Federal F-1 Student Regulations

How to have a safe, enjoyable and productive stay in the U.S.

GEO-Immigration Services• Ingrid Mercer, Director iamercer@vcu.edu• Meghan Barger, Immigration Advisor

msbarger@vcu.edu • Eduardo Vidal, Immigration Services Assistant,

vidale@vcu.edu817 W. Franklin St. Room 221

Phone: 804/ 828-0595geois@vcu.edu

VCU ID Numbers• Your official VCU student identification

number (known as the “V number” or “Banner Number”) is listed in the upper right hand corner of your admission letter.

• This number is always preceded by a “V” and contains 8 additional digits, e.g., V99999999.

• It is your unique identifier to the university community. You will need this number for housing, use of library, and library computers, gym and many other VCU related activities and facilities.

• Please memorize your V number or keep a copy of it with you in your bag.

VCU Email

• GEO-IS will only reply to VCU issued email addresses. We will not use any addresses from yahoo, hotmail, hanmail, etc…

• This is GEO-IS’s primary form of contact with you to tell you about immigration changes or problems with your personal situation.

It is very important for you to check your VCU email every day.

Immigration Documentation

• Make photocopies (& digital if possible) of passport bio page, visa stamp, I-20 and I-94 card (front & back).

• Carry first set of copies at all times in your bag.• Keep the originals and second set of copies in two

separate safe places.• NEVER THROW AWAY ANY immigration

DOCUMENTATION! You will need it in the future!!

POP QUIZ

What is the most important and useful student number at VCU?

a) Your VCU card numberb) Your car’s license platec) Your “V” number

POP QUIZ

What is the most important and useful student number at VCU?

a) Your VCU card numberb) Your car’s license platec) Your “V” number

POP QUIZWhat is the most used (and most efficient)

communication method for GEO-IS?

a) Smoke signalsb) VCU Email accountc) Morse code

POP QUIZ

What is the most used (and most efficient) communication method for GEO-IS?

a)Smoke signalsb)VCU Email accountc)Morse code?

POP QUIZ

How often do you need to check your VCU email account?

a) Every dayb) Every 10 minutesc) Once a week

POP QUIZ

How often do you need to check your VCU email account?

a) Every dayb) Every 10 minutesc) Once a week

I-20 Expiration

• Make a mental note of your I-20 expiration date. Mark it in a planner or calendar. Your I-20 must be valid at all times to maintain your legal status.

• If you need an I-20 extension to continue your studies, start the process at least one month prior to the expiration date shown on the form.

• Instructions are on our website at global.vcu.edu

Passport Expiration

• Make a mental note of your passport expiration date. Do not let it expire.

• If you will travel and need to extend/ renew your visa, the passport must be valid for a period of at least six months beyond the requested visa extension date.

• Check with your country’s embassy in Washington, DC, for extension instructions.

Full-time Study• Federal regulations require that F-1 students

maintain registration status at a full-time credit load (minimum 12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduate students) for spring and fall semesters. Winter and summer breaks are free time.

• Audited classes and withdrawals do not count towards this requirement.

Make Progress in Your Degree

• While you are in the US, you must attend your classes punctually.

• You must do your assignments and make reasonable progress towards your degree completion.

• If you are having trouble in your classes, there are a few, very specific, acceptable reasons for dropping below a full-time course load. Do not change your schedule without permission from GEO-IS first.

POP QUIZWhat are your international student documents and

which ones should not expire?a) _________________________b) _________________________c) _________________________d) _________________________

POP QUIZ

What are your international student documents and which ones should not expire?

a) I-20 (should not expire)b) I-94 cardc) Passport (should not expire)d) F-1 visa

POP QUIZ

If you need to renew or change your I-20 you must:

a) Do it the day AFTER it expiresb) A month BEFORE it expiresc) You do not need to do anything at all

POP QUIZ

If you need to renew or change your I-20 you must:

a) Do it the day AFTER it expiresb) A month BEFORE it expiresc) You do not need to do anything at all

POP QUIZ

Acceptable reasons to request a reduced course load are:

a) failing a mid-term and oversleeping for too many classes

b) trouble with English in your first semester c) breaking your leg

POP QUIZ

Acceptable reasons to request a reduced course load are:

a) failing a mid-term and oversleeping for too many classes

b) trouble with English in your first semester c) breaking your leg

On-campus Employment

• On campus employment does not require prior GEO-IS approval for F-1 students.

• Students may work on campus no more than 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters. This includes graduate assistantships.

• Students may work on campus up to 40 hours per week during the winter and summer breaks.

Off-campus Employment

• Students may not work off-campus without prior GEO-IS approval. Unauthorized work will subject you to severe immigration consequences.

