Oregon Health & Science University's Department of Science & Engineering
OHSU

F-1 Current Students

Maintaining F-1 Status

It is extremely important that you maintain F-1 status, since certain violations of status may be grounds for deportation under U.S. Immigration Law. This means that you must meet certain requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure that your I-20 is valid during your course of study here. Your I-94 card (the small white card, which you will receive on the airplane to the United States,) will be stamped D/S- Duration of Status by the immigration officer at the port of entry, but your status is controlled by the date in item number 5 of your I-20.

What you need to do to maintain F-1 status:

  • Have a passport that is kept valid at all times, unless exempt from the passport requirement
  • Attend the school you were authorized to attend
  • Maintain a full-course of study each term (vacation period excluded). You are only allowed to count one course or 3 credits of distance learning (i.e., online courses) towards your full-time course of study requirment
  • Apply for an extension PRIOR TO the expiration date on your I-20. The expiration date on your I-20 is shown in item number 5
  • Obtain a new I-20 from the Office of International Services if you change departments or change from one-degree level to another.
  • Limit authorized on-campus employment to 20 hours a week while in school
  • Refrain from off-campus employment without authorization
  • Report a change of residence to the Office of International Services within 10 days of the change
  • Remain in the U.S. for no longer than 60 days after completing a full course of study, unless prior to that time you have followed procedures for applying for optional practical training, moving educational levels, school transfer or a change of immigration status.

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Changing departments or continuing from one educational level to another

Your are admitted to the United States to work towards the attainment of a specific educational or professional objective. The subject matter and level of education you are seeking is indicated in items 4 and 5 of your I-20. If you change departments or educational levels you must obtain a new I-20 from the Office of International Services.

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Extending your I-20

If you will not complete your program by the program completion date indicated at item 5 on your current I-20 you must comply with DHS procedures for an extension. Applications for an extension must be made to the Office of International Services PRIOR to the expiration date on your I-20. Your are eligible for a program extension if:

  • You have continually maintained status
  • The delay in completion is "caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses."
  • Your ARE NOT eligible for an extension because of "delays caused by academic probation or suspension."

If you fail to complete your program within the time prescribed in item 5 of your I-20 and cannot meet the eligibility criteria for program extension you are considered to be out of status and must apply for reinstatement to student status with DHS.

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School Transfers

If you are maintaining your F-1 status you may transfer from one SEVIS approved school to another by following the transfer procedures below. If you have not maintained your F-1 status you are NOT eligible for a school transfer and must apply for reinstatement. If you are a new student entering on Oregon Health & Science University's I-20 you must enroll in classes and attend school at OHSU before you are allowed to transfer to a new school.

Transfer Procedures:

  • Inform the Office of International Services of your intention to transfer and obtain verification that you have been maintaining status and are eligible for a transfer. (this is usually done by using a "transfer form" from the school you are planning on transferring to.)
  • Obtain a new I-20 from the school you are transferring to and complete the student certification section in item 11 on both the I-20 school copy and student copy
  • Enroll in the new school in the first term after leaving OHSU or the first term after vacation. You must be able to begin classes within 5 months of transferring out of the current school or within 5 months of the program completion date on your I-20, whichever is earlier. If you are currently on OPT you must be able to begin study within 5 months of transferring out of the school that recommended OPT or the date the OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier. Students on OPT following completion of studies are eligible for transfer through the end of the 60-day grace period after completion of OPT.
  • Submit your new I-20, I-94 etc. to the the office that works with F-1 students at your new school within 15 days of of the program start date listed on the I-20.

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Employment

On-Campus Employment

An F-1 student who is currently maintaining F-1 status may engage in part-time on-campus employment while attending school. An F-1 student may engage in full-time on-campus employment during official school breaks and during the student's annual vacation quarter. An F-1 student IS NOT permitted to engage in on-campus employment after completing his/her course of study unless she/he has another form of work authorization. (Part-time employment is defined as 20 hours-or fewer-per week while school is in session. Full-time employment is defined as more then 20 hours per week.)

