Forms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

International Students & Scholars
Questions and Answers

1. What is a visa?
2. How can I obtain an F-1/J-1 Visa?
3. What is an I-20 ID Form?
4. What is a DS-2019?
5. What is an I-94 card?
6. What documents should I give to the ISSS when I arrive at the school?
7. Will I be able to work on my F1-visa?
8. Will I be able to work on a J1-visa?
9. How do I maintain lawful F-1/J-1 status?
10. What should I do if I fall out-of-status?
11. Can I enroll in another school while at FAU?
12. What if I have to remain in the U.S. longer than the time estimated for completion on my I-20ID/DS-2019?
13. What should I do if I would like to travel home for the holidays?
14. What should I do if my visa expires?
15. What should I do if my passport expires?
16. What do I do if I change my address?
17. What should I do if I change my major?
18. What are my responsibilities as a non-immigrant international student?

1) What is a visa?

A visa is a permit to enter the United States. Visas are different from "status"
which is the length of time an individual may stay in the US after admission. There are two types of visas, non - immigrant and immigrant. All students entering the US on an F or J visa, have non - immigrant visas. These are visas issued for a temporary period for a specific period of time. Visas are usually issued at the US consulate in the home country of the applicant.

2)How can I obtain an F-1/ J-1 student visa?

Visa procedures will vary from one consulate to another. But generally, you will need the following items in order to obtain an F-1 (student visa) or J-1 (Scholar visa). Always check with the appropriate consulate to see if any additional documentation is required.

An I-20ID form, which you will get from the school (F-1)
An DS-2019 (J-1)
Evidence of financial support for the period of time indicated on the I-20ID/DS-2019
Passport type photographs
A non-immigrant visa application
A non-immigrant visa application fee
Once the application is processed and approved, the consular officer will place an F-1/J-1 visa in your passport.

3)What is an I-20ID form?

I-20ID form is a form issued to you by a school once you are accepted. It includes the following information:
" Biographical information
" Beginning and ending date of your program
" Major
" The amount of money required to study and the funds provided by you or your sponsor.
If you apply to the University from your country, the I-20ID will be sent to you and you have to take it to an American Embassy or Consulate, together with your financial documentation and an *application for a visa. Once you obtain your I-20ID you must make sure it is valid at all times. If you feel that your I-20ID will expire before the completion of your studies, you must contact the International Student & Scholar services (ISSS) at FAU for information on how to extend the I-20ID.

Students should keep copies of all the I-20IDs issued to them in a secure place and if lost, a new one should be requested from the ISSS immediately.

4) What is a DS-2019?

An DS-2019 is a Certificate of Eligibility for an Exchange Visitor. This form is required for a prospective exchange visitor to request a J-1 visa at a U.S. consular post abroad and must be issued by a sponsoring organization.

You must complete your program by the date shown on the DS-2019. If you are unable to compete your program by that date, you must meet with an advisor at the ISSS and apply for a program extension.

5) What is an I-94 card?

The I-94 is also known as the Arrival/Departure Document. It serves as the registration form for individuals admitted to the US as non - immigrants. The USCIS issues this document when the individual is inspected upon arrival in the US. Thei inspector will endorse the I-94 with the date, place of arrival, status (i.e. F, J, H, L, etc.) and length of authorized stay. For persons in J/F status the length of stay should read "D/S" (duration of status). Any other status will be date certain. If an individual decides to remain in the US beyond the date on the I-94 card, he or she must file a petition for an extension of stay in the US. The I-94 governs your length of stay in the US. It may be longer or shorter than the validity of the visa.

*Male and Females from certain countries will also need to fill out a supplemental visa application (DS-157)
USCIS admission number is a unique 11-digit number found on the I-94 used by the USCIS to document entries and exits from the country. It is also used in the USCIS database to track employment, practical training, school transfer, and other USCIS procedures. The number also appears on the I-20ID.

6) What documents should I give to the ISSS when I arrive at the school?

