**Navigating Immigration Rules for International Students** Discover essential responsibilities and resources for mainta

1. International Student Services

2. International Student Services Before we talk about immigration rules. Let me introduce you to the ISS team, review your general responsibilities, and describe how our office can help you throughout your stay.

3. International Student Services Introduction of ISS Staff Terry EckersonStaff Assistant Patti DiPassioSEVIS Coordinator

4. International Student Services DSO/RO Advising Staff Jeff Cox, Director Lilli Holdgaard Jensen, Assistant Director Sue Joseph, Program Coordinator Shawna Szabo, International Student Advisor (starting 9/8/14)

5. International Student Services the Peer Advisor Leaders (PALS)!! and thanks to the rest of our ISS team… http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/newstudents_PALS.php

6. International Student Services ISS Orientation Highlights Raise your hand if you need a: schedule, map, or new international student guidebook

7. International Student Services An Overview of our Web Resources http://www.rit.edu/iss

8. International Student Services If you have not already done so…Please report to the Bamboo Room, or after today, to the ISS office(located in the SAU, above the Ben & Jerry’s)anytime in next few days.We’ll copy & sign your documents and record your arrival in the US government database (SEVIS).

9. International Student Services Always keep your local address up to date. Immigration regulations require you to update it within 10 days of any move. • You can do this on-line here: sis.rit.edu

10. International Student Services Email Requirements • Regularly check your RIT e-mail account and read all notices from ISS. • Some may be optional programs, but occasionally we will contact you about very important immigration matters. Students have been stuck crossing the border because they ignored emails from our office. • Or, forward your RIT e-mail account to your own personal account if you prefer this approach. Do this at: start.rit.edu

11. International Student Services eServices www.rit.edu/eservices/ You are responsible for monitoring your bill. It lists tuition and fees, fines, credits, etc. Be sure to click on “Account Activity” Pay particular attention to “Health Insurance Charge” $618 for fall and $857 for spring/summer * If you wish to cancel (waive) your health insurance, you must do so within first 30 days of school and only if you have another insurance plan in place. You must have another policy in place that meets RIT standards.

12. International Student Services Contact us when you do not know where else to go. ISS can answer questions or refer you to professional resources on: Cultural Adjustment & Intl Student Groups Driver’s license (by the way, you can use your home country license while here as a student). Social Security Number (if you have a job offer. More info @ our employment session). Banking, cell phones, legal workshops or referrals, etc. (see the new student handbook/guide).

13. International Student Services And now we move on to Immigration Rules…

14. International Student Services Immigration Rules Understanding F1 and J1 documents and your immigration responsibilities.

15. International Student Services Maintaining your legal status It is YOUR responsibility to know and follow the rules related to your F-1 or J-1 status. If your spouse or children are in the US, they are also required to know and follow the rules for F-2, J-2, etc. No matter what you do, we will always advise you, but the responsibility to follow the rules is yours, as are the consequences of breaking the rules…

16. International Student Services Important Terms • ISS: International Student Services • SEVIS: Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (ICE database) funded by your $200 SEVIS fee. • DSO (Designated School Official) the advisors at International Student Services, or certain staff at the English Language Center, if you study at ELC. • RO (Responsible Officer) for J-1 program

17. International Student Services Immigration Documents • Passport (keep updated through your embassy or passport authority when home) • Visa (F1 or J1) (only needs to be valid at time of entry to US) • I-94 # (on-line process to print your number) • I-20 (F1 students) Issued/updated by DS-2019 (J1 students) RIT or sponsor

18. International Student Services Immigration Documents You must have all of your original documents with you when you are downtown at the central bus or train station or at the airport! And…whenever you leave Rochester.

19. International Student Services Passport

20. International Student Services PASSPORT • Extended/replaced only by your embassy, or while in your home country. • Must always be valid while you are in the U.S., and have at least 6 months remaining validity when entering the US.

