F-1 Visa RegulationWhat to Do

What not to Do

1Immigration Information

Spring 2015

What Is SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) ? - 1Maintained by DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security)

Shared by DHS, U.S. schools, U.S. embassies and consulates, and U.S. ports of entry

Your I-20 form is issued via SEVIS

Keeps track of F1 students’ academic and other activities while in the United States

Online system to issue the I-20 form

2Immigration Information

Immigration Information 3

•Each student has ownSEVIS record and SEVISnumber

F-1 Visa Status

Immigration Information 4

Requirements to stay Legal

Immigration Information 5

unexpired passport Valid I-20 form Complete 12 units

each semester

Authorized Employment

20hr/week –school 40hr/week – break

OPTCPT

Economic Hardship

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F-1 Visa statusLegal Stay

Falling out of Status (become illegal)

Out of F1 visa statusIllegal Stay

Completed Units< 12Staying at the school with an expired I-20 form

Studying at a school without an appropriate I-20Attending a publicly funded program (adult school, non-credit ESL, etc.)

Staying in the U.S. for longer than permittedEngaging in an unauthorized employment

Losing F-1 visa status (becoming an illegal alien – don’t do)

7Immigration Information

SEVIS Regulation (summary)Requirements you must follow

Change of Physical Address, Name, or MajorDistance Education

Reduced Course LoadProgram Extension

Reinstatement to Status (to get back into F-1 visa status)Transfer Process

Authorized EmploymentGrade Period

F-2 Dependents

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Change of Address, Legal Name, and Major (field of your study)

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New I-20 with new Major

Distance EducationNo more than 3 semester units of online courses are counted towards the required 12 units to maintain F-1 status.

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ESL 101 (5) ESL 101 (5)Math 110 (4) Math 110 (4)Art 100 (3) Art 100 (3)

Good No Good

Reduced Course Load (RCL) Approval

1. Academic Difficulties

2. Medical Condition

3. RCL based on medical condition must not exceed a period of 12 months

4. Completion of course of study 11Immigration Information

Extension of ProgramExpiration of I-20 = Termination of yourSEVIS record = your stay will become

ILLEGAL

1. Remember when your I-20 expires.

2. Apply for program extension if additional semester is needed.

Eligibility • Be legal (active SEVIS record)

• Good academic standing

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Reinstatement to Status (RTS) – getting back in to F1 visa status

Eligibility to apply for RTS

Out of status< 5 monthsNo repeated violation Enroll full-time immediatelyNo unauthorized employment

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F1 statusLegal Stay

Transfer Process

14

+ + =

Complete the Process within 60 days.

Notify the Office of International Education your intention to transferAcceptance letterSEVIS release request formLast semester questionnaire

Transfer process must be completed within 60 days from the last day of attendance at the current schoolReport to the new school by the date indicated on the new I-20 form

Immigration Information

Palomar I-20 UCSD I-20

Authorized Employment Practical TrainingCurricular Practical TrainingOn-campus EmploymentOff-campus Employment with DHS Approval – Economic Hardship

Immigration Information 15

On-Campus Employment

A student employment position at Palomar College

20 hours 40 hoursLimited student job position

Do not count on Employment

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> one year

Grace Period for Departure from U.S.

Certificate/AA/AS Non-completion

60 days 15 daysFailure to enroll (without notice to the office)

0 (ZERO) GRACE PERIOD

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Reportable ItemsSemester Reports

Last day of the semesterStart date of next semesterCurrent addressUnit > 12

Changes in legal name, local address, or major

30days

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Reportable Items – cont.

Other student informationFailure to maintain status

Graduating prior to the program end date listed on SEVIS I-20 formDisciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the student being convicted or a crime

Any notification request made by SEVIS with respect to the current status of the student

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Out of status

Illegal stay

Traveling Documents

dd PassportValid Visa (to return)Travel signature (I-20)

20Immigration Information

Good for one year from the date of signature

Your Requirement as an International Student at

Palomar CollegeContinuous insurance coverageyour new email address to officeAddress change within 10 days

Change of major – New I-20 form12< number of units

Educational plan

Read information coming from theinternational students office

21Immigration Information

Final Words from the International Student Office

Remember that it is YOUR responsibilityto maintain your F-1 visa status.

If you don’t know, don’t ask your friends, but ask the Office of International Education staff

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