Before you can register you need to complete the check-in procedure with the ISSS. The check-in process consists of presenting the following documents to the ISSS:

" FAU I-20ID or DS-2019 (pink student copy)
(Transfer students also need the I-20ID and final transcripts from their previous school)
" Valid passport
" Visa
" I-94 (Arrival/Departure card)
" Proof of insurance
i.*Insurance For Students, Inc. receipt of payment
Or
ii. Completion of the Alternate Insurance Compliance Form. This form is used for students who have insurance outside of the University. insurance companies must meet the insurance requirements of FAU, or the student may have to purchase additional insurance from the school.

*This insurance is mandatory for J-1 visa holders, their spouses, and children.

7) Will I be able to work on my F1 visa?

Different requirements exist for each type of F-1 employment, but to be eligible for any type of employment students must maintain continuous F-1 status.

" On-campus employment.

o This employment is authorized for any student in lawful F-1 status. You must contact Student Employment in Student Services Building - Room 228; fill out the necessary paperwork, which is then forwarded to the ISSS for authorization.
o Students can work a maximum of 20hrs per week during the semester and 40hrs during the vacation period.

" CPT (Curricular Practical Training). This work experience may include work/study programs, internships, and cooperative education programs. CPT is job, employer, and date specific and can be full-time or part-time.

o New students have to maintain lawful F-1 status for nine (9) months before being eligible for CPT
o Transfer students must be in their major for at least one semester
o Students must contact the Career Development Center - Student Services Bldg. 222 and complete the relevant forms before they can begin to work. Students majoring in Engineering should speak to Shannon Cash (S&E 103) and the Barry Kaye College of Business Career Resource Center at 561-297-2819 or visit at Fleming West Room 116. Students must also complete documentation at the ISSS.

" OPT (Optional Practical Training). This work is usually done after the completion of studies or, in a graduate program, after the completion of all coursework except completion of the thesis.

o Students must maintain continuous lawful F-1 status for nine (9) months before being eligible
o Application can be made 120 days before graduation or within 60 days after graduation
o Application can be made for 3, 6, or a maximum of 12 months
o Processing time takes approximately 3-4 months
o More than 364 days of full-time CPT makes the student ineligible for OPT

Student must contact the ISSS for information about applying for OPT.

In all cases students cannot work until they complete the necessary paper work and receive proper authorization from the ISSS. If proper authorization is not received, they will violate the terms of their F-1 status and the work will be considered illegal employment

8) Will I able to work on a J-1 visa?

J-1 "Student Employment" is limited to 20 hours per week except during school breaks and your annual vacation. The J-1 ARO/RO can approve "Student Employment" for up to one year at a time.
The regulations allow for jobs on campus that are unrelated to study, and they stipulate only that the work be done "on the premises" of the school.

" Academic Training

J-1 students are also allowed to do academic training for eighteen months before or after completion of study. To be eligible for Academic Training after completion of study, students must show the J-1 RO a written offer of appropriate employment no later than 30 days after the end of your program. Please check with the ISSS for more details.

9) How do I maintain lawful F-1/J-1 status?

Students will maintain lawful F-1 status if they:

" Have a valid visa
" Have a valid passport
" Have a valid processed FAU I-20ID or DS-2019
" Are registered full-time each academic semester. Summer is optional, unless it is your first semester at FAU. If it is, you must be full-time. USCIS defines full-time as: at least 12 credits for undergraduate students and at least 9 credits for graduate students. Transfer and graduate students coming in for the first time in the summer semester can take 6 credits. If you fall below the required course load you must contact the ISSS.

You are legally allowed to register for less than full-time in your final semester.

10) What should I do if I fall out - of - status?

If you fall out of status, you are unable to enjoy the benefits of being in lawful F-1 status e.g. working and traveling. In order to regain your status the student must file for reinstatement with the USCIS through the ISSS. This process takes approximately 12 months.

As a student, you can also be granted a "clean slate" by obtaining a new I-20ID and traveling and re-entering the US. In order to obtain a new I-20ID you must provide the International office with financial information and a letter from your academic department detailing the estimated graduation date.

In both cases the student must continue to fulfill the requirements to be in lawful F-1 status.

11) Can I enroll in another school while at FAU?

You are allowed to enroll at another state sponsored institution as long as you are in valid F1 status. You must present a fully completed transient form, including approval by an academic advisor, to the ISSS. Transient forms are obtainable at the ISSS or FAU's Registrar's office. Once the transient form is presented to the ISSS, the ISSS personnel will prepare a "good standing" letter to present to the Registrar's office at the other school.

