51勛圖厙

Office of
Human Resources

Visa and Immigration Regulations

Return to Student Employment at 51勛圖厙 University


Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training is available for students:

  1. who have completed nine months of full-time study
  2. who are maintaining lawful F-1 status
  3. for whom the proposed employment is a required part of the studies.

(Students in Intensive English (ELI program) are not permitted to apply for Practical Training.)

For more information and the required forms see the International Student Services office.

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Foreign Student Responsibilities

The following list represents important responsibilities you will have as an international student at 51勛圖厙 University. Failure to comply can seriously affect your future enrollment and your legal rights to remain in the United States. Do not hesitate to ask the Employment office or International Student Services office staff if you have any questions.

  1. It is expected that you will take personal responsibility for knowing and complying with all immigration regulations affecting your visa status. It is your responsibility to check with the International Student Services office for information on changes in the immigration regulations.
  2. Immigrations regulations that require you maintain full-time status as a student at 51勛圖厙 University each and every semester. A minimum per semester of 12 undergraduate credits, 8 graduate credits 9 Master of Divinity credits or full-time equivalency for English Language Institute students are required.
  3. Do not accept unauthorized employment. Consult with an International Student Services officer before accepting any off campus employment.
  4. If you plan to leave the U.S., you must take responsibility for making sure you have the necessary documents to re-enter. If you are an F-1 student, make sure a International Student Services officer signs the back of your I-20 ID form.
  5. Maintain the validity of your passport at all times. The consulate or embassy of your country in the U.S. will have information on how to renew it. Consult the International Student Services office for embassy and consulates addresses and telephone numbers.
  6. Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 up to date. You must apply for an extension of stay if you do not complete your program of studies within the time specified on the I-20 or DS-2019.
  7. It is expected that you will take personal responsibility for knowing and complying with all University regulations as specified in the General Bulletin.
  8. Your file at the International Student Services office must be complete and up-to-date at all times. Our office is required to keep copies of your immigration documents and to know of any changes that take place. Also, please notify the International Student Services office when you change your address, major, visa status, marital status, when you transfer to another school, or withdraw from school.

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Immigration Documents

The Visa

The visa is a multi-colored stamp placed in the passport at a U.S. Consulate. It is the permit necessary to enter the U.S. for the terms and conditions of that visa classification. The visa indicates the specific classification, the expiration date, name of the bearer, the number of valid entries, and the location and date it was issued. It is not necessary that the validity of the visa be maintained while in the U.S. It is only when traveling outside the U.S. that you must have a valid visa for re-entry.

An exception is made when traveling to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands for visits of 30 days or less. With a valid passport, I-94 and I-20 Copy (F-1 students) or pink copy of the DS-2019 (J-1 exchange visitors) the visa is considered automatically revalidated.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Card

This small white card is issued to all non-immigrants and is stapled in the passport (or sometimes I-20) at the time of arrival in the U.S. The I-94 indicates the visa classification and the length of authorized stay in the U.S. This card is surrendered upon departure from the U.S. and a new Form I-94 is issued upon re-entry (except for trips to Canada and Mexico lasting less than 30 days).

The length of authorized stay for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors is noted on the I-94 as D/S (which stands for Duration of Status). It allows F-1 students to stay in the U.S. for the length of time indicated on the initial I-20 form, plus 60 days, and it allows J-1 exchange visitors to stay the length of time indicated on the initial DS-2019 form, plus 30 days. If additional time is needed, then an extension of stay must be filed for F-1 students and a new DS-2019 must be issued for J-1 Exchange Visitors.

I-20 Form

The "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status" is issued to you at the time of your acceptance to a school. It is used to apply for an F-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in your country and is then presented to the Immigration Office at the port of entry when you arrive in the U.S. If you plan to return home during school breaks, and your visa needs to be renewed, then you will need a new I-20 form. To receive a new I-20 form from the International Student Services office, complete the I-20 request form. It will be ready in approximately 3 working days.

I-20 Copy

The second page of the original I-20 becomes your I-20 Copy. It is your copy of the I-20 and should not be surrendered upon departure from the U.S. It can be used to re-enter the U.S. if an International Student Services officer has signed it on the back within the past year and your visa is valid. If you lose the I-20 copy, contact the International Student Services office for information regarding replacement procedures.

DS-2019 Form

The "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status" is the document issued to potential exchange visitors when they are admitted to a school. It is used to apply for the J-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in your home country. IT is then presented to the Immigration officials at the port of entry in the U.S. Exchange Visitors are given a copy of the DS-2019 to keep. It can be used for re-entry into the U.S. as long as the visa is still valid. If the visa is not valid, a new DS-2019 can be requested from the Program Sponsor. If you lose your copy of the DS-2019, contact the ISC for information regarding replacement procedures.
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Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training may be undertaken after completion of a degree or program. It is allowed for a maximum of twelve months beginning on the date all requirements for a program of study are completed; not the date of participation in graduation ceremonies and receiving a certificate or diploma. If an F-1 decides to continue their studies, after finishing a bachelor's degree and after using the one-year practical training, then they will not be able to do Optional Practical Training after finishing graduate studies. For more information and the required forms see the International Student Services office.
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F-1 Employment Options

This information sheet provides you with an introduction to employment issues and options for international students in F-1 status.

The most important employment issue that you need to keep in mind is the issue of legal (or authorized) versus illegal (or unauthorized) employment. You must always make sure that any employment you plan to engage in is legal employment. Any unauthorized (i.e. illegal) employment - even for one day - even if you did not know it was illegal - poses a grave threat to your ability to remain in or return to the United States. And you must always make sure that you have the necessary employment authorization before you begin work - even if you receive authorization later - constitutes illegal employment.

You should always consult with the Employment Office before beginning any employment. This is the only way to be sure that you wont engage in illegal employment, with all of its adverse consequences for your future in the U.S.

Eligibility Requirements

Different requirements exist for each type of F-1 employment, but there are basic requirements that must be met for any F-1 employment.

  • You must be enrolled for a full course of study (12 undergraduate, 8 graduate, 9 Masters of Divinity or full-time equivalency in the Intensive English Program) unless there is a valid exception*.
  • You must be authorized by Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) or the International Student Services office to attend 51勛圖厙 University.

Once employment is authorized you must maintain eligibility or you will lose your right to continue employment, even if it was authorized in writing.

* For information and approval connected with these exceptions, students should see the International Student Services office. Students who do not document their reasons for exceptions to the full-time study requirements will be considered to be out-of-status by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Should this happen, students must be reinstated as quickly as possible. For reinstatement procedures, please see the International Student Services office.

Definition of Employment

Employment is any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. If you receive no pay or other benefit for the work performed, this activity is not defined as employment, but is considered to be volunteer work.

Categories of F-1 Student Employment

On-campus employment is usually permissible if it meets certain requirements. Work on-campus is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session but may be full-time during holiday and vacation periods. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) defines on-campus employment as any on-campus work for which you receive a paycheck (or other compensation, such as room and board, tuition, etc.) from 51勛圖厙 University.
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F-1 Hardship Employment

In circumstances of extreme hardship, or economic necessity, an F-1 student can apply for permission from the INS to work off-campus. The student must have been in F-1 status for at least one year and the circumstances causing the shortage of funds must be unforeseen and beyond the students control. For more information and the required forms see the International Student Services office.
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F-1 Practical Training

Practical Training is a period of time during which F-1 students are allowed to work in the U.S. in a job, which is related to their academic fields. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) regulations provide two types of practical training. Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training. For both, the F-1 student must request Employment Authorization. Employment must not continue beyond the date authorized on the F-1s I-20 form unless an extension for permission