What You Need to Know:
Basic U.S. Immigration Regulations for International Students

You are responsible for maintaining valid documents for the duration of your stay in the U.S. as a non-immigrant student. The basic documents listed below are defined for your information. The most important immigration regulations are summarized to assist you.

Basic Documents :

• Passport: A booklet issued by your home government for the purpose of departing from and returning to your home country. You must maintain a valid passport at all times. You must renew your passport at least six (6) months before it expires. Passport renewal procedures vary, depending upon the Consulate. Contact International Student Services for information regarding passport renewal.

• I-20, Certificate of Eligibility: A form issued by the University, authorized by the U.S. State Department, for the purpose of obtaining an F-1 visa for initial entry into the U.S. The I-20 must be inside your passport at all times. We recommend that you staple the I-20 to one page in your passport. If you are planning a trip outside the U.S., bring in your passport for endorsement of your I-20 at least two weeks prior to your departure.

• DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility: A four-page form issued by sponsoring agencies, authorized by the U.S. State Department, for the purpose of obtaining a J-1 visa as an exchange student.

• Visa: An endorsement stamped on a visa page in the passport by a Visa Certifying Officer at a U.S. Embassy, usually in your home country. The purpose of the visa is to permit you to request entrance into the U.S. as a non-immigrant student. You do not need to obtain a new visa as long as you remain in status with US Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you leave the U.S. after your current visa has expired, you must obtain a new visa outside the U.S. to request permission to re-enter.

YOU CANNOT OBTAIN A NEW VISA IN THE UNITED STATES.

• I-94, Arrival/Departure Card: A small white card stamped and stapled in the passport by an immigration official at the port of entry. The purpose of the I-94 is to permit you to stay in the U.S. for the “duration of status,” D/S, as a non-immigrant student. The I-94 is surrendered at the port of exit when you depart the U.S. A new I-94 is issued when you re-enter the U.S.

SEVIS: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

SEVIS Questions & Answers

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is an internet-based system that allows schools and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to exchange data on the visa status of international students. Accurate and current information is transmitted electronically throughout an F-1 or J-1 student's academic career and J-1 scholar's stay in the United States. U.S. embassies and consulates also will have access to SEVIS.

How does SEVIS work?

• After The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits an international student, SEVIS is notified and the DHS approves the University's request to issue an I-20. The University sends the new bar-coded I-20 form to the student.
• After a scholar has been officially invited to a UW Oshkosh department, ISA notifies SEVIS and DHS approves the University's request to issue a DS-2019. ISA sends the bar-coded DS-2019 to the scholar.
• The student or scholar visits the U.S. consulate abroad, and the consulate confirms through SEVIS that the I-20 or DS-2019 the student or scholar presents is a valid document. If everything is in order, the consulate issues the visa.
• A DHS officer at the airport reports to SEVIS the individual's entry into the U.S.
• When the student arrives on campus, he/she reports to International Student Services, and the school confirms through SEVIS the student's enrollment. The University continues to provide regular electronic reports to DHS throughout the student's academic career.
• International scholars should also report to International Student Services.
• Finally, SEVIS records the student's or scholar's departure from the United States.

What data does SEVIS collect?

UW Oshkosh must report:

• Whether the student has enrolled at the school, or failed to enroll.
• A change of the student's or dependent's legal name or address.
• Any student who graduates prior to the end date listed on the I-20.
• Academic or disciplinary actions taken due to criminal conviction.
• Whether the student drops below a full course of study without prior authorization from the DSO (Immigration regulations refer to international student advisers as "designated school officials"-DSO's).
• Termination date of academic program and reason for termination.
• Other data generated by standard procedures such as program extensions, school transfers, changes in level of study, employment authorizations, and reinstatement.
• Any student who fails to maintain status or complete his or her program.

What does "fail to maintain status" mean?

