International Students ABC’s for Admissions and Records staff

International Students International Students ABC’s for Admissions and Records staffABC’s for Admissions and Records staff

Eddie WestEddie WestDirector, International Programs and ServicesDirector, International Programs and Services

Ohlone CollegeOhlone College

TopicsTopics

Who is an “international student”Who is an “international student”

International Admissions processesInternational Admissions processes

International student-related Immigration International student-related Immigration regulationsregulations

Special ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations

International student outreach International student outreach

Q & AQ & A

Who is (& who is not) an Who is (& who is not) an “international student”“international student”

““International student” is defined as International student” is defined as someone possessing, or wishing to obtain, someone possessing, or wishing to obtain, an F-1 Student Visa, to study in the U.S.an F-1 Student Visa, to study in the U.S.– Other international learners:Other international learners:

H-4 Visa-holdersH-4 Visa-holders

Other non-immigrant Visa-holdersOther non-immigrant Visa-holders

Immigration Visa-holdersImmigration Visa-holders

Permanent Residents (i.e. green card-holders)Permanent Residents (i.e. green card-holders)

International Admissions processesInternational Admissions processes

Who handles international student Who handles international student admissionsadmissions– Admissions and Records office?Admissions and Records office?– Dedicated International Student office?Dedicated International Student office?

In either case, the use of SEVIS is keyIn either case, the use of SEVIS is key– Student Exchange and Visitor Information Student Exchange and Visitor Information

System (SEVIS) databaseSystem (SEVIS) databaseSEVIS oversight: Department of Homeland SEVIS oversight: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Security (DHS)

– PDSO and DSOPDSO and DSO

International Admissions processes, cont.International Admissions processes, cont.

Special application requirements of international Special application requirements of international students include:students include:– Demonstration of adequate financial supportDemonstration of adequate financial support

Done via bank letter and/or Financial AffidavitDone via bank letter and/or Financial Affidavit

– English language proficiency proofEnglish language proficiency proofDone via Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, or Done via Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, or other meansother means

General categories of international student:General categories of international student:1.1. Students currently overseas Students currently overseas 2.2. Students currently in the U.S., on an F-1 Student Visa, and who Students currently in the U.S., on an F-1 Student Visa, and who

will be transferring to your school from another U.S. schoolwill be transferring to your school from another U.S. school3.3. Students currently in the U.S., on a different type of Visa, who Students currently in the U.S., on a different type of Visa, who

want to apply for a Change of Visa status to F-1want to apply for a Change of Visa status to F-1

International Admissions processes, cont.International Admissions processes, cont.

Once admitted:Once admitted:1.1. Students currently overseas are issued and mailed a Form I-20. Students currently overseas are issued and mailed a Form I-20.

This is the most important legal document an international student This is the most important legal document an international student possessespossessesIt is what they will use to apply for an F-1 Visa at the U.S. Embassy It is what they will use to apply for an F-1 Visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to their home or Consulate closest to their home

2.2. Students who are in the U.S. on an F-1 Visa who wish to Students who are in the U.S. on an F-1 Visa who wish to transfer to your school, must have their school transfer their I-transfer to your school, must have their school transfer their I-20 record to you via SEVIS20 record to you via SEVIS

3.3. Students in the U.S. on another Visa type, who wish to apply for Students in the U.S. on another Visa type, who wish to apply for a Change of Status to F-1, are issued an I-20. They use this to a Change of Status to F-1, are issued an I-20. They use this to apply for the Change of Status, via mail, to United States apply for the Change of Status, via mail, to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

International Student-related International Student-related Immigration regulationsImmigration regulations

These regulations must be followed by These regulations must be followed by international students, so that they remain international students, so that they remain “in visa Status” “in visa Status” – Opposite: “out of status”. This is bad.Opposite: “out of status”. This is bad.

Immigration = United States Citizenship Immigration = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Immigration regulations cont.Immigration regulations cont.

Full-time enrollmentFull-time enrollment– Undergraduate: 12 or more units per termUndergraduate: 12 or more units per term– Exceptions to this requirement can only be granted on Exceptions to this requirement can only be granted on

case-by-case bases by a PDSO or DSOcase-by-case bases by a PDSO or DSO

Only allowed to work part-time, and only Only allowed to work part-time, and only on-on-campuscampus– Some students may qualify for permission to work off-Some students may qualify for permission to work off-

campus in certain circumstances, but this permission campus in certain circumstances, but this permission must first be granted by USCIS BEFORE the student must first be granted by USCIS BEFORE the student engages in this work. engages in this work.


Concurrent EnrollmentConcurrent Enrollment– International students are allowed to enroll International students are allowed to enroll

concurrently at an institution other than that concurrently at an institution other than that which issued their I-20. which issued their I-20.

– However, other than in Summers, students However, other than in Summers, students must obtain permission from the DSO or must obtain permission from the DSO or PDSO of their main schoolPDSO of their main school

– Their combined units enrollment must = 12 or Their combined units enrollment must = 12 or more unitsmore units


Longer, earlier admissions periodsLonger, earlier admissions periods– International student applications usually International student applications usually

begin working on their applications much begin working on their applications much earlier than domestic students do. Why?earlier than domestic students do. Why?

More documentation must be assembledMore documentation must be assembled

Time needed to apply for and obtain VisaTime needed to apply for and obtain Visa

Time needed to make flight reservationsTime needed to make flight reservations

Time needed to secure local-area Time needed to secure local-area accommodationsaccommodations


Cultural considerationsCultural considerations– English ability of many international students English ability of many international students

is limited. Care needed in communicating with is limited. Care needed in communicating with them to ensure understandingthem to ensure understanding

– In many countries, the idea of choosing one’s In many countries, the idea of choosing one’s own courses and creating one’s own study own courses and creating one’s own study plan, with or without the help of an academic plan, with or without the help of an academic advisor, is foreignadvisor, is foreign

– Rote, passive learning vs. active learningRote, passive learning vs. active learning

Travel endorsementsTravel endorsements

International student outreachInternational student outreach

Many schools very active in courting Many schools very active in courting international students. Why?international students. Why?– To enhance cultural and ethnic diversity on To enhance cultural and ethnic diversity on

campuscampus– To expose domestic students, staff and To expose domestic students, staff and

faculty to other culturesfaculty to other cultures– Revenue enhancementRevenue enhancement

Q & AQ & A

Documents

International Students ABC’s for Admissions and Records staff