21. International Student Services F1 Visa

22. International Student Services VISA • Can only be issued outside the U.S. • The visa is like your “key” to get into the U.S. • Your visa can expire while you’re in the U.S., but your I-20 and passport must remain valid. • If you leave the U.S. with an expired visa, you must obtain a new visa in your home country before returning to the U.S.

23. International Student Services I-94 # You should go to this website: CBP.gov/I94 and print out your I-94 #. You may need to wait 4-6 weeks after entry to the US. You will need the I-94 # if you apply for a Social Security number or a New York Driver’s license.

24. International Student Services Form I-20(F-status)

25. International Student Services Form DS-2019 (J status)

26. International Student Services I-20 or DS 2019 • I-20 (Issued by RIT for F-1 status) • DS-2019 (Issued by sponsor for J-1 status) • Must be signed every year for travel. • Name on form must match name exactly as it appears on passport and visa. • Program of study – if you change majors, you should request a new form.

27. International Student Services How long can I stay in the U.S.? • Line #5 is an estimate of when you will complete your degree requirements. This date can be shortened or extended with approval from your Academic Department and ISS. • F-1 students have a 60-day grace period to stay in the U.S. after completion of program. 30-day grace period for J1. Within that time, you must depart the U.S., or commence employment on OPT or AT – details at employment session.

28. International Student Services To Re-enter the US after a trip • REQUIRED • Passport valid at least 6 months into the future; • Valid US visa*; original I-20 (or DS-2019) endorsed (signed) by ISS/sponsor this current academic year. • Also Recommended • Proof of financial support • Transcript or “enrollment verification letter” • (available from Registrar’s Office)

29. International Student Services *Travel to Canada • Same as previous page, with one exception: • Your F-1 or J-1 visa, can be expired, but do not attempt to renew your visa in Canada. (Note: visa must not be expired if you are from Iran, Syria, Sudan, or Cuba). • Certain citizens also require a Canadian entry visa - available only by mail. More information at: • http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp • Or, link may be found at rit.edu/iss • ** It now takes about one month to get a Canadian visitor visa.

30. International Student Services Traveling within the US When traveling outside of Henrietta, always carry your: Actual Passport and Original I-20 (or DS-2019) endorsed by ISS or sponsor within the current academic year. This is particularly important at the Rochester downtown bus, train stations and airport!

31. International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Report to a ISS staff for initial registration in SEVIS. We will then sign your documents. • If you’ve not yet “checked in” please drop-off your I-20/DS2019 & passport at ISS this week. • Update your local address. Report a change of local address to RIT within 10 days of the change. We’ll then update SEVIS. • Do this at: sis.rit.edu

32. International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Each semester, pursue a “full course of study” (at least 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduate students), except during official school breaks, or obtain permission in advance, from ISS to drop below full time (only available in limited circumstances). • “Full time equivalency” counts, as does Co-op, if you get employment permission from ISS first.

33. International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Make normal progress and complete your studies before the expiration of your DS-2019 or Form I-20. • Keep DS-2019 or I-20 valid by following proper procedures for: • extension of stay – request before it expires • change in educational levels or programs of study • transfer of schools

34. International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Never work off-campus without advance authorization. J-1 must have advance written approval for both on- and off-campus work. F-1 must have written approval for off-campus work. • On campus 20hrs/week maximum employment while school is in session. This is monitored. • Abide by the grace period rules, (after completing studies). Or, apply for work authorization, change of educational level, or a school transfer.

35. International Student Services Review Forms at ISS http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/ Reduced Courseload Form Program Extension Form Insurance Waiver Link, on-line http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/howdoi_gethealthinsurance.php

36. International Student Services Summary of Status All I need to do is: Be a full time student Get advance permission for off-campus work Keep I-20, DS-2019 & passport valid Keep address up to date with RIT What will I get if I do these things? Ability to travel outside US Ability to work on-campus Permission for Co-op/CPT Recommendation for OPT/1 year work permit (called ‘Academic Training’ for J-1)

37. International Student Services Questions?

38. International Student Services Remember this Website: rit.edu/iss