International Student Services

International Student Services

International Student Services Before we talk about immigration rules. Let me introduce you to the ISS team, review your general responsibilities, and describe how our office can help you throughout your stay. http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/about-us/staff

International Student Services the Peer Advisor Leaders (PALS)!! and thanks to the rest of our ISS team… http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/new-students/peer-advisor-leaders

International Student Services ISS Orientation Highlights Please raise your hand if you need a: schedule, map, or new international student guidebook

International Student Services General Updates Bennington Hills There is no bus running from Bennington Hills apartment complex. Only students who are living at the RIT Inn & Conference Center are allowed to commute on the RIT Inn shuttle. You cannot walk over from Bennington and ride that shuttle. RTS #24 bus From August 24-28, RTS has added one 11pm outbound bus from RIT Gleason Circle. This new 11pm bus will then officially appear on the RTS #24 bus schedule starting on August 31st.

International Student Services Campus Policy on Smoking A new smoke-free policy takes effect August 17th which restricts all smoking (tobacco, e-cigarettes, pipes, etc.) to only the designated areas on campus pointed out on this map: http://www.rit.edu/fa/betterme/sites/rit.edu.fa.betterme/files//docs/Campus%20Map%20WIth%20Designated%20Areas.pdf

International Student Services Peer Transfer Handouts in back. To pay your bills by wire transfer from your home country bank. This may save you money on fees. https://www.peertransfer.com/school/rit

International Student Services Smoke Free Campus Policy New smoke free policy in effect August 17th which restricts all smoking (tobacco, e-cigarettes, etc.) to only the designated areas on campus pointed out on this map: http://www.rit.edu/fa/betterme/sites/rit.edu.fa.betterme/files//docs/Campus%20Map%20WIth%20Designated%20Areas.pdf

International Student Services An Overview of our Web Resources http://www.rit.edu/iss

International Student Services If you have not already done so…Please bring your passport and I-20 (or DS-2019) to the Bamboo Room, or, on Sunday and after this weekend, to the ISS office (located in the SAU, above the Ben & Jerry’s) anytime in next few days.We’ll copy & sign your documents and record your arrival in the US government database (SEVIS).

International Student Services You are required to always keep your local address up to date. Immigration regulations require you to update it within 10 days of any move. You can do this on-line here: sis.rit.edu

International Student Services US Immigration requires you to correctly format your address. You can find the standard format with www.usps.comspecifically:https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction_input

International Student Services Email Requirements • Regularly (at least every other day) check your RIT e-mail account and read all notices from ISS. • Some may be optional programs, but occasionally we will contact you about very important immigration matters. Students have been stuck crossing the border because they ignored emails from our office. • Or, forward your RIT e-mail account to your own personal account if you prefer this approach. Do this at: start.rit.edu

International Student Services eServices www.rit.edu/eservices/ You are responsible for monitoring your bill. It lists tuition and fees, fines, credits, etc. Be sure to click on “Account Activity” (not just Statements) Pay particular attention to “Health Insurance Charge” $762 for fall and $1,060 for spring/summer ($152/month) * If you wish to cancel (waive) your health insurance, you must do so within first 30 days of school and only if you have another insurance plan in place. You must have another policy in place that meets RIT standards. http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/life-at-rit/health-insurance

International Student Services Contact us when you do not know where else to go. ISS can answer questions or refer you to professional resources on: • Cultural Adjustment & Intl Student Groups/Clubs • Driver’s license (by the way, you can use your home country license while here as a student). • Social Security Number (if you have a job offer. More info @ our employment session). • Banking, cell phones, legal workshops or referrals, etc. (see the new student handbook/guide and your PAL).

International Student Services And now we move on to Immigration Rules…

International Student Services Immigration Rules You are responsible for understanding F1 and J1 rules

International Student Services Maintaining your legal status It is YOUR responsibility to know and follow the rules related to your F-1 or J-1 status. If your spouse or children are in the US, they are also required to know and follow the rules for F-2, J-2, etc. No matter what you do, we will always advise you, but the responsibility to follow the rules is yours, as are the consequences of breaking the rules…

International Student Services Important Terms • ISS: International Student Services • SEVIS: Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (ICE database) funded by your $200 SEVIS fee. • DSO (Designated School Official) the advisors at International Student Services, or certain staff at the English Language Center, if you study at ELC. • RO (Responsible Officer) for J-1 program

International Student Services Immigration Documents • Passport (keep updated through your embassy or passport authority when home) • Visa (F1 or J1) (only needs to be valid at time of entry to US) • I-94 # (on-line process to print your number) • I-20 (F1 students) Issued/updated by DS-2019 (J1 students) RIT or sponsor

International Student Services Immigration Documents You must have all of your original documents with you when you are downtown at the central bus or train station or at the airport! And…whenever you leave Rochester.

