General Information
F-1
Student Status
An F-1 student is a non-immigrant who is admitted to the United
States to pursue a full course of study. F-1 students' educational
expenses are typically funded by their family, personal- or institutional
funds. F-1 student status will allow you to remain in the U.S. as
long as you are properly enrolled full-time. All F-1 students must
keep safe their current I-20 form. I-20 A-B- is a certificate of
eligibility, an important government document that should be retained
by the F-1 student. The I-20 must also be carried and retained by
the F-2 (spouse/ dependents).
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J-1
Student Status
A
J-1 student is a non-immigrant who has been selected to participate
in an exchange student program. Most J-1 students are financially
sponsored by an educational institution in the United States or
abroad, or by an international government/or a private agency. J-1
Exchange students should be enrolled in 9 units, in order to maintain
status.
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DS-2019
DS-2019
is a certificate of eligibility issued by and authorized by the
Exchange Visitor Program. The certificate allows eligible persons
to obtain a J-1 Visa to study, conduct research or teach in the
U.S. The DS-2019 is an important government document that should
be retained at all times as a part of the visitor's permanent records.
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Status
Once
a non-immigrant enters the United States , they are classified by
the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, according to the purpose
of their visit. Students are in either F-1 or J-1 status, and their
dependents are in F-2 or J-2 status. A person's status also determines
how long they can stay in the U.S.
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Program
Extension (Extension of Stay)
An
F-1/J-1 student must apply for an extension in order to remain in
the U.S. The procedures must be completed prior the ending date
of your I-20 or DS-2019.
An
F-1 student who is unable to meet the program completion date on
the SEVIS Form
I-20
AB may be granted an extension if the student applies before the
ending date on his/her I-20. However, if the student does not apply
in a timely manner within the time listed on SEVIS I-20 AB, the
student will be considered out of status and will need to file for
reinstatement.
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School
Transfer
Failure
to complete this procedure could result in unlawful status. If you
are transferring from another school in the U.S., you will need
to see an international student advisor. If you are transferring
from CSULB, you must meet with your advisor and complete a transfer
form.
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Full
Course of Study (Maintaining Status)
A
CSULB student who drops below 12 units as an undergraduate or 9
units as a graduate without prior approval from a CIE Counselor
will be considered Out of Status . CIE Counselors must also authorize
a reduced course load in advance of the "final semester of study".
This is a new regulation.
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Departure
and Re-entry
Students
planning to leave the U.S. and re-enter in their current student
status will need a signature from the DSO. Students are required
to verify their finances. If your visa stamp has expired, you must
renew your visa before returning to the U.S.
The
Department of State announced that U.S. embassies and consulates
must interview applicants for non-immigrant visas, unless they meet
one of the limited exceptions. This new requirement will result
in significant delays. Therefore, if you need to renew your visa,
you are advised to plan accordingly.
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Designated
School Official (DSO)
A
DSO works for CSULB, and has been authorized by the government to
verify information about and certify documents for F-1 students.
Your DSO is located in the Center for International Education.
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Change
of Address
F
and J non-immigrants should report change of address and/or educational
transfer to the CIE-office, and are also required to report changes
on "My CSULB" (http://my.csulb.edu).
Students are no longer required to report those changes using the
Form AR-11SR.
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Passport
Passports
must be valid at all times during your stay in the U.S. Passports
can be renewed at your home country consulate in the U.S. Consulates
are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
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Duration
of Status (D/S)
D/S
is based on the completion date noted on your I-20 or DS-2019, plus
60 days grace period for F-1 students and 30 days grace period for
J-1 students. It is possible to extend D/S by applying for a program
extension prior to the expiration of the current I-20 and DS-2019.
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VISA
The
visa is a computer generated printed label, attached in-side the
passport, granted by the Department of State. The visa allows an
individual to enter into a particular country.
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I-94
(Arrival/Departure Record)
The
I-94 is a small white card issued to all F-1/J-1visa holders by
a U.S. immigration officer at the port of entry. It is evidence
of legal entry to the U.S. and you must retain this document at
all times.
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