework
requirements.
 Students
writing a thesis or
dissertation:
F-1 or J-1 stay ends the last day of
term in which you defend your thesis
or dissertation.
F-1: 60 days to leave U.S. or transfer to a
new degree upon completion or termination
of studies
J-1: 30 days to leave U.S. or transfer to a
new degree upon completion or termination
of studies
F-2 or J-2 dependents may not remain after
the F-1 or J-1 has permanently left the U.S.
USCIS requires that you report your
address to MSU within 10 days of
moving.
Update your address with ISS.
International Student Services will
forward your information to SEVIS.
Entry Visas
If your entry visa has expired (the
visa in your passport) and if you
are inside the U.S., that’s ok!
If your entry visa has expired and
you are outside of the U.S., you
will need to renew it before reentering.
You cannot renew a visa inside the
U.S.
Before traveling outside the U.S., be
sure your I-20 or DS-2019 has been
signed for travel at International
Student Services.
(See page 3 of your I-20 or
page 1 of your DS-2019)
All international students on F-1 or J-1 visas
must enroll in a full course of study each
fall and spring term.
Full-time enrollment =

12 credit hours minimum, Undergraduates

9 credit hours minimum, Graduates
 Summer
enrollment is optional, unless
required for a GA position.
 If
you withdraw from a course, and you
fall below the minimum number of credits,
you will be under-enrolled and out of
status.
 If
you audit a course (take a course
without earning a grade), the course will
not count toward your full-time
 Illness
or injury;
 Difficulties with English language or
reading requirements; difficulty with
American teaching methods;
 Improper course-level placement;
 All coursework completed except
thesis/dissertation;
 You are in your final semester of study.
For an exemption, contact
International Student Services
BEFORE you under-enroll.
NEVER ...
work without employment
authorization!
Any unauthorized employment
is a violation of your F-1
status.

Student is in good academic standing;

Student continues to engage in a full course of
study each semester;

Employment totals no more than 20 hours per
week, except during official school
breaks/vacations;

The employment must be considered ONCAMPUS;

Work authorization ends when the program of
study ends or when the student’s program is
terminated.






Student is in good academic standing;
Student continues to engage in a full course of
study each semester;
Employment totals no more than 20 hours per
week, except during official school breaks/
vacations;
The employment must be considered ONCAMPUS;
Work authorization ends when the program of
study ends or when the student’s program is
terminated.
Your program sponsor must approve the work in
advance, in writing.

Includes graduate assistantships, jobs in
the school library, cafeteria, and
administrative offices, etc.

Companies that are located on campus,
but are NOT providing school services are
not considered on-campus employment.

Very serious violation of your visa
status

Obligation to report unauthorized
employment to SEVIS

Not a “fixable” problem inside the
U.S.

Economic Hardship (F-1 & J-1)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (F-1
only)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) (F-1
only)

International Organization (F-1)

Academic Training (J-1 only)
Economic Hardship:
work authorization for unexpected and
severe financial difficulties
Always see an international student advisor
regarding off-campus employment questions.
Do not work off-campus without receiving
authorization from International Student Services.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
work authorization for employment
situations that are required to complete your
degree
Always see an international student advisor
regarding off-campus employment questions.
Do not work off-campus without receiving
authorization from International Student Services.
Optional Practical Training (OPT):
work authorization permitting up to 12
months of work experience in your field of
study
Always see an international student advisor
regarding off-campus employment questions.
Do not work off-campus without receiving
authorization from International Student Services.
International Organization:
work authorization permitting work with
certain international organizations
Always see an international student advisor
regarding off-campus employment questions.
Do not work off-campus without receiving
authorization from International Student Services.
Academic Training:
work authorization for off-campus work in
your field of study for up to 18 months (or
longer for post-doc work)
Do not work off-campus without receiving
written authorization from your program
sponsor.
 Internships
that are required to fulfill
coursework and degree requirements
Require CPT (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1)
 Other
work opportunities
Require OPT (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1)
work authorization; or Economic Hardship, if
eligible
F-2: No work benefits; cannot be
pursuing a degree, but can take
courses for recreational
purposes only
J-2: Can apply to USCIS for work
benefits; can pursue study
A 5-month absence from the U.S.
terminates your F-1 status (some
exceptions exist).
Students who have interrupted their
F-1 status are not eligible for offcampus work benefits until they have
completed 9 months in F-1 status
after re-entry.
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