GW 101

International Student Orientation

F-1 / J-1 Make-up Immigration

Session

International Student Orientation F-1 / J-1

Make-up Immigration SessionPresented by

Alyssa Fox & Katerina SalasInternational Student & Scholar Advisors

International Services OfficeJanuary 9, 2015

Academic Support ResourcesAcademic Support ResourcesAcademic Support Resources

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We’re glad you’re here!

Welcome!

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You

and

your

success

are

our

mission!

The International Services Office

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Services & Programs for Students

Welcome Center & new student orientation Immigration advising & assistance Employment workshops and information Advising & programs on personal, social,

cultural, and educational concerns Cultural adjustment workshops & cross-

cultural communication training Campus & community referrals Crisis intervention Info on drivers licenses, Social Security, etc.

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ISO Student Advising Business Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm

(closed weekends and U.S. holidays)

Advisor Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 1:30-3:30 pm, first-come, first-serve

Appointments STRONGLY recommended • If J-1 student, identify yourself as such to reception

Bring immigration documents to advising Email communication policy

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Immigration Requests: Plan Ahead and Apply Early

ISO 10 business-day turnaround policy:• Immigration is complex and highly detail oriented.

Allow ISO enough time to minimize human error

• Additional time may be needed for incomplete or problem issues

• ISO (most GW offices) are very busy at beginning and end of each semester, and before holidays … August, December, January & May busiest Last 2 weeks of December, very limited staffing

across GW. Please plan ahead and apply early.

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Department of Homeland Security

In 2003, immigration functions transferred to 3 Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) bureaus:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – Immigration inspections at the port of entry

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Immigration benefits and services

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Investigation and enforcement of federal immigration laws (SEVIS)

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1. Plan ahead and apply early

2. Keep your documents safe and keep them valid

3. Keep your GW student records accurate

4. Consult with an ISO advisor anytime you think about making a significant change in your life

Immigration Basics:

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Your Immigration Documents

Passport

Must be valid at time of entry (at least 6 months into future) and throughout stay in U.S.

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Your Immigration Documents

U.S. Visa

Gives permission to travel to U.S. and request admission

Must be valid at time of any (re-)entry

Okay to expire while in the U.S.

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Your Immigration Documents

Entry Stamp

Passport should be stamped at port of entry

Make a copy of this stamp for your records

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Your Immigration Documents

Official registration document

Evidence of legal admission to U.S.

Indicates immigration status and how long student may remain

For land entry, air entries prior to May 2013 or I-515

Card

Paper I-94 Card

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Your Immigration Documents

Electronic I-94 Record

www.cbp.gov/I94

Print 2 copies- 1 for you and 1 for ISO

D/S

F-1 or J-1

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Your Immigration Documents

Form I-20 / DS-2019• I-20 issued by school authorized to enroll

international students

• DS-2019 issued by designated J Sponsor

• All information must be accurate and reflect your current circumstances

• Must be valid at all times (See Section #5 on I-20 or Section #3 on DS-2019)

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I-20Section 1:

• Name & date of birth

• Country of birth & citizenship

Section 2:• Your School

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I-20

Section 4 • Your Education Level

Section 5:

• Your Major/Program

• Your Program Dates (I-20 Validity)

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I-20

Section 8 • Funding

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DS-2019 Site of Activity Program (DS-

2019) Sponsor Section 3:

Program dates

Section 4: Major

Section 5: Funding

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Safeguard Your Immigration Documents!

Do not use for routine identification Make copies for yourself & ISO Update

your ISO file with new documents (I-94, visa, passport)

If documents are lost or stolen, contact: ISO, GW police, DC police (or local police), & your embassy

Carry copies of your documents in Metro-D.C. area; originals when traveling outside local area

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Port of Entry Admission: I-515 Form I-515: 30-day admission notice; I-94 has date

specific expiration Legally authorized to remain in U.S. for ONLY 30

DAYS unless remedied thru ISO with Immigration Must be corrected before expiration on I-94 to

avoid serious consequences Make appointment with ISO advisor immediately

after admission (Bring original I-94, I-515 and passport)

Travel discouraged until I-515 is corrected

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SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

Schools / J Program Sponsors must report through SEVIS to DHS, info including: biographic, enrollment, employment & address

Be sure to timely register full time Ensure that GW / ISO (J program sponsor) has your

current residential address (G-web) Please read GW e-mail for DHS or DOS

updates from ISO [GW email: NetID@gwmail.gwu.edu]

Before returning to home country, report to ISO when completing all activities

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Maintaining Status: Student Responsibilities (1)

Formal check-in at ISO ASAP after arrival in US or SEVIS record auto terminated as “No Show”

Maintain valid passport, I-20 / DS-2019, I-94 at all times

Attend school authorized to attend (Listed on I-20 / DS-2019)

Enroll for and maintain full-time enrollment (Undergrads: 12 credits; Graduates: 9 credits)

Limited exceptions to full-time enrollment requirements (MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY ISO ADVISOR in SEVIS)

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Maintaining Status: Student Responsibilities (2)

Make satisfactory progress to complete degree in normal length of full time study -- as indicated on I-20/DS-2019

Apply in a timely manner to ISO for extension (recommend 30-90 days before I-20 / DS-2019 expiration date) if more time needed to complete program

Consult ISO advisor before changing programs, educational levels, or field of study

Follow procedures with ISO to transfer to another U.S. institution

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Maintaining Status : Student responsibilities (3)

