Agencies
What are the two cabinet-level agencies that are highly involved with international students and their immigration status?
Department of State, Department of Homeland Security
What is considered full-time for undergraduates and ESL students?
12 credits for undergraduates and 18 hours/week for ESL
What agency checks the F-1 student’s documents at the border?
Customs and Border Protection
U.S. visas are divided into two primary categories? What are they?
Immigrant and non-immigrant
How long can an F-1 student stay after graduating? When does that period begin?
60 days after program end date on the I-20
Under the cabinet level, there are three main agencies that are directly involved with international students and their immigration status in the U.S.?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Can a student take classes from more than one college/university?
Yes, as long as they are total full time
How long does an F-1 student’s visa need to be valid for?
Up until the day they enter the country
What visa-types are universities most likely to work with?
F, J, M, H
How long before the program start date on the I-20 can a new international student enter the U.S.?
30 days
What agency runs SEVIS?
Student and Exchange Visitor Program/ Immigration and Customs Enforcement
What are the reasons that a student is allowed to be enrolled less than full-time?
Academic difficulties, Medical, Completion of Study
What is the earliest that a new F-1 student can enter the U.S.?
30 days before program start date
What is the deadline to register a student into SEVIS?
30 days after session start date (or program start date for a new student)
How long can an F-1 student stay in the U.S. after dropping out of school without officially withdrawing?
They must leave immediately
What does SEVIS stand for?
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
What are the subcategories under academic difficulties?
Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements,
Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods,
Improper course level placement.
What documents does an F-1 student have to be prepared to show at the U.S. border?
Passport, Visa, and I-20
What visa type is used for diplomats?
A
What is the student not allowed to do during the grace period after graduation?
They are not allowed to work or leave the US. If they leave the US, they will not be allowed back.
What other government agencies might international students have contact with in the U.S.?
DMV, Social Security etc.
What are the limits on the reduced course load authorization for academic difficulties?
The student may only use academic difficulty as a reason during one term and they may only drop to half-time or six credits
What is an I-515?
Temporary entry to the US for 30 days
What does it mean to “register” a student in SEVIS?
Entering their current session start and end dates and next session start dates and U.S. Physical Address.
How long can an F-1 student stay in the U.S. after completing OPT?
60 days.