* If you are a current student, click here.
 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.
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