Welcome to NSU!

Office of International AffairsAugust 2012

Overview of Presentation

• Office of International Affairs• Student Visa- Compliance issues• International Student Employment• Useful Information

Office of International Affairs

Mission

To develop, facilitate, and oversee high quality innovative international programs, initiatives and partnerships by providing leadership, coordination, and service to students and faculty both on and off campus.

Office of International Students and

Scholars

OISSJim Vatral

Deborah Pabon5 student workers

Office of Student AffairsOSA

Office of International AffairsOIA

Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli, Executive DirectorAlejandra Parra, M.A., Associate Director

Nova International

Student Association

NISA

NSU Schools, Colleges, and

Centers

Office of Enrollment and Student Services ESS

NSU Overall Facts and Figures

International Enrollment on campus: over 1,231 students (student visa)

116 countries represented on campus

NSU in the world....

AsiaThe

Caribbean

Europe

Latin America

Africa

USA

Interesting Facts about International Students at NSU…

Interesting Facts about International Students at NSU…

Office of InternationalStudents and Scholars

MAINTAINING YOUR LEGAL STATUS

WHAT IS “VISA STATUS”?

A status granted by the United States Custom and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the port of entry. This status is stamped (or written) on your Admission and Departure Card (I-94).

AFTER YOU ARRIVE:

Check-In at the Office of International Students and Scholars and bring your:• I-20• Passport• Visa• I-94 Card• Local Address• Local Phone Number• Nova email address• Certificate of Virtual Pre-arrival Orientation

IT’S EASY TO MAINTAINYOUR LEGAL STATUS

What document gives you your legal status as an F-1 Student?

Entry Date

Status

Limitation of Stay

11 Digit number

I-94 CARD Port of Entry

One of your most important documents. Keep in a safe place. Replacing it is costly

What is SEVIS?

Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

SEVIS I-20

SEVIS I-20 Academic Level

Academic Program

Length of Program

Initial attendance/Continued attendance/Transfer in progress

Your I-20’s program’s end date should not expire prior to completing your coursework or you will fall out of status. If you will not complete your studies before this date, please contact our office for instructions on how to extend this time

SEVIS I-20

This area may or may not be stamped by immigration.

.

Information recorded in SEVIS and reported to USCIS

• Dropping below full course load• Failure to enroll in classes• Termination of program (graduation;

withdrawal)• Change of address for F-1 and F-2’s

• Program start/end dates• Term start/end dates• Educational level• Program or major• Program extension• Authorized vacations• Transfer to/from NSU• Off-campus employment/employer information

Maintaining legal F1 status

• Full Course of Study Undergraduate: 12 credit hoursMaster’s: 6 credit hoursDoctoral: 1 class

• Online classes – only one per term towards your program of study

• Local Address – report any address change to the OISS within 10 days

Maintaining Legal Status

• Employment – only authorized employment• Prior Approval

– Reduced Course Load– Dropping/Withdrawing – Change of Major/Program– Off-Campus Employment

• I-20 – valid and properly endorsed

• Not checking in• Being registered below a full course load• Not enrolling• Withdrawing or dropping classes without

authorization• Taking only online classes• I-20 expires before program completion• Working without authorization• Changing address and not reporting the

changes to the OISS within 10 days

How does a student fall out of status?

Non-Payment

Bursars Hold

Termination of Status for “Failure to Enroll”!!!!

Cannot Register

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU…

WHAT IF I FALL OUT OF STATUS?

Apply for reinstatement.

Leave and re-enter the country with a new I-20.Or, you can…

You can…

Travelling

To your home country

• valid I-20• valid visa (except Canada

or Bermuda)• passport which is valid 6

months into the future from the date the student intends to re-enter the USA

Other than home country• valid I-20• valid visa (except

Canada or Bermuda)• passport which is valid 6

months into the future from the date the student intends to re-enter the USA

Important: Check with the Embassy of that country for any additional visa requirements

Can an international student work while in the USA?

ON CAMPUS

20 hours (part-time)

37.5 hours (full time)

OFF CAMPUS• CPT

Curricular Practical Training• Economic hardship• OPT

Optional Practical Training

• Never destroy your “old” immigration documents. • Always keep copies of your important documents.• Your responsibility to know the regulations. • ALWAYS check your Nova email account. • Never act on “information” from friends, relatives,

or the grapevine• Make sure all your documents are up-to-date and

valid before you travel internationally.

Information to remember….

Also remember…

• do not use a tourist visa for re-entry• Seeking advise• In case of emergency contact OISS• detained and questioned at the point-of-entry,

only answer their questions• Academic performance

– SUSPENDED or DISMISSED I-20 is IMMEDIATELY terminated and you must leave the country immediately

After Completion

If you complete your program and do not apply for OPT you have 60 days in which to

• Transfer to another university• Begin a new program at NSU• Depart the United States

Useful Information

TRANSPORTATION

NSU ShuttleBus ServiceTriRail/Metrorail

http://www.broward.org/BCT

http://www.tri-rail.com/

Other….

• Driving in Florida• Car Insurance

Come to the OISS for more information. We are here to help you!

PAYMENT INFORMATION

• Register for courses• automated system creates an E-bill • sent to NSU e-mail account

• E-bill • amount you owe• form of payment• the terms of payment

• Payments - automated system which you will find within the Sharklink area. • Payments must be made within 30 days of the beginning of the

semester.• “Bursar’s hold” • “late payment fee” of $100

OIA Contact information

Website: http://www.nova.edu/internationalstudents/

Email:intl@nova.edu

Phone:954-262-7240 (24/7)

Skype:nsu.international