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Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Form I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility for non-immigrant (F-1) student status. An F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by a U.S. Consulate to individuals who are seeking entry into the U.S. to pursue full-time studies in a U.S. academic institution. The I-20 indicates the institution in which
you are permitted to study, your program of study, and the dates of eligibility. Your I-20 must remain valid at all times. Allowing the I-20 to expire before you complete your academic program is a violation of F-1 status. The I-20 certifies that your only objective
in the U.S. is to be a student. It also certifies that you meet LIBI’s admissions requirements and that you will pursue a fulltime course of study. It also certifies that you proved to LIBI that you have enough money to study and live in the U.S. without
working illegally or living in an impoverished state.
with the rules and regulations you must follow to maintain lawful status in the U.S.
When you signed the SEVIS Form I-20
A new Initial student must report to LIBI’s
Under United States immigration law, it
An I-20 transfer student must report to
you attested that you understand, accept, and agree to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations. is the student’s personal responsibility to maintain lawful F-1 student status. Begin by reading the “Instructions to Students” of your I-20 to better acquaint yourself
Designated School Official (DSO) and have a program start date within 30 days of arrival in the United States. LIBI within 15 days of their program start date.
Your SEVIS Form I-20 is valid for the time period indicated on the form only if you maintain your status. Your SEVIS Form I-20 becomes invalid despite the expiration date if you are out of status. MAINTAINING STATUS means that you are doing everything you are supposed to do to keep your records up-to-date in the SEVIS database.
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
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Designated School Official (DSO) A Designated School Official (DSO) is the individual at LIBI who maintains your SEVIS F-1 record. The DSO is responsible to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the administration of the F-1 program and the maintenance of LIBI’s certification that authorizes LIBI to admit and enroll international students in F-1 status. This means that the DSO fulfills LIBI’s legal reporting responsibility regarding your address, course of study, enrollment, employment, and compliance with the terms of the student status you have been issued. LIBI’s DSO is Li Zhu. Immediate questions can be directed to Mr. Zhu by e-mailing him at lzhu@libi.edu. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations require that you register during LIBI’s published registration period. Failure to do this will result in violation of your F-1 status and the DSO will terminate your record with SEVIS for Failure to Enroll. Each semester the DSO is required to report to SEVIS whether or not an active F-1 student reported and enrolled in classes.
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You MUST speak to the DSO before you: • • • • • • • •
Change your program or your program level Take a leave of absence Take a break from school Transfer to a new school Travel outside the United States Move to a new address Change your name Request a program extension
Maintaining Full-time Study The regulations that define a full-time course of study for F-1 Students are as follows: • Undergraduate studies: 12 credit hours per semester. • English language programs: 18 clock hours per week if the dominant part of the course of study consists of classroom instruction, or at least 22 clock hours a week if the dominant part of the course of study consists of laboratory work. Students enrolled in English language programs may not count any online or distance-learning courses toward their full course of study requirement.
You are expected to maintain fulltime registration and make normal progress toward your degree. There are very few exceptions to the full-time course of study rule. Under certain circumstances, however, a student may receive authorization for a reduced course load (RCL)*. There are only certain exceptions that allow students to drop below a full course of study: academic difficulties*, serious medical conditions, and completion of a course of study. LIBI applies strict criteria and follows regulatory requirements to grant the authorization and records the authorization in SEVIS. You MUST obtain PRIOR authorization from LIBI’s DSO before any exception can be granted and recorded. An F-1 student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the DSO will be considered out of status and must be reported in SEVIS as having dropped below a full-time course load without authorization. * Authorization for a reduced course load due to academic difficulties is limited to one term at each program level.
You may only drop a course if you have obtained an authorization from the DSO
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
Reduced Course Load Due to Medical Condition In compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, F-1 status students who stop actively attending the courses they are registered for due to an unsubstantiated illness will be considered out of status. F-1 students experiencing serious health problems must contact the DSO as soon as feasible to avoid being reported to SEVIS. Request for approval to take a reduced course load due to a medical condition for students in F-1 status must be submitted to the DSO along with current medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical mental health professional that substantiates the illness or medical condition and recommends a reduced course load or withdrawal from school. Changes in Personal Information The DSO is also required to report to SEVIS any change in an F-1 student’s personal information or academic status including (but not limited to):
• Disciplinary action by the college resulting from a criminal conviction
• Change of address
• Change of the student’s or dependent’s name • Early graduation
You must notify the DSO and the Registrar within 10 days if you move to a new address. You must also notify the DSO if there are any changes in your name, citizenship, program, sources of funding, or anticipated graduation date. The DSO must make the necessary updates to your records in SEVIS. Failure to report changes in your personal information within 10 days, can place you in danger of losing your student immigration status.
U.S. Immigration regulations require that you finish your program of study by the completion date on your SEVIS I-20. If you will not graduate by that date, you must speak with the DSO and apply for a program extension at least 30 days before your SEVIS I-20 expires.
