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Immigration Info & UpdatesImmigration regulations are constantly changing, so we encourage international students to carefully visit USCIS website as well as our website for updates. Students are ultimately responsible for understanding and abiding by the guidelines imposed by their immigration status.
F-1 Student Visa, SEVIS & I-20 An F-1 student visa may be granted at a U.S consulate or embassy to an individual who is qualified to pursue a full course of study at an academic or language institution authorized to admit foreign students. Student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) is an electronic (internet) database that United States colleges and universities use to communicate international student information with the USCIS. The Form I-20 (Certification of Eligibility for F-1 Student Status for Academic and Language Students), is an official U.S. government form issued by a SEVIS-approved school. A prospective nonimmigrant student who would like to study at the Academy of Art University must have a Form I-20 issued by the academy in order to apply for a F-1 Student Visa. On the upper right hand side directly above the barcode of the form is the student's unique SEVIS ID numbers (N followed by 9 digits). After receiving a Form I-20 from us, you require to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and get a proof of payment before apply to the local consulate or embassy for a visa appointment and interview. The SEVIS I-901 fee may be paid online at www.fmjfee.com. For alternative methods of fee payment, see the FAQ on the SEVIS I-901 fee (http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm). In most case, at the embassy or consulate, the individual will be required to submit an I-20 form, proof of adequate funding for the period of intended study, proof of SEVIS I-901 fee payment, valid passport (at least 6 months after your proposed date of entry into the United States, one 2 x 2 photograph along with a completed application set for a nonimmigrant visa (DS-156, DS-158 and DS-157 if you are a male applicant age between 16 to 45 years old). We highly recommend you to visit U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country web sites at http://usembassy.state.gov/ for directions of how to apply for a student visa that includes how to make an appointment for a visa interview in your home country. The following are links to web sites that will provide you with additional information on coming to study in the U.S, obtaining a visa and entry to the U.S.
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htm
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/becoming_nonimmigrant_student_52007.htm
Students in F-1 status are required to abide by various federal regulations in order to maintain immigration status. A few of these requirements include providing us with a current address, enrolling in a full course of study and keeping appropriate immigration documents up to date.
Immigration regulations require that F-1 students enroll in full course of study during their stay in the US. AAU defines a full course of study depending upon the degree program.
Only one online class might be counted towards the student's full time enrollment requirement. Students may enroll in more than one online class after they have met the full time enrollment requirement. Students may be authorized to enroll in less than a full course of study if they have academic difficulties, a medical or illness condition, or are eligible for a vacation term. Students must receive permission from our office prior to enrolling in a reduced course load or dropping below a full course of study. Failure to receive permission could jeopardize your immigration status. Students are eligible for a vacation term (usually Summer session) and might be able to receive permission to use Fall or Spring as their vacation term after completing two consecutive terms as full time student at AAU. Students must inform our office to receive such permission. Failure to receive permission could jeopardize your immigration status.
International students are required to report a change of address within ten days of a move. Students may update their address by logging into Student Self Service or by submitting a Change of Address form to our office.
Dependents (F-2)The spouse and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of F-1 students may either accompany them to the United States, or come alone on a later date by entering the U.S. on a F-2 visa. In order to apply for an F-2, the dependent(s) should have the following:
Visa issuance decisions are made by the Department of State employees at U.S. embassies or consulates abroad. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) personnel are generally not involved in these matters. By statute, a consular official has absolute authority to determine the facts that will govern the issuance of a visa and the applicant has no statutory or constitutional right to review or appeal. The regulations do allow, however, for informal review of a consular officer's adverse determination. An individual who is denied a visa must be advised of the specific reasons for denial and given an opportunity to present evidence to overcome the stated objections. Applicants can reapply for a visa. When the family members arrive at a United States port of entry, they will present their passports containing the F-2 visa and the Form I-20 to the border patrol inspector. Upon admitting them to the United States, the inspector will stamp the Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record), which will show the date and place of entry, and the authorized period of stay. This period of stay should be the same as that of the F-1. Some dependents do come to the U.S. as visitors and then try to change to another visa once they are here. Once again, our ability to advise in these matters is very limited unless the dependent is either going to be studying at AAU. F-2 visa holders are eligible to take classes that are recreational in nature. They are ineligible to be a full-time university student and are not able to take courses on a part-time basis that can be applied toward a degree-granting program. F-2 children may study full time in elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade). Change of ProgramStudents are responsible for making sure not only that the dates on your I-20 are current and valid but also degree level and program of study are current. Students changing degree levels or majors must initiate this process by completing an I-20 Request Form and submitting it to our office. Change of AddressInternational Students are required to report a change of address within ten days of a move. Students may update their address by logging into Student Self Service or by submitting a Change of Address form to our Office. Traveling and Re-enteringIf you travel out of the U.S. while you are in F-1 status, your I-20 must be signed on the 3rd page, on the part of the document designated "for re-entry of student..." by one of the designated school officials in order for you to be permitted to re-enter the U.S. Endorsement is typically good for 6 months of travel. To request this signature, bring your I-20 to our office. Most of the time, it will be signed and completed the same day. You must be registered full time on-site for current semester and next if traveling between semesters. Basic Travel Guidelines: When traveling outside the United States, you need to have the proper documents to return. In general when you travel outside the US, you will need the following documents:
Travel While On OPT Information Sheet IMPORTANT: If you are traveling to a country other than your own, be sure to check with the consulate or embassy of that country. You may need to apply for a tourist visa. I-94 Arrival/Departure Record CardIt is a small (3x4") section of the long form you filled in on the plane every time you travel in the U.S. The INS inspector removed the bottom of it and stapled it into your passport. It bears the date and port of entry, the inspector's identification number, the status in which you are admitted, and either the date to which you are allowed to stay, or a reference to your certificate of eligibility as the controlling document in that regard. In this case, the I-94 card will be marked "D/S." (Duration of Status) . This will be true for anyone in F status. You must retain this card in your possession and surrender it when you leave the U.S. Failure to do so may delay your entry into the U.S. in the future. WARNING: Whenever you apply to the U.S. consulate for a new entry visa, you always run the risk that your application may be denied. It is not recommended that you apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate in a country of which you are not a citizen. If you apply for a visa outside of your home country and are denied, you cannot enter the U.S. and must return from that country to your home country. Transferring In/OutTransfer Out: If you are a student at AAU who will pursue a program of study at another school in the US, once you have been accepted by the new institution AND have decided to attend that institution, you should notify our office of your intent to transfer by submitting your acceptant letter or transfer verification form. We will then release your SEVIS record to your new school. This process must be set before the end of your grace period (no later than 60 days after completion of studies or last date of attendance). We may only process one request to transfer, so please be certain that you will attend the requested school. Transfer In: Complete and return AAU transfer form to our office. This form must be completed by the International Student Advisor at the institution at which you are currently enrolled or most recently attended. Your SEVIS record will be released from your current school to AAU. We will complete your transfer process by creating a new I-20 for you after your registration has been completed. IMPORTANT:
Employment Authorizations
Change of StatusWith certain exceptions, an alien already in the United States in nonimmigrant status can apply for a change to F-1 status. ReinstatementA student who has failed to maintain status may be reinstated to lawful F-1 status at the discretion of USCIS, but only under the limited conditions. Leave of Absence/Authorized Early Withdrawal & Suspension/DismissalThere are immigration implications for international students who leave AAU without completing their degree. This handout provides information for several different situations in which students leave AAU prior to completing their program or experience a delay in anticipated completion dates.
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