F-1 Student

International Student OrientationInternational Student & Scholar Center

(ISSC)

F-1 Student Status

Status refers to the actual activity for which a person has been admitted to the United States.

In the case of F-1 visas that activity is “student”.

The visa is the actual document in the passport. It is authorization from the U.S. Department of State to present yourself at a port or point of entry to the United States and request admission to enter the U.S. in a particular status.The F-1 visa indicates that you wish to enter the US as a “student”.

F-1 Student Status

A valid passport from your country of citizenshipA valid U.S. F-1 type visa*A valid SEVIS I-20A valid I-94

* must be valid only when entering the U.S.

Important Documents

United States Visa

United States I-94 Card

Important Items on I-20Page 1#1 Name and other personal and school information Make sure they are correct and the same as your passport and/or visa information#2 Information about UMass Dartmouth#3 Initial or transfer pending #4 Degree or pathway program#5 The start and end dates – are very importantPage 2Page 3 Signatures

SEVIS I-20

The student is admitted to the United States for “duration of status,” defined as the time during which the student “is pursuing a full course of study at an educational institution” The US government grants duration of status to F-l students by entering the notation “D/S” in the upper right corners of Form I-20 and the Form I-94Duration of status also extends to the student’s time spent engaging in authorized practical training following completion of studies, plus 60 days “grace period” to prepare for departure from the United States.

Duration of Status (D/S)

The student is considered to be maintaining D/S if he or she is “making normal progress toward completing a full course of study.”If you successfully complete an academic program and are accepted to another academic program at the same school or at another educational institution then your status as student continues AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES REQUIRED FOR TRANSFERING YOUR STATUS FROM ONE DEGREE PROGRAM TO ANOTHER DEGREE PROGRAM.If you choose to transfer mid-degree from one school to another, you must follow the appropriate procedures for the transfer of your F-1 status.

Duration of Status (D/S) Continued

Resource 3-s Timeline illustration of F-1 duration of status and grace periods

The student must, once admitted to the United States in F-1 status, follow the rules in order to maintain status.

Maintain a valid passport at all times;Attend the school he or she was authorized to attend;Report any change of address within 10 days of moving. You must report to the ISSC by filing out a change of address form.

Maintaining Status

Be REGISTERED FOR and MAINTAIN ACADEMIC CREDITS EQUAL TO FULL TIME ACCORDING TO YOUR DEGREE LEVEL EVERY SEMESTER:• 12 credits for Undergraduate Student• 9 credits for Graduate Student• Full time Graduate thesis continuation or project continuation

Graduate students must be registered full time for Continuation of Thesis or Project when credit course work is completed and research project or thesis is underway.

Maintaining Status, continued

Seek permission FIRST on the I-20 from the ISSC for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for the following reasons only;• First semester adjustment to new educational

system,• Last semester because the number of credits

required for completion of program is less than full time, or

• For medical reasons with documentation from a medical professional.

Maintaining Status, continued

Program Extensions. A program extension is required if the student must remain in the United States for more time than “completion of studies” date in Item #5 on the most recent Form I-20. If you complete your degree prior to the end date on your I-20 we will shorten the time on your I-20.If your completion of studies date has expired or if you do not meet the other eligibility requirements for a program extension, you will need to immediately consult with the ISSC.

Maintaining Status, continued

What happens if I do not maintain status?

Failure to follow the regulations can result in loss of “status” which places the student’s presence in the U.S. in jeopardy.Students must know and follow the regulations for their visa type.The University is REQUIRED by law to report to SEVIS on your activities including failure to maintain status.If you fail to maintain your status then you will have to apply to USCIS for reinstatement or in some cases leave the U.S. and re-enter to establish legal status again.

What is SEVIS?SEVIS is the acronym for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Since January of 2003, all international students who have required an I-20 have had an electronic record created in the database SEVIS.

All educational institutions who admit and enroll F, J or M visa students MUST, by law, use SEVIS.

SEVIS requires the University to report the activities of each student regularly.

What must be reported to SEVIS by the University?

Your initial arrival and registration for classes at UMass DartmouthYour full-time registration every semester, and the dates when the semester begins and endsPre-authorized reduced course load (RCL)Unauthorized reduced course load (RCL) or withdrawal from all classes without prior approval.(I-20 is terminated)Your current US addressAny change to a new address. You must notify the ISSC within 10 days of the move to your new addressAny changes to your nameTransfers to another schoolAuthorized off campus employmentUnauthorized off campus employment (I-20 is terminated)Any failure to maintain status (I-20 is terminated)

Employment in F-1 StatusNew students with F-1 status may only work on campus until they have been registered for a full academic year.Total number of hours worked must be no more than twenty hours weekly, during the Fall and Spring semester. During the Winter intercession and Summer vacation the total number of hours worked may be more than twenty per week.

International Students are eligible for any non “work study” position on campus. International Students may only work off-campus with permission of the International Student & Scholar Center and/or USCIS.

Employment in F-1 Status

When Must I Leave the United States?

If you remain in “duration of status” by the definitions above and if the “date of completion” on your current Form I-20 is still in the future, then you may remain in the country to complete your authorized program objectives. However, as soon as your program is finished, for example, either when you complete your academic program requirements, or when you reach the end of your authorized post-completion practical training (OPT) you will enter your grace period and must be prepared to leave the country within sixty days. You may not work or study during the grace period.

You may not remain in the US after you complete your degree program (and the sixty days grace period) unless you have been authorized for post completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), are admitted and enrolled in another degree program, or change your status.If you must end your participation in the academic program, either for personal reasons or academic dismissal then you are no longer “in status.” In this case you must leave the U.S. immediately and are not eligible for the 60 days grace period. An authorized early withdrawal is the exception and in this case you 15 days.

When Must I Leave the United States?

If you fail to follow the regulations, fall out of “status,” and are denied for reinstatement of status, you will be required to leave the U.S.If you must take an approved academic leave of absence for personal or medical reasons from your program you must consult with the International Student & Scholar Center regarding your status.Always talk to the International Student & Scholar Center about your questions and difficulties. the ISSC will advise you and help you take the necessary steps to remain in accordance with the regulations.

When Must I Leave the United States?

IMPORTANT E-MAILs and a Web Address for all International Students

You may contact us at:INTL_Office@umassd.edu

We will contact you with important information by using the listISO@umassd.edu

Our WEB Address:http://www.umassd.edu/international_students/