International Student Services Passport

International Student Services PASSPORT • Extended/replaced only by your embassy, or while in your home country. • Must always be valid while you are in the U.S., and have at least 6 months remaining validity when entering the US.

International Student Services F1 Visa

International Student Services VISA • Can only be issued outside the U.S. • The visa is like your “key” to get into the U.S. • Your visa can expire while you’re in the U.S., but your I-20 and passport must remain valid. • If you leave the U.S. with an expired visa, you must obtain a new visa in your home country before returning to the U.S.

International Student Services I-94 # You should go to this website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ and print out your I-94 #. You may need to wait 4-6 weeks after entry to the US. You will need the I-94 # if you apply for a campus job, Social Security number or a New York Driver’s license.

International Student Services Form I-20(F-status)

International Student Services Form DS-2019 (J status)

International Student Services I-20 or DS 2019 • I-20 (Issued by RIT for F-1 status) • DS-2019 (Issued by sponsor for J-1 status) • Must be signed every year for travel. • Name on form must match name exactly as it appears on passport (and usually visa). • Program of study – if you change majors, you should request a new form.

International Student Services How long can I stay in the U.S.? • Line #5 is an estimate of when you will complete your degree requirements. This date can be shortened or extended with approval from your Academic Department and ISS. • F-1 students have a 60-day grace period to stay in the U.S. after completion of program. 30-day grace period for J1. Within that time, you must depart the U.S., or, obtain post-completion work authorization. Details at employment session.

International Student Services To Re-enter the US after a trip • REQUIRED • Passport valid at least 6 months into the future; • Valid US visa*; original I-20 (or DS-2019) endorsed (signed) by ISS/sponsor this current academic year. • Also Recommended • Proof of financial support • Transcript or “enrollment verification letter” • (available from Registrar’s Office)

International Student Services *Travel to Canada • Same as previous page, with one exception: • Your F-1 or J-1 visa, can be expired, but do not attempt to renew your visa in Canada. (Note: visa must not be expired if you are from Iran, Syria, Sudan, or Cuba). • Certain citizens also require a Canadian entry visa - available only by mail. More information at: • http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp • Or, link may be found at rit.edu/iss • ** It may takes one monthor more to get a Canadian visitor visa.

International Student Services Traveling within the US When traveling outside of Henrietta, always carry your: Actual Passport and Original I-20 (or DS-2019) endorsed by ISS or sponsor within the current academic year. This is particularly important at the Rochester downtown bus, train stations and airport!

International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Report to a ISS staff for initial registration in SEVIS. We will then sign your documents. • If you’ve not yet “checked in” please drop-off your I-20/DS2019 & passport at ISS this week. • Update your local address. Report a change of local address to RIT within 10 days of the change. We’ll then update SEVIS. • Do this at: sis.rit.edu

International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Each semester, pursue a “full course of study” (at least 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduate students), except during official school breaks, or obtain permission in advance, from ISS to drop below full time (only available in limited circumstances). • “Full time equivalency” counts, as does Co-op (requires employment permission from ISS).

International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Make normal progress and complete your studies before the expiration of your DS-2019 or Form I-20. • Contact ISS for: • extension of stay – request before docs expire • change in educational levels or programs of study • transfer of schools

International Student Services HOW TO STAY IN STATUS • Never work off-campus without advance authorization. F-1 must have written approval for off-campus work J-1 must have advance written approval for both off-campus and on-campus work. • On campus 20hrs/week maximum employment while school is in session. This is monitored. • Abide by the grace period rules, (after completing studies). Or, apply for work authorization, change of educational level, or a school transfer before docs expire.

International Student Services Review Forms at ISS http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/ Reduced Courseload Form Program Extension Form Insurance Waiver Link, on-line http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/iss/life-at-rit/health-insurance

International Student Services Summary of Status All I need to do is: Be a full time student Get advance permission for off-campus work Keep I-20, DS-2019 & passport valid Keep local address up to date with RIT What will I get if I do these things? Ability to travel Ability to work Recommendation for post graduation work permit (called ‘Academic Training’ for J-1)

International Student Services Questions?

International Student Services Remember this Website: rit.edu/iss

International Student Services