• Off-campus work authorization is very limited. You can investigate the options at our website, global.vcu.edu.

International Travel

• Before you travel outside the U.S. (including travel to Mexico and Canada) you must bring your I-20 and passport to the GEO-IS office for a travel signature. We will check your passport, I-20 and visa validity dates as well as your academic and financial standing. Then we will sign the I-20.

• In order to avoid or deal with any potential problems or delays it is wise to bring your documents at least two weeks before you need them to leave or apply for visas or we cannot guarantee it will be signed in time.

Changes and Updates• Federal law requires that your SEVIS records be

current and accurate. Keep GEO-IS informed of any changes in your:

Legal immigration statusLiving and mailing address- use “PR” address in BannerPhone numbersField of studyLevel of study

You can do this by sending an email to GEO-IS (geois@vcu.edu) or by coming to the office and completing a form within 10 days of any change.

POP QUIZ

The important dates that you have to be aware of are:

a) My birthday, independence day, and Christmas

b) My birthday, my mother’s birthday, and Christmas

c) Your visa expiration date, your I-20 expiration date, and your passport expiration date

POP QUIZ

The important dates that you have to be aware of are:

a) My birthday, independence day, and Christmas

b) My birthday, my mother’s birthday, and Christmas

c) Your visa expiration date, your I-20 expiration date, and your passport expiration date

POP QUIZ

As an international student you can:

a) Work off campus, anywhere you want (for example, delivering pizza)

b) Work only 20 hours on campus during spring and fall semesters

c) Not work on campus or off campus

POP QUIZ

As an international student you can:

a) Work off campus, anywhere you want (for example, delivering pizza)

b) Work only 20 hours on campus during spring and fall semesters

c) Not work on campus or off campus

POP QUIZ

If you are planning to leave the US, you will have to:

a) Bring your I-20 (along with your I-94 card and passport) to our office (best to give us a couple weeks)

b) Bring the GEO staff some gifts from your home country

c) Do not have to do anything at all

POP QUIZ

If you are planning to leave the US, you will have to:

a) Bring your I-20 (along with your I-94 card and passport) to our office (best to give us a couple weeks

b) Bring the GEO staff some gifts from your home country

c) Do not have to do anything at all

Graduation

• If you are in your final semester, please inform GEO-IS of your future plans as soon as possible.This will avoid lapses in immigration status and/or delay in requests for time-sensitive immigration benefits e.g., optional practical training, a school transfer, or a program level change.

Health Insurance

• Health care in the US is extremely expensive. All F-1 students are strongly encouraged to have health insurance.

• For more information about this, contact Pam Haney or Bob Wood. 804/ 828-0808

Social Security Numbers• Social security numbers are only for paying taxes on

earned income.• F-1 international students are not eligible for social

security numbers UNLESS they have an on-campus job.

• DO NOT find a job simply to get a social security number. That is considered FRAUD and illegal.

• There are ways around the social security requirement and Pam Haney and Bob Wood know a lot about this issue. 804/ 828-0808

Virginia Driver’s License or Identification Card

You will need to take:• Your original passport, I-20, and I-94 card• One form of proof of VA residency that shows your

name and street address of your current Virginia residence as it appears on the application.

• utility bill, bank statement, payroll check stub

Richmond Central Office 2300 W. Broad Street

POP QUIZ

Doctors and Hospitals in the US are:

a) Free for you and everyone elseb) Unbelievably expensivec) You do not know and you do not care

because you will never get sick

POP QUIZ

Doctors and Hospitals in the US are:

a) Free for you and everyone elseb) Unbelievably expensivec) You do not know and you do not care

because you will never get sick

POP QUIZ

When you have immigration questions you should:

a) Ask the GEO-IS advisorb) Ask your teachers, parents and friends,

because Hey, they know everything!c) Questions are for dummies

POP QUIZ

When you have immigration questions you should:

a) Ask the GEO-IS advisorb) Ask your teachers, parents and friends,

because Hey, they know everything!c) Questions are for dummies

POP QUIZ

What are the three “F”s of being an F-1?

a) Do not fail a class, do not commit a felony, and do not falsify a visa application

b) Fun, fun, and more func) Fast food, fast cars, and fast internet

POP QUIZ

What are the three “F”s of being an F-1?

a) Do not fail a class, do not commit a felony, and do not falsify a visa application

b) Fun, fun, and more func) Fast food, fast cars, and fast internet

REMEMBER!

• GEO- Immigration Services is here to help you. • We are open Monday – Friday from 8:00am to

4:30pm.• When you have any questions about your

immigration status, ask us. • Do not ask your teachers, academic advisors,

department chairs, or your friends. They may think they know what they’re talking about but if you get the wrong answer, you are only hurting yourself.