International Student (F-1 Visa) Information Session MAINTAINING F-1 STATUS September 2012

Colorado Heights University New F-1 Students… Welcome to CHU and the USA !

Colorado Heights University Always Remember… Living in a foreign country is difficult work!

Colorado Heights University Success Strategies Culture Shock Can Be Managed Fun activities make stress easier! Join a CHU club Find your new favorite restaurant Travel around Colorado Technology is great! …but remember too much and it can make you more sad and homesick!

Colorado Heights University Success Strategies Culture Shock Can Be Managed Good things to remember… Success here means success with any challenge! Because CHU is a diverse community, everyone understands! Do not give up! We are here to help you!

Colorado Heights University Always Remember… Understanding your visa means less stress!

Colorado Heights University The U.S. Government …is Alphabet Soup U.S. Department of Homeland Security All the following organizations are part of DHS United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Formerly INS Customs and Border Protection Law enforcement when you enter the USA Immigration and Customs Enforcement / Homeland Security Investigations Law enforcement when you are in the USA Student and Exchange Visitor Program ICE Office responsible for managing SEVIS Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Online database for F, M, and J visa holder information DHS – USCIS – CBP – ICE/HSI – SEVP – SEVIS –

Colorado Heights University What is F-1 “Status”? Status = Nonimmigrant category granted by the immigration officer when you entered the US In Status = You are in the U.S. legally Out of Status = You did not follow all requirements Examples: 1.Working without authorization 2.Not going to the school 3.Conviction of a serious crime Does your visa give you status?

Colorado Heights University Important Documents 4 Most Important Documents for F-1 Visa Holders Passport Minimum 6 month validity to enter the USA May not expire while you are in the USA Visa Allows you to travel to the USA Renewal not required unless you plan to depart USA and return Form I-20 Used to apply for an F-1 visa and enter the USA Lists current school, level, and major Form I-94 Card completed when you enter the USA and stapled into your passport D/S (duration of status) means you may stay in the USA if maintain status $320 fee is required to replace a lost, stolen or damaged I-94

Colorado Heights University Important Documents US law requires visa holders always carry registration documents CHU suggests you carry copies of the documents. Originals should always be kept in a safe location. Also keep photocopies in another safe location. **If you are traveling outside Denver, you should carry the original documents with you. If you are traveling by air, train, bus or ship, you may be required to produce these documents before boarding.

Colorado Heights University Maintaining your immigration status is your responsibility You agree to maintain status your Form I-20 and entering the US Help us assist you! Always Remember…

Colorado Heights University Tip # 1 How to Maintain Status Check your CHU daily!

Colorado Heights University Tip # 2 How to Maintain Status Maintain a Full-Time course load! BA: Minimum 12 credit hours per active semester MBA: Minimum 9 credit hours per active semester ESL: Full-time attendance during the entire 12 months of study **Less than a full course load requires PRIOR authorization from International Student Services (ISS)

Colorado Heights University Tip # 3 How to Maintain Status Do not start employment without authorization! **Information sheets, information sessions, and individual advising appointments are offered by Student Affairs to help you understand what is authorized employment**

Colorado Heights University Tip # 4 How to Maintain Status Keep your passport valid! **F-1 visas can expire while you are in the U.S. - but not passports!**

Colorado Heights University Tip # 5 How to Maintain Status Keep your Form I-20 valid! **Make certain the expiration date (item 5 on page 1) matches your intended graduation date!**

Colorado Heights University Tip # 6 How to Maintain Status Attend the school that issued your Form I-20! **Normal progress toward completing your program of study is required for F-1 visa holders!**

Colorado Heights University Tip # 7 How to Maintain Status Report address changes within 10 days! **Mailing and location addresses**

Colorado Heights University Tip # 8 How to Maintain Status Report travel or extended interruptions to your program of study! **Examples include: Medical problems, vacations, and transfers to a different school **

Colorado Heights University Tip # 9 How to Maintain Status Report degree and/or financial sponsorship changes! **Your Form I-20 must be updated if you change programs or financial sponsors**

Colorado Heights University Tip # 10 How to Maintain Status Only use the Student Affairs Office to answer F-1 visa questions! ** Do not rely on advice from a friend or student; they are not qualified to give you an appropriate answer **

Colorado Heights University Pop Quiz! 1.My visa expired two months ago, am I out of status? NO 2.I attend only 50% of class time because I have work authorization and must work during the other 50% of class time. Am I maintaining status? NO 3.I am a BA student and dropped one of my classes because I didn’t like the subject. Now I am only enrolled in 9 credit hours, am I maintaining status? NO 4.I changed my program from IETP to MBA and never received an updated Form I-20, am I maintaining status? NO 5.In July my Form I-20 expires but I do not graduate until December, am I maintaining status if I just keep attending school and earn good grades? NO 6.Last month I changed where I live but my mailing address is still the same so I didn’t notify CHU, am I in status? NO 7.I started a job this week because I will receive CPT authorization soon, am I out of status? YES 8.I never check CHU but I do everything required for my F-1 visa, am I in status? ????

Colorado Heights University Questions??

Colorado Heights University Thank You! Don’t wait if you have questions! Student Services Administration Building, Room International Student Services Administration Building, Room 214C