OTIS CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

F VISA RULES & REGULATIONS How to Maintain Status

IMPORTANT TERMS PDSO: Primary Designated School Official – Policy DSO: Designated School Official – International Student

Advisor SEVIS: Student Exchange Visitor Information System USCIS: US Citizenship and Immigration Services CPT: curricular practical training OPT: optional practical training EAD: employment authorization document (card)

What is F-1 Status? F visas are a type of non-immigrant student visa that allows

foreigners to pursue education (academic studies and/or language training programs) in the United States.

F-1 visas are only issued in U.S. embassies and consulates outside the United States

F-1 students must show that they are able to support themselves during their stay in the U.S., as their opportunities for legal employment are quite limited

F-2 visas are given to dependents of an F-1 student. F-2 visa-holders are prohibited from any form of compensated employment.

Period of Authorized Stay? Your admission to the U.S. is for “Duration of Status," that is,

for the length of your F-1 status. F-1 status covers the period when you are a full-time

registered student making normal progress toward your degree (or exchange program), plus a period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) following

completion of studies, plus a 60-days "grace period" to prepare to depart the U.S. or

change to another status.

Your length of authorized stay is not related to your F-1 visa expiration date. The F-1 visa is specifically for entry into the U.S. The F-1 visa might expire before your status expires, and your status might end before your visa expires.

Have you checked in yet? New F-1 students are REQUIRED to check in with Registration within 10 days of the start of the semester

Bring your documents to the Registrar -

Ahmanson Hall, Floor 2

I-20 Passport Address of U.S. Residence

Documents I-20 Visa Passport I-94

Biographical data

Program of study

Funding

Barcode

SEVIS ID

Form I-20 (F-1 students)

Travel Information Travel within the US does not require a travel signature from an Otis DSO

Travel outside the US requires that your I-20/DS2019 be signed for travel by an Otis DSO

Drop off documents at the Registration office one to two weeks prior to international travel

Visa expired? You must apply for and receive a new visa before re-entering the US

We recommend you carry clear copies of your immigration documents if you travel to US border areas or large metropolitan areas

Travel Signature

Your I-20…Must Be Valid At All Times! Program dates are current, and the program information is correct.

A DSO can extend your I-20 BEFORE it expires.

A DSO cannot extend your I-20 AFTER it expires.

You may receive an email alert from the Otis before your I-20 expires.

When your duration of status on your I-20 ends, your F-1 student status will terminate.

Events that Require an Update to your I-20

Visit the DSO in the Registration Office if…

Program Extension Changing Schools Change of Level Change of Major Change of Funding Name Change

Events that Require an Update to your I-20 Visit the DSO in the Career Services Office if… Curricular Practical Training Optional Practical Training

Visa Information

After you received your Form I-20, you applied for an F-1 visa at a US Consulate/Embassy.

Your F-1 visa has an expiration date. If the VISA expires while you are in the US, it is Not a problem.

Travel outside the US requires a valid visa to reenter the US.

Otis provides international travel and immigration information throughout the semester.

Visa Information

I-94 Card Updates If you entered the U.S. after April 26, 2013 your I-94 information is available to you though www.cbp.gov/I94.

Passport

Maintain a Valid Passport Your passport must be valid at least 6

months into the future Passport renewal procedures vary,

depending on country – typically, you may renew your passport 6 months prior to the expiration date

Contact your country’s

Embassy/Consulate in the US to determine the procedure for obtaining a new passport

SEVIS Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

Personal Address Information

Financial Information—education funding

Academic Program Information—full time/part time enrollment, major changes, disciplinary actions, extension of program

Employment information: optional/curricular practical training, off campus employment authorization

Termination or completion of study

Dependent information

SEVIS reports the following information to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement):

Are you a new transfer student? A SEVIS transfer (transfer of your SEVIS

record) is different from an academic transfer (transfer of past academic credit and current program)

If you attended another institution in the US

and have not obtained an Otis I-20, you must transfer your SEVIS record to Otis. Contact the Admissions Office to complete this process.

Full-time Enrollment F-1 degree-seeking students must enroll and complete full-time

credit in the fall and spring semesters to maintain lawful immigration status.

ENROLL IN and COMPLETE the required number of units. There are limited reasons for under-enrollment. You

must have permission from a DSO prior to under-enrollment.

12 units Undergrad

9 units Grad

Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

Specific Academic Reasons

Documented Medical Condition

Final Semester Thesis Credit Concurrent Enrollment

About Full-Time Enrollment

Online Courses Independent

Study Courses Other

Enrollment Issues

ONLINE Courses US immigration regulations limit F-1 students to

only ONE online course per semester toward the minimum full-time enrollment requirement.

You can take more than one online course, but only

one will meet your full-time enrollment requirements.

Independent Study Courses Do not generally count toward the full-time

enrollment requirement. They are not required to be completed within a given semester, nor do they require in-class time.

An Independent Study course must be a degree requirement to count toward full-time enrollment.

The Registration office must have documentation in your file from your academic advisor regarding the necessity of the independent study course.

Other Enrollment Issues “I”—incomplete—or “N” – no credit assigned - grades

do NOT count toward the full-time requirement. Auditing a course does NOT count toward the full-

time requirement. Withdrawal from a course at ANY point in the

semester does NOT count toward the full-time requirement.