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Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is available for up to 12 months to F-1 students after the completion of 9 consecutive months of full time study, with the approval of the Office of International Services and with authorization from the Department of Homeland Security. There is also an additional 17-month OPT extension available to students who have completed a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. For more information on the 17-month extension please contact the Office of International Services

*You may apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before your program end date and up to 60 days after your program end date*

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Completion of 3 quarters of full-time study as an F-1 student or in a different nonimmigrant category that allows studies such as H-4, etc. However, you must be in F-1 status at the time you apply for OPT
  • Employment taken under OPT must be directly related to your course of study
  • A student is ineligible for OPT if he/she has used full-time curricular practical training for one year or more. The use of part-time curricular practical training does not affect the eligibility for OPT.

A student is allowed a total of 12 months of OPT and becomes eligible for another 12 months of practical training when he or she changes to a higher educational level. For example, a student is eligible for 12 months of OPT after a master's degree and another 12 months of OPT after a Ph.D. degree.

Categories of Optional Practical Training

  • Full-time Optional Practical Training is permissible
    • During a student's annual vacation quarter or at other times when school is not in session if a student is currently enrolled and is eligible for registration and intends to register for the next quarter.
    • After completion of all course requirements for a degree, excluding thesis
    • After completion of the course of study
  • Part-time (20 hours a week and less) is permissible while school is in session

Application Procedures

In order to apply for OPT you must pick up an application packet from the Office of International Services. After you have completed the application packet contact the Office of International Services for an appointment to complete the application procedures.


Important Information about Optional Practical Training

  • Your authorization to engage in OPT employment is automatically terminated when you transfer to another school or begin full-time studies at another degree level.
  • Apply early. DHS can take more than 90 days to process your OPT application. An F-1 student is only allowed to remain in the United States for a maximum of 14 months after the completion of his/her course of study.
  • Do not begin employment until you have received your EAD or until the begin date on your EAD if you receive your card early.
  • You may not be unemployed for more than 90 days during your 12-month OPT period.
  • Update the Office of International Services with any address, name or status changes within 10 days.
  • Update the Office of International Services immediately with any change in employer name, address or periods of unemployment so your SEVIS record can be updated as required by the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Do not move while your OPT application is being processed with DHS. They WILL NOT forward your EAD even if you have a forwarding request with the post office.
  • Do not travel outside of the United States while your application is being processed.
  • If you need to travel outside the United States after you have graduated you are required to take your I-20 signed on the back within the last 6 months, your EAD, and proof that you have a job in the US when you seek to reenter. You will also need a valid passport and F-1 visa in your passport.
  • Make sure you keep your receipt. DHS will send you a receipt once they receive your application. The receipt contains a LIN number that you can use to track your application. You can track the status of your case on-line at https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
  • For more information regarding procedures/regulations to follow during your optional practical training period please read this hand-out.

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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is employment in an internship position which is an integral part of your study.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Completion of 3 quarters of full-time study as an F-1 student or in a different nonimmigrant category that allows studies such as H-4, J-2 etc. However, you must be in F-1 status at the time you apply for CPT.
  • CPT is only available before you complete your program of study
  • The employment must be an internship position which is an integral part of your course of study.
  • You must have an offer of employment from an employer offering work that qualifies as CPT. CPT can only be authorized for a specific employer.
  • Approval from your academic advisor who is required to supervise your CPT.

Application Procedures

  • Have you advisor complete the Curricular Practical Training Approval Form. Download here in PDF format or pick up a form in the Office of International Services
  • Obtain a letter from the company offering you the internship. The letter must include the following information: job title, dates of employment, number of hours of work per week, compensation, place of employment and a brief description of the work.
  • Make an appointment with the Office of International Services and bring your I-20, I-94, passport, CPT approval form and employment letter.
  • Register for internship credit (CSE604, EE604, EBS604, etc.)

Important Information About CPT

  • You will not be eligible for optional practical training if you accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT. Participation in part-time CPT does not effect your eligibility for optional practical training.
  • You are only authorized to work for the employer, the period of time, and the number of hours per week typed on the back of your I-20 by the Office of International Services. Any deviation in employment from what is typed on your I-20 will be considered unauthorized employment and a status violation.

