F-1 Visa Regulation What to Do What not to Do

1. F-1 Visa RegulationWhat to Do What not to Do Fall 2014 Immigration Information

2. What Is SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) ? • Maintained by DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) • Shared by DHS, U.S. schools, U.S. embassies and consulates, and U.S. ports of entry • Your I-20 form is issued via SEVIS • Keeps track of F1 students’ academic and other activities while in the United States Immigration Information

3. Student & Exchange Visitor Information Sy • Student Information • Reprint I-20 Print Draft I-20 • Program Information • Status: INITIAL • Termination Reason: • Visa Type: F-1 • School Name: Palomar College • School Code: SND214F00077000 • Campus Name: Palomar College • I-20 Issue Reason: INITIAL • Education Level: ASSOCIATE • Major: 14.0102 - • Pre-Engineering • Secondary Major: 00.0000 - None • Minor: 00.0000 - None • Program Start Date: 08/11/2014 • Program End Date: 05/31/2017 • Normal Length of Study: 36 • Current Session End Date: Next Session Start Date: • Main | Help | Tutorial | Logout Message Board | Change Password • Actions: • Cancel Student • Defer Attendance • Registration • Personal Information • SEVIS ID: N0010916 • Terminate Student • Family Name: First Name: • Edits: • Dependents • Country of Birth: PHILIPPINES DateofBirth: • Financia l Informatio n • Country of Citizenship: PHILIPPINES • Gender: MALE • Personal Info rmation ForeignAddress: • Program Information • View: • Event History • PHILIPPINES • Request/Authoriz ationDetails • U.S. Address: Email Address: • Corrections: • Request Change to • Program Dates • School Requires English • Yes • Request Change to Student Status Proficiency: • Yes StudentHas English Proficiency: EnglishIsNotRequired Because: Remarks: • Financial Information • Number of Months: 09 • Tuition Fees: $5,500.00 • Living Expenses: $9,100.00 • Dependent Expenses: • Other Costs: $1,500.00 • Other Costs Comment: books/insurance Total Expenses: $16,100.00 • Student's Personal Funds: $0.00 • Funds From This School: School Fund Type: • Funds From Other Sources: $16,100.00 • Source Type: Sponsor, Randy Kay • On-Campus Employment: • Total Funding: $16,100.00 • Travel Information • Passport Number: Passport Expiration Date: • Visa Number: • Visa Issue Date: Visa Expiration Date: Visa Issue Post: Port of Entry: • Date of Entry: I-94/Admission Number: Port of Departure: • Date of Departure: • I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Information • Transaction Type: • Transaction Date: Transaction Amount: 1 of2 6/23/2014 8:15AM

4. Immigration Information

5. You are here! Application Application for visa Visa Approval Admission to the U.S.A Immigration Information

6. F-1 Visa Status Immigration Information

7. Requirements to stay Legal Complete 12 units each semester ValidI-20 form unexpired passport Authorized Employment OPT CPT Economic Hardship 20hr/week –school 40hr/week – break Immigration Information

8. Falling out of Status (become illegal) F-1 Visa status Legal Stay Out of F1 visa status Illegal Stay Immigration Information

9. Losing F-1 visa status (becoming an illegal alien – don’t do) Completed Units< 12 Staying at the school with an expired I-20 form Studying at a school without an appropriate I-20 Attending a publicly funded program (adult school, non-credit ESL, etc.) • Staying in the U.S. for longer than permitted • Engaging in an unauthorized employment Immigration Information

10. SEVIS Regulation Requirements you must follow • Change of Physical Address, Name, or Major • Distance Education • Reduced Course Load • Program Extension • Reinstatement to Status (to get back into F-1 visa status) • Transfer Process • Authorized Employment • Grade Period • F-2 Dependents Immigration Information

11. Change of Address, Legal Name, and Major (field of your study) New I-20 with new Major Immigration Information

12. Distance Education No more than 3 semester units of online courses are counted towards the required 12 units to maintain F-1 status. ESL 101 (5) ESL 101 (5) Math 110 (4) Math 110 (4) Art 100 (3) Art 100 (3) No Good Good Immigration Information

13. Reduced Course Load (RCL) Approval Academic Difficulties • Initial difficulties with the English Language or reading assignment • Unfamiliarity with U.S teaching methods • Improper course level placement • Must receive the approval from the Coordinator prior to dropping below 12 units Only one authorization per program Must consist of at least 6 units Must resume full course load the following semester. Immigration Information

