intl orientation january 4 2014

Welcome to NSU!

Office of International AffairsJanuary 2014

Overview of Presentation

• Office of International Affairs• Student Visa- Compliance issues

Office of International Affairs

Mission

To develop, facilitate, and oversee high quality innovative international programs, initiatives and partnerships by providing leadership, coordination, and service to students and faculty both on and off campus.

Office of International Students and

Scholars

OISSJim Vatral

Deborah Pabon5 student workers

Office of Student AffairsOSA

Office of International AffairsOIA

Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli, Executive DirectorDr. Alejandra Parra, Associate Director

Nova International

Student Association

NISA

NSU Schools, Colleges, and

Centers

Office of Enrollment and Student Services ESS

Study Abroad

NSU Overall Facts and Figures

International Enrollment on campus: over 1,231 students (student visa)

116 countries represented on campus

Interesting Facts about International Students at NSU…

Interesting Facts about International Students at NSU…

NSU in the world....

AsiaThe

Caribbean

Europe

Latin America

Africa

USA

Office of InternationalStudents and Scholars

MAINTAINING YOUR LEGAL STATUS

AFTER YOU ARRIVE:

Check-In at the Office of International Students and Scholars and bring your:• I-20• Passport• Visa• Local Address• Local Phone Number• Nova email address• Certificate of Virtual Pre-arrival Orientation

IT’S EASY TO MAINTAINYOUR LEGAL STATUS

What document gives you your legal status as an F-1 Student?

SEVIS I-20

SEVIS I-20 Academic Level

Academic Program

Length of Program

Initial attendance/Continued attendance/Transfer in progress

Your I-20’s program’s end date should not expire prior to completing your coursework or you will fall out of status. If you will not complete your studies before this date, please contact our office for instructions on how to extend this time

What is SEVIS?

Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

Information recorded in SEVIS and reported to USCIS

• Dropping below full course load• Failure to enroll in classes• Termination of program (graduation;

withdrawal)• Change of address for F-1 and F-2’s

• Program start/end dates• Term start/end dates• Educational level• Program or major• Program extension• Authorized vacations• Transfer to/from NSU• Off-campus employment/employer information

Maintaining legal F1 status

• Full Course of Study Undergraduate: 12 credit hours(9 credits for Nursing)Master’s: 6 credit hoursDoctoral: 1 class

• On-line classes – only one per term towards your program of study

• Local Address – report any address change to the OISS within 10 days

International students need OISS approval for:

• Employment • Reduced Course Load• Dropping/Withdrawing • Change of Major/Program• Off-Campus Employment

• Not checking in at the OISS• Registered below a full course load• Not enrolling• Withdrawing or dropping classes without

authorization• Taking only online classes• When I-20 expires before program

completion• Working without authorization• Changing address and not reporting the

changes to the OISS within 10 days

How does a student fall out of status?

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Once you register for classes:• Your student account will be billed for tuition and

student fees. • You will receive an E-Bill sent to your NSU e-mail

address. • Pay all required tuition and fees no later than 30

days after the start of the term to avoid a $100.00 late charge.

• You can pay online or in person at one of our One Stop Shops.

Non-Payment

Bursars Hold

Termination of Status for “Failure to Enroll”!!!!

Cannot Register

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU…

WHAT IF I FALL OUT OF STATUS?

Apply for reinstatement.

Leave and re-enter the country with a new I-20.Or, you can…

You can…

Travelling

To your home country

• valid I-20• valid visa (except

Canada or Bermuda)• passport which is valid 6

months into the future from the date the student intends to re-enter the USA

Other than home country• valid I-20• valid visa (except

Canada or Bermuda)• passport which is valid

6 months into the future from the date the student intends to re-enter the USA

Important: Check with the Embassy of that country for any additional visa requirements

Can an international student work while in the USA?

ON CAMPUS

20 hours (part-time)

37.5 hours (full time)

OFF CAMPUS

CPT Curricular Practical Training

OPT Optional Practical Training

Economic hardship

• Social Security Number• Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

And related to that….

• Never destroy your “old” immigration documents. • Always keep copies of your important documents.• Your responsibility to know the regulations. • ALWAYS check your Nova email account. • Never act on “information” from friends, relatives,

or the grapevine• Make sure all your documents are up-to-date and

valid before you travel internationally.

Information to remember….

Also remember…

• Do not use a tourist visa for re-entry• When in doubt, seek advise at the OISS• In case of emergency contact OISS• If detained and questioned at the point-of-entry,

only answer their questions.• Academic performance

– SUSPENDED or DISMISSED I-20 is IMMEDIATELY terminated and you must leave the country immediately

After Completion

If you complete your program and do not apply for OPT, you have 60 days in which to

• Transfer to another university• Begin a new program at NSU• Depart the United States

Additional Information

TRANSPORTATION

NSU ShuttleBus ServiceTriRail/Metrorail

http://www.broward.org/BCT

http://www.tri-rail.com/

Driving in Florida

To apply for a Florida Driver’s License Visit the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Office

or check online at http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

• Please get CAR INSURANCE (mandatory in the USA)• Get a PARKING DECAL to park around campus

Health Insurance

Please go to the Health Center webpage for informationhttp://www.nova.edu/smc/health_insurance.html

It is highly recommended that you get Health Insurance while you are studying in the USA!!!

TAX Information

Visit our website for information

VERY IMPORTANT!!!

You are responsible for:• maintaining your PERSONAL INFORMATION

(address, phone number) up-to-date• Using your NSU E-mail account (official mode

of communication)• Maintaining a GOOD academic standing….• Maintaining your I-20 current

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:

When in doubt…….CALL OUR OFFICE!!!!

OIA Contact information

Website: http://www.nova.edu/internationalstudents/

Email:intl@nova.edu

Phone:954-262-7240 (24/7)

Skype:nsu.international

Good luck!