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International Students in F-1 and J-1 Visa Categories

International Students in F-1 and J-1 Visa Categories. How does an international student come to UCSB? They first have to apply for admission as an undergraduate to UC or graduate to a UCSB Department.

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International Students in F-1 and J-1 Visa Categories

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  1. International Students in F-1 and J-1 Visa Categories • How does an international student come to UCSB? • They first have to apply for admission as an undergraduate to UC or graduate to a UCSB Department. • Once a student is admitted, OISS sends either an I-20 form or DS-2019 form that a student presents at a US Consulate to apply for a visa.

  2. What is F-1 visa status? • F-1 is non-immigrant status • F-1 visa is issued for someone to pursue an educational objective that is privately funded and not part of an official government exchange program or government sponsorship. • F-1 status allows for a temporary stay in the US until the stated academic program is completed.

  3. What’s the difference between an F-1 visa and an I-20 form??? • A visa is stamped in a passport and allows the student to enter the US during the period of time indicated on the visa. • An I-20 form allows the recipient to study at UCSB for the duration of an academic program (i.e. 5 years for undergraduates). • THE END DATE ON THE VISA DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE HOLDER HAS TO LEAVE THE U.S. AT THAT TIME– ONLY WHEN THE I-20 FORM EXPIRES AT THE COMPLETION OF AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM!!!

  4. What is J-1 visa status? • J-1 visa holders are part of an official exchange program like the UCSB EAP or they are officially sponsored by the US government (i.e. Fulbright fellows) or their own government. • J-1 visa holders can be in degree granting programs or not. They can be Students or Visiting Scholars. • J-1 visa holders usually have an obligation to return to their home countries at the end of their program for a period of 2 years before entering the US again.

  5. Is UCSBan immigration policing agency? NO, NO, NO!!! • The UCSB Office of International Students and Scholars has been authorized by the US government to issue I-20 forms, DS-2019 forms and other documents that assist students and scholars in obtaining visas to enter the U.S.

  6. UCSB OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS • OISS is here to facilitate the academic mission of UCSB in the area of international education and exchange. • OISS views its primary task as one of advocacy for our international students and colleagues in helping them navigate the complex and often confusing US immigration regulations so that they can have a productive and satisfying scholarly experience at UCSB.

  7. What’s so complex about theUS government? • What does an international student have to negotiate? • How can we possibly help them through the process?

  8. Entry to the US begins with the Department of State • The State Dept. oversees US embassies and consulates abroad that issue visas to students and scholars.

  9. Everything becomes more complex after 9/11 • Immigration services become part of new Dept. of Homeland Security. • Immigration regulations become more restrictive. • US academic institutions are now required to register international students through an electronic reporting system.

  10. Immigration & Customs Enforcement • ICE becomes the immigration policing arm of Homeland Security • Some students can be specially registered at the port of entry to the US and obligated to periodically report to ICE in Ventura

  11. What is SEVIS???? • SEVIS is the electronic reporting system that tracks international students from the time they apply for a visa until they complete their academic program and leave the US. • International students have to pay a SEVIS fee. It will go up to $200 on October 1, 2008.

  12. Why should I care about SEVIS? • OISS needs accurate information from departments to issue I-20 and DS 2019 forms, keep students in status, and process internship and employment requests that are allowed for both F-1 and J-1 visa holders. • All this is reported by OISS through SEVIS! This enables students to exercise their full rights and options under current US immigration regulations.

  13. How do F-1 and J-1 visa holders stay in good status? • They must be enrolled full-time – undergraduates must take at least 12 units and graduates 8 units. • Exceptions can be made for academic difficulties, medical reasons, or if it is a student’s last quarter. • Students must be making normal progress towards their degree objective. • Students must have a valid unexpired passport. • Students can only be engaged in authorized employment. • Students cannot remain in the US beyond the date entered on their I-20 or DS 2019 forms.

  14. What challenges do our international students face?

  15. US Embassy in Beijing • Long waits for appointments • Long waits on the day of the visa interview • Unfriendly embassy staff • Long delays for visa issuance • Arbitrary denials that cannot be appealed • High visa and SEVIS fees that are an economic burden to families

  16. What happens upon arrival in the US? • Passport Control • Finger printing • Questioning • Some students or scholars can be put on a watch list, specially registered, and be obligated to periodically report to ICE. • Missing your connecting flight to LA or Santa Barbara

  17. What happens when you have reached the promised land? • The food is strange and it’s too expensive • There is no affordable housing • There is no affordable housing • There is no affordable housing! • Everyone speaks too fast

  18. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?????

  19. CONTACT OISS AT ext. 2929 • We can handle any immigration issue or emergency • We can advise you on the legal requirements for a student to remain in status • We can help with cultural adaptation issues • We sponsor an English conversation program • We have a weekly film series • We sponsor an international friendship program • We can point you in the right direction

  20. GET STUDENTS CONNECTED! • OISS sponsors the International Students Association, and country associations for China, India, Japan, and Taiwan • The Student Resource Building (SRB) has regional student resource centers for Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East

  21. GET STUDENTS ADVISED! • Make sure that international students meet with the departmental academic advising staff right from the start like in Computer Science • Graduate students need empathetic faculty mentoring

  22. Get students to theCommunity Housing Office!

  23. Invite your international students and scholars to any events involving food!

  24. S-P-E-A-K S-L-O-W-L-Y!

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