Some examples of failure to maintain status include dropping from full-time to part-time enrollment without prior approval from the DSO, attending a school other than the one a student is authorized to attend, failure to apply for a timely transfer or I-20 extension or change in level of study, unauthorized employment, and failure to report a change of address.

What are the consequences if a student fails to maintain status?

The student's record will be updated in SEVIS every semester. Students who fail to maintain status lose the privileges of their student visa and become subject to deportation. Specific consequences may include denial of re-entry to the U.S., inability to move from undergraduate to graduate status, denial of requests for Practical Training, denial of requests to change visa status, and possible denial of all future visa applications.

Can a student who is "out of status" regain legal status?

If a student drops below a full course of study without prior approval from the DSO, that "event" would be reported to DHS, via SEVIS, and he or she would be out of status. The student may apply to DHS for reinstatement if the violation resulted from circumstances beyond his or her control. Reinstatement is intended to be a rare benefit for exceptional cases. The student may not apply for reinstatement under any circumstances if he/she is out of status longer than five months. If DHS does not reinstate the student, he/she may not appeal that decision.

How will UW Oshkosh help students comply with the immigration laws?

The University is committed to assisting students in ways that prevent status violations from occurring:

• ISS will require mandatory Orientation programs to all newly enrolled international students. The new rules and regulations will be thoroughly discussed and explained.
• ISS will offer individual orientation for all newly arrived international scholars.
• Informational sessions will be offered throughout the semester for students and scholars who are already here on campus.

What happens if The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh fails to comply with the SEVIS regulations?

The DHS will audit the University's compliance with these new requirements every two years. Failure to comply with the federal regulations could result in the loss of the University's ability to accept and admit international students and to invite international scholars.

Will SEVIS benefit students in any way?

Data moves faster through an electronic system than through a paper system. DHS forms may be produced faster and applications for benefits such as Practical Training may be approved more quickly. Visas may be granted without the usual long delays. However, the additional security and background checks in place at many consulates overseas may delay some visa applications up to 2-3 months.

What should students do to prepare for SEVIS?

Understand the immigration regulations and learn how to maintain lawful status in the U.S. Refer any questions or problems immediately to ISA. Do not rely on the advice of your well-meaning friends!

Be proactive. Students should plan their course schedules carefully so that they maintain full-time enrollment. Make travel arrangements early, and anticipate delays at consulates and border crossings. Keep all documents up-to-date — changes in degree level, extensions, and travel validations must be done in a timely manner and on SEVIS documents. Allow time for processing new forms.

Feel free to come to the International Student Advisor for assistance. See below for hours of service.

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a better place because you are here, and we are committed to your success!

Are there other resources about SEVIS?

The DHS has a good web site: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sevis.htm

U.S. Embassies and other Diplomatic Missions: http://www.usembassy.state.gov/

For more information please contact:

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Office of International Education
International Student Services
800 Algoma Blvd.
Dempsey Hall Room 146
Oshkosh, WI 54901 USA
Phone: 920-424-0775
Fax: 920-424-0185
Email: iss@uwosh.edu
Web site: www.uwosh.edu/oie/ISS/index.html

Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00-4:30 PM

Maintaining Lawful Status:

In order to maintain lawful F-1 and J-1 student status, you must:

• Keep your passport valid at all times.
• Attend the school you are authorized to attend.
• Continue to pursue a full course of study.

How Many Hours Must I Take?

Earn a minimum of hours each semester (except summer)

• 12 credit hours for Bachelor’s degree students
• 9 credit hours for Master’s candidate w/o assistantship
• 6 credit hours fro Master’s candidate w/assistantship

You must complete the ‘Authorization for Exception to a Full Course Load’ *form if for any reason you need to drop below the minimum number of registered credits as listed above.

The form may also be obtained in the International Student Services Office, Dempsey Hall 146

Audited classes do not count as earned hours.

• Follow USCIS procedures for moving from one educational level to another (e.g., from Bachelors to Masters), and for transferring from one school to another.
• Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week when school is in session.
• Refrain from off-campus employment without authorization.

