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Immigration

Applying for a new F-1 visa from your home country

If you are a full-time student at IPFW and wish to visit your home country to apply for a new F-1 visa, ISS would recommend you to contact the American embassy in your home country before leaving the U.S. to schedule an appointment and to check on the embassy’s rules and requirements.

Please visit the United States Embassies and Consulates Overseas website to collect the contact information for the embassy you intend to submit your application for F-1 visa. You must present the following documents to the U.S. embassy/consulate at your home country to apply for the F-1 student visa:

  1. Valid passport (for at least 6 months)
  2. Original letter of enrollment at IPFW from the Registrar’s office (Kettler Hall, Room 107)
  3. Valid SEVIS I-20 signed by an International Student Advisor
  4. Original copies of all financial documents [bank statement(s)]
  5. Proof of ties to your home country (e.g., a job, ownership of a property, etc.)
  6. Copy of your transcripts from IPFW to show your history as a student
  7. Copies of the old passports, U.S. visas, I-94 forms, and I-20s

Please read: 10 points to remember when applying for an F-1 or a J-1 visa [PDF]

When you submit all of the above to the U.S. embassy/consulate to apply for the F-1 student visa, the embassy will verify your information in the SEVIS system and decide to issue or deny you a visa.

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Travel for students currently on OPT

If you are a graduate of IPFW and currently pursuing your Optional Practical Training (OPT) and if you are planning to depart from the United States temporarily to visit your homeland or some other country, you must have the following documents to re-enter the U.S.

  1. Valid passport
  2. Valid F-1 visa
  3. Employment Authorization Document/Card (OPT Card)
  4. I-20 with a valid signature from ISS (signature is valid for 6 months ONLY)
  5. Employment Verification Letter from your current employer indicating your income
  6. Copy of your bank statement

If you wish to visit your home country to apply for a new F-1 visa, ISS would recommend you to follow this procedure. First, e-mail ISS your current home and work addresses in the U.S., so that we can update your SEVIS record. Second, contact the United States Embassy or Consulate in your home country before leaving the U.S. to schedule an appointment and to check on the embassy’s rules and requirements.

You must present the following documents to the U.S embassy/consulate at your home country to apply for the F-1 student visa:

  1. Valid Passport (for at least 6 months)
  2. Employment Authorization Document/Card (EAD/OPT Card)
  3. I-20 with a valid signature from ISS (signature is valid for 6 months ONLY)
  4. Original letter of Employment Verification from your current employer indicating your income
  5. Copy of your SEVIS fee receipt
  6. Original copies of all financial documents [bank statement(s)]
  7. Proof of ties to your home country (such as a job, ownership of a property, etc.)
  8. Copy of your apartment/housing lease in the U.S.
  9. Copies of the old passports, U.S. visas, I-94 forms, and I-20s
  10. Copy of your diploma from IPFW

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Applying for a new F-1 visa from Canada or Mexico

If you are a full-time student at IPFW, and wish to visit Canada or Mexico to apply for a new F-1 visa, ISS would recommend you contact the American embassy in Canada or Mexico before leaving Fort Wayne to schedule an appointment and to check on the embassy’s rules and requirements. You must present the following documents to the U.S embassy/consulate in Canada or Mexico to apply for the F-1 student visa:

  1. Valid passport (for at least 6 months)
  2. Original letter of enrollment at IPFW from the Registrar’s office (Kettler Hall, Room 107)
  3. Valid SEVIS I-20 signed by an International Student Advisor
  4. Original copies of all financial documents [bank statement(s)]
  5. Proof of ties to your home country (e.g., a job, ownership of a property, etc.)
  6. Copy of your transcripts from IPFW to show your history as a student
  7. Copies of the old passports, U.S. visas, I-94 forms, and I-20s

Once you are granted a visa, you will be able to return to the U.S. Yet, if you will be denied a visa, you will not be able to reenter the States even if you were in Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days.