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
Departure from LIBI You must speak with the DSO if you plan to leave LIBI temporarily or permanently. Whether you plan to take a leave of absence, withdraw, graduate early, or transfer to another college, you must notify the DSO before leaving. Leave of Absence Only LIBI’s DSO is authorized to grant F-1 students a Leave of Absence (LOA). Please note that the DSO will only do so if documented extenuating circumstances exist. A Leave of Absence allows a student to suspend enrollment in a program of study and leave the United States. In order to qualify for this type of leave the student must intend to return and resume the program of study within five months.
Once your completion date passes, your I-20 will expire and you may not be able to extend your stay in the U.S.
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ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION Authorized Early Withdrawal The DSO authorizes temporary absences for F-1 students. Students with records placed in “Terminated status for authorized early withdrawal” have 15 days to depart the United States. Terminated Records When an F-1 student has failed to maintain their student status, the DSO must update their SEVIS record to “Terminated status” and the student must leave the U.S.
for at least six months into the future. Contact your country’s consulate in NY or embassy in Washington D.C. for instructions if you need to extend your passport while in the U.S.
Maintaining a Valid F-1 Visa
U.S. Federal law requires you to carry your “registration” documents at all times, including your I-20 and passport or your F-1 admission stamp (depending on what you received upon your last entry to the U.S.). For safety and security reasons it is wise to carry photocopies of these documents with you on a daily basis rather than the originals if you are not traveling outside of the NYC area.
Check the expiration date on your visa to see when you will need to renew it. Keep in mind that you can only renew your F-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in your home country. You cannot obtain or renew the visa in the U.S. If your visa expires while you are in the U.S. you do not have to renew it until you leave for a vacation in your home country. If your passport expires but your visa is still valid you will need to hold on to your expired passport and present it along with your new one to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer when you travel.
Dependents An F-1 student’s spouse and/or minor child (who is unmarried and under 21 years old) may legally accompany you to the United States or join you in the U.S. while you study. They must apply for an F-2 visa. Maintaining a Valid Passport You cannot enter the U.S. on the F-1 visa using a passport that is less than six months from expiration. During your stay in the U.S. do not let your passport expire. While you are in the United States, your passport must be valid
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If your passport is lost or stolen report it to the police because your government may require a police report before issuing a new passport.
You will always need to maintain a valid F-1 Visa in order to re-enter the U.S.
Medical Insurance F-1 Students LIBI does not set specific international student insurance requirements. You can choose the insurance plan that best fits your needs and budget. When buying a medical insurance plan be sure to review exclusions and ensure that the plan is being offered through a reputable company. LIBI does not endorse any particular health insurance provider for international students.
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION (continued) Below are some companies you can review for comparison and range of services. LIBI maintains no association with the companies listed. You are responsible for procuring and maintaining suitable health insurance and for any required correspondence. Compass Benefits Group: http://www.compassbenefits.com/ Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) http://www.culturalinsurance.com CMI Insurance Worldwide https://cmi-insurance.com Gateway Plans http://www.gatewayplans.com International Student Insurance Plans http://internationalstudentinsurance.com/ international_students/ International Student Organization http://isoa.org Study USA-Health Care http://www.travelinsure.com/what/susahigh.htm
T.W. Lord & Associates http://www.twlord.com/
Obtaining a Driver License If you want to apply for a permit, driver license, or a non-driver ID you must provide the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with the following proofs of identity:
• Foreign Passport with a Visa and a valid
I-94 issued by INS/DHS • Must be in English or translated by an embassy. There are special requirements if your I-94 has a status code • F1 (student) or F2 (spouse or child of student), you must also show the original stamped INS/DHS form I-20, with any subsequent I-20 and “notice of approval” (if appropriate) • DMV will accept one INS/DHS document for proof of name and date of birth If you are not eligible to have a Social Security Card, you must provide the DMV with a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that was issued within 30 days of your application to the DMV; the letter must state that you are not eligible to have the card. You must also show the Department of Homeland Security document that was used by the SSA to determine that you are not eligible.
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
DMV will not accept documents that have been altered in any way. DMV will confiscate all documents that appear to be fraudulent for review by DMV’s Investigations Unit. If you submit a fraudulent document, you may be subject to criminal prosecution. Don’t do it! Before Traveling Abroad If you plan on traveling outside the U.S. during your studies, you must have your I-20 signed by the DSO before you leave. The DSO’s travel signature is only valid for six months. If you do not have a current signature on your I-20 you will have difficulty re-entering the U.S. You should visit the DSO with your passport that has a valid F-1 visa stamp and I-20 at least three weeks before traveling. Be sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the day you plan to re-enter the U.S. Remember, you cannot enter the U.S. on the F-1 visa using a passport that is less than six months from expiration. F-1 Student Employment Options The U.S. government takes working illegally very seriously. For this reason, before coming to the United States, F-1 students must prove
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ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION (continued) they have the financial ability (e.g., present bank statements) to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying. If circumstances arise that you MUST work due to severe financial hardship, the first step is always to speak with LIBI’s DSO. You are not permitted to work without official permission. You must contact the DSO before you begin working to find out if you are eligible to work, how long you can work, and other procedures for obtaining work authorization. For more information see Off-Campus Employment Due to Hardship Section. Do not accept any employment unless you have written work authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and have contacted LIBI’s DSO. If you are working without permission, LIBI’s DSO must report it through SEVIS and your record can be terminated. That means that you will have to leave the United States immediately, and you may not be allowed to return.
