Immigration Facts for F-1 Visa Holder International Students in United States of America!

As an international student studying in the United States it is natural that you may have many questions about the rules and regulations you must obey in order to maintain a good standing with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) Especially if you are a new student. Please keep in mind while you are reading this article/blog that you should not hesitate to contact your international student advisor at your school any time you have a question that needs to be informed. It is the job of international student advisors at your school to provide you with timely and most importantly accurate information in regards to your immigration related questions and concerns, and if they happen not to know the answer I am sure they will be able to do some research on it will guide you in the right direction to help solve your issues wherever whenever possible. So Let’s start with some basic facts about your visa ( I will mainly write about the F-1 visa category in this blog/article):

If you are an international student studying in the U.S. you are most likely an F-1, J-1 or M-1 Visa holder. Remember that these visas are non-immigrant visas which allow you to live in the U.S. during your studies and you must leave the U.S. once your purpose is met, in other words when you graduate or when you are no longer interested in studying in the U.S. etc.

Can I study Part-time?

As an F-1 student visa holder you MUST study full-time while school is in session! Unless your part-time enrolment is approved by your international office’s authorized official(s) and / or by USCIS when/where necessary. Usually your school will allow you to attend the school part-time or as it is most commonly called you will be allow to under-enroll (below full-time) if you are in the last semester of your studies before graduating and you have less than full-time course load to complete your degree/graduation requirements.

Traveling!

While as an F-1 Visa holder international student you may travel within the United States you should consider doing most of your traveling during the school breaks such as Summer, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Remembering that you are in the United States to study full-time not to be a full-time tourist. You MUST regularly attend your classes and be a full-time students during when the school is in session unless of course your part-time enrolment is approved.

You may also travel out-side the United States for five months or less without having to jeopardize your status. Please make sure to check with your international student advisors at your school, receive his/her endorsement (signature and stamps) on your form I-20. Your international student advisor (DSO: Designated School Official) MUST signed and stamp your form I-20 and check to verify that your immigration/SEVIS record is accurate and up-to-date. Please make sure to consult with your international student advisor for more information on your travel plans to outside the U.S.

Employment!

International students (F-1) can work up-to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session as long as the job counts as a qualifying on-campus job which does not displace a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. You may also work full-time during when the school is on break/not in session.

For most up-to-date and accurate information about when and where you can work for how many hours please consult with your international student advisor, you may also refer to ICE’s and/or USCIS’ useful online resources.

Off-campus employment is usually not an option for international students. Remember that when you applied for admission to your school, and when you applied for your student visa you had to prove that you had ample funds to cover all expenses required during your study. Although an off-campus employment is not common there may certain situations/circumstances when you may be allowed to work off campus upon receiving the required approval/authorization (CPT: Curricular Practical Training, OPT: Optional Practical Training, Severe Economic Hardship etc. You MUST consult with your international student advisor (DSO) at your school to seek more information. Do not accept any un-authorized employment.

For more information and most up-to-date accurate advising simply visit your International Student Advisor’s office which will most likely located in the International Students Office.

Transferring to another school!

You may transfer from your current school to another school as long as the DSOs of both institutions approve your transfer process. Once you are admitted to your new school, your current, soon to be former school MUST release your SEVIS records to the new school before the new school can issue a Transfer I-20.

Dependents!

As an F-1 Visa holder you may request a dependent I-20 to be issued from your school (International Student Advisor/DSO) your dependent MAY apply for a F-2 Dependent Visa which is issued for the dependents (immediate relatives who may be your spouse or your children) . Although you may as the F-1 holder work on and off-campus (when approved) your dependent cannot work, however may be eligible to study.

To be continued…

“Affording our students the opportunity to study abroad, interact with individuals from different cultures while educating them to become capable of living and working in a global environment is the common goal that unites us all international educators … “

- Taylan YALNIZ, International Educator.

Taylan Yalnız

International Education
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