WELCOME to LMU

Our office promotes the general interest of international education, mutual understanding, and cultural exchange through the administration of international services, programs and opportunities for greater collaboration between the international and local communities.

Maintaining Your Status Visa vs. Status Visa Obtained at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad and is used for entering the U.S. Functions just like a key. Once you have entered, no need to worry about whether the visa is expired or valid. Has no bearing on how long you can stay in the U.S. Must be valid for your next re-entry.

Visa

Status Status is granted after the immigration inspector at the port of entry determines you are admissible to the U.S. F-1 or J-1 status is indicated on the I-94 with no expiration date but “ D/S ” – Duration of Status Pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward completing a degree. Engaging in authorized practical training following completion of studies. PLUS 60 day grace period to prepare for departure from the United States. Maintaining Your Status

Status (I-94)

Status (I-20)

Maintaining Your Status Maintain FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT during the academic year. (6 Units/semester - Graduate Students 12 Units/semester – Undergraduate Students) Report completion date to an OISS advisor if you will graduate prior to the date listed in section #5 on your I-20.

Maintaining Your Status Minimum 2.0 GPA and making progress towards degree completion For any change of major or educational level you must contact an OISS advisor. Do not withdraw from LMU without contacting an OISS advisor. Should you require a Leave of Absence, you must inform both the Registrar ’ s Office and OISS. If you are absent from the U.S. for five months or more, you MUST request a new I-20/DS-2019 from the OISS in order to return to LMU.

Maintaining Your Status Keep your PASSPORT valid at all times. Maintain Adequate Health Insurance Report your new physical ADDRESS within 10 days after any change occurs. All changes must be reported to : OISS, Registrar ’ s Office (Manegate-Prowl), & DMV Please Note: Your local address cannot be a P.O. Box

Legal Rights & Responsibilities It is imperative that you adhere to all state and federal laws of the United States. Conviction of a single misdemeanor or minor offense (i.e., under-age drinking, petty theft, public intoxication, etc.) may not have an effect on your immigration status. However, conviction of a more serious offense can result in deportation (i.e., fake ID, DUI, possession, use or sale of narcotic drugs and marijuana, etc.).

Legal Rights & Responsibilities Violations of the LMU Student Conduct Code do NOT automatically affect your student status. However, if you are suspended or dismissed from the University as a result of the violation, you are no longer in legal student status and are therefore at risk for deportation.

Legal Rights & Responsibilities Responsibilities Maintain your student status. Carry with you proper immigration registration documents (copies of passport, I-94 and I-20) Carry the contact information of your nearest Consulate or Embassy with you. Keep in contact with the OISS in order to be informed of any changes in the laws and regulations that pertain to non-immigrants.

Legal Rights & Responsibilities Rights (Remember you may need to assert these rights.) If you are arrested in the U.S., you have the right to call your consulate or to have the police inform your consulate of your arrest. You are entitled to have a lawyer to defend you in court or an interview with the Immigration Services. Just like a U.S. citizen, you have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions if you are accused of a violation of the law. You have the right to request release from detention by paying a bond if necessary. Your lawyer can assist you with this. However, in the wake of the September 11 attacks, immigration officials may hold detainees up to 48 hours under normal circumstances and an unspecified "additional reasonable period of time" during emergencies.

SEVIS: STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR INFORMATION SYSTEM All new students are required to meet with OISS staff within 30 days of the start of the semester. Information schools are required to report to Department of Homeland Security: Enrollment Status per semester Changes of major/educational level/length of study Changes of Name and Address Dependent information

Travel Signatures In order to re-enter the country successfully, F-1/J-1 students need the following:  A valid passport  A valid F-1/J-1 Student Visa  I-20 or DS-2019 with a current travel signature * To request a travel signature students must complete a Travel Signature Request Form which is available online.

Travel Signatures DO NOT TRAVEL outside the United States, even to Canada or Mexico, without obtaining a Travel Signature from OISS staff. If you plan to travel within the US, you must carry your current passport, I-94 and I-20 or DS-2019 with you.

Work Authorization Contact OISS BEFORE accepting any employment! TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT: On-Campus Employment Curricular Practical Training (Internships) Optional Practical Training (Pre/Post-Completion)

Social Security Numbers Social Security numbers are only assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. They are used to report your wages to the government and to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits. As an F-1/J-1 student, you MUST have a job in order to apply for a Social Security Number. To apply, you must present the following documents: - Letter from the employer; - Letter from OISS; - Form SS-5 (SSN Application available online – - Valid passport; I-20 or DS-2019; I-94 Arrival/Departure Card

Driver ’ s License An international student DOES NOT need a Social Security number to obtain a Driver’s License. To apply, you must do the following: Visit a DMV office (make an appointment online for faster service). Complete application form DL 44. Present your passport, I-20 and I-94. Pay the application fee. Pass a vision exam. Pass a traffic laws and sign test. Make a driving test appointment. (Driving tests are not given without an appointment.) You may also call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, to make a driving test appointment. Provide proof of automobile insurance

OISS OISS is located in Suite 201 of the Malone Student Center. The office is open Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM. OISS has an open door policy, but recommends appointments to deal with time-sensitive matters. Office for International Students & Scholars Malone LMU Drive, MS 8430 Los Angeles, CA Tel Fax Website:

International House of People (IHOP) The mission of IHOP is to promote and celebrate cultural diversity and awareness within the LMU community. Throughout the year, the house hosts various events and activities geared towards celebrating different cultures and regions of the world. *First Event – Thursday, August 30 th at 4:30 PM 8 TH Annual Super Sushi Social

Pan·gae·a (All Lands) – A club for International Students & American Friends Pangaea is the coming together of LMU’s international and domestic communities to socialize, and share our cultures and experiences.