Important Immigration Info for International
Students
This message comes specially
from OIPS to inform all the students about
the traveling requirements and updates.
If you have any questions please call at
(505) 277-4032 or through email to oips@unm.edu.
Bharath Students Association is not responsible
for any of the statements made or documents
asked for.
A. TRAVEL ADVISORY
If you travel outside the U.S., you need
the following documents to return to the
U.S. in student or exchange visitor status:
SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 with travel endorsement
within a year, Passport, valid F-1 or J-1
visa stamp, Financial guarantee, ASU unofficial
transcript Note: Immigration inspectors
at the port of entry may not ask to see
the last two documents but we recommend
that you carry them with you when you travel
abroad.
If you plan to travel to a country other
than your own, you should contact the Consulate
of that country to find out if you need
a visa. The ISO has a web address of foreign
consulates in the U.S. You can also access
it through the State Government website
http://www.state.gov
and follow the link Foreign Consulates in
the U.S.
If you are planning to renew your expired
student visa you must apply early and expect
delays due to security clearance being implemented
by the Department of Homeland Security.Consult
individual embassy websites for periodic
updates on country-specific visa processing.
Lists of US Embassies abroad can be accessed
through this website http://usembassy.state.gov.
When traveling within the U.S outside the
local area, you may be asked by an officer
of the Border Patrol to show your immigration
documents. Be sure you have your documents
with you; keep them in a safe place so as
not to misplace them or have them stolen
from your car.
Automatic revalidation - After traveling
to Mexico or Canada, students may re-enter
the US with an expired vias if you meet
the following conditions: visit is no more
than 30 days, purpose of visit is for pleasure
only, you are NOT a citizen of Iraq, Iran,
Syria, Libya, Sudan, Norht Korea and Cuba.
Note that if your purpose in visiting Mexico
and Canada is to renew visa and it is denied,
you will not be allowed to re-enter the
US
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
The processing time at the ISO for an I-20/DS-2019
signature, letter of certification or other
routine document is 3-5 full working days.
Other documents may require more time. PLEASE
PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
Most University offices, including the ISO,
are closed for a 10-day break during the
winter vacation. No immigration documents
will be processed during that time, and
students are advised to make travel or work
permit arrangements before the end of the
Fall semester.
Maintaining F-1/J-1 Status
a. All Returning Students
who used NEW I-20/DS2019 to re-enter the
US before the start of the semester must
report to the ISO for SEVIS Registration.
Must bring photocopies of immigration documents.
b. Students who have completed
one-degree program and intend to enter another
degree program at ASU must report to the
ISO for I-20 processing within the first
two weeks of the next school term.
c. Carry a full-time program
of study each fall and spring semester:
12 credit hrs for undergraduate, 9 credit
hrs for graduate or 6 credit hrs, if you
have an assistantship (unless your department
or college requires more)
Notes:
i. Only 3-credit hrs online/distance learning
class may be applied towards full-time requirement
per semester.
ii. Exemptions to the full-course of study
are given on the following academic and
medical grounds with Academic Advisor and/or
ISO approval only: last semester, dissertation/research
or thesis hours, concurrent enrollment at
a local community college, BCIS recognized
case of academic difficulties, serious medical
problems and personal issues that prevent
academic success.
iii. Important: Student must submit appropriate
forms/documents to receive ISO approval
for exception to the full-course-of-study
requirement BEFORE the start of the semester
and/or prior to dropping below full-time.
d. Work no more than 20
hours per week during the academic semesters
and up to 40 hours per week during vacation
period in Winter and Spring. Full-time employment
in Summer is allowed only for students who
intend to register for the consequent academic
term. Do not work beyond your completion
date!
e. F-1 students who wish
to apply for employment authorization under
the Optional Practical Training program
must do so up to 90 days before completion
to get the full 12-month OPT benefit. No
OPT application will be processed 2 weeks
before completion date. Please plan accordingly.
f. J-1 students who want
employment authorization should contact
their program sponsor before graduation
and follow the sponsoring institution's
procedures for academic training. J-1 students
have 30 days after completion of studies
to find a job and get permission to pursue
academic training.
g. Pay close attention
to program limit on your I-20 or DS-2019;
ask for extension before your immigration
document expires. Keep all copies of the
I-20/DS-2019 indefinitely.
h. Keep your passport valid
for at least six months into the future
(unless you are a Canadian and exempt from
passport requirements)
i. Provide updated LOCAL
and/or FOREIGN address information through
the ASU Interactive website within 10 days
after the move. PO Boxes are not acceptable.
Students who have requested a service from
USCIS or students from certain countries
requiring special registration may have
additional address reporting requirements.
Please check the USCIS website for more
information at www.immigration.gov
Disclaimer: BSA is not
responsible for any statements made or documents
asked in this page. We would not entertain
any calls or emails related to this page.
This page is intended only for student information
and we appreciate your understanding.
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