International Students and Scholars Office

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SMART All Things International

• International Students and Scholars Office

Information current as of 9/5/2008
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Admission Confirmation

• I-20 issued by Admissions (shifting to ISSO in
  Fall 2008)
• DS-2019 issued by ISSO
• Proof of funding for 1st academic year
• Admissions Packet mailed by Admissions
• Admission Letter
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Welcome E-mail sent by ISSO

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New Student Information
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New Student Information
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Immigration Basics

• Passport
• Must be valid for 6 months into the future
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Who name of student
• What major and level of study
• Where name of college/university
• When begin and end date of program

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I-20 for F-1 Student
Who
Where
What
What, When
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DS-2019 for J-1 Student
Who
Where
When
What
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Visa Application

• Student pays I-901 Fee SEVIS Fee
• F-1 student 200
• J-1 student 180
• Student has interview for visa at U.S. Embassy or
  Consulate
• Approved
• Delayed
• Denied
• Please contact ISSO for guidance

Proposed increase, as early as 10/1/2008
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U.S. Visa
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Admission to the U.S.

• U.S. Visa
• Key analogy
• Travel document only
• Can expire while in the U.S.
• I-94 Card
• Key document!
• Proof of legal status while in the U.S.

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I-94 Card
123456789 01
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Check-In and Orientation

• Earliest Arrival Date
• 30 days prior to report/begin date listed on I-20
  or DS-2019
• ISSO New Student Check-In (required)
• Copy and review immigration documents
• New Student Verification Form
• ISSO New Student Orientation

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Employment Paperwork

• Earliest Employment Date
• 30 days before first day of the semester.
• Complete I-9 Form ADIN Entry
• During ISSO check-in process
• Request ISSO Letter
• 3 working days processing time
• Apply for Social Security Card
• No earlier than 14 days from arrival in US

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Employment Considerations

• F-1 Students On campus only during first
  academic year
• F-1 requires no special authorization
• J-1 Students On or off campus from day 1
• J-1 requires ISSO authorization
• 20 hours each week while classes in session
• Full-time during breaks

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Employment Considerations

• F-1 Students Off campus option after first
  academic year
• Requires application prior to employment
• CPT Curricular Practical Training (ISSO)
• OPT Optional Practical Training (ISSO USCIS)
• J-1 Students Off campus from day 1
• Requires application prior to employment
• Academic Training (ISSO)

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Enrollment Considerations

• Full-Time Enrollment for fall and spring
  semesters
• 9 credits for students without assistantships
• Credits defined by department for students with
  assistantships
• Only 3 credits or 1 course distance education
• AU or X grades not counted
• Summer Enrollment for new students
• 4.5 credits w/out asst 3 credits w/asst

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Enrollment Considerations

• Reduced Course Load
• Reasons limited by U.S. immigration laws
• Academic reasons
• Option only available once per level
• Only thesis or dissertation remain
• Medical reasons
• Last semester

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Immigration Basics

• Benefits
• Change of major
• OK for F-1, but not OK for J-1
• Change of level
• F-1 can go up or down J-1 only up
• Extension of current academic degree
• OK for F-1 and J-1

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Questions?
Becky Zama International Students and Scholars
Office bzama_at_iastate.edu 294-1120