A copy of the fee receipt and grade report for all the classes taken at the second institution must be provided to the ISSS. A full course load must be maintained between the two institutions.

12) What if I have to remain in the U.S. longer than the time estimated for completion on my I-20ID/DS-2019?

It is imperative than your I-20ID or DS-2019 be valid at all times.

If your program of study will extend beyond the date on your I-20ID or DS-2019 you MUST apply for an extension of program from the ISSS.

A program extension should be requested thirty days before the estimated date of completion on the I-20ID or DS-2019 and will involve the issuance of a new I-20ID/DS-2019 as well as the possible completion of other forms. In order to create a new I-20ID we require:

" Current financial information

And for both the I-20ID and DS-2019 we will need

" Letter from your academic department with the new estimated date of completion.

Please contact the ISSS for more information and allow a time frame of 5-7 days for the creation of the new I-20ID.

13) What should I do if I would like to travel home for the holidays?

Students must check-in with the ISSS before traveling outside of the US to obtain the signature of a Designated School Official/ Responsible Officer on their I-20ID or DS-2019. Failure to do so may result in the denial of re-entry to the US. We also recommend that you obtain a " good standing" letter from the ISSS as well as copies of transcripts which you can download from the www.facts.org website.

You must also verify that you have a valid passport and visa, as re-entry will not be allowed without valid documents.

14) What should I do if my visa expires?

Currently, students are allowed to stay in the US with an expired visa. However, if you travel outside of the US you must obtain a valid visa at the US embassy/consulate in your home country or you will be denied re-entry into the U.S.

In order to obtain a new visa the following documents are needed:

" A new I-20ID/DS-2019 from the ISSS
" A good standing letter from the ISSS
" Official transcripts from the registrar's office (takes approx. 1-2 weeks)
" Evidence of financial support for one academic year
" Passport type photographs
" A non-immigrant visa application
" A non-immigrant visa application fee.

The ISSS advises students to contact the US embassy in their home country for more details on the necessary requirements and the time frame involved. Please allow a time frame of 5-7 days for the creation of the new I-20ID.

15) What should I do if my passport expires?

Students should always have a valid passport. In the event that your passport expires, you will be out-of-status. It can be renewed through the mail with your embassy/consulate in the US. Please contact your respective embassies/consulates for specific information.

The process will usually take 4-6 weeks, so please do not wait until the last moment to begin the renewal procedure.

16) What should I do if I change my address?

You will need to notify the Registrar's office and the ISSS. Within 10 days of the address change you should also complete an AR-11 form available at the ISSS or online at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf and mail it to the address listed on the form. Failure to notify the USCIS could result in serious consequences.

17) What should I do if I change my major?

If you change your major you will need to obtain a new I-20ID. To obtain a new I-20ID you must present the following to the ISSS:

" Current financial information reflecting the amount needed to fund the degree program
" Letter from your academic department with the estimated date of completion

Please allow a time frame of 5-7 days for the issuance of the new I-20ID.

18) What are my responsibilities as a non-immigrant international student?

As an international student, you must:

" Have a valid passport at all times
" Have a valid I-20ID at all times
" File for Program Extension in a timely manner in the event that you require more time than the time estimated on your I-20ID
" Be registered full-time for the required academic semesters. That means, for undergraduates 12 credits and for graduate students 9 credits per semester. Summer is usually optional, unless you were admitted to the University in the summer term. Transfer and graduate students coming in for the first time in the summer semester can take 6 credits.
" Present your I-20ID for signature in a timely manner if you are traveling outside of the US
" Obtain proper authorization before engaging in any employment
" Obtain proper authorization before proceeding with dual enrollment
" Report any change of address to the USCIS, ISSS, and the Registrar's office
" Bring travel documents (I-94, passport, I-20ID) to the ISSS after you have traveled outside of the US
" Consult with the ISSS to verify any information or clarify any issues you may have

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE ISSS NEEDS FIVE - SEVEN DAYS TO UPDATE INFORMATION OR COMPLETE ALL DOCUMENTS FOR STUDENTS.