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How to maintain your F-1 visa?
There are several rules and regulations developed and implemented by The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) governing the F-1 visa status of international students, in particular related to their stay and study in the USA.
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, then you will be considered "Out of Status" and until you get your F-1 status reinstated, you may NOT be allowed to;
- continue to stay and study in the USA
- extend your period of study,
- transfer to another school
- travel
- apply for practical training
To maintain your status, you SHOULD:
- Attend the school that you’re authorized to attend.
- Make normal progress towards completing your program of study.
- 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.
- 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.
- Obtain new I-20 for a change in academic or program level of study
- Abide by VIU’s attendance policy which requires that full-time F-1 students are expected to attend at least 80% of all classes.
- 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.
- Accept no employment of any kind: either on- or off-campus, without written permission from the International Student Services Office and, if necessary, the
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
My passport is almost expiring. What should I do?
It is important to keep an un-expired passport valid for at least 6 months into the future. Contact your embassy to renew your passport immediately.
What is a status letter ?
A Status letter is issued by the International Student advisor stating the student’s current status and program of study at VIU.
What do I need to do to transfer to other school?
If you need, make a timely school transfer: Inform ISS office about your intention to transfer at least 15 days before the new semester starting date at VIU. Please note that VIU does not grant any transfer certificates when school is officially in session .
F-1 students who transfer from one school to another school in the United States must complete the transfer process within 15 days of the start date on the I-20. You must have your F-1 record released to the new school within 60 days of completing a degree or Optional Practical Training. F-1 students who have not maintained status at the previous school are not eligible for an immigration transfer. If you wish to transfer in, please apply on-line and consult with Virginia International University’s Admissions Office if you have any questions regarding your application.
My friend wants to transfer in to VIU from other American school? What should I tell him/her?
F-1 students who transfer from one school to another school in the United States must complete the transfer process within 15 days of the start date on the I-20. You must have your F-1 record released to the new school within 60 days of completing a degree or Optional Practical Training. F-1 students who have not maintained status at the previous school are not eligible for an immigration transfer. If you wish to transfer in, please apply on-line and consult with Virginia International University’s Admissions Office if you have any questions regarding your application.
What do I need to do to extend my stay in VIU?
If you require more time to complete your program than that which is authorized on the VIU I-20, you must request a program extension through the ISS office. Contact with the registrar, ISS advisor and your academic advisor.
What is SEVIS fee?
A $200 fee will be collected by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from those individuals seeking F-1 who receive SEVIS Form I-20 with an issuance date of October, 2008 or later. The purpose of this fee is to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This fee will apply to the following people:
- those who will travel to the U.S. for initial attendance as an F or J nonimmigrant (even if the individual is visa exempt, e.g., Canadians),
- those already in the U.S. that will apply for a change of status to F or J classification, those current J-1 nonimmigrants who will apply for a J-1 change of category on or after 9/1/2004.
You can find more information on SEVIS at https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml
What do I need to do to apply for a driver’s license?
To get a driver’s license in VA, you will need the following documents:
- I-20 from VIU
- Passport
- I-94 form
- Student Status Letter from the DSO (Fill out a request for Student Status from the front desk, ask the accounting department to sign and give the form to the International Student Services Office at Waples Mill Road) Please allow a three day processing time Student Counseling Form
- Bank Statement, or Official Transcript from VIU.
For more information, please visit www.dmvnow.com You may visit the following site and study for a learner’s permit exam. You need to study Driver’s License: Part 1 Traffic Signs & Part II General Knowledge http://www.dmvnow.com/dmvweb/kats/sne_intro.asp Once you get a learner’s permit, wait for at least one month, and then you can go to a DMV office and take a road test for a regular driver’s license.
I want to go back to my country during the holiday. What should I do?
Please bring a completed travel authorization form signed by the Accounting Department, a copy of your ticket and your most recent I-20 for your travel signature.
If you are traveling outside the US after you have started school (not your first entry), you must have a travel authorization signature on page 3 of your I-20 from an International Student Advisor. Don’t travel without this unless it’s an emergency! Without the travel signature you will experience delay in being admitted and could be denied admission. See your International Student Advisor before you travel.
If you were unable to receive your travel signature before you left the U.S., please fax a completed travel authorization form and signed credit card authorization to cover postage (International postage is $65.00 and $25.00 within the U.S.) to (703) 591-7048.
What do I need to carry to come back to the U.S.?
Hand carry the following documents. Do not check in these documents!
- Your passport
- SEVIS form I-20
- I-901 SEVIS fee receipt(you can print out your payment history from https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml
- Evidence of financial resources
- Evidence of your student status (such as tuition receipts or acceptance letter)
You may not be asked for 4 and 5, but it is advised that you have them with you. It’s a good idea to have your documents in a folder or some organized method to present at the port of entry check.
THE TRAVEL SIGNATURE ONLY APPLIES TO CONTINUING STUDENTS, NOT FIRST TIME ENTRY
What should I pay attention to upon re-entry to U.S.?
You will fill out the form I-94 arrival/departure card while being admitted (this may happen on the airplane) IMPORTANT: Be sure you spell your name the same way it appears on your passport and I-20. • Inform the Customs and Border Patrol officer at the port of entry as soon as possible that you are an initial or returning F-1 student.
I am a new student. What do I need to do when I arrive in US for the first time?
You must report to the International Student Services Office upon your initial entry (the first time you arrive to start school) so that you can be registered in the SEVIS system. Even if you decide not to attend school, you must report to the Office of International Student Services or you will go out of status and risk immigration problems. If for some reason you can not come to the New Student Orientation, you must report to VIU by the first day of class. Failure to do this may cause you to go into unlawful immigration status, so don’t neglect this! Maintain contact with your ISS advisors at Virginia International University throughout your stay to ensure that your I-20 is updated and you are in good status. Section 5 (page 1) of your I-20 should show your graduation date- if it changes from what is on your I-20, come see us to get this updated.
Departure
Turn in your I-94 card to CBP when you depart, to ensure that you are recorded as not overstaying. If you have lost your I-94 card, keep your boarding pass and other proof that you have departed and contact the ISS office for instructions.
Extending Your Program of Study
Students who are unable to complete their program by the end date indicated on the I-20 must have a compelling academic or medical reason to apply for an extension of stay. Please come into International Student Services Office to begin the extension of stay process at least 30 days before your I-20 expires. Program Extension Request. (PDF)
I have a new U.S. Sponsor. Where do I report to?
If there are any changes in your financial status and sponsorship information, such as: changing your sponsor, or receiving financial aid, or a scholarship, then you have to report to the International Student Advisors immediately within 10 days of this change.
My visa is expiring, what should I do?
The visa is the stamp in your passport that allows you to enter the United States. It does not determine your length of stay here, your I-20 and the I-94 card do. A student visa can only be obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the United States. If your visa expires and you maintain your status, there is no need to travel outside of the United States for the sole purpose of renewing your visa.
I would like to bring my family as my dependent to US. What do I need to do?
For spouses, the applicant should provide a certified translated marriage certificate, original bank statement and a copy of the spouse’s passport. And for children, a certified translated birth certificate, copy of the child’s passport and an original bank statement are needed. Bank statement must cover one year of F-1’s yearly expenses plus dependent’s expenses, $3,000 for first dependent and an additional $1,500 for each dependent after the first initial dependent.
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