Immigration Matters

Williston Hall 406 Office Hours Walk-In Hours Monday -Friday 8am-12pm Closed for Lunch 1pm – 4:30pm Walk-In Hours Monday -Friday 1pm-3pm Other times by appointment only *Change of Status and Reinstatements require an appointment

Who do you get your immigration advice from? ISFO!!!!!!!

Enrollment F-1 & J-1 Students MUST BE ENROLLED FULL TIME!!!! Undergrads 12 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters Grads 9 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters Summer Term not required by Regulation May have other reasons that you must take classes Underloads Talk to ISFO

Maintain Good Academic Standing Undergrads 2.0 GPA Grads 3.0 GPA If you are not in good academic standing, you are NOT eligible for: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Optional Practical Training (OPT) Travel Signatures (until we know you are retained) On-campus employment (must get special permission to continue working)

Documents DO NOT LOSE YOUR DOCUMENTS Keep in a safe place If you do lose of damage your documents, come talk to ISFO immediately about replacement Passport Must remain valid entire time abroad If you renew, make sure ISFO gets a copy Visa Can expire while in the U.S.; must renew if you leave the country

F-1 I-20 Old version (1st page) SEVIS # School Code Program start date F-1 I-20 Old version (1st page) Program end date

F-1 I-20 Old version (3rd page) Endorse for Travel

F-1 I-20 New version (1st page) SEVIS # School Code F-1 I-20 New version (1st page) Program start & end dates Student signature

F-1 I-20 New version (2nd page) CPT employment information F-1 I-20 New version (2nd page) Endorse for Travel

SEVIS # Program Code Program Dates J-1 DS-2019 Endorse for Travel

Travel Travel Signatures Academic Probation Mid-Semester Travel Need a recent signature (6 months highly recommended) Page 2 of I-20 Page 1 of DS-2019 Academic Probation Your status must be confirmed before a travel signature can be issued. Mid-Semester Travel Not recommended, but if there is an emergency come talk to ISFO

On-campus Employment Allowed for everyone right away 20 hours/week limit during Fall and Spring Semesters Possible full-time during Summer F-1 No Authorization Needed J-1 Authorization Required

Global Friends Network Global Friends Network is a new program that will connect American and International students at NIU in a structured way that promotes cultural understanding, improves the assimilation of International Students into the NIU community, and enhances professional preparation of the students in a Globalizing world. The program will be run on a semester-by-semester basis and will be organized by the International Student and Faculty Office with partnership from the Study Abroad Office, College of Business and Honors Program. As a starting point for Fall 2015, this program aims to recruit about 20 American and 20 International Students. Through an online application system, students will apply to be a part of the program at the beginning of each semester. ISFO will review applications and match students in pairs. Each pair of students will be required to meet twice a month for an activity (getting coffee, studying together at the library, going for a bike ride, getting lunch together, etc…). ISFO will also host 3 group events for all participants throughout the semester (matching ceremony, outdoor activity and end-of semester banquet).