Traveling to Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands

Canada, Mexico, and the Island nations do require Entry Visas for citizens of certain countries. Therefore, it is always best to check with the embassy or consulate of any country you wish to visit about entry visas.

If you are planning to visit Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands other than Cuba for less than 30 days, you must have the following to reenter the States:

  1. Valid passport
  2. F-1 visa (not necessary to be valid)
  3. Valid I-20 with a valid signature from the International Student Advisor

An expired F-1 Visa is acceptable to reenter the United States if the student was in Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands other than Cuba for less than 30 days and intends to maintain valid F-1 status (not applicable for citizens from Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands).

However, since certain countries are ineligible for this benefit and travel regulations are subject to change, you must check with the International Student Services Office if you intend to travel with an expired Visa. Please visit the Electronic Embassy Web site for a directory of foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. if you need to locate the contact information for a country’s embassy/consulate to apply for a Visa.

How to apply for a Canadian visa

Before you travel to Canada, visit the Canadian Consulate Web site to check if you need to have a tourist Visa to enter Canada. If yes, please follow these instructions on how to apply for a visa, complete it and submit it with the required documents to the Canadian consulate in Detroit or locate a Canadian embassy or consulate near you.

What to submit with the application

  1. A complete application (IMM 5257) with the proper fees ($150 USD).
  2. Your original valid passport.
  3. Two (2) passport photos. Make sure to write your name and date of birth on the back of only one photo.
  4. Original I-20 form with valid signature on the third page.
  5. A letter from the Registrar’s office (Kettler Hall, room 107) to indicate that you are registered as a full time student for the current and upcoming semesters.
  6. Original bank statements to indicate that you have sufficient funds to cover your trip’s expenses until you return to the U.S.
  7. A return Express Mail envelope (to secure the return of your original passport).
  8. An unofficial transcript from myIPFW, plus a personal letter explaining why you want to visit Canada (see sample [PDF]).

Note: Please allow 2-5 weeks for the processing of your application.

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Extending your F-1 visa status

When F-1 students enter the U.S., they receive a SEVIS I-20 document that specifies a date by which they are expected to graduate. Item #5 on the I-20 states “the student is expected to complete studies no later than [date].”

If the expected date of completion indicated on the I-20 issued to you will expire before you complete your degree requirements, you must complete an extension request in order to be able to continue to legally study in the U.S. Therefore, if your I-20 is about to expire, please schedule and appointment with an International Student Advisor as soon as possible.

Instructions

The extension process is simple and there is no fee. To apply for an extension, ask the staff in the ISS office for an extension packet. You must then bring the following completed documents to ISS in Kettler Hall, room 104.

  1. An I-20 Request Form to request a new I-20
  2. Academic Certification Form. Complete the top portion of the form and then submit it to your Academic or Faculty Advisor. He/she should complete and sign the bottom portion of the form.
  3. Completed I-538 Form, #1-6.
  4. Unofficial copy of your transcript, which you can obtain from myIPFW.
  5. Your current I-20.
  6. An updated Financial Document (Bank Statement).

Once you have collected all of the documents listed above, please contact ISS to schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor.

Maintaining your immigration status is your responsibility. Please act in a timely manner to protect your status and to avoid any problems with your stay in the United States.

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Maintenance of Status

How to remain in F-1 status

Generally, students are admitted to the United States in F-1 status for a period known as “duration of status” (D/S). It is extremely important for a non-immigrant individual to maintain his or her status while in the United States. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of nonimmigrant status is a ground for deportation.

Working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be very complicated and time-consuming. The Designated School Officials (DSOs) at ISS are the most knowledgeable people on campus and they are authorized to help you process immigration forms and documents. Never rely on information that you pick up from friends and other students because circumstances may vary from one student to another and the regulations are modified from time to time. DSOs must work within the federal immigration laws and regulations. When processing your request, please make sure you allow plenty of time for your request to be processed and plan ahead. Have your documents, such as your passport, I-94 card, I-20 with you when you come to the International Student Services office for immigration assistance.