Courses that BEGIN in the middle of the semester do NOT count toward the full-time enrollment

You must COMPLETE the required number of Units each fall and spring semester to maintain your

immigration status.

F-2 Dependents F-2 dependents CAN study in a degree program at Otis or

any other degree granting institution part-time or up to 6 units (undergrad) or 4 units (grad).

F-2 dependents must be approved for a change of status to F-1 by the USCIS prior to commencing study at the university. Applications take 6-8 months to be approved by USCIS. Plan Ahead.

The Admissions Office provides support for the application procedure for a change of visa status. Apply at least 6 months in advance.

Employment Options for F-1 Student in the U.S. On Campus Employment Curricular Practical Training Optional Practical Training

On Campus Employment

USCIS allows F-1 students to work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the Fall and

Spring semester without special permission

Employment must be on the Otis campus.

F-1 students may work more than 20 hours per week on campus during school vacations (summer break, spring break and fall break)

ON-Campus Employment Continued…

You can only work on the campus of the school that issued your Current I-20

Minimum GPA-2.0, may vary Must be enrolled in 12 units (undergrad) or 9

units (graduate) for Fall/Spring (per UCSIS and Otis regulations)

ON-Campus Employment Continued To find a job, visit the Career Services. Campus is on a limited budget but there are

several international students working on-campus. Visit Financial Aid to learn about the Otis

Work Study program. Most on-campus jobs involve customer service or

assisting other students Work assignment renewal is done every semester

based on performance

CAUTION! Employment in the US

You must receive permission from USCIS

or Otis to be LEGALLY employed off-campus

OFF CAMPUS Employment Authorization

You may work off-campus ONLY with permission from USCIS or a DSO.

Students cannot apply for off-campus work authorization until

they have been in full-time student status for one academic year.

Otis provides employment authorization workshops each semester – schedule will be posted on the Otis website on or after the third week of semester.

The off campus work options available to F-1 students are known

as CPT and OPT. Attend a workshop for more information.

Social Security Numbers SSNs are issued for tax purposes only. You cannot

receive an SSN for identification purposes. Dependents cannot receive an SSN.

You must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to

work in the US.

The SS-5 form provides complete instructions on SSN applications. Information on obtaining a SSN is available on the International Services website and at the Career Services office.

Termination and Reinstatement A violation of status will result in a termination of

your F-1 status

Students whose F-1 status is terminated may qualify for a Reinstatement of Status

You must apply directly to USCIS requesting reinstatement back into F-1 status

This option is not available for all violations, notably employment violations

Make an appointment with the Center for

International Education for details

Change of Address Procedure F-1 students must update their address with-in ten

days of moving.

Please contact Registration to update your Personal Data.

This is a requirement of your visa status

COMMUNICATION IS KEY! Otis communicates regularly with

students by email. Newsletters are sent out monthly

Bookmark and check the following websites regularly – www.otis.edu www.uscis.gov A complete list of Otis forms and links can be found at: life@otis;

select Registration & Records; followed by, International Students

CPT/OPT employment authorization workshops Your Instructor

I Go See a DSO…When I Need… Contact the Admissions Office for the following reasons

You are a new student seeking to attend Otis Change of Status Advisement You are new student seeking to Transfer-in to Otis College

Available DSOs

Rebekah Kim – Assistant Director

Emily Leon – Admissions Counselor

I Go See a DSO…When I Need… Contact the Registration Office for the following

reasons Academic & Immigration Status Advising Academic Issues (Probation & DQ)

Approval of Benefits Approval to Attend Part-time

Concurrent Enrollment Change of Address forms/ reporting

Driver’s License Information Extension of Program

New Student Check-in Passport or Visa Questions

Severe Economic Hardship Transfer-out Requests

Travel Signatures

Available DSOs

Alia Saeed – Registration Specialist

Rhianna De Hoyos – Registration Office Assistant

I Go See a DSO…When I Need… Contact the Career Services for the following reasons On-Campus Employment Curricular Practical Training Optional Practical Training Social Security Guidelines

Available DSOs Angelina Lee – Associate Director Bernard Pollard –Employment Coordinator

I Go See a P/DSO…When I Need… Contact the Center for International Education for the following reasons Cultural Adjustment Advising Reinstatement Advising Travel Study or Mobility/ Exchange Travel Signatures OPT & CPT Workshops

Available PDSO

Darren Grosch –Director

Otis Staff: Assisting

F-Visa Students

Admissions: Ahmanson Hall, 2nd Floor

Rebekah Kim – Assistant Director (DSO)

Jennie Mynhier – Graduate Admissions Counselor Registration: Ahmanson Hall, 2nd Floor

Alia Saeed – Assistant Registrar (DSO)

Rhianna De Hoyos – Registration Office Assistant Center for Creative Professions: Ahmanson Hall 2nd floor

Angelina Lee – Associate Director (DSO)

Bernard Pollard – Employment Coordinator (DSO) Center for International Education: Student Union, 1st Floor Darren Grosch – Director of International Education (PDSO)

Office Hours

Admissions: 9-5 Registration: 9-5

Career Services: 9-5 Center for International Education: 9-5

Student Resources: 9-5

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Otis General Contact Information

Main Campus: 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Phone:

Main Line (310) 665-6800

Main Voice Mail (310) 665-6808

Main Fax (310) 665-6801

Emergency Information Line (888) 751-7523

Weekly Events Line (310) 846-2593

Website: www.otis.edu