ImmigrationRulesandRegulationsAffectingInternational.ppt

Immigration Rules and Regulations Affecting International Students  International Student Office Minnesota State University Mankato Important Concepts to Understand: Passport Visa I-20(or IAP 66) I-94 Card IS YOUR I-94 Marked F-1(J-1) and D/S IF not see the ISO Passport You can renew it if you go to your home country to visit or within the U.S by contacting your country’s embassy. The ISO can provide you with contact information for your country’s embassy in the U.S. Visa Your Visa can expire while you are here and remain in legal status. A visa cannot be renewed within the U.S. The safest, most guaranteed way to renew your visa is in your home country. Visa So, if your visa is expired and you wish to leave the country, you must get it renewed before you will be allowed to re-enter the U.S. Visa It is very difficult to renew it by going to a third country where you are not a citizen (Ex. Canada.or Mexico) I-20 Undergraduates are given 5 years to complete their degree Graduate students are given 3 years I-20 If your I-20 expires before your expected graduation date you will need to request an extension. You must be in status and making satisfactory progress to get an extension. See an advisor in the ISO at least 30 days before it expires I-20 Remember: you cannot take credits beyond the number required for your degree program. I-20 – You need a New one When… You lose your I-20 You change majors You change from Bachelor’s to Master It is expiring OTHER Important names INS = No longer exists New Agency Department of Homeland Security. INS divided into 3 departments 1) CBP = Custom and Border Protection (the people at the airport) 2) CIS = Citizenship and Immigration Service (They process benefits like OPT/green cards etc. 3 ICE = Imm. and Customs Enforcement (Investigative and arresting agents) TRANSFER STUDENTS You must give the ISO a final transcript from your previous school so we know you maintained status at your previous school. (We don’t have