International Student Presentation INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OFFICE – HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Purpose of Presentation Introduce you to the International Student Office team Overview of information to help you maintain your legal status
Meet your International Student Team Keith Green - Director of Institutional Compliance and Research/SEVIS - PDSO Stephanie Foster - International Student Coordinator/SEVIS DSO Melissa Bailey – International Student Coordinator/SEVIS DSO Sabrina Guzy – International Student Coordinator/SEVIS DSO
International Student Office P/DSOs
Contacting the International Student Office Preferred method of contact is the Student Support Network ◦ https://harrisburgu-advocate.symplicity.com/care_report/ Allow 24 hours for a response. Please follow the prompts and enter your identifying information carefully. Contact the Helpdesk@HarrisburgU.edu with any computer-related access problems (not the ISO). Do NOT contact: Faculty members or other Administrative Offices if you have an I-20 or CPT question All course registration, change of program, or Add/Drop of courses are handled by the Office of Records and Registration, NOT the International Student Office. Registrar@HarrisburgU.edu
Student Support Network – Submitting an Inquiry • Enter your full name (as written on your passport) • HU email address • Phone number • Select ‘International Student Inquiry’ to submit a request to a DSO
Student Support Network – Submitting an Inquiry • Select Current Student
Student Support Network – Submitting an Inquiry Enter your HU Student ID Select what you would like to do from the drop down menu Add any additional details to your request in the text box Attach any documents if applicable Submit The appropriate staff member will respond to your request
F-1 Visa Purpose in the U.S. is to be a full-time degree seeking student. Required to comply with F-1 nonimmigrant visa regulations and all U.S. laws. Important Note: We are here to help, but you are ultimately responsible for your status.
SEVIS The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a secure internet- based system, run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEVIS allows schools to: Provide certain authorizations to students. Convey required information to the U.S. federal government. Parts of SEVIS information can be seen by U.S. Embassies and Consulates, the school you are attending, and other U.S. federal agencies.
Maintain Your Status Enroll full time. Accept employment only as authorized. Maintain valid documents: Passport must be valid at all times. I-20 must be valid and up-to-date at all times. Be sure to sign ins the “Student Attestation” section of ALL I20s that you receive today. Update your address changes the day you move.
Full-time Enrollment F-1 visa holders must be enrolled full-time. Full-time enrollment status is 6 semester hours at HU. HU has a trimester schedule: Fall, Spring, Summer (Late Fall, Late Spring, Late Summer). Can I take more than 2 classes? In the first semester you may only enroll in 2 classes. After attaining a 3.00 GPA or higher in the first semester, you make take 3 or 4 courses. CPT does not count for academic credit.
On-line Courses for F-1 Student Only one on-line course (maximum of 3 credits) per semester may count towards your full-time enrollment requirement.
Reducing Your Course Load There are very few acceptable reasons you may be authorized to enroll below fulltime. You MUST first obtain approval from the International Student Office before reducing your course load in order to maintain your legal status. Approvals are reported to the federal government via SEVIS. Medical or Nepal students approved for TPS (USCIS Form I-765).
Medical Emergency If you miss a weekend class for medical reasons, submit documentation to KGreen@HarrisburgU.edu . F-1 students with documented medical conditions can take a reduced course load. Student must submit medical documentation to the International Student Office. Acceptable forms of documentation: • Licensed medical doctor • Licensed doctor of osteopathy • Licensed clinical psychologist
Driver’s License and SSN A letter confirming your enrollment will be given to each F-1 student with your active I-20. A letter confirming your enrollment will be given to each H1B, H4, or L2 student upon request. Driver’s license requirements: Passport I-20 Letter of Enrollment Letter of rejection from Social Security Office I-94
If an employer filed an H-1B application for the April 2017 Quota Lottery Upon receipt of an RFE (Request for Evidence) from USCIS, the student will be charged $250 for the RFE Processing Fee for transcripts, I-20s and other documents Tips: Keep your travel records/receipts (parking receipts, toll receipts, etc.) & textbook costs Keep your course schedules Keep the syllabus for each course
Report Your Addresses Federal regulations require you to report address changes within 10 days of moving. We must have a U.S. address and *Phone Number (This is New*) on file for you. Email a DSO to update your address (not all DSOs, just one). All addresses must be a physical street address. No P.O. Box addresses allowed. Your orientation check-in is not complete until you update your address. All recent international student arrivals from outside the U.S. must report a U.S. address (temporary or permanent) within five (5) days from today. It is required for reporting in the SEVIS system.
Keep Valid and Accurate Documents o Passport o Your passport cannot expire in the U.S. o Contact your home country embassy or consulate in the U.S. to renew your passport at least 6 months before it expires
I-20 o I-20 Expiration date is shown in the “PROGRAM OF STUDY” section. The Program Start Date and Program End date are listed. o Requesting an I-20 extension even ONE DAY AFTER the expiration date is too late and you would no longer be in legal visa status
Your Visa May Expire While in U.S. • The visa must only be valid when crossing the border to enter the U.S. • BUT you will need a valid visa to re-enter after international travel.
Getting your I-94 • Go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html • The following information is required to retrieve your Admission (I-94) number. Enter the information as it appears on the passport you used to enter the U.S.: ◦ Family name ◦ First name ◦ Birth date(MM/DD/YYYY) ◦ Passport number ◦ Country of Issuance ◦ Date of Entry (stamped inside your passport) ◦ Class of admission (i.e. F1).
Grace Periods The grace period is the additional time permitted in the visa status after completing the academic program. • F-1 students have a 60-day grace period to legally remain in the U.S. to pack, travel, apply for OPT or another academic program, or change visa status. •If you if you withdraw from the university, with permission you may be granted a 15-day grace period .
Semester Break HU operates on trimester schedule. You have class Fall, Spring, and Summer (Late Fall, Late Spring, and Late Summer). After 2 consecutive semesters of study, you may request a semester break by emailing a DSO. Documents for Travel: Current Active I20 Passport Visa I-94 * Travel I-20s or enrollment letters are NOT required or provided You do not have to leave the U.S. during a semester break.
International Travel To re-enter the U.S. you need: ◦ Valid passport ◦ Valid visa stamp ◦ A travel endorsement (PDSO/DSO signature on 2 nd page of I-20, valid for 1 year) Your Active I-20 is already endorsed Short term travel outside of the United States is permitted • Short term travel is defined as less than 30 calendar days • It is recommended that travel is limited to 15 days to maintain participation in our coursework and attain successful academic achievement
Tips for Success Go to every class (and on time) – Skipping class or arriving late too often WILL affect your grades and, ultimately, your legal status. – Your F-1 visa requires you to attend your classes; you are here to go to school. School must be a priority over work. HU is the sponsor of your I-20 and you are expected to attend each and every class. Read your emails – Your HU email address is where important information will be sent from professors and other offices on campus. – Not reading your email regularly can mean that you miss very important information and that can lead to immigration, academic, and other problems. ◦ [THE END]
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