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Go Global @ MU
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Office of International Students & Scholars Home > CIP > Frequently Asked Questions for F-1 students |
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·
What do I do if I lost my I-20? Contact the
CIP office and fill out the “Action Request Form” so a new I-20 can be
issued.
·
What do I do if I need to extend the time period for my program of
study? In order to
receive an extension on your program, you will need to seek permission
from your academic advisor and the CIP Office. Your academic advisor
needs to sign the “Program Extension Form.”
·
What do I do if my I-20 is about to expire? If your I-20
is about to expire and you need more time to complete your program of
study, you are responsible for notifying an International Student
Advisor within 30 days of your program completion date.
DO NOT LET YOUR I-20 EXPIRE!
·
What do I do if I change my major area of study? You must
report any change of major to your International Student Advisor after
you have been accepted into a new program. A NEW I-20 will need to be
generated to reflect this major change. After you submit the Request for
Change of Major form for graduate students (available in the graduate
office) or your academic advisor’s office (for undergraduate students)
and are accepted into the new area of study, you need to contact the CIP
office to request a change of major on your I-20. This also requires you
fill out an “Action Request Form.” Please bring your acceptance letter
with you.
·
How do I change my visa status? See an
International Student Advisor in the CIP Office.
·
Can I drop a course? As an F-1
student, you are required to study full-time: graduate student (9
hours); undergraduate student (12 hours); LEAP student (18 hours).
However, there are exceptions to the full-time study regulation, but
only in certain medical or academic circumstances. International
students MUST have permission from the CIP Office
BEFORE they drop a course
during a semester that will result in being below full-time.
Permission from your academic advisor is not enough. You
MUST get permission from your
International Student Advisor!
·
What do I do if I move to another address? You will need
to notify the USCIS within 10 days of moving to a new address. Please
fill out form “AR-11” (available in the CIP Office or go to
www.USCIS.gov and download
the form. Return the form to the CIP office so it is sure to be updated
in SEVIS and we will mail the form to USCIS for you.
·
Can I work on-campus? F-1 students
may work on-campus part-time (20 hours/week) when classes are in session
and full-time (21-40 hours/week) during semester and summer breaks. You
are required to contact an International Student Advisor if you have
been offered on-campus employment. You will need to provide the
International Student Advisor a letter from your employer stating job
description, location, and number of hours worked per week. This
information is needed so you can then apply for a Social Security Card.
·
Can I work off-campus? F-1 students
are eligible to work off-campus in certain circumstances as long as they
have maintained their immigration status. YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO
WORK OFF-CAMPUS WITH PERMISSION FROM AN INTERNATIOANL ADVISOR IN THE CIP
OFFICE.
·
Can I get a Social Security Card? A social
security number may be applied for
IF you have secured legal
employment.
·
How do I get a Social Security Card? First, you
must have a job or an offer of a job. You will need to bring a letter
from your employer stating your job description, location of employment,
and number of hours you will work per week. Your International Student
Advisor will issue you a letter that you will take along with the letter
from your employer, a Social Security application form (available in the
CIP Office), passport, visa, I-94, and I-20 to the Social Security
Office. Consult an International
Student Advisor for additional information.
·
What can I do
if I need a number for tax purposes?
If you need a number for tax
purposes and you are not authorized to work in the U.S., you can apply
for an
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS). Visit IRS in person or call the IRS toll-free number,
1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676),
and request Form W-7,
Application For An Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number.
·
How do I get a WV Driver’s License? F-1 students
are eligible to apply for a WV driver’s license. You will need a letter
issued by an International Student Advisor stating you are currently
studying at Marshall University. To request a letter, you must fill out
the “Action Request Form” and return to the CIP Office. If you are
applying for a driver’s license, you will need to take a written exam
and will also need to complete a driving test. For more information,
please go to the WV DMV website:
www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv
·
Am
I required to have health insurance? YES, each
semester a HOLD is placed on your Marshall University record that will
PREVENT you from registering for classes until you provide PROOF of
health insurance. There is an” insurance waiver” form that is available,
however, please understand
that this waiver is not insurance, it is a temporary waiver that
allows you to register temporarily, but you MUST provide proof of
insurance within 7 days. For information on how to obtain insurance,
please go here:
http://www.studymarshall.com/cip/orientation/insurance.asp
·
Can I transfer to another school? F-1 students
are eligible to transfer to any DHS certified school within the United
States. You are eligible to transfer as long as you have maintained your
status at MU. In order to transfer to another school, you must first
apply to and be accepted at the school you wish to transfer to and
contact the international student advisor at that school and ask them
for a Transfer Release Form. Once you have received the
acceptance letter and transfer release form, please stop in the CIP
Office to discuss your transfer with an international student advisor at
MU.
·
I
plan on traveling outside the United States, may I? If you are
planning on traveling outside the United States for LESS THAN 5 MONTHS,
you will need the following documents to re-enter the U.S.
1)
A passport valid for 6 months
beyond your date of entry
2)
A valid visa
3)
Current I-20 or DS-2019 signed by
an international advisor in the CIP Office
4)
Financial information showing
proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses
5)
I-94 Arrival/Departure card If you will
travel outside the U.S. for MORE THAN 5 MONTHS, you will need to apply
for a new visa and be issued a new I-20 or DS-2019 from your school.
·
May I travel to Mexico, Canada, or an island near the U.S during MU
Break IF my visa has expired? You can
travel to Mexico, Canada, or an island adjacent (except Cuba) to the
United States for less than 30 days with an expired visa and re-enter
the U.S. through automatic visa revalidation. BE SURE TO HAVE AN
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR SIGN YOUR I-20 OR DS-2019 BEFORE YOU LEAVE
THE U.S. Go to
www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
for more information.
An F-1 student may wish to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience in his/her field of study. There are two kinds of employment an F-1 student can seek authorization for, CPT or OPT.
CPT is Curricular Practical Training and students must have been enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year before being eligible for CPT.
OPT is Optional Practical Training and is “temporary employment for practical training directly related to your major area of study.” OPT can be authorized at the following times:
Unlike CPT, the work does not have to be an “integral part of an established curriculum.” Its optional nature allows it to be used for any employment that is directly related to your major area of study, and which is a level commensurate with your degree level.
Yes, you may reenter to search for employment.
If your OPT has been approved and you depart before you get a job, your OPT ends and you cannot reenter unless you have a written job offer. If you have a job, you may travel and reenter to resume work at the same job or you have a written offer for another job.
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