* General Information
* How to maintain legal student stutus in the U.S.
 General
Information
All students and scholars who
are in the United States on non-immigrant visas are subject to regulations
mandated by the U.S. government. There have been many recent, significant
changes in immigration law in relation to international students. We
will include general glossary to explain particular terms. For more
information, you should contact the International office.
Passport -- Issued by the government of
your country. Your passport must be valid at all times during your
stay in the United States.
U.S. Visa -- Enables you to enter and re-enter
the United States for the time during which it is valid. The visa is
stamped in your passport by the U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
I-94 Card -- The card you receive upon entering
the United States, also known as the Arrival/Departure Record. The
I-94 card shows for how long you are authorized to stay in the United
States and includes your admission number. It also displays your visa
status in the United States (F-1, J-1, F-2, etc.).
I-20 Form -- Students present this form
to receive an F-1 visa and F-1 status upon entry to the United States.
It is made up of two parts: I-20 School, and I-20 ID (Student) Copy.
The expiration date in item #5 is the expected date of completion for
your academic program. Each F-1 student must retain his/her form I-20
ID Copy to establish legal status in the United States.
DS-2019 Form -- Students and scholars present
this form to receive a J-1 visa and J-1 status upon entry to the United
States. After entering the United States, J-1 students and scholars
must keep only the pink copy of this form. The DS-2019 form shows the
authorized program participation dates and a description of the exchange
program.
Duration of Status -- "Duration
of Status" or "D/S" is the length of time for which individuals in
F and J status are admitted to the United States. D/S allows students
to remain in the United States as long as they are pursuing full-time
studies and are otherwise complying with all immigration regulations.
D/S is not, however, for an indefinite period of time. D/S is based
on the completion date on your I-20 or DS-2019, plus a 60-day grace
period for F-1 students and a 30-day 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 or DS-2019.
F-1 Student -- An
F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is admitted to the United States
to pursue a full course of study. F-1 students' educational expenses
are typically met by personal, family or institutional funds.
J-1 Student -- A
J-1 student is a nonimmigrant who has been selected to participate
in an exchange visitor program. J-1 students generally are financially
sponsored by an educational institution in the U.S. or abroad, the
U.S. or an international government, or a private agency in support
of international educational exchange.
Reinstatement -- The
immigration procedure that an F-1 or J-1 student must complete when
he/she fails to remain in lawful status or overstays beyond his/her
completion date as noted on his/her I-20 or DS-2019 and fails to complete
a program extension.
Grace Period -- A Specified period student
can stay after the due date of I-20 or DS-2019. 
How
to maintain legal student status in the U.S.
First of all, please read carefully all the
instructions on page 2 of your Form I-20.
Keep your passport valid
Your passport has to be valid for at least six months when you enter into the
U.S. This applies, of course, for every reentry as well.
Maintain full-time enrollment and normal full-time progress toward
your degree or certification
The measure of normal progress is the rate at which the average full-time student
in your school advances towards his or her degree objective. Working to complete
courses or projects designated as incomplete from previous semesters is not maintaining
normal progress.
- Graduates and doctoral students must enroll in 9 semester hours.
- Undergraduates must enroll for 12 semester hours.
Accept no employment of any kind, either off or on campus, without written permission
from the Office of International Programs or even INS
Beginning to work without proper authorization is considered by the INS as the
most serious violation of its regulations. Authorization for on-campus employment
will usually be given after a student has attended two full semesters at UIW.
For Graduate and Doctoral students there may be waivers granted from this rule.
Please discuss questions in this regard with the International Student Advisor.
Be sure you meet eligibility criteria before you transfer schools
in the U.S.
If you want to change school, please check with your International Student Advisor
before you apply.
Obtain extensions, as needed, of your permission to stay in the U.S.
If you are not able to finish your studies in the time allotted, see your International
Student Advisor for extensions before your I-20 expires.
Once you have completed your studies
You must leave the United States or change to another immigration status within
the appropriate time allowed. The current time allowed is 60 days. However, if
you did not complete your course of studies you must depart immediately.
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