Dear Students, Please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations, which apply to F-1 students. If you fail to follow these procedures, you may not be eligible to continue (or to apply for) benefits provided to F-1 students, such as any type of employment (including assistantships), school transfer, ability to re-enter the United States when you travel, and practical training, and you may be given a notice to depart the U.S., with the possibility that you could be barred from returning to the U.S. for 3-10 years. 1. Keep an un-expired passport valid for at least 6 months into the future 2. Attend the school that you're authorized to attend. 3. Make normal progress towards completing your program of study. 4. Special Registration and Change of Address: Report change of address to VIU within 10 days of the change. If applicable, comply with Special Registration Procedures for Certain Foreign Nationals. 5. Maintain full-time enrollment. Full-time course load for the graduate program is 9 credits/semester, for the undergraduate and certificate programs it is 12 credits/semester, and for the ESL program its 20 hours/week. 6. Obtain new I-20 for a change in academic or program level of study 7. Abide by VIU's attendance policy which requires that full-time F-1 students are expected to attend at least 80% of all classes. 8. Vacation; All F-1 students, including ESL and all degree seeking students, with no exceptions, are allowed to take vacation only during the official school breaks, semester breaks, and summer terms. 9. Accept no employment of any kind, either on- or off-campus, without written permission from the International Students Services Office and, if necessary, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (USCIS). 10. If you need, make timely school transfer; Inform us about your intention to transfer at least 15 days before the new semester starting date. Please note that VIU does not grand any transfer certificates when school is officially in session. 11. Obtain an F-1 extension of stay as needed;. If you require more time to complete your program than that which is authorized on the VIU I-20 (see item 5 ". . . and complete studies not later than {date}."), you must request a program extension through the ISSO. 12. F-1 Grace Periods: After you have completed or terminated your studies and any practical training that is authorized (if any), you must leave the U.S. within 60 days period, or change to another immigration status within the appropriate time allowed, that usually within the first 45 days. A student who obtains permission from a DSO prior to withdrawing from VIU, will have 15 days to depart the U.S. However, a student who withdraws without a prior approval or terminates the course of study has zero (0) days to leave the U.S. The student must depart the U.S. immediately. 13. Financial Support; If and whenever there occurs any change in your financial status and sponsorship information, such as changing your sponsor, or receiving a financial aid or any scholarship you have to report to the foreign student advisor immediately within 10 days of this change. Failure to maintain your F-1 status will be considered "Out of Status" and you may NOT be allowed to; a. Extend your period of study
b. Take an authorized vacation
c. Transfer to another school. For more info, questions or any concerns please see Mr. H. K. Burk, Dir. of Admission to discuss your case.
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