1. Immigration Information
5/26/2018
F-1 Visa Regulation
Spring 2017
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

2. Immigration Information
F-1 Visa Status
Immigration Information

3. Requirements to stay Legal
Complete 12 units
each semester
Valid I-20 form
unexpired passport
Immigration Information

4. Falling out of Status (become illegal)
Visa status
Legal Stay
Out of F1 visa status
Illegal Stay
Immigration Information

5. Losing F-1 visa status (becoming an illegal alien – don’t do)
Completed Units< 12
Staying at the school with an expired I-20 form
Studying at a school without an appropriate I-20
Attending a publicly funded program (adult school, non-credit ESL, etc.)
Staying in the U.S. for longer than permitted
Engaging in an unauthorized employment
Immigration Information

6. SEVIS Regulation (summary)
Immigration Information
5/26/2018
SEVIS Regulation (summary)
Requirements you must follow
Change of Physical Address, Name, or Major
Distance Education
Reduced Course Load
Program Extension
Reinstatement to Status (to get back into F-1 visa status)
Transfer Process
Authorized Employment
Grade Period
F-2 Dependents
SEVIS regulation is F1 regulation. Here’s the list of items restricted by DHS.
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

7. Change of Address, Legal Name, and Major (field of your study)
Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Change of Address, Legal Name, and Major (field of your study)
DHS is serious about change of address notification. Failure to report is punishable by fine or imprisonment and/or deportation.
Students subject to NSEERS (Special Registration) must notify both the school and INS using the form AR-11SR.
New I-20
with new Major
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

8. Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Distance Education
No more than 3 semester units of online courses are counted towards the required 12 units to maintain F-1 status.
ESL 101 (5) ESL 101 (5)
Math 110 (4) Math 110 (4)
Art 100 (3) Art 100 (3)
You are responsible to know this part of the new regulation, since it may come back to haunt you later in the future for some reason.
Good
No Good
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

9. Reduced Course Load (RCL) Approval
Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Reduced Course Load (RCL) Approval
1. Academic Difficulties
2. Medical Condition
3. RCL based on medical condition must not exceed a period of 12 months
4. Completion of course of study
Reduced Course Load means enrolling below 12 units. There are some cases where students may be allowed for reduced course load, but the official approval from the Designated School Official is required.
With the DSO’s approval, students can then drop below 12 units. What is important is that the students must receive the approval from DSO before dropping below 12 units.
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

10. Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Extension of Program Expiration of I-20 = Termination of your SEVIS record = your stay will become ILLEGAL
1. Remember when your I-20 expires.
2. Apply for program extension if additional
semester is needed.
Eligibility
Be legal (active SEVIS record)
Good academic standing
Compelling academic reason – change of major, etc.
Compelling medical reason – medical doctor’s documentation in file
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

11. Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Reinstatement to Status (RTS) – getting back in to F1 visa status Eligibility to apply for RTS
Out of status< 5 months
No repeated violation
Enroll full-time immediately
No unauthorized employment
When a student falls out of status, s/he may be eligible to apply for reinstatement to F-1 status. INS district office will make the decision on such application.
F1 status
Legal Stay
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

12. Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Transfer Process =
Complete the Process and get a New I-20 within
60 days.
Notify the Office of International Education your intention to transfer
Acceptance letter
SEVIS release request form
Last semester questionnaire
Transfer process must be completed within 60 days from the last day of attendance at the current school
Report to the new school by the date indicated on the new I-20 form
Palomar I-20
UCSD I-20
We understand that many students apply to a few different institutions. Since we need to report to SEVIS about your transfer information, it is extremely important that we receive the notification on which school you are definitely transferring to.
Show Transfer Out Page
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

13. Authorized Employment
Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training
On-campus Employment
Off-campus Employment with DHS Approval – Economic Hardship
Immigration Information

14. Immigration Information
On-Campus Employment
> one year
A student employment position at Palomar College
20 hours hours
Limited student job position
Do not count on
Employment
Immigration Information

15. Off-Campus Employment Optional Practical Training
Employment Opportunity to work in the field you completed (employment must be related to your major)
Eligibility – after 9 months in F1 status
Up to 20 (Part-time) or 40 hours a week (full-time)
Must have DHS approval
File form I-765 (DHS document) & $410 fee
Immigration Information

16. Off-Campus Employment Curricular Practical Training
Employment Opportunity to work in the field you completed (employment must be related to your major)
Eligibility for students whose major requires internship (Cooperative Education 150)
Eligibility – after 9 months in F1 status
Up to 20 hours/week
DHS Approval not Required
Approval from Yasue is required
Immigration Information

17. Off-Campus Employment Under Economic Hardship
Eligibility – after 9 months in F1 status
Unforeseeable financial hardship
Drastic change of foreign currency exchange rate
Sponsor lost his/her job
Nationwide Financial Crisis in the home country
Immigration Information

18. Grace Period for Departure from U.S.
Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Grace Period for Departure from U.S.
Certificate/AA/AS Non-completion
60 days days
Failure to enroll (without notice to the office)
0 (ZERO) GRACE PERIOD
These are why it’s important to keep close communication with the International Student Office, completing the last semester questionnaire or informing us that you have to return home for personal reasons.
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

19. Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Reportable Items
Semester Reports
Last day of the semester
Start date of next semester
Current address
Unit > 12
Changes in legal name, local address, or major
30days
* Show Student Registration page, Student Information page & Authorize to Drop Below Full Course pages
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

20. Reportable Items – cont.
Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Reportable Items – cont.
Other student information
Failure to maintain status
Early Graduation
Disciplinary Action taken by the college
Any notification request made by SEVIS with respect to the current status of the student
Out of status
Illegal stay
Show Terminate Student pages
Immigration Information
Spring 2014

21. Traveling Documents dd Passport Valid Visa (to return)
Travel signature (I-20)
Good for one year from the date of signature
Immigration Information

22. Your Requirement as an International Student at Palomar College
Continuous insurance coverage
your new address to office
Address change within 10 days
Change of major – New I-20 form
12< number of units
Educational plan
Read information coming from the
international students office
Immigration Information

23. Final Words from the International Student Office
Immigration Information
5/26/2018
Final Words from the International Student Office
Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to maintain your F-1 visa status.
If you don’t know, don’t ask your friends, but ask the Office of International Education staff
Immigration Information
Spring 2014