To maintain status, the student must comply with the following:

  • Pursue a “full course of study” at the school listed on the currently valid SEVIS Form I-20 during every fall and spring semester. Students are not expected to attend classes during summer and winter break. At IPFW, to be “full time,” you must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
  • Make normal progress towards a degree, by completing studies before the program completion date on the Form SEVIS I-20. This means you should maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
  • Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures (in a timely manner) for:
    • Extension of stay
    • Change in educational levels or programs of study
    • Transfer of schools
  • Do not remain in the U.S. for longer than 60 days after completing the full course of study (graduation) unless you have applied for practical training, changed educational levels or immigration status, or transferred to another school.
  • Keep passport valid at all times [8 C.F.R. 214.1(a)(3)] (contact your home country’s embassy/consulate in the U.S to renew your passport).
  • Report a change of address to USCIS on form AR-11 within 10 days of the change. You can download form AR-11 or pick up a copy at ISS.
  • Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition on criminal activity.

You cannot continue your education in the U.S. without valid F-1 status. Consult an International Student Advisor if you have any questions.

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Change of Local Address

United States (U.S.) immigration regulations require “non-citizens” in the U.S. (other than diplomats on “A” visas or international organization representatives on “G” visas) who are present in the US for more than 30 days to register any change of address with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) within 10 days of the change of address. This is particularly important for students in F-1 visa status who may lose their visa status if they do not follow this directive.

How to inform the USCIS of your address change

If you are an international student in F-1 or J-1 status and you move (or about to move) to a new address, you must notify USCIS within 10 days. In order to notify the United States Imigration you must log in to myIPFW and complete the following steps

  1. Log in to myIPFW.
  2. On the main menu page - Under Update Personal Information which is on the right side of the page just below the Personal Information.
  3. Select Update Addresses and Phones.
  4. To update your exsisting address just click on the Current link to the corresponding address. Then it takes you to the page where you can make changes to your address and be sure to provide the valid date from which you want it to start.

Additionally, you must stop by the International Student Services office to report the new address so that ISS will report your new address to SEVIS/USCIS.

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Change of Immigration Status

Immigration Forms

Immigration Law & Regulations

From B-1/B-2 to F-1

According to the U.S. immigration regulations, visitors in B1/B2 status may not register for classes at an educational institution before they change their immigration status to F-1 or J-1. Therefore, if you are currently in B-1 or B-2 status and wish to pursue a full-time course of study, you must apply to change your status to F-1.

Once your change to F-1 has been approved, you are eligible to work on campus. To apply for a change of status from B-1 or B-2 to F-1, you must first be admitted to the university. If you have not yet applied for admission, contact the International Student Services office.

After you are admitted to a program of study at IPFW, the ISS office will issue you a SEVIS I-20; the I-20 is a document that allows you to apply for F-1 status.

After you have an I-20 document issued to you, contact the ISS office and make an appointment to see an International Student Advisor.

Please bring the following documents with you:

  1. Original, current financial documents verifying that you have adequate funds to cover your education and living expenses as a student for a minimum of 9 months (one academic year, fall, and spring semesters).
  2. Your original SEVIS I-20 document (received from the ISS office).
  3. A completed I-539 form (obtained from the ISS office). Also complete and attach the supplement if you have any dependents. As the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will send their response back to the address listed on the I-539, make sure that address is valid for at least the next 4-6 months.
  4. Questionnaire for applicant for change of status from B-1/B-2 visitor to F-1 student status. Please answer all these questions on a separate sheet of paper and include with the submission of completed Form I-539 and all other requested documentation.
  5. Your passport and dependents’ passports, showing the following pages: 1) photograph; 2) passport number; 3) passport expiration date; 4) B-1/B-2 visa stamp.
  6. Your original I-94 card and dependents’ I-94 cards. This is the small white card attached to your passport.
  7. A check or money order for $300, payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  8. SEVIS fees receipt (form I-797) or printout of online payment.

