2012 Spring International Orientation Presented by International Students and Scholars Lehigh University January 11, 2012

Welcome! CLICKER

How are you?   

How are you?   

Which continent is your country located? Asia Australia South America Africa Europe Antarctica North America

How many languages do you speak? One Two Three Four A lot!

10 Things You Need to Know About… IMMIGRATION

Passport Must be valid for AT LEAST 6 months into the future to remain in legal status in the U.S.

Help! My VISA Has Expired! Don’t worry! It is OK to stay in the U.S. if BOTH of these documents are valid: Passport I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)

Social Security Number (SSN) Are you Eligible? To be eligible, you must have a paid job (on-campus or off-campus) Must be in the U.S. for at least 10 business days to apply

OFF CAMPUS employment Must be related to field of Study NOT PERMITTED without proper authorization (CPT or OPT) When school is in session you CANNOT work more than 20 hours per week During semester breaks (summer, winter, spring, and pacing breaks) and holidays (Thanksgiving), working 20 hours or more per week is allowed

ON CAMPUS employment Can obtain any job on Lehigh’s campus (bookstore, library, etc.) When school is in session you CANNOT work more than 20 hours per week, including assistantships During semester breaks, working 20 hours or more per week is allowed

Driving in Pennsylvania Can drive in PA for up to 1 year with: Home country license; and International Driver’s License OR Must apply for Pennsylvania Driver’s License Attend the Driver’s License Workshop Thursday, January 26, 2012 4:oopm – 5:00pm Global Union Lounge, Coxe Hall

…notify ISS within 10 days Reporting to ISS If you change any of the following… ADDRESS MAJOR COLLEGE DEGREE FUNDING SOURCE …notify ISS within 10 days

Travel Abroad and Reentry into the US 1-20 (F1) or DS-2019 (J1) must be signed by ISS before leaving the U.S. Travel signature is only valid for one year

I-20/DS-2019 Extension If I need more time to graduate Apply for an extension before the program end date

Maintain Full Time Status Students must be registered full time (graduate:9 credits/semester; undergraduates: 12 credits/semester) to stay in legal status in the USA Exceptions: Must check with ISS before dropping below full time Illness or Medical Condition Initial Difficulty with English Language Initial Difficulty with Reading Requirements Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods Improper Course Level Placement Last Semester of Program

Get Your Clickers Ready!

How far into the future must my passport be valid to remain in legal status? 1 year 6 months 3 months My status is good until the exact expiration date on my passport

If my Visa expires, it’s OK as long as these documents are valid: Passport and 1-20 or DS-2019 Passport and Driver’s License Passport and Lehigh ID It’s not OK. My Visa must never expire.

To apply for a SSN, I must… Have unpaid volunteer work/internship Be a full time student Have paid work/employment Have a US bank account

Before working off-campus I have to… Do nothing Apply for CPT or OPT Find a job Buy a car

To drive in Pennsylvania AFTER my first year I need a… Lehigh ID PA Driver’s License International Driver’s License Home Country Driver’s License

To work on-campus I must… First ask my advisor Make sure the job fits my field of study Work only 20 hours a week during the semester First ask my parents

I must notify ISS within 10 days when I change my… Address Funding Source Major Degree College All of the above

My Visa is valid. Before traveling abroad for vacation, I must first go to ISS to… Obtain a letter that states I am a full time student at Lehigh Have my I-20 or DS-2019 signed if it hasn’t been signed within the last year Say goodbye to Bonnie Do nothing. I can leave the US and return as long as my visa is valid.

If I need more time to finish my program, I must extend my I-20/DS-2019 before the program end date? True False

To maintain immigration status, a full-time student means at least… 12 credits per semester for G and 9 credits per semester for UG 9 credits per semester for G and 12 credits per UG 9 credits per semester for both G and UG

Questions? Stop by ISS Anytime… Gisela Nansteel gmn0@lehigh.edu Jeanne Tan Ma jet206@lehigh.edu Coxe Hall, 32 Sayre Drive 610-758-4859 -- intnl@lehigh.edu Bonnie Beidleman bjba@lehigh.edu Stacy Burger stb206@lehigh.edu Thomas Janis tnj210@lehigh.edu