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Welcome to Stanford!

Welcome to Stanford!. Fall 2013. Updating Your SEVIS(US) Address. Log in to Axess at http://axess.stanford.edu Enter the emergency contact information before proceeding to the next step Click on the Student Center tab at the top of the page Click “Add a new address”

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Welcome to Stanford!

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  1. Welcome to Stanford! Fall 2013

  2. Updating Your SEVIS(US) Address Log in to Axess at http://axess.stanford.edu Enter the emergency contact information before proceeding to the next step Click on the Student Center tab at the top of the page Click “Add a new address” Enter your FULL dorm address (see example below) This address can NOT be departmental address

  3. Updating Your SEVIS(US) Address 5. Click SEVIS (US) and save Note: Make sure that your “Mail” address is a US address so that you may receive refunds and important mailings from Stanford.

  4. Agenda • Introduction to Bechtel International Center (also known as the I-Center) • Review of important immigration documents • Maintaining your immigration status as an international student • Travel & U.S. Re-Entry – Student Visa Renewal • Academic Life • Settling in at Stanford

  5. Bechtel International Center • General office hours on the 2nd floor of the I-Center • Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.(Summer Schedule through Aug. 30) • Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Starting September 3) Note: Sept. 2nd is Labor Day / holiday • Walk-in advising is available on (Starting September 3): • Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm  • Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm • General e-mail: internationalstudents@stanford.edu • Please do not send repeated e-mails. Your e-mail will be answered shortly.Note: Please include your SEVIS ID# in any communication with our office. • Website: http://icenter.stanford.edu • Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BechtelInternationalCenter • Interesting fact: The original Bechtel building has stood on this site since 1919

  6. I-Center Responsibilities The I-Center is the University office responsible for Immigration reporting and compliance such as: • Full-time Enrollment • Reduced Course Load • Leave of Absence • Extension • Change / Add Academic Program • Transferring Out • Employment • Change of Visa Status

  7. Student Services at the I-Center • Orientation programs for new international students.Check out the schedule at http://icenter.stanford.edu/students/new/orientation.html • Advising (Walk-in and E-mail) on regulatory matters, as well as enrollment, employment, travel and personal issues (We will contact you @ your stanford.edu address. Please check that your primary email address is correct in Axess). • Workshops on federal regulations affecting international students, including employment, and tax information (we are not tax advisors and cannot advise on taxes) • Newsletter (International Student Update) concerning important news and events. • Social Programs for you and your family. All the information about our services can be found on the I-Center website http://icenter.stanford.edu/index.html.

  8. I-Center Activities • Social and cultural events The I-Center hosts many social and non-academic events throughout the year such as: • The International Festival • Salsa classes and parties • International movie series • Potluck dinners • Holiday celebrations Everyone is welcome to attend these events

  9. I-Center Activities • Programs for spouses/partners/families We invite you and your family member(s) to join us for ongoing programs and activities through the year • We offer dance and language classes, cooking lessons and musical evenings. • We invite guest speakers to address current local and international affairs, and host a coffee hour every Friday for spouses/partners and families.

  10. I-Center Activities • Subscribe to the I-Center social list:http://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/icenter-social • Look for the section marked “Subscribing to icenter-social” and fill in the boxes. • Look at our calendar of events: http://icenter.stanford.edu/events/calendar.html

  11. International Students at Stanford • Over 3500 international students from 124 different countries • Every year over 1000 new international students arrive to Stanford • Departments with the largest international student enrollment: • Electrical Engineering • Business • Management Science & Engineering • Countries with the largest number of students enrolled at Stanford: • China • India • South Korea

  12. Your Immigration Documents

  13. Keep your Immigration Documents Safe & Dry! • Immigration documents include: • Passport • I-20 / DS-2019 • I-94 arrival/departure record *should be printed by student after entry to U.S. by going to: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html • Visa stamp (except Canadian citizens) • For safekeeping: • Make photocopies of your documents and keep the copies and originals in a safe place or • Scan your documents and keep electronic copies • The passport pages that have your passport number, picture, personal information, and visa stamp • Front page of your I-94 arrival/departure record form • All pages of your current and any previous I-20s or DS-2019s

  14. I-94 Automation I-94 AUTOMATION U.S. Customs and Border Protection has automated Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) at air and sea ports of entry. • The paper form will no longer be provided to a traveler upon arrival, except in limited circumstances. • The traveler will be provided with an admission stamp on their travel document. Screen-shot of the new I-94 document I-94 AUTOMATION

  15. I-94 Automation • Once you have entered the U.S., and as soon as you have internet access, we strongly encourage you to download and print your I-94 at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94 to verify that the information on the record is correct. • Remember to print a new I-94 record after each time you exit and return to the US. • Keep the most current printed I-94 with your passport for your own records. You can find more information about the I-94 automation process at our website (http://icenter/students/current/Electronic_I94.html) as well as CBP website (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/i94_rollout.xml)

  16. Check Your Immigration Documents F-1 Students: As of April 2013 the immigration service is no longer issuing I-94 cards (unless doing a land crossing) or stamping the I-20 or I-94 card “F-1” and “D/S”. Note: Your passport should be stamped “F-1” and “D/S” .