You will need to mail all of the necessary documents to:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

Expect to wait approximately 3-5 months for USCIS to process your application.

When you receive an answer from USCIS, please come to the ISS office with the following items:

  • Passport
  • I-94 Card
  • I-20

ISS staff will make copies of your documents to add to your immigration file.

If you travel outside the United States after USCIS approves your change to F-1 status, you will need to apply for an F-1 visa to be stamped in your passport while you are overseas. To do so, you will need to contact our office to learn about the documents you need to take to the American Embassy or Consulate overseas, where you will apply for the F-1 visa.

From F-2 to F-1

If you wish to apply to change from F-2 (dependent of an F-1 student) to F-1 (full-time student) status, you should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of F-1 status.

If your application to change to F-1 status is approved, you are immediately eligible for on-campus employment, and may apply for practical training permission to work off campus after maintaining your status for one full academic year or longer. However, to apply for F-1 status, you must prove that you have adequate financial resources to cover a minimum of one year of entire cost of your school and living expenses. As an F-1 student, you must also be enrolled on a full-time basis during the fall and spring semesters. Students in F-2 status are not eligible to pursue classes at a university/college level but eligible to pursue classes at a high school (pre-higher education).

To apply to change from F-2 to F-1 status, you will need to make an appointment to see an International Student Advisor. You must be fully admitted to IPFW and have received a letter of admission, as well as a SEVIS I-20 document from the ISS office.

Please bring the following to your appointment:

  1. Original, current financial documents verifying that you have adequate funds to cover your expenses as a student for a minimum of one (1) year.
  2. Your SEVIS I-20 document (to be issued by ISS after admission).
  3. A completed I-539 form (obtained from ISS). As the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will send their response back to the address listed on the I-539, make sure the address is valid for at least the next five (5) months.
  4. Copies of your I-94 card (the small, white card attached to your passport). ISS will make the copies.
  5. Copies of your passport. ISS will make the copies.
  6. A check or money order for $300, payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  7. Write a one-page letter to the USCIS explaining why you want to change your status to F-1.
  8. Write a one-page letter to the USCIS explaining how you supported yourself financially while you were in F-2 status and how you will be supported financially after you change your status to F-1.
  9. Copies of all of your spouse’s passport(s), visa(s), I-20s, and the financial statements. ISS will make the copies.
  10. SEVIS fees receipt (form I-797) or printout of the online payment.

You will need to mail all of the necessary documents to:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

Expect to wait approximately 3-5 months for USCIS to process your application.

When you receive an answer from USCIS, please come to the ISS office with the following items:

  • Passport
  • I-94 Card
  • I-20

ISS staff will make copies of your documents to add to your immigration file.

If you travel outside the United States after USCIS approves your change to F-1 status, you will need to apply for an F-1 visa to be stamped in your passport while you are overseas. You will need to request an entirely new I-20 from our office, prior to traveling, to take to the American Embassy or Consulate overseas, where you will apply for the F-1 visa.

From J-1 or J-2 to F-1

If you are currently in J-1 or J-2 status, and wish to pursue a full time course of study at IPFW, should seriously consider applying to change your status to F-1. From the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) viewpoint, it is the most appropriate status for a full-time student who is not in J-1 status. If you remain in J-2 status while you are a full-time student and later apply to adjust to permanent resident status, USCIS officials may question you as to why you did not change to the appropriate status.

To apply for a change of status from J-1 or J-2 to F-1, you must first be admitted to the University. If you have not yet applied for admission, contact the International Student Services office. If you are admitted to a program of study at IPFW, the ISS office will issue a SEVIS I-20. The I-20 is a document, which allows you to apply for F-1 status. However, you are eligible to apply for a change to F-1 status only if you are not subject to the “2-year residence requirement,” or if you obtain a waiver of the requirement.

