Changes pertaining to those in F-1 and F-2 status
A December 11, 2002 rule published by the Immigration and
Naturalization Service contained several changes in the
regulations for those in F-1 and F-2 status. Some of these
changes are outlined below. Also see an Office of
International Programs handout called SEVIS Information for
information about additional provisions the rule contains.
F-1 Students
General Must obtain a SEVIS I-20 no later than August 1,
2003
Address Reporting Must report a change in legal name or
address to a designated school official (DSO) in the Office
of International Programs (OIP) when 10 days of the change
occurring. The DSO will give the student written
confirmation that the information has been received. Entry
to and Exit from the U.S. Can be admitted to the U.S. no
more than 30 days before the start date on the I-20. Will
receive a 60 day period to allow for departure from the
U.S. or to arrange a transfer to another school after
completing a course of study/ practical training. Will
receive a 15 day period to allow for departure from the
U.S. after terminating a course of study prior to its
completion if the student has obtained permission from the
designated official in the Office of International Programs
prior to stopping study. Will receive no authorized period
of time to prepare for departure if a student terminates
his or her study without receiving prior approval from the
DSO or otherwise fails to maintain status.
Enrollment No more than 3 hours per semester of
on-line/distance education can be counted toward the hours
required to be considered full time. Medical conditions
requiring that a student enroll less than full time must be
documented and approved by the DSO in the OIP each semester
and a student cannot be enrolled less than full time due to
medical reasons for more than 12 months aggregate during a
course of study. Students in their final semester of study
who only require classes that amount to less than full time
study, must receive permission from the DSO before
enrolling for only those classes. There will no longer be a
one year grace period added to the completion date on a
students I-20. Extension of Stay Extension of stay requests
can be made as soon as it is known that someone will not be
able to finish by the end date on the I-20. (Formerly, an
extension request could only be made 30 days prior to the
end date on the I-20). An extension request must be made
before the end date on the I-20.
Transferring to another school A student transferring to
another school must begin classes within 5 months of
transferring out of the old school or within 5 months of
the completion date on the I-20, whichever is earlier. Only
one school can have access to a students SEVIS record so a
student who has applied to many schools will need to choose
which school he/she wants the record to be released to in
sufficient time for the other school to prepare documents.
Transferring students must present the new I-20 to the DSO
at the new school within 15 days of the start date on the
I-20.
Practical Training Students are eligible for a new 12 month
period of optional practical training after changing to a
higher education level. Requests for OPT must be submitted
prior to completion of course requirements for the degree
or completion of the course of studies. Beginning study at
another school or beginning study at another educational
level will terminate any time remaining on previously
approved practical training. Students who have been
approved for practical training must continue to report
changes in legal name or address within 10 days of the
occurrence to the school who recommended the practical
training. These changes must be reported to the OIP. The
student will receive confirmation from the OIP that the
information has been received. Reinstatement Students who
have been out of status for more than 5 months are
ineligible for reinstatement unless exceptional
circumstances can be documented. Students with a pattern of
repeated or willful violations are not eligible for
reinstatement.
F-2 Dependents Must obtain a SEVIS I-20 no later than
August 1, 2003. Can be admitted to the U.S. no more than 30
days before the start date on the I-20. Must report a
change in legal name or address to a designated school
official (DSO) in the Office of International Programs
(OIP) when 10 days of the change occurring. The DSO will
give the dependent written confirmation that the
information has been received. Full time study is not
allowed except in the case of elementary and secondary
school. Part time avocational or recreational study is
allowed.
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