Immigration

5 Main F-1 Immigration Laws 1.Keep immigration documents up-to-date 2.Be a full-time student 3.Work only when and where you are authorized to work 4.Update address with the University and the government 5.Carry immigration documents

Keeping documents up-to-date  Passport – how to extend  Visa – when is this an issue?  I-20/DS-2019 – school, level, major, money, travel  I  Other?

Be a “full-time” student  Undergraduate - 12 credits  Graduate – 9 credits, 8 hours + GPSI  ESL – 20+ hours per week  Fall + Spring ≠ Summer  Only 1 on-line course  Attend classes unless you are sick  Vacations only during official vacation periods  If final semester is summer, must be on campus

Employment - Jobs  On-Campus – GA/GPSI, Student Worker – Up to 20 hours per week during semester – F-1s with UIS I-20  Off-Campus – after one year – CPT – internships for credit, quick – OPT – $380, 90 days, 1 year  Social Security Number, Taxes, I-9s

Update Address  Update the address where you live/sleep within 10 days of moving – With UIS on your Nessie site – With the government with form AR-11 at orm/ar-11.pdf orm/ar-11.pdf – During OPT/STEM, update ISS office as well

Carry Documents  In town - copies  In Illinois - originals  Outside Illinois - originals  Outside U.S. - originals  Law # 6 – follow other laws – Alcohol, driving, dating…

D/S = Duration of Status  Duration = length of time  Status = good F-1 relationship with the U.S. government  How? By following the F-1 laws.  D/S = as long as you have a good relationship with the U.S. government, your documents don’t expire early and you can enjoy the benefits of your status

What are “benefits of F-1 status?”  Be in the U.S. legally  Transfer  Extend  Change level of study  Change major  Sometimes have a reduced course load  Employment – On Campus – Curricular Practical Training – Optional Practical Training – STEM extensions  Change status  sometimes we can help you “reinstate to status“

How can you find out how to apply for these benefits?  uscis.gov  uis.edu/internationalstudentservices  newsletters  advising from International Student Services  Please read forms online, attend workshops, be prepared, make appointments, once

Repeat after me…. I understand that I am responsible for knowing and following the immigration laws for my status!

Repeat after me again… I promise To attend an OPT/employment workshop Before making an OPT appointment With International Student Services about employment

Communicating with ISS  ISS communicates with you – newsletters – Website – Presentations – appointments  You communicate with ISS – to only one (1) address – Call to ask a general question or make an appointment – Visit us in HRB 52

Safety  Personal Safety – Lock doors, walk in groups, don’t flash wealth – Blue Safety Lights – Campus Police – & – 911  Money – Cash, PIN numbers,  Weather – Winter and Summer – Snow & ice – frost bite, heat stroke  Driving – School buses, getting a driver’s license, etc.