To determine whether or not you are subject to this requirement, look at the bottom left corner of your DS-2019 (or your spouse’s DS-2019). If this states “not subject to the two-year residence requirement,” and the same notation has been made below your J-1 or J-2 visa stamp (in your passport), you are probably eligible to apply to change your status once you have been admitted to a university. If you are subject to the two-year residency requirement, you may be able to obtain a waiver from your sponsor and USCIS. You may obtain more information on the waiver process from the ISS office.

After you have been admitted to IPFW, and would like to register for your first semester of classes, contact the office of International Student Services. Make an appointment to see an International Student Advisor. Bring the following documents with you:

  1. Original, current financial documents verifying that you have adequate funds to cover your expenses as a student for a minimum of one (1) year.
  2. Your SEVIS I-20 document (this will be issued by ISS at the appointment).
  3. A completed I-539 form (obtained from ISS). As the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will send their response back to the address listed on the I-539, make sure the address is valid for at least the next 4-6 months.
  4. Your original I-94 card and dependents’ I-94 cards. (This is the small, white card attached to your passport.)
  5. Your passport and dependents’ passports. [An ISS advisor will need to see the expriation date and the J-1 or J-2 visa pages(s)].
  6. The original page of all DS-2019s issued to you or your spouse. (The advisor will send copies only.)
  7. A check or money order for $300, payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  8. The waiver of the 2-year residence requirement from the Department of State (if relevant).
  9. Write a one-page letter to the USCIS explaining why you want to change your status to F-1.
  10. SEVIS fees receipt (form I-797) or printout of the online payment.

The ISS advisor will help you complete and mail all of the necessary documents to:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
USCIS Service Center
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

Expect to wait approximately 3-5 months for USCIS to process your application.

When you receive an answer from USCIS, please come to the ISS office with the following items:

  • Passport
  • I-94 Card
  • I-20

ISS staff will make copies of your documents to add to your immigration file.

If you travel outside the United States after USCIS approves your change to F-1 status, you will need to apply for an F-1 visa to be stamped in your passport while you are overseas. You will need to request an entirely new I-20 from our office, prior to traveling, to take to the American Embassy or Consulate overseas, where you will apply for the F-1 visa.

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Exception to Full Time Requirement

Every semester all international students must complete a certain minimum number of credits to be considered “full-time” for immigration purposes:

  • Undergraduates must take 12 credits each fall semester and each spring semester
  • Graduate students must take 9 credits each fall semester and each spring semester. If the student is a Teaching Assistant (TA), he/she may register for 6 credits. However, student must consult with the immigration advisors prior to registration to verify how many credits must be pursued.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows the International Student Advisor to make exceptions to the full time requirement in four (4) types of situations. If your current situation qualifies you to drop below than full-time enrollment based on one of the four (4) following requirements, please come to ISS to collect the Exception to Full-time Form and to meet with one of the International Student Advisors before the beginning of the semester to check if you qualify for the exception.

Read the information below and prepare the required documentation from your doctor or academic advisor. Then, schedule an appointment with the International Student Advisor for approval before dropping below full-time enrollment.

  1. An illness or other medical condition to interrupt or reduce student’s course of study. (Student must submit a letter from his/her doctor indicating that (s)he recommends the student take a semester off or to reduce credit load for medical reasons).
  2. Difficulty understanding the English language, unfamiliar with American teaching methods or reading requirements. This exception is generally only allowed during the very first semester in an academic program in the U.S., not including “English as Second Language” training (the academic advisor must recommend a reduced course load for one semester by completing the Exception to Full-time Form).
  3. An improper level of study. The academic advisor must confirm that the course level is an improper placement for the student by completing the exception to full-time form and write a separate detailed letter to explain the situation.
  4. Last semester before graduation. Student is expected to graduate at the end of the semester and needs less than the full-time credit load to complete his/her coursework (the academic advisor must affirm this by completing the Exception to Full-time Form).

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