New International Student Orientation Immigration Rules and Regulations

1. New International Student OrientationImmigration Rules and Regulations International Student Services 405-325-3337 www.ou.edu/iss General email alias:iss@ou.edu

2. Please turn off or silence your cell phone

3. Welcome to the University of Oklahoma! International Student Services is here to serve YOU. WELCOME to OU - we’re glad you’re here!

4. Phone Home

5. Have you checked in yet? • New international students are REQUIRED to check in with OU ISS • Bring your documents to ISS Office - 640 Parrington Oval #220 • I-20/DS2019 • Passport • I-94 card • The International Student (IS) enrollment Hold will ONLY be removed after Check In CHECK IN TODAY!

6. Change of Address Procedure • Your immigration record must be registered in SEVIS, and cannot be registered until you have updated your address. • If you have an on-campus job, you cannot be placed on OU Payroll until your address is updated and you are enrolled • You must update your address in the oZone (http://ozone.ou.edu). Follow the instructions. • Mailing address in oZone is your local address in Norman • Permanent address in oZone is your address in your home country You must update your addresses TODAY!

7. Form I-20 (F-1 students) • Biographical data • Program of study • Funding • Barcode • SEVIS ID

8. Your I-20 or DS2019 must be valid at all times! • You must ensure that your I-20/DS2019 is valid, the program dates are current, and the program information is correct. • We can extend your I-20/DS2019 BEFORE it expires. • We cannot extend your I-20/DS2019 AFTER it expires. • You may receive an email alert from OU ISS before your I-20/DS2019 expires. • If your I-20/DS2019 ends, your F-1 or J-1 student status will terminate.

9. VisaInformation

10. After you received your Form I-20/DS2019, you applied for a visa at a US consulate. Your visa has an expiration date. If the VISA expires while you are in the US, it is not a problem. Travel outside the US requires a valid visa to reenter the US. Travel to a third country may require that you obtain a visa to enter that country. OU ISS provides international travel and immigration information throughout the semester. Visa Information

11. I-94 Card • 11-digit ID number • White card that was completed for you by a US customs official at port of entry • If you were admitted on an F-1 or J-1 visa, your I-94 card is marked “D/S” (Duration of Status). • Make a copy of your I-94 card. • Do not lose your card. • USCIS fee and a lengthy process to replace it! • Advise OU ISS if you lose your passport and/or I-94.

12. Passport

13. Maintain a Valid Passport • Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future • Passport renewal procedures vary, depending on country – typically, you may renew your passport 6 months prior to the expiration date • Contact your country’s embassy in the US to determine the procedure for obtaining a new passport • You may receive an automated email from the OU ISS office when your passport is about to expire

14. SEVISStudent & Exchange Visitor Information System SEVIS reports the following information to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): • Personal Address Information • Financial Information—education funding • Academic Program Information—full time/part time enrollment, major changes, disciplinary actions, extension of program • Employment information: optional/curricular practical training, off campus employment authorization • Termination or completion of study • Dependent information

15. Are you a new transfer student? • A SEVIS transfer (transfer of your SEVIS record) is different from an academic transfer (transfer of past academic credit and current program) • If you attended another institution in the US in Spring or Summer 2011 and have not obtained an OU I-20, you must transfer your SEVIS record to OU. Contact OU ISS to complete this process.

16. Are you a new Sponsored student? • Sponsored Students receive primary financial support from a source other than personal or family funds (i.e. student’s government, international organization) • If you are a Sponsored Student, you have a special advisor, Sarah Dysart. • Please meet with Sarah right after the orientation for a short introduction.

17. Full-time Enrollment • You must enroll now. • Deadline to enroll: Friday, August 26. • You must enroll and complete full-time credit in the fall and spring semesters to maintain lawful immigration status. • Limited reasons for under-enrollment. Obtainpermission from OU ISS prior to under-enrollment. • Under-enrollment without authorization is a reason for TERMINATION of your immigration STATUS.

18. Full-time Enrollment UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS Must enroll in and complete 12 hours every fall and spring semester

19. Full-time Enrollment GRADUATE STUDENTS Must enroll in and complete 9credit hours every fall and spring semester • Students with a 0.25 assistantship (10 hour per week) must enroll in and complete at least 9 credit hours every fall and spring semester • Students with a 0.50 assistantship (20 hours per week) must enroll in and complete at least 5 credit hours every fall and spring semester • Student workers working 20 hours per week must enroll in and complete 9 credit hours every fall and spring semester

20. ONLINE Courses US immigration regulations limit international students to only ONE online course per semester toward the minimum full-time enrollment requirement. You can take more than one online course, but only one will meet your full-time enrollment requirements.

21. Independent Study Courses Do not generally count toward the full-time enrollment requirement. They are not required to be completed within a given semester, nor do they require in-class time. An Independent Study course must be a degree requirement to count toward full-time enrollment. The OU ISS office must have documentation in your file from your academic advisor confirming that your degree program requires that you take the independent study course. Turn in the documentation BEFORE you enroll in the course.

22. Other Enrollment Issues • “I”—incomplete—or “N” – no credit assigned - grades do NOT count toward the full-time requirement. • Auditing a course does NOT count toward the full-time requirement. • Withdrawal from a course at ANY point in the semester does NOT count toward the full-time requirement. • Courses that BEGIN or END in the middle of the semester are not recommended for International students. FAST TRACK courses may negatively affect your immigration status. You must COMPLETE the required number of hours each fall and spring semester to maintain your immigration status.