You may obtain current information regarding part-time work and practical training in International Student Services.

Program Extension:

An F-1 or J-1 student is admitted to the U.S. for “duration of status,” that is, to complete an educational program or objective. However, if a student must remain in an educational program beyond the date originally estimated for completion of the program (as stated in Item 5 on the initial I-20 form issued to begin the program) the student must comply with BCIS procedures for program extension. Application must be made to the Designated School Officer at least 30 days before the completion date on the I-20 or DS-2019 form.” An F-1 student is eligible for program extension if he or she (1) has continually maintained status and (2) delay in completion is caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses. The regulations add that “delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension.” A student who fails to complete his or her program within the time prescribed in Item 5 of the I-20 and who cannot meet the eligibility criteria for program extension is considered to be out of status.

Any student who needs a program extension must apply to International Student Services at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on his or her I-20. The student will be required to furnish new financial documentation to support the extension of studies.

The form may also be obtained in the International Student Services Office, Dempsey Hall 146

Reinstatement to Student Status:

An F-1 student who has overstayed his or her authorized period of stay or has otherwise failed to maintain F-1 student status may apply for reinstatement and may be reinstated to lawful F-1 status at the discretion of an USCIS district director. The student makes application on Form I-539 (Application to Extend Status/Change Nonimmigrant Status) with fee, accompanied by an updated or initial Form I-20AB from the school the student is attending or wishes to attend, and the original I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).

NOTE: Reinstatement is solely at the discretion of the USCIS district director, and is usually not approved by the Memphis USCIS District Office.

Visits Outside the U.S.:

If you plan a trip to any point outside the U.S. and plan to return, you must make sure that all of the necessary documents are in order.

You will need:

• A passport valid to cover the planned return date.
• A visa, also valid, to cover the planned return (in some cases, a visa is issued for two, three, five, or multiple entries. In such cases, the visit and return must be within the stated number of entries)
• You must have an endorsement by International Student Services on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.

In many cases, you will need to obtain a visa to enter countries other than the U.S. You should call or write the Embassy of the country you plan to visit at least six weeks prior to the trip.

Procedures:

F-1/J-1 STUDENT VISA PROCEDURES FOR DEPARTING AND RE-ENTERING THE U.S.

Bring your Passport, I-20, and I-94 to International Student Services so that the Director can sign a travel endorsement on page 3 of the I-20. 

When leaving the country remember to take the following documents with you;

• PASSPORT (Should be valid for at least 6 months after intended re-entry into the U.S.).
• VALID I-20.
• I-94 CARD clearly stamped or marked “D/S” (Duration of Status).
• VISA . If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new one at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
• It is also a good idea to take a copy of your UW Oshkosh transcripts (student copy is OK) to verify your enrollment.
• You may request, although it is not usually necessary, that International Student Services prepare a certification letter of your enrollment and visa status.
• If you will be applying for a new visa you should have International Student Services prepare a certification letter for you. 
• You should also be prepared to provide financial documents verifying your means of support if you are applying for a new visa.
• Travel Endorsements are generally good only if issued during the same term of enrollment at UW Oshkosh.

BUT:

• If you are traveling to Canada or Mexico, the travel endorsement on your I-20 should not be dated more than 90 prior to you planned re-entry into the U.S.

Additional information regarding visa application procedures can be accessed at: http://travel.state.gov/visa;foreignstuden.html

Embassy/Consulate Links: http://www.embassyworld.com/

Warning to Spouses of Students: Spouses of students, visiting faculty, or scholars are forbidden by USCIS to work in any capacity, or accept payment of any kind, unless they are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., or have obtained USCIS work authorization. Violators are subject to deportation.

Change in Level of Study:

If an F-1 student will be moving from one level of study to another at the same institution (i.e., from Bachelors to Masters) a new I-20 form is required. Admission processing, including issuing a new I-20, for graduate students is done by the Graduate School.