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Travel

U.S. law requires that you carry your immigration paperwork on you at all times. It is highly recommended that you carry the following documents with you when you travel domestically or internationally:

  • Your I-20 currently signed on the back by the Office of International Services
  • Your passport
  • A valid visa (if reentering from abroad, unless traveling to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days)
  • Your From I-94(if reentering the United States from a trip abroad you will receive a new I-94, unless you are reentering from Canada or Mexico after a trip of less than 30 days)

Trips to Canada and Mexico

You may be able to reenter the United States without a valid visa after a trip of less than 30 days to Canada or Mexico. In order to take advantage of this provision you must be maintaining valid F-1 status, have a valid passport (unless exempt from passport requirements), have a current I-20 endorsed for travel by the Office of International Services, and have a valid I-94.

*Please be aware that if you travel to Canada or Mexico to apply for a new visa you will not be able to reenter the U.S. under the revalidation provisions stated above if your visa application is denied for any reason.

*Citizens or nationals of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea and Cuba are also not eligible for the revalidation provisions and must have a valid visa to reenter the U.S. after a trip to Canada or Mexico.

*Anyone who has been an overstay under INA 222(g) is also not eligible for the revalidation provisions and must obtain a new visa in his/her home country to reenter the U.S.

New Airport Transit Visa Requirements for Countries in the European Union

France, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden are now requiring that nationals from several countries including India obtain "airport transit visas" for connecting flights. If you are from one of the designated countries you are required to obtain the "airport transit visa" even if you will not be leaving the airport. There are exceptions for nationals from these countries who are U.S. Permanent Residents. You can obtain more information about the airport transit visa requirements on the French embassy's web-site at http://www.consulfrance-washington.org/article.php3?id_article=383

Please check with the embassies of the countries you will be landing in before you leave the U.S. to determine whether or not you will need an airport transit visa. The following web-site has a list of web-site links for embassies around the world. http://www.embassyworld.com/

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Dependents

If you wish to have dependents join you in the United States you must obtain I-20s for them so your family members can apply for visas and enter the United Sates. A dependent of an F-1 student will need the following documents to apply for a F-2 visa:

  • Form I-20 as described above
  • Copies of your immigration documents- current I-20, visa, and both sides of your I-94
  • A letter from the Office of International Services verifying your status
  • Evidence of financial ability to meet expenses
  • Marriage certificate or birth certificate
  • Evidence of intent to depart the United States after the F-1 completes his/her studies
  • A valid passport
  • Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application)-This form is available on the Department of State's web-site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html
  • Form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application) if applicable- This form is also available on the Department of State's web-site listed above.
  • Form DS-158 (Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant)- This form is also available on the Department of State's web-site listed above.
  • Photograph
  • Machine Readable Visa (MRV) surcharge fee
  • Visa Reciprocity Fee (if applicable)- A listing of visa reciprocity fees is available on the Department of State's web-site at
    http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/fees/fees_1341.html

The web-site http://usembassy.state.gov/ will provide you with information on applying for a visa at U.S. consulates around the world. You will want to be familiar with the rules and procedures of issuing visas before you apply for yours. Since visa procedures vary depending on what consulate you go to it is recommended that you check the above web-site for the procedures at the U.S. consulate you plan on applying for your visa at.

Dependents in F-2 status ARE NOT allowed to work in the United States. In addition, As of January 1, 2003 a nonimmigrant spouse in F-2 status may not engage in full time study and an F-2 child may only engage in full time study if the study is in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade.) The F-2 spouse and child may only engage in study that is avocational or recreational in nature. An F-2 desiring to engage in full time study, other than study in an elementary or secondary school must apply for and obtain a change of nonimmigrant classification to F-1, J-1, or M-1 status. Enrolling in school before the change of status is approved is a violation of nonimmigrant status.

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F-1 Current Student Forms

You can obtain the forms mentioned below from the Office of International Services or you can download them in PDF format by clicking on the desired form below. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for Free.

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