  17. Check Your Immigration Documents J-1 Students: As of April 2013 the immigration service is no longer issuing I-94 cards (unless doing a land crossing) or stamping the DS-2019 or I-94 card “J-1” and “D/S”. Note: Your passport should be stamped “J-1” and “D/S” .

  18. Check Your Immigration Documents Visa Type Number of entries allowed: • ”S” = single entry • “M” = multiple entries The visa is used only for entering the U.S. If it expires while you’re here, you do not need to renew your visa. However, if you depart the U.S., your visa must be valid for re-entry.

  19. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility

  20. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility There are many U.S. laws and Stanford policies that affect international students. • The majority of international students have no problems with immigration regulations. • You must maintain your international student status while at Stanford. It is what is expected of you by the U.S. government and there are consequences for not maintaining status. • It is not the responsibility of the I-Center to enforce immigration laws. But federal laws require the I-Center to inform the Department of Homeland Security of your status and changes to this status. • Remember to contact an I-Center advisor whenever you have questions about your status (do not seek advice from your “friend”).

  21. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility • Maintain a valid passport at all times. • Maintain a full course-load of study during the academic year. • Report any address changeswithin10 days in Axess. • Do not work (off-campus) without employment authorization from the I-Center or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). • F-1 students can work on-campus without authorization • Do not work more than 20 hours a week when school is in session. • Report any changes listed on the I-20 to I-Center advisor (e.g. name, program, citizenship country, source of funding changes, etc.) • File for timely extension of I-20/DS-2019 if needed. • J-1 visa holders MUST maintain health insurance for themselves and their J dependents.

  22. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility • What is a full course of study? • 8 units for graduate students – unless the department requires a higher number of units • 12 units for undergraduates • 3 consecutive quarters of every academic year • Do I need to be enrolled full-time during summer quarter? • Full-time summer enrollment is not required by the Federal Government UNLESS • You intend to take fall/spring/winter quarter as vacation • Your first quarter at Stanford is in the summer quarter.

  23. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility • What are the Exceptions toFull-time Enrollment? • Final quarter • Illness certified by a medical doctor (and approved by Stanford) Students must request and obtain approval from an I-Center advisor and their department for the reduced course load prior to dropping below the full course of study. Do NOT take less than a full course of study without contacting an I-Center advisor or you will violate your status.

  24. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility • Employment: Follow All Employment Rules! • Do not work any more than 20 hours a week during the regular academic year. • Apply for work authorization (if applicable) prior to working in exchange for compensation / remuneration • On-campus employment • F-1No - No work authorization required (e.g. - library, RA/TA) • J-1Yes - Work authorization required from I-Center • Off-campus employment • F-1Yes - Work authorization required from I-Center or USCIS • J-1 Yes - Work authorization required from I-Center (or J-1 sponsor who issued DS-2019)

  25. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility • All off-campus employment requires some process of authorization (by I-Center or USCIS). • F-1 students • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • Optional Practical Training (OPT) • J-1 students • Academic Training (AT) • Do NOT accept off-campus employment without official permission. Know the regulations about off-campus work AND always ask advisors at the I-Center before accepting any off-campus employment. • The I-Center offers regular off-campusemployment workshops. Workshop schedule can be found at: http://icenter.stanford.edu/events/imm_workshops.html You MUST attend one of these workshops and carefully read the I-Center website before applying for off-campus employment. • Working without employment authorization is a violation of your status!

  26. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility • What change of information am I required to report to the I-Center? • Name • Citizenship • Address (update in Axess within 10 days after the change) • Degree Level • Major • Graduation date • Dependent (not children born in the U.S.) • Change of Status (H1, Permanent residency,…) • School (Transfer Out) • Source of Funding • Stolen or lost travel documents To comply with federal law, Stanford has to report all changes and violations to the federal government

  27. Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility • Remember to contact the I-Center if you have any questions about enrollment, visa, employment, and travel. • Someone else’s situation may seem to be the same as yours, but each case is different and should be advised individually. • Check the I-Center website for latest information and advising hours.