Limit on-campus employment to 20 hrs per week TOTAL when school is in session

J-1 students need written permission (from DS-2019 sponsor) for all on-campus employment

Cease on-campus employment immediately upon completion of studies, or violation of status (I-20 / DS-2019 expiration, drop below full time)

Refrain from ANY off-campus employment without written authorization in advance from ISO advisor or USCIS

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Maintaining Status : Student responsibilities (4)

Notify ISO if expected to complete program before date on I-20/DS-2019

Apply in a timely manner to ISO & CIS for post-degree Optional Practical Training (F-1) or to ISO / J program sponsor for Academic Training (J-1)

(Attend ISO employment workshop for details)

Report any change of residence to GW (via G-web) within 10 days of move [Note: Legal requirement continues to end of OPT / AT]

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Maintaining Status: J-1 Student responsibilities (5)

Maintain health insurance for self & dependents throughout J program

• Automatically enrolled in GW Health Insurance

Subject to 212(e), Two-year home country physical presence requirement:

• Skills list

• Funding: U.S. or home country government

• Receipt of graduate medical education or training; Sponsored by ECFMG

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Maintaining Status: Address Update

To fulfill legal immigration requirements, please report any change of address within 10 days of moving to…

GW Registrar’s Office http://gweb.gwu.edu

1. “Current” Address field in GWeb – this should be your physical residence in the U.S.

2. “Permanent” Address field in GWeb – this should be your permanent address in your home country

3. Leave the “To Date” field blank

Please Note: New special reporting to GWeb continues through post-degree F-1 Optional Practical Training and J-1 Academic Training

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CURRENT Address – Don’t do this!

DO NOT put an end date. Leave this blank!

DO NOT enter any information in line 3

DO NOT put a date in the future

DO NOT enter a U.S. state, enter ONLY the city

DO NOT forget to select a U.S. state

DO NOT forget to enter a 5 digit code

DO NOT enter your entire address in one line

DO NOT overload lines with too much information!

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DO NOT put a date in the future

DO NOT forget to enter a city

DO NOT forget to select a country –

NOT the U.S.A!

PERMANENT Address – Don’t do this!

DO NOT overload lines with too much information!

DO NOT put an end date. Leave this blank!

DO NOT enter your entire address in one line

DO NOT enter any information in line 3

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Reduced Course Load

In limited circumstances, may enroll for less than full time

Must be approved by ISO advisor (J sponsor) and reported to SEVIS prior to drop full time

ISO must report resumption of full time enrollment by start of next available term

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Reduced Course Load (cont.)

Three general reasons:

• Academic

• Final term

• Medical

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Full Time Certification for Graduate Students

For thesis/dissertation programs only After all coursework is completed Full-time study effort on thesis or dissertation Form must be submitted every semester and

processed prior to start of classes Cannot be working more than 20 hours per week to

be certified as full-time After ISO approval, form is forwarded to Registrar to

update student’s record to reflect full-time status

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Traveling Outside of U.S.Re-entry requirements: • Valid I-20 / DS-2019 with recent travel signature

(Request at ISO at least 2 weeks prior to departure)• Passport valid (6 months min) with valid F-1/J-1 visa• Original, current financial documents

(Less than 6 months old, with sufficient funds for program consistent with source(s) listed on I-20 / DS-2019)

• Official transcript (issued by Registrar’s Office)

• GWorld card

For visa renewal, please see ISO advisor and visit U.S. Embassy website at travel.state.gov

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F-1 / J-1 On-Campus Employment• Must be in valid F-1 / J-1 status. • Limited to maximum of 20 hours per week TOTAL

during academic term (No flexibility) (Graduate Assistantships considered 20 hrs/week. No other employment

allowed with assistantship)

Full time during official school breaks (December holidays, Spring Break) & summer vacation if eligible and intending to continue enrollment in very next term.

• Cease on-campus employment immediately upon completion of studies, or violation of status (I-20/DS-2019 expiration, drop below full time)

• J-Students need written permission in advance from J sponsor. Must maintain good academic standing

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F-1/J-1 Off-Campus Employment• Government very strict & unforgiving about

unauthorized employment – on or off campus

• Never work off-campus without written permission in advance from ISO/USCIS (on I-20 /DS-2019 or EAD)

• All off-campus work must be authorized in SEVIS and in writing to individual prior to beginning employment

• See advisor for eligibility requirements

• Follow restrictions and limitations for type of work authorization, including dates, hours per week and employer/location

• Attend ISO employment workshops for details

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Final Thoughts!Please remember, it is your responsibility to

maintain your status• Keep your documents safe and keep them valid• Keep your GW student records and address

accurate

Immigration laws may change: Please review your GW e-mail for ISO updates Contact ISO advisor for updates

Serious penalties for violating status:Loss of status, employment benefits, visa

cancellation

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Final Thoughts (continued) Please bring immigration documents to ISO

appointments / advising assistance

ISO 10 business-day turnaround policy: Allows ISO enough time to minimize human

error May require additional time to process request if

there is a problem

ISO gets very busy at beginning and end of each semester, and before holidays …

So please plan accordingly

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Final Thoughts (continued)

Best advice: Ask an ISO Advisor

Plan ahead & Apply early

Before departing the U.S. after your studies end please report to ISO that you are moving abroad.

Enjoy your time at GWU!!

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Questions?

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International Services Office

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International Services Office

@GW_ISO

International Services Office (ISO)1922 F Street, NW - Suite 205Phone: (202) 994-4477Fax: (202) 994-4488http://gwired.gwu.edu/iso