Visa Issues: Changing Status

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Visa Issues: Changing Status
Andy Neo

Transfer to another school
Before you transfer to another school you must receive a new I-20 form from your new school. You advisor may assist in authorizing the new form with the INS. You must be a full time student in good academic standing. You must notify your current school of your intent to transfer. You must ask the school that you plan on attending to give you a new INS Form I-20 A-B/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - for Academic and Language Students). You must complete your portion of the INS Form I-20 and give it to your new designated school official (DSO) within 15 days of transferring. The designated school official (DSO) should give you the last two pages, known as Form I-20 ID, and forward a copy of the first two pages, known as Form I-20 A-B, to the INS and your prior school.
Full time and Normal progress requirements
During your course of study you are required to maintain full-time enrolment and normal full-time progress toward your degree or diploma. Usually you are required to take at least 12 credits during Fall and Spring semester. If you are unable to do so, you should receive your advisor's permission or apply for a leave-of-absence. The advisor's office will also provide you with the terms of normal progress according to your field of study and degree or diploma.
Travel Outside the United States
Students may leave the United States and be readmitted after absences of five months or less. Upon your return to the United States, you should provide immigration inspectors with:
-- A valid passport.
-- A valid F-1 entry visa stamped in the passport (if necessary).
-- A current INS Form I-20 ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - for Academic and Language Students) signed by your appropriate school official (you should have the appropriate school official sign your INS Form I-20 each time you wish to temporarily travel outside the United States).
-- A new INS Form I-20 A-B/I-20 ID if there have been any substantive changes in your course of study or place of study.
-- Proof of your financial support.
Can I Travel Outside the U.S.?
When making your travel plans, please remember that you must be a full-time student to keep your F-1 student status. You will be considered to be "in status" if you take the annual summer vacation, as long as you are eligible and intend to register for the next school term.
Students may leave the United States and be readmitted after absences of five months or less. Upon your return to the United States, you should provide immigration inspectors with:
· A valid passport.
· A valid F-1 entry visa stamped in the passport (if necessary).
· A current USCIS Form I-20 ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - for Academic and Language Students) signed by your appropriate school official (you should have the appropriate school official sign your USCIS Form I-20 each time you wish to temporarily travel outside the United States).
· A new USCIS Form I-20 A-B/I-20 ID if there have been any substantive changes in your course of study or place of study.
· Proof of your financial support.
When making your travel plans, please remember that you must be a full-time student to keep your F-1 student status. You will be considered to be "in status" if you take the annual summer vacation, as long as you are eligible and intend to register for the next school term.
Getting INS Forms
Your school will have a designated school official to help you with immigration issues. Please note that you (the F-1 student) are solely responsible for following U.S. immigration laws. You should be able to pick up immigration-related forms from your designated school official (DSO). Only your designated school official (DSO) can give you an INS Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - for Academic and Language Students) or an INS Form I-538 (Certification By Designated School Official). If you would like other immigration forms, you may call 1-800-870-3676, or submit a request through forms by mail system. For further information on filing fees, please see INS filing fees, fee waiver request procedures, and the INS fee waiver policy memo.

As a result of the events of September 11th, the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), US Consuls, and US Border and Airport Inspectors have tightened inspection and visa procedures. They are giving more careful attention to all visa and entry applications.
Visit SEVIS
Visa section of travel.state.gov
Work & Travel USA, H2B
Job placement service for Work & Travel participants, B1/F1 visa programs, jobs for green card holders.

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