UF International Center

Introduction The University of Florida International Center (UFIC) serves in a leadership and facilitation role to further the University’s international agenda, providing assistance and support to faculty, staff and administrators, as well as international students and exchange visitors. The UFIC also functions to enhance the University’s ability to pursue and develop international activities and partnerships appropriate to its core mission.

UFIC Units Finance and Administration The UFIC is a multi-facetted service unit. Administration Leonardo A. Villalón, PhD (Dean) Susanne Hill, PhD (Executive Director) Finance and Administration Study Aboard Services (SAS) Office for Global Research Engagement (OGRE) International Student Services (ISS) Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Undergraduate Academic Programs Peace Corps

UFIC Units Finance and Administration The UFIC is a multi-facetted service unit. Administration Leonardo A. Villalón, PhD Susanne Hill, PhD Finance and Administration Study Aboard Services (SAS) Office for Global Research Engagement (OGRE) International Student Services (ISS) Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Undergraduate Academic Programs Peace Corps

International Student Services (ISS) New International Students Serves as link between admitted degree seeking international students, the sponsoring UF academic unit, the federal government, and state and local agencies Issues original form I-20 Amends form I-20 as required Provides immigration compliance monitoring, advice and employment authorizations (OPT, OPT STEM), connects visitors to existing resources at UF and in Gainesville New International Students Attending Welcome Reception at the UF President’s house.

International Student Services (ISS) Optional Practical Training (OPT) First standard 12-months Immigration responsibilities maintained by U.S. institution in which F-1 student graduated (sponsoring institution) Degree Seeking F-1 students are eligible (must have maintained appropriate F-1 status) Authorized once per higher degree level Apply through ISA; authorized by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

International Student Services (ISS) Optional Practical Training (OPT) First standard 12-months Authorization for employment, paid or unpaid/volunteering, anywhere in the U.S. Employment must be directly related to student’s major field of study Must have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to begin work (referred to as the OPT card) Employment permitted during the authorized EAD dates

International Student Services (ISS) Optional Practical Training (OPT) First standard 12-months EAD card issued within 60-90 days from USCIS receipt of application Student must update employment details/changes with sponsoring institution (ISA) Student must update home address with sponsoring intuition (ISA) within 10 days of moving

International Student Services (ISS) Optional Practical Training (OPT) 24-Month STEM Extension Immigration responsibilities maintained by U.S. institution in which F-1 student graduated Must have a major (CIP code) which qualifies for the OPT STEM Extension approved by Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) OPT STEM is permitted twice only, immediately after a standard year of OPT with completion of higher degree May apply up to 90 days prior to standard OPT expiration date International Student Services (ISS)

International Student Services (ISS) Optional Practical Training (OPT) 24-Month STEM Extension Authorization for paid employment, employer specific, employer must be E-verified Must have maintained appropriate/valid status during standard year of OPT Employment must be directly related to student’s major field of study Apply through ISA; authorized by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) International Student Services (ISS)

International Student Services (ISS) Optional Practical Training (OPT) 24-Month STEM Extension USCIS must receive OPT STEM application prior to Standard OPT expiration date May continue to work for up to 180-days while waiting new OPT STEM EAD card, or a final decision from USCIS, whichever comes first Update employment details with sponsoring institution Update home address with sponsoring institution (within 10 days of moving)

International Student Services (ISS) Located inside the Hub, Suite 170 Debra Anderson, Director Fulbright & USAID Students Janelle Lyons Surnames A – C Ethel Porras Surnames D – J Steve Ghulamani Surnames K – L Candice DeBose-Tyson Surnames M – Q Byron Nichols Surnames R-V Martine Angrand, Assistant Director Surnames W – Z Janet Hardin Administrative Support (front desk)

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Serves as link between international students/exchange visitors and the sponsoring/hosting UF academic unit, the federal government, and state and local agencies Issues original form DS-2019 Amends form DS-2019 as required Provides immigration compliance monitoring, advice and employment authorizations (Academic Training), connects visitors to existing resources at UF and within Gainesville Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Ulisses Rocha J-1 Research Scholar A well-known musician from Brazil, Ulisses teaches guitar at the School of Music, and has performed on campus and at the Hippodrome.

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) UF J-1 Categories Professor Maximum duration 5-years Research Scholar Short-Term Scholar Maximum duration 6-months Student Intern Maximum duration 12-months Degree Seeking Student Level specific, no true maximum duration Non-Degree Student Maximum duration 24-months Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) J Program is category specific

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) UF J Categories Professor Maximum duration 5-years Research Scholar Short-Term Scholar Maximum duration 6-months Student Intern Maximum duration 12-months Degree Seeking Student Level specific, no true maximum duration Non-Degree Student Maximum duration 24-months Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) J Program is category specific

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Academic Training (AT) Only permitted to J-1 student categories PhD level students eligible for 36-months of AT AT is an employment authorization, paid or unpaid, directly related to the student’s major field of study Student must graduate with PhD to be eligible for second 18-months of AT (authorization is two parts; 18-months each) Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) J-1 Student Category

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Academic Training (AT) Authorized by the institution who issued the DS-2019 (sponsoring institution) No EAD card, no application to USICS, no fees, minimal authorization wait time AT authorization appears on section #5 of DS-2019 Backup detailed AT letter will be issued by EVS (referred to as the UFIC J-1 Work Authorization Letter) Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) J-1 Student Category

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Academic Training (AT) Employer specific. No changes in employment/employer without prior authorization from student’s sponsoring institution Update employment details with sponsoring institution Update living address with sponsoring institution (within 10 days of moving) Health insurance required at all times for J visa holders (including J-2 dependents) Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) J-1 Student Category

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Maximum duration 5-years Employment permitted within UF host department Research and scholarly duties, part-time teaching permitted Update living address with sponsoring institution (within 10 days of moving) Health insurance required at all times for J visa holders (including J-2 dependents) Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) J-1 Research Scholar

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Prior to traveling outside of the U.S. out of country authorization travel/reentry authorization insurance validity Before starting any work of any kind (paid or unpaid) in addition to the program activity listed on your form DS-2019 limited authorizations for “out side activity” consultations/lecturer For any changes to your program (time-frame, department, funding, supervisor, adding/deleting dependent, transferring to a different institution, site of activity, etc.). Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Contact EVS…

Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Located inside the Hub, Suite 190 Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) Carolyn Cesarotti Immigration Specialist Surnames A – K Alexis Weisman, Assistant Director Surnames L – S Scott Davis, Director UF Sponsored J-1 Degree Seeking Students (all) Fulbright Scholars (all) Surnames T – Z

Questions? Visit us at: www.ufic.ufl.edu