Passport

Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future. Report a lost or stolen passport to the police, as your home country government may require a police report before issuing a new passport. To renew or replace your passport, contact your country’s consulate in the U.S. at: www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco

 

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F-1 Visa Stamp

An F-1 visa stamp that the U.S. consular officials place in your passport indicates that you are eligible to enter or re-enter the U.S. as an F-1 student. It does not determine your length of stay in the U.S. If your F-1 visa expires while you are in the U.S., it is not necessary to renew it as long as you remain in the country. A visa can only be secured at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.

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I-94 Departure Record

The I-94 is a small white card, usually stapled into your passport, by an immigration official at the port of entry. This card and a valid I-20 permit you to stay temporarily in the U.S. as an F-1 student. The immigration official should indicate “F-1D/S” on your I-94. D/S stands for “duration of status” and refers to the length of time an F-1 student is permitted to remain temporarily in the U.S. to pursue a full course of study. Except for brief visits (30 days or less) to Canada , Mexico and Adjacent, you are issued a new I-94 card with a new admission number each time you enter the U.S.

Keep all your important documents in a safe place (i.e. a secure location in your home, bank safe-deposit box). The office of International and Off-Campus programs and the Summer School is required by DHS to keep a copy of these documents in your student file. Provide the office with a copy when you renew these documents.

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FORM I-20: Certificate of Eligibility

An I-20 is issued by the U.S. school you attend and allows you to: 1) apply for an F-1 visa; 2) enter or re-enter the U.S. to pursue your studies; and 3) receive other immigration benefits. The I-20 lists some recent events such as employment authorization. The I-20 must remain valid at all times throughout your study. You must request a new I-20 prior to the expiration date listed in item #5. You are required to safe keep every I-20 issued to you for your permanent record. Do not discard old ones.

To re-enter the U.S. to resume your studies at TCNJ after a temporary absence abroad not exceeding 5 months, you must obtain a travel endorsement from the DSO.


Why do I need a Form I-20?

A Form I-20 is a government form that tells the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 Student Status. It certifies that (1) you are or expect to be a "bona fide" student; 2) you meet our admissions requirements; (3) you will pursue a full course of study; (4) you proved to us that you have enough money to study and live in the U.S. without working illegally or suffering from poverty.

You need a Form I-20 to obtain an F-1 student visa or status, or to keep lawful F-l status when transferring or changing schools within the U.S.

Students must notify their current institution to transfer their SEVIS record to TCNJ prior to the I-20 or DS-2019 issuance.

 

Does everyone need a Form I-20?

 

NO, some international students do not need I-20's. J-l students need a Form DS-2019 and should ask us for that application. F-2 dependents that want to study full time, must obtain an 1-20 and apply for a change of status to F-l student.


Rules for Getting Your Form I-20:

1. YOU MUST BE ACCEPTED TO A FULL-TIME PROGRAM OF STUDY
2. YOU MUST PROVE TO US THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT THE COSTS OF LIVING AND STUDYING IN THE U.S. FOR EVERY YEAR OF YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY. U.S. LAW REQUIRES THIS.
   

 

• THE CURRENT F1 EMPLOYMENT POLICY RESTRICTS F1 STUDENTS TO 15 HOURS OF ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT A WEEK. On-campus employment is limited and competitive: off-campus employment is strictly controlled by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. DO NOT EXPECT THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WORK IN THE U.S. TO HELP MEET YOUR ANNUAL COSTS!

 

• CAREFULLY REVIEW TCNJ’s Estimated ANNUAL FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS" in the International Student Application Handbook - F-1 Students (link to “Form and Downloads” page) and FIGURE OUT YOUR ANNUAL COSTS IN THE Worksheet . THIS IS THE AMOUNT THAT YOU MUST PROVE THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT FOR EVERY YEAR IN YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY. (Estimate two years for a Master's; four for a Bachelor's)

 

• THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE. They represent a modest average budget that does not include luxuries of any kind. We strongly recommend that you budget at least 10% more if possible. Too little money causes pain and distress. We insist that students and their families look closely at the costs of living and studying in the U.S. and make careful plans to be sure your needs will be met.

 

• EXPECT ANNUAL INCREASES in tuition and living costs of approximately 10%.
  
  3. READ AND FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS VERY CAREFULLY. YOU CANNOT COMPLETE THIS PROCESS WITHOUT FOLLOWING THEM STEP-BY-STEP. Sometimes, we may have to ask you to give us more evidence of your financial ability - perhaps more than once. The U.S. government requires that we be absolutely sure, to the best of our ability, that you will have enough financial support to cover the full costs of your stay in the U.S.