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Off-Campus Employment Due to Hardship
Working WITHOUT authorization is a DEPORTABLE OFFENSE. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) CPT is available if you are registered for an internship course or enrolled in an academic program that requires you to obtain practical training in your field of study for a specified period of time. Internships are considered part of your education and, therefore, are allowed through a program called Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 students. Only LIBI’s DSO can determine whether you are eligible for an internship or practical training in your field of study. There is an official process for obtaining CPT that LIBI’s DSO will discuss with you.
DO NOT secure an internship site or begin your internship without speaking to the DSO.
Off-campus employment is work that takes place outside of a school campus. Off-campus employment is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study, and who have an economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security’s emergency circumstances. To apply for off-campus employment, you must explain your economic hardship situation and receive approval to work from the DSO. If the DSO determines that the situation applies, he or she will recommend you and give you an updated Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status.” You cannot begin to work while the Form I-765 is pending with USCIS. If you are approved, you may work 20 hours per week when school is in session. As with on-campus employment, you must also apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION (continued) Once you have the new Form I-20, you must file a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with USCIS within 30 days of receiving your recommendation. If USCIS approves you to work, they will send you a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” (EAD) with the dates that you may work off-campus. For more information about the process of obtaining a Social Security Number visit their website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free, 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number, 1-800-3250778). As of the printing of this handbook the helpline can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Further questions about these, or other topics related to F-1 Student visas, should be directed to LIBI’s Designated School Official (DSO). Mr. LI Zhu is LIBI’s DSO and can be reached at 718.939.5100 / 212.226.7300 or by e-mail: lzhu@libi.edu.
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
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AMERICAN HOLIDAYS
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION (continued)
The U.S. celebrates several major “national” or Federal legal holidays. This means that the law establishes those days off for federal employees. Many government offices as well as many private businesses are closed on Federal holidays. If the holiday falls during the weekend, it may be observed on a different day. If you plan to visit a government office on or around a federal holiday, you should contact that office to ensure that they will be open.
JAN. New Year’s Day
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New Year’s Day is January 1. The celebration of this holiday begins the night before (New Year’s Eve), when Americans gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous new year. You may want to experience the excitement of celebrating the New Year in Times Square – it’s a “global tradition”! For further information nearer the date of the event, call or visit the MTA at 718-330-1234 or www.mta.info.
JAN. Martin Luther King Day
The birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is celebrated on the third Monday in January. He was one of the great leaders of the American civil rights movement. Third Monday
FEB. President’s Day
President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington’s birthday, the first President of the United States. Many groups honor the legacy of past presidents on this date. Third Monday
MAY Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a observed the last Monday of May. It originally honored the people killed in the American Civil War. This day is now dedicated to the memory of all soldiers who died during wars. Last Monday
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JUL. Independence Day
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U.S. Independence Day is July 4. This holiday honors the nation’s birthday - the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, and fireworks.
SEP.
Labor Day
NOV. Veterans Day
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Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11. This holiday was originally called Armistice Day and established to honor Americans who had served in World War I. It is now a day set aside to honor all men and women who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. LIBI does not close or cancel classes for Veterans Day.
Labor Day is the first Monday of September. This holiday honors the nation’s working people, typically with parades. For most Americans it marks the end of the summer vacation season and the start of the school year. It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July in New York City without the annual Macy’s fireworks show! As the event nears, be sure to www.nycgo.com for details. First Monday
OCT. Columbus Day
Columbus Day is a celebrated on the second Monday in October. The day commemorates October 12, 1492, when Italian navigator Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. The holiday was first proclaimed in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Second Monday
LIBI does not close or cancel classes for Columbus Day.
NOV. Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. On September 28, 1789, the first Federal Congress passed a resolution asking that the President of the United States recommend to the nation a day of thanksgiving. President George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday, November 26, 1789 as the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new Constitution. It wasn’t until December 26, 1941 that President Roosevelt signed a resolution establishing the fourth Thursday in November as the Federal Thanksgiving Day holiday. Fourth Thursday
DEC. Christmas Day
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Christmas Day is a celebrated on December 25. Christmas Eve, December 24, is also a time of celebration for many Christian American families. Families decorate trees and exchange gifts.
Long Island Business Institute | International Students (F-1 Visa)
www.LIBI.edu FLUSHING (Main Campus)
MANHATTAN
136-18 39 Ave. 5 Floor Flushing, NY. 11354 Phone: 718-939-5100 Fax: 718-939-9235
408 Broadway. 2 Floor New York, NY. 10013 Phone: 212-226-7300 Fax: 212-431-8294
th
th
COMMACK nd
6500 Jericho Turnpike Commack, NY. 11725 Phone: 631-499-7100 Fax: 631-971-0113