Immigration and Visa Information Session

Presenter:

Samira PardananiAssistant Director, International Admissions & Immigration

In This Session, We Will Talk About:

• Your F-1 status

• Immigration rules

• Immigration processes and

paperwork

• SEVIS

• “Do I always need to take

12 credit hours?”

• Getting to know your

documents

Some Important Things For You To Know

• There are MANY immigration rules.

• Immigration rules are complicated.

• Breaking immigration rules causes problems!

• If you have questions about immigration, please contact International Programs staff.

• Do not ask your friends for immigration advice!

• Read International Programs emails carefully!

Some Important Things For You To Know

International Programs office ALWAYS needs to have your:

• current address (required by regulations)

• email address (This is how we communicate!)

• telephone number.

REMEMBER:It is ultimately your

responsibility to keep your immigration status valid!

F-1 Immigration Rules

1. Don’t let your passport expire.

2. Don’t let your I-20 expire.

3. Be a full-time student (at least 12 credits each quarter).

4. DO NOT withdraw or stop attending classes! You must be registered and attending at least 12 credits each quarter.

Note: W (Withdraw) or V (Vanish) grades and N (Audit) classes DO NOT count toward the 12 credit requirement!

F-1 Immigration Rules5. You can take ONLY ONE online class for your

first 12 credits. We recommend that you talk to an advisor BEFORE you register for any online classes.

6. If you want to take LESS than 12 credits submit -> YELLOW RCL FORM

7. If you want to return to home country for one or more quarters, or if you want to withdraw from Shoreline, submit -> RED LOA/WITHDRAWAL FORM

8. Apply for Re-admission to Shoreline if you wish to return after a leave of absence.

9. Do Not work more than 20 hours on campus when classes in session.

F-1 Immigration Rules10. It is ILLEGAL to work off-campus!

(Some limited options available, but must get authorization from immigration office first).

11. If you move, submit Change of Contact Information Form at International Programs WITHIN 10 days.

12. Meet with an advisor at International Programs if your situation changes in any way (eg. Change of major, graduation, name changes, etc).

13. If you are traveling outside the U.S., check to see if your travel signature on I-20 is valid.

SKIT

What is SEVIS?• SEVIS stands for “Student and

Exchange Visitor Information System”.

• It is your electronic immigration record.

• All U.S. schools MUST regularly update students’ electronic record.

• Examples of things schools are required to update in SEVIS.

• IMPORTANT: Students SEVIS records must be updated at the beginning of each quarter. If we do not know why you are not registered, we CANNOT update your record!

“Must I always be a full-time student?”

Reduced Course Load (RCL) Rules

• In general, F-1 students MUST be full-time (12 credit hours).

• In certain situations, it may be possible to be less than full-time.

• Check with an advisor to find out if you are eligible (based on immigration rules).

• You MUST get permission before taking less than 12 credits (Permission = Yellow RCL form)

• If you are not taking classes and you have not submitted the yellow form, your SEVIS record will not remain active!

RCL Form (Paper Form Only)

When Should You Submit An RCL Form?

If you want to take less than 12 credits in one of these situations:

1. IF you are eligible for vacation quarter.

2. IF it is your final quarter before you graduate.

3. IF you have a medical condition and get an appropriate letter from a health care provider.

4. (Very rarely) for certain specific academic situations.

Leave of Absence Form

Leave of Absence Situations

• If you want to go back to your home country for one or more quarters (unless you are eligible for vacation).

• We cannot keep your SEVIS record active.

• You will need to re-apply to return to Shoreline.

Documents

• Passport

• Visa Stamp

• I-20 Document

• I-94 Card

I-20 document

Sample I-20 fromOregon State University and Brandeis universities website

I-94 card

• Sample I-94 from Univ. of Southern California website

F-1 Visa Stamp (ENTRY document)

Conclusion

• Know the rules.

• Ask questions.

• We are here to help!

We wish you a wonderful time at Shoreline and success in your academic pursuits!