F-/J-1 Student Immigration Information

International Services Office Alyssa Fox, International Student & Scholar Advisor and Christopher PedoInternational Student Adviser

Fall 2015 International Student Orientation

Welcome, we’re glad you’re here!

Old Main Phone: 202-994-44771922 F Street, NW E-mail: iso@gwu.eduSuite 205Washington DC 20052

Who are we?

12 Full-time staff members including 6 advisors andSeveral student staff assistants

ISO Video

About the ISO

This presentation is meant to be a short synopsis of the ISO online immigration module for F-1 and J-1 students

For detailed information on specific regulations please watch our online video, refer to handouts/guidelines on

the ISO website and consult with your ISO advisor.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

What is the ISO?• Source for all F-1 & J-1 immigration advising AND…

• Campus resources & referrals • Community information• Workshops

• Business Hours (closed on Weekends & U.S. holidays):

Monday – Friday 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm• Walk-in Advising Hours

Monday – Thursday 1:30pm – 3:30pm• 15 Business Day Processing Time

• Holds information about F,M and J students• Name• Address• Current enrollment• Employment• Dependents (spouse or children)

SEVIS – What is it???

E- Check In • Upload immigration documents to student portal at

ISOGateway: I-20, visa, passport, I-94 card• Update local current address/ current permanent

address• In person check in at student services fair or the ISO

with your passport

D/S

F-1

• http://internationalservices.gwu.edu• Consists of important immigration information about

regulations and benefits• Forms and handouts• Resources for new and current students• Important news and updates

ISO Website

• Keep your documents safe• Keep your immigration documents valid! Don’t let

them expire• Update the ISO when changes to your I-20 or DS-

2019 take place or major life changes• Update the ISO within 10 days of the change to your

address

Maintaining your status

• Graduate students: 9 credits • Undergraduate students: 12 credits• Online courses: limit of 3 credits• The following authorizations must be approved by the

ISO prior to under enrollment:

- Reduced Course Load (RCL): academic, medical or final term

- Full time certification form (FTC): masters thesis, doctoral dissertation, full time required internships, preparation for comprehensive exam

Full time Enrollment Reminder

On-campus▪ Limited to 20 hours a week during the semester and

for programs that require full time enrollment in the summer

▪ Full time during authorized vacation periods▪ J-1 students must have authorization in writing before

engaging in on campus employment▪ F-1 students may engage in on campus employment

without any written authorization

Employment- On campus

Many different types of off campus employment:▪ Curricular Practical Training (CPT)▪ Pre-Completion OPT▪ Post Completion OPT▪ STEM Extension▪ International Organization▪ Severe Economic Hardship▪ Academic Training for J-1 students

*Please review specific information in the online immigration presentation, see handouts on ISO website and attend employment workshops.

Employment- Off campus

• Must be requested from the ISO- do not need to have specific travel plans

• Is valid for 1 year while pursuing a degree (and while in status)

• Make sure you have a valid passport, I-20/DS-2019, travel signature, financial documentation and GW transcript

• If you receive an I-515A from a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer please see the ISO immediately. Only 30 days to resolve the issue

Benefits- Travel Signature

Options after the completion of a program of study:• Apply for post completion OPT• Change status• Change Degree Level• Travel domestically• Stay in the US and make preparations to exit before

the grace period ends

F-1 students: 60 day grace period

J-1 students: 30 day grace period

Grace Period

Connect with the ISO!

We’ll divide into 2 teams. On the next slide are 5 categories with 5 clues in each category. One

person from the first team raise your hand, say your name, where you’re from and what you’re studying

here at GW. Then choose a clue. We’ll read the clue and the 1st person to raise their hand from either team will answer. Then one person from the other

team chooses the next clue.

Trivia Game

Immigration Documents

Maintaining your Status

F-1/J-1 Benefits

Employment GW/ISO Trivia

1 6 11 16 21

2 7 12 17 22

3 8 13 18 23

4 9 14 19 24

5 10 15 20 25

GAME FINISHED

An official document issued by your home country government that identifies someone as a citizen of that country and is required for overseas travel is called this….

Immigration Documents

A Passport

This is the only document that is allowed to expire while in the United States.