14. Reduced Course Load - Continued Medical Condition Requires a note form a licensed medical doctor or licensed clinical psychologist recommending your reduced course load. RCL based on medical condition must not exceed a period of 12 months RCL based on medical condition requires a doctor’s note and Coordinator’s approval each semester Immigration Information

15. Reduced Course Load • Completion of course of study Must meet with the International Student Counselor for the verification of program completion Must receive approval prior to dropping below 12 units. Immigration Information

16. Extension of ProgramExpiration of I-20 = Termination of yourSEVIS record = your stay will becomeILLEGAL 1. Remember when I-20 expires. 2. Apply for program extension if additional semester is needed. Eligibility • Be legal (active SEVIS record) • You have been making adequate academic progress • You have not been placed on academic probation • Apply for program extension early (at least 2 weeks before your I-20 expires • Submit updated Education plan, current bank statement and program extension request form Immigration Information

17. Reinstatement to Status (RTS) – getting back in to F1 visa statusEligibility to apply for RTS • Period being out of status< 5 months • no repeated violation on DHS (department of homeland security) regulations • Enroll full-time immediately • No unauthorized employment F1 status Legal Stay Immigration Information

18. Reinstatement to Status (RTS) Eligibility to apply for RTS – cont. • Not deportable on any ground • The violation of status happened because of circumstances beyond the your control • Serious injury or illness • Closure of the institution • A natural disaster • Oversight on the part of the office staff • The violation is related to under-enrollment which could have been approved (academic or medical reason) Immigration Information

19. Transfer Process • + + = Complete the Process within 60 days. Notify the Office of International Education your intention to transfer • Acceptance letter • SEVIS release request form • Last semester questionnaire • Transfer process must be completed within 60 days from the last day of attendance at the current school • Report to the new school by the date indicated on the new I-20 form Palomar I-20 UCSD I-20 Immigration Information

20. Authorized Employment • Practical Training • Curricular Practical Training • On-campus Employment • Off-campus Employment with DHS Approval – Economic Hardship Immigration Information

21. Optional Practical Training (OPT) • F-1 status for one academic year • Employment within your field of study • students in the AA/AS degree or certificate of achievement program Full Time (40 hours/week for one year) Part Time (20 hours/week for up to 2 years) – while in school OPT deadline – 3 weeks before the end of the semester Complete OPT within 14 months from the completion date of the academic program May apply for addition OPT as you complete higher degree programs (BA to MA to PhD) Immigration Information

22. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) CPT is authorized under the following conditions: • F-1 status for one academic year • Your educational program is Associate in Arts Degree or Certificate of Achievement from Palomar College • Your AA/CA major requires you to take CE (cooperative education) 100/150 • Employment within your field of study • You have been offered a position, and you have the employer information Immigration Information

23. On-Campus Employment > one year A student employment position at Palomar College 20 hours 40 hours Limited student job position Do not count on Employment Immigration Information

24. Off-Campus Employment under Economic Hardship Unforeseen financial hardship (proper documentation required) Employment Authorization Card (approval for Off-Campus employment (usually valid for one year) > one year Immigration Information

25. Grace Period for Departure from U.S. Certificate/AA/AS Non-completion 60 days15 days Failure to enroll (without notice to the office) 0 (ZERO) GRACE PERIOD Immigration Information

26. F-2 Dependents-Spouse and children • Has F2 visa • Receive F2 status and admitted for “D/S” * May not attend school full-time * Children may still attend K-12 school fill-time * May take avocational/recreational classes part-time • Must apply for change of visa status to F-1 visa status to study full-time F2 Immigration Information

27. Reportable Items • Semester Reports • Last day of the semester • Start date of next semester • Current address • Unit > 12 • Changes in legal name, local address, or major 30days Immigration Information

28. Reportable Items – cont. Out of status Illegal stay • Other student information • Failure to maintain status • Graduating prior to the program end date listed on SEVIS I-20 form • Disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the student being convicted or a crime • Any notification request made by SEVIS with respect to the current status of the student Immigration Information

29. Traveling Documents dd Passport Valid Visa (to return) Travel signature (I-20) Good for one year from the date of signature Immigration Information

30. Your Requirement as an International Student at Palomar College Continuous insurance coverage your new email address to office Address change within 10 days Change of major – New I-20 form 12< number of units Educational plan Read information coming from the international students office Immigration Information

31. Final Words from the International Student Office Remember that it is YOUR responsibilityto maintain your F-1 visa status. If you don’t know, don’t ask your friends, but ask the Office of International Education staff Immigration Information