  28. Travel & U.S. Re-EntryVisa Renewal

  29. Travel & U.S. Re-Entry • What documents do I need to come back to the U.S.? • Valid passport and U.S. Visa Stamp • Unexpired I-20/DS-2019* • A travel signature from an I-Center advisor on I-20/DS-2019. The signature should be no older than 12 months at time of entry (6 months while you are on post-completion OPT) *If you have multiple I-20/DS-2019s issued to you, the most recently issued document is always the valid document to use for travel.

  30. Travel & U.S. Re-Entry • When do I need a travel signature? • If you plan to travel abroad, even to Canada, you must have your I-20/DS-2019 signed for re-entry to the U.S. by an I-Center advisor before you leave. • Travel signatures are generally valid for one calendar year and can only be obtained at the I-Center. • Do NOT travel outside the U.S., even briefly, without the proper documents signed for travel.

  31. 9/24/2012 Rolando Villalobos Travel & U.S. Re-Entry • What is a Travel Signature? Stanford University 9/24/2012 Rolando Villalobos Rolando Villalobos Page 3 of the I-20 Page 1 of the DS-2019

  32. Travel & U.S. Re-Entry • What about domestic travel? • Take your original travel documents with you when traveling out of the area. • Domestic travel includes Puerto Rico and Hawaii!

  33. Visa Renewal – Be aware! An alcohol-related offense can impact future visa renewals • Panel physician evaluation required if visa applicant • has a single drunk driving arrest or conviction within past 3 years. • has two or more drunk driving arrests or convictions in any time period • if there is any evidence to suggest an alcohol problem. • For more information about Student Alcohol Policy, please check the website at: http://alcohol.stanford.edu/ NOTE:  Drinking age in the United States is 21 years old.

  34. Academic Life

  35. Academic Life • Stanford's Honor Code and Your Status • The Honor Code at Stanford is a VERYimportant aspect of your academic life. • The Honor Code is the University's statement on academic integrity written by students in 1921. It articulates University expectations of students and faculty in establishing and maintaining the highest standards in academic work. • Focuses on:- The Academic Standard (Progressing toward the degree, Plagiarism, Un-permitted collaboration, Cheating in an exam)- The Fundamental Standard (Harassing Speech or Behavior) • Information on the Honor Code at Stanford can be found at:http://www.stanford.edu/dept/vpsa/judicialaffairs/guiding/honorcode.htm

  36. Academic Life • Violation of the Honor Code can result in suspension for the student. • This can have serious consequences for international students. • Some examples of violations of the Honor Code: • Plagiarism (copying another student’s work) • Un-permitted collaboration • Cheating on an exam

  37. Settling in at Stanford

  38. Settling in at Stanford • Stanford Student ID card • The Stanford ID Card serves as an identification card allowing you to use services for which you have privileges, and to enter facilities. • The Student Service Center is located on the 2nd Floor of Tresidder Union. Hours: Mon - Fri, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

  39. Settling in at Stanford • Social Security Number (SSN) • Identifies participants in the U.S. Social Security system. • Official use of the SSN is only for employment and tax purposes. Students on fellowships / scholarships (and non employment based funds) qualify for an ITIN and not the SSN. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? • F-1 Students with either: • On-campus RA, TA or other salaried campus work -OR- • Off-campus work permission • J-1 Students • J-2 Spouses with work permission WHO IS INELIGIBLE? • F-1 students on scholarships or fellowships • F-2 Dependents

  40. Settling in at Stanford • Applying for California Driver’s License • Visit a DMV office (make an appointment for faster service - http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ ) • Pass exam (vision & written) • Pass a driving test (traffic laws and sign test) NOTE: A Social Security number is not needed to apply for a California driver's license. However, if you qualify for a SSN, you will be expected to include the SSN with your application.

  41. Settling in at Stanford • Don’t apply too early for an SSN or California Driver’s License/ID! • You must wait until: • After 10 days of your arrival to the U.S., • You attend a Maintaining Legal Status session, • The I-Center validates your SEVIS record (usually 30 days after your program start date) • If you must apply earlier, you can request a more timely validation date by completing this webform: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/icenter/validation.fb If you apply before all 3 steps have been completed, your application may be rejected or face significant delays!

  42. Settling in at Stanford • Taxes • All international students are expected to file federal tax returns annually (even if you earn no income). GLACIER Tax Prep (Complete International Tax Preparation Software) is a tax return preparation software program designed exclusively for international students, scholars, teachers, researchers, trainees, and their dependents who are nonresident aliens to aid in preparing U.S. federal income tax forms. GLACIER Tax Prep is available on the I-Center website around tax time (March / April). Tax workshops also offered around this time. Important Note: I-Center does not offer tax advice.

  43. Questions?

  44. Welcome to Stanford!

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