23. Academic Misconduct • Do not cheat. • Examples of academic misconduct: • •Cheating - copying answers on an exam, quiz, or homework • •Plagiarizing - using someone else’s words as • your own • •Fraud - falsification and/or misrepresentation of • academic work • Academic misconduct is serious. It becomes a part of your permanent academic transcript. OU will report confirmed academic misconduct to other universities. • When in doubt, ASK. • http://integrity.ou.edu/index.html

24. F-2 Dependents • F-2 dependents CANNOT study in the US. • F-2 dependents must be approved for a change of status to F-1 by the USCIS prior to commencing study at the university. Applications take 4-8 months to be approved by USCIS. Plan Ahead. • OU ISS provides support for the application procedure for a change of visa status. Apply at least 6 months in advance. • You do not need a private immigration attorney to apply for a change of status. If you wish, you may opt to do so, but the OU ISS office routinely and successfully provides this service to students.

25. Employment in the US • USCIS allows F-1 students to work up to 20 hours per weekon campus during the fall and spring semester without special permission • Employment must be on the OU Norman campus. • F-1 students may work more than 20 hours per week on campus during school vacations (summer break, spring break and fall break)

26. CAUTION! Employment in the US You must receive permission from the USCIS or the OU ISS office to be LEGALLY employed off-campus

27. Off-campus Employment Authorization • You may work off-campus ONLY with permission from USCIS or OU ISS • Most students cannot apply for off-campus work authorization until they have been in full-time student status for one academic year • OU ISS provides continuous online employment authorization workshops – go to OU ISS website for information • OU ISS provides an employment authorization workshop each semester – schedule will be posted on OU ISS website on or after the third week of semester

28. Employment in the US Do NOT work off-campus without permission from the USCIS or OU ISS. Off Campus WORK

29. Alcohol and Arrests • Common alcohol-related arrests: • • Drinking under the age of 21 • • Driving while intoxicated • • Public intoxication • Some arrests can result in jail time. • If you are arrested, you seriously endanger your chance of obtaining another US visa in the future. • Be respectful of others’ boundaries. Do not engage in sexual misconduct or any other forms of physical assault. • Be careful.

30. Social Security Numbers • SSNs are issued for tax purposes only. You cannot receive a SSN for identification purposes. • Dependents cannot receive an SSN. • You must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to work in the US • OU ISS provides complete instructions and support on SSN applications. • You cannot begin employment on-campus until you begin this process.

31. CINTAX Tax Assistance • OU provides annual tax filing assistance through CINTAX • Look for email from OU ISS about CINTAX early in the spring semester • All F-1 and J-1 students should file taxes in the US.

32. Termination and Reinstatement • A violation of status will result in a termination of your F-1 status • Termination of your SEVIS record means that you will no longer have a valid immigration status in the US. • Your I-20 will no longer be valid, and the F-1 visa in your passport that correspond to this SEVIS ID number will no longer valid. • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are automatically notified of status terminations • May qualify for a Reinstatement of Status • Must apply for Reinstatement of Status with the aid of OU ISS directly to USCIS as soon as possible. • Cannot work when application is pending • This option is not available for all violations, notably employment violations, such as working without authorization.

33. Travel Information • Travel within the US does not require a travel signature from OU ISS • Travel outside the US requires that your I-20/DS2019 be signed for travel by OU ISS • Drop off documents at OU ISS one to two weeksprior to international travel • Visa expired? You must apply for and receive a new visa before reentering the US • We recommend you carry clear copies of your immigration documents if you travel to US border areas or large metropolitan areas Travel Signature

34. COMMUNICATION IS KEY! • OU ISS communicates regularly with students by email to your OU EMAIL ACCOUNT only. OU ISS will not email your personal account. • READ all OU ISS emails, they DO apply to you personally. • Forward your OU account if you use another email address • Bookmark and check ISS website regularly - www.ou.edu/iss • CPT/OPT employment authorization workshops, online and in person

35. About OU ISS The OU office of International Student Services is your first and best resource for all your immigration questions. With 5 full-time international student advisers, one director, and three front office staff, we serve more than 2,000 international students and their dependents on the OU-Norman and OU-Tulsa campuses as well as programs on the OUHSC campus. HOW to contact your OU ISS Advisors Email iss@ou.edu - include your name and OU ID Go to the OU ISS Office - Bring passport, I-20 or DS2019, and I-94 card and OU ID Call OU ISS – 405.325.3337 Your OU ISS front office staff can answer basic student immigration questions, depending on the level of knowledge required. Please be respectful to our front office staff. They are very well-trained and will ask an adviser to come to the front office to speak with you if needed.

36. OU ISS Requests Most internal student requests will take our office 5-10 business days to process and complete*. • Our front staff will tell you processing times when you submit your request • Estimates depend on the work volume, and the type of request you submit. • Be sure to CHECK your OU EMAIL if you have a pending request. *Some requests depend on approval from USCIS. The USCIS website gives processing times. Common Requests I-20 or DS-2019 Request Travel Signature Letter Request SEVIS Transfer request Extension of Stay OPT Appointment Request CPT Request Concurrent Enrollment Request J-1 Academic Training Visit the OU ISS office or www.ou.edu/iss for Request forms.

37. OU ISS Staff Monica Sharp Director Brenda Chaney International Student Advisor Sheena Connell International Student Advisor Mariana Mircheva International Student Advisor Robyn Stewart International Student Advisor Sarah Dysart Sponsor Student Programs Advisor Caroline MacLeod Front Office Assistant Alexis Taitel Student Assistant

38. OU ISS Office Hours Monday – Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Closed 12-1pm for lunch We look forward to seeing you soon!

39. OU ISS Contact Information International Student Services B.C. Wallace Old Science Hall 640 Parrington Oval, Room 220 Phone: (405) 325-3337 Fax: (405) 325-0197 Website: www.ou.edu/iss General email alias: iss@ou.edu