Immigration Documents

A PassportF-1/J-1 Visa Stamp

It is a certificate of eligibility issued by the university/sponsor to facilitate

visa application and entry into the United States

Immigration Documents

A Passport

I/20/DS-2019

It was issued by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry.It indicates the immigration status in which you were admitted & length of time you may remain in the U.S. It is your ONLY evidence of your legal immigration status

Immigration Documents

A Passport

I-94

Visit www.cbp.gov/I94 to access your most recent I-94 each time you re-enter the U.S. during your studies

If you arrive at the U.S port of entry without all of your required documents, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may deny your entry into the U.S. As an alternative, the officer has the discretion to issue you this type of form.

Immigration Documents

A Passport

I-515A

SEE ISO Advisor IMMEDIATELY!

What is full time enrollment per semester for Undergraduate students? Graduate students?

Maintaining Your Status

A PassportUndergraduates- 12 credits per semester

Graduates- 9 credits per semester

This type of authorization requires approval from the ISO prior to dropping below full-time credits. It can be used in certain academic, medical or final term scenarios.

Maintaining your Status

A PassportReduced Course Load

I’m graduating!

I’ve never studied in the U.S. &

don’t understand

U.S. teaching methods

I’m sick and my doctor s

ays

I can’t take a fu

ll course load

Name at least 2 grades/type of grades that do not count toward your full-time enrollment.

Maintaining your Status

A Passport

- W-Grade (authorized withdrawal after deadline),

- Z-grade (stopped attending),- Audit (attending class but not

for a grade)

This is the maximum number of credits you can take online each semester

Maintaining your Status

A Passport

Update THIS in GWEB within 10 days of the change

Maintaining your Status

Local U.S. or Permanent Overseas Address

During your academic program this endorsement on your I-20/DS-2019 is valid for 1 year while maintaining your status

Immigration Benefits

A PassportTravel Signature

Name the documents required to travel abroad

Immigration Benefits

A Passport

- A valid I-20/DS-2019 with valid travel signature

- A valid passport- A valid F-1/J-1 visa stamp - Original financial documents, - A GW transcript or letter of

enrollment for new students

You can apply for this unique number, used for tax purposes, after receiving an employment offer and the proper work authorization.

Immigration Benefits

A PassportSocial Security Number

See Guidelines on ISO Website!

After one year in F-1 status, this type of work authorization allows F-1 students to work off-campus during their studies at a position related to their major and appropriate to the degree level.

Immigration Benefits

A PassportCurricular Practical Training

(CPT)

Once you have completed your program of study you can remain in the U.S. for a specific length of time to make preparations to go home. What is this called?

Immigration Benefits

A Passport

The Grace Period

F-1- 60 DaysJ-1- 30 Days

This visa type must have prior written authorization for BOTH on and off-campus employment

Employment

A PassportJ-1 Visa

Employment is limited to this total number of hours per week for both F-1 and J-1 students during the academic year

Employment

A Passport20 hours per week

21 Be careful!

Name 3 types of F-1 Off-campus work authorization that students can apply for

Employment

A PassportCPT, OPT, STEM OPT, Intl. Org,

Severe Economic Hardship

Working without prior authorization is a violation of your status and can lead to this...

Employment

A Passport

Termination of your SEVIS Status and Departure from the U.S.

If a J-1 student would like to engage in an internship off-campus related to his/her major s/he needs to apply for this type of authorization in advance

Employment

A PassportAcademic Training

What is the official GW mascot?

GW/ISO Trivia

A PassportGeorge Washington!

What is the name of the GW Sports Teams?

GW/ISO Trivia

A PassportThe Colonials

In which building is the ISO located?

GW/ISO Trivia

Old Main

Approximately how many countries are represented by GW’s international student population?

GW/ISO Trivia

130!!

When are the ISO Advisor Walk-in Office Hours?

GW/ISO Trivia

A PassportMonday- Thursday

1:30-3:30 PM

Old Main Phone: 202-994-44771922 F Street, NW E-mail: iso@gwu.eduSuite 205Washington DC 20052

Who is your ISO Advisor? http://internationalservices.gwu.edu/advising-assignments

ISO Contact Information

Questions???

Stand Up/Sit Down

We are going to read a series of statements. Stand up if the statement applies to you. Look around and see who else is standing!

Now it’s time for an icebreaker…

• Remember to stop by ISO (with your passport) the rest of the week to complete check-in if you did not attend the services fair this morning

Good luck with the semester!

Final Announcements