Immigration Information & Your Responsibilities James Luyirika-Sewagudde, Jr. Cindy Phelps Office of International Education Student Service Center 440

Office of International Education International Admission Evaluators – UG & G Admission Maria, Rosanne, Chikako Study Abroad & International Exchange – Outbound American Students – Inbound Exchange Students (J visa) Jenn, Steve, Kirby International Student Services – International Student Advisors James & Cindy

International Student Advisors

Advising System at Chico State Two types: 1.Academic 1.General Education Requirements – Undergraduates - Academic Advising Office 2.Major Requirements – Transfer & Graduate Students - Department 1.Immigration – International Student Advisors

What Do We Do? AssistAdviseInformCollectMaintain Immigration Specialists

How Do We Communicate With Students? University & Forwarding Weekly announcements & notes

What’s A SEVIS Record? SEVIS (acronym) Student & Exchange Visitor Information System National database which tracks the immigration status of international students. How do I get a SEVIS record? AdmissionSEVIS Record I-20 UPDATED BY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISORS! ArrivalsDeparturesEnrollment Physical Address Work Authorizations Violations

Primary Immigration Documents Your Responsibility! 1. Passport 2. U.S. Visa 3. I I-94 – Electronic version only If provided, OIE will keep a copy in your file. Any changes to these documents should be reported to your International Student Advisors! These are the documents which identify you and establish your status in the United States. Keep them in a secure place at all times.

PASSPORT  Keep it valid - must always be valid at least 6 months into the future  Need to renew? Contact your Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. Renew in your home country. OR

VISA  What do I do when my visa expires?  Nothing! A valid visa is only necessary for entrance into the U.S. * You may stay in the U.S. with an expired visa, as long as you are maintaining your visa status.

I-20 1.Inform Yourself! Read page 2 of your I-20 2.Inform Your Advisor of Any Change(s) 3.Travel Signature – Page 3 of your I-20 – every six months *Certifies to BPO that you are maintaining your status. Length of Program Address Source of Funding Required!

Maintaining Visa Status 1)Maintain full-time enrollment Undergrads – 12 units Grads – 8 units 2)No unauthorized work 3)Promptly report address changes 4)Do not break the law It’s just this easy! Very few exceptions to full-time enrollment requirement: *First semester adjustment *Serious illness/injury *Final semester Very few exceptions to full-time enrollment requirement: *First semester adjustment *Serious illness/injury *Final semester

Employment: F vs. J Visa On-campus Internship/Academic Training Employment after graduation Talk with your advisors for more information

Health Insurance - REQUIRED AVOID A REGISTRATION HOLD! Health Care in the U.S. is Expensive! Don’t let your policy expire!

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES - REVIEW  Valid passport at all times  Always be a full-time student (summer optional)  Report address changes within 10 days  Do not work without authorization  Have valid health insurance at all times

CAUTION DO NOT rely on other students’ advice because their cases may be very different from yours. All your questions regarding immigration issues should be discussed with your International Student Advisors: James Luyirika-Sewagudde, Jr. (PDSO, RO) Cindy Phelps (DSO) International Student Advising Student Service Center – 440

PLEASE… COME & SEE US We‘re nice! We are here to support you!