Transcript International Student Orientation

• It is your responsibility to know, understand and
comply with all immigration regulations
• Failure to comply can result in loss of valid F or J
status
• To avoid problems, always ask first!
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Ask the OIS, not friends
Come to seminars
Read the OIS website for information
Read the OIS emails for updates
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SEVIS
• Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System
• Database for information concerning
student, program of study, and employment
• Needs to be up-to-date and accurate
• Good rule- If anything changes on your
I-20 or DS-2019, inform the OIS to receive
a new one
6 Rules to Staying
in Status
1. Reporting your arrival— Check-in
2. Maintain a full course of study
3. Make normal progress toward
completing your degree
4. Change your address within 10 days
5. Keep all documents valid
(I-20/DS-2019, passport, visa, I-94 card)
6. Work only with authorization
• Bring Passport, I-94, Visa and ALL I-20s (F
students) or DS-2019s (J students). See OIS
check-in website for complete list.
• January 2 – January 11 (no 1/3 or 1/4)- MUST
SIGN UP FIRST!
• OIS will process your arrival with the U.S.
government and issue you a new I-20
• Need to complete before getting your
• EagleCard
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Michigan driver’s license
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Minimum Course Load
Undergraduate level
12
Graduate level
8
Graduate Assistant
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• Summer semester is optional
• You can only take 1 online course toward minimum
course load. If it is your last term, or you are taking only one
course, then the course CANNOT be online.
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• Three Options:
1.
Academic Difficulties (no less than 50% full time) – CAN USE
ONLY ONE TIME
• English language
• Unfamiliarity with teaching & reading requirement
• Improper course placement (not enough classes for you to take)
2.
3.
Medical Reasons (maximum 1 year / 3 terms)
Final Term of Study
• Submit Reduced Hours Form to OIS for SEVIS approval
BEFORE you drop any classes
• Check university calendar!!!
• Last day to drop a class and get 100% money back (Jan 16)
• Last day to get a “W” grade (March 25)
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• Must enroll at EMU in 50% of the minimum credits
• Should seek approval from:
• Financial aid
• Academic Advisors
• No minimum required credits at EMU
You need OIS’ approval every semester you
take classes at another school. If interested,
come to the OIS for request form, approval
letter and detailed procedures!
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Rule #3— Make Progress
Toward Degree
• Incompletes do not count toward
minimum required course load
• Probation
– You will be placed on probation if your GPA is
below EMU’s good standing (3.0 grads, 2.0
undergrads)
Avoid by seeking help early and using EMU
academic resources!
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• You must update your my.emich account
with your new address (phone number
and email too) within 10 days of any
change.
• It is your responsibility to make the
change with the U.S. Postal Service.
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Passport
Visa Stamp
I-94
I-20 / DS-2019
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• MUST be valid at least
6 months into the
future
• Contact home
country consulate to
renew your passport
• When you receive a
new passport, submit
a copy to OIS
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• Document to enter the
United States
– Does not determine
length of stay
• Can expire during
program of study
– Must renew for REENTRY
• Automatic Visa
Revalidation
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• Receive upon entry
into United States
• MUST be
surrendered upon
exit of United States
• Do NOT lose
– Cost $330 to replace
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• Program extension
– If your I-20/DS-2019
expires before you
complete your program,
apply for an extension
before expiration
• Request new I-20/DS2019 to update name,
major, educational level,
finances, dependents, ESL
attainment
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• Get travel signature on I-20/DS-2019
– Need to be registered for the next
semester
– Submit to OIS at least 1 week
before leaving
• Valid Passport (6 months into future)
• Valid Visa
– Automatic Visa Revalidation
– Need to renew at U.S. Consulate outside U.S.
• Give your I-94 card to flight agents
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– On Campus
– Off Campus (called Practical Training)
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“In status” – maintaining your F-1/J-1 rules
20 hrs/week or LESS during school session
40 hrs/week or LESS during break / holiday
J1 – permission from program sponsor, must have Oncampus Work Authorization letter from OIS
• ALL EMU departments
• On-campus commercial firms
• EMU offsite locations
Come to the Employment Session! TOMORROW (Friday) at 11:15
a.m., Student Center, room 302
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• Work must be related to your major
• Must have completed 8 months of study
• 2 types:
– Curricular Practical Training (CPT)- during
program
– Optional Practical Training (OPT) – after
program
• Attend an CPT or OPT seminar to learn more
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• F-1s must leave the US within 60 days
• J-1s must leave the US within 30 days
• Gain admissions to a new program PRIOR
to the completion of current program
• F-1s can apply for optional practical
training (OPT)
• J-1s need to see the Program Advisor for
academic training (AT)
• Change OR adjust your immigration status
prior to program completion
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• The diversity Immigrant Visa Program
makes available 50,000 permanent
resident visas annually to persons from
countries with low rates of immigration
to the United States
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types_1322.html
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We offer many types of seminars:
– Library (1/18, 10 a.m., Halle library)
– “Let’s Talk”
• Academics (1/18, 1 p.m., Halle library)
• Others: Employment, Communication, American Culture
– Communication Skills
– Off-campus Employment Rules (CPT, OPT, H-1B)
– Employment Skills
Please register on our website. JOIN OIS’
Facebook (EMU OIS) for more!
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Immigration information
Upcoming seminars
Upcoming campus events
Fun trips off campus
Holiday parties
Cultural activities
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Ice Skating, Friday, 1/4
Meet at OIS at 11:45
Coffee Hour, Friday, 1/11
3 pm, Student Center 320
Detroit Auto Show
Friday, 1/25
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Conversation Partner Program (due 1/7)
Student Organizations
OIS activities
EMU activities
Learn outside the classroom
by meeting others!
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Office of International
Students
• OIS website and seminars
• General Questions
– Ask the front desk
– Resource library with information, forms
• Meet with an OIS advisor
– Make an appointment online
– Walk-in hours (Monday through Thursday
from 1 to 4 pm).
Always ask to avoid problems later!!!!
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244 EMU Student Center
Tel: 734.487.3116
Fax: 734.487.0303
www.emich.edu/ois
[email protected]
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Information and suggestions given by OIS
staff is given in good faith and based on
upon available information. This is not to
be constructed as legal advice and
OIS/EMU accepts no legal responsibility
for its accuracy.
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