Immigration Essentials

KEEPING YOUR STAY LEGAL (for F-1 and J-1 Status):

United States Immigration law places responsibility upon the individual student to know and follow all relevant immigration regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may have severe consequences for your ability to study, seek employment, or remain in the United States.

Steps every F-1 & J-1 student must follow in order to maintain status:

STEP 1: Make sure your immigration documents are valid and unexpired

• A passport must be at least six months valid into the future

 

• An I-94 card must be marked “F-1 D/S” or “J-1 D/S”

 

• An unexpired I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students) that has been stamped by an immigration inspector

 

• A valid F-1 or J-1 visa (for re-entry to the U.S.)
  

STEP 2: Register for and complete a full course load every semester

 

• Undergraduate students must complete at least 12 credits every semester; graduate students are ordinarily required to complete 9 credits in order to considered full-time

 

• All students are required to make normal, full-time progress toward degree completion and to complete within a specified time period. Extensions other than for medical reasons or other unavoidable academic reasons are not permitted.
  

STEP 3: Do not begin off-campus employment without written authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or The Office of International and Off-campus Programs and the Summer School

 

• Full-time students in F-1 and J-1 status may accept on-campus employment of no more than 15 hours per week during the school year, or full time during vacation periods

 

• Most forms of off-campus employment require government authorization through USCIS, processing time is 2-3 months
  

STEP 4: Report any change of address to the TCNJ Records and Registration Office within 10 days of your move

 

• F-1 and J-1 students are required to maintain local U.S. and an overseas permanent address with the TCNJ Office of Records and Registration. Address changes can be made at the TCNJ Office of Records and Registration, Green Hall, room 112
  

STEP 5: Apply for an extension of your I-20 or DS-2019 BEFORE your document expires if you need more time to complete your program

 

• Apply for an extension of you I-20 or DS-2019 at least 30 days prior to the expiration of your document. An extension request is submitted after your I-20 or DS-2019 has expired cannot be processed. Failure to complete your program of study on time or to obtain a timely program extension constitutes a reportable violation of immigration status.
  

WARNING! Contact The Office of International and Off-Campus programs and the Summer School IMMEDIATELY if there are any changes in your personal or academic situation or items that need to be updated on your I-20 or DS-2019, such as: • Change of name or citizenship • Change of school, major or degree level • Withdrawal or termination due to academic or medical reasons • Departure for research or study abroad • Withdrawal for a personal leave of absence • Transfer to another institution in the U.S. • Changes in registration, such as wanting to take an on-line class or enroll at another university

 

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F-1 STUDENTS ON POST-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING / J-1 STUDENTS ON ACADEMIC TRAINING:

To reenter the U.S. in while on post-completion Optional Practical Training (for F-1 students) or Academic Training (for J-1 students), you will need the following documents:

 

• an unexpired passport valid at least six months into the future

 

• a valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp

 

• an I-20 or DS-2019 that has been signed for travel by an Academic Services advisor; note that F-1 students should have their I-20s signed every six months instead of every year while on post-completion Optional Practical Training

 

• an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card issued by the USCIS for F-1 students on practical training; or an employment authorization letter issued by the Academic Services for J-1 students on academic training

 

• F-1 students: Obtain a letter from your employer stating your job title, job description, begin and end dates (must fall within the practical training period), and verifying that your employer knows you are traveling and expects you to return to complete your job. If you do not have a job, you are advised not to travel as you may not be permitted to re-enter the U.S.

 

• J-1 students: Obtain a letter from your employer stating your job title, job description, begin and end dates, and verifying that your employer knows you are traveling and expects you to return to complete your job.

 

• If your F-1 or J-1 visa has expired, speak to an International Student advisor before making travel plans. It is more difficult to obtain an F-1 or J-1 student visa while on practical/academic training, as the issue of intent to return to your home country is harder to prove once you have finished your degree and are working in the U.S.