Maintain Immigration Status

Part of maintaining your student status is keeping all of your documents updated, as well as storing all documents in a safe place. Keep all copies to help the process of recovering lost, stolen, or expired documents. You may also need to keep all documents for future Change of Status requests. 

TRACKING EXPIRATION DATES

You will need to monitor the expiration dates of all important immigration documents to determine when they should be renewed.

• A Form I-20 or DS-2019 should never expire while you are in the U.S. 
• A passport should never expire while you are in the U.S. 
• A visa can expire while you are in the U.S. with a valid form I-20 or DS2019, but must be renewed the next time you exit the U.S. with plans to return. 
• A Form I-94 for F and J visa holders have the expiration of "Duration of Status" and will expire with your Form I-20 or DS-2019. 

Note: New proposed regulations may impact an F and J student's "Duration of Status" and may require their visas remain valid while they are in the U.S. The new regulations will also provide an expiration date on your Visa and Form I-94 instead of a "Duration of Status" expiration. More information will be released once the regulation has been published.

FORM I-20 OR FORM DS-2019

New incoming F visa students will receive an intial, change of status, or change of level Form I-20 when first admitted. After SEVIS registration, new students will receive a continued attendance Form I-20. For J visa students, this change takes place in SEVIS but it does not update your Form DS-2019. 

Keep all versions of these documents in a safe place. You can only be issued a new form if one of the following applies:

FORM I-94

The I-94 is an arrival record of visitors to the U.S. and it updates every time you exit and enter the U.S. There are two types of I-94s:

1. On the electronic entry record (after July 2013) accessible here:https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home 
2. On a Change of Status Approval Notice, if you changed your immigration status while in the U.S.

You must enter the U.S. on the appropriate immigration status. For example, if you enter the U.S. and your new I-94 indicates you arrived under a B1/B2 visa instead of your F or J visa, then you must correct your I-94 record as soon as possible. If there is an error on your electronic I-94, you will need to contact CBP or visit the CBP Deferred Inspection Office closest to your location. You can visit the CBP Web site at www.cbp.gov or call CBP at 1-877-CBP-5511 (1-877-227-5511) Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. You may bring the incorrect Form I-94 and documentation (passport and visa) to any CBP Port of Entry or Deferred Inspection Office. You may also call to make an appointment.

PASSPORT

Your passport should always be valid for at least six months into the future. Contact your local embassy or consulate to replace or renew your passport. If your passport will expire and you plan to return home, renew your passport during your visit home. If you will remain in the U.S.,  contact your country's embassy or consulate for more details. Note: If your valid visa is in the expired passport, travel with both the expired and the new passports.

VISA

A visa is a document issued in your home country by the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit. You need an valid (not expired) visa to enter the U.S. The visa is only an entry document. If your visa expires while you are in the U.S., you do not need to renew it until you travel outside of the U.S. again.

Visas must always be renewed outside of the U.S. If you leave the U.S. without a valid visa, you will not be able to return to the U.S. until you receive a new visa. If your visa is denied, you will not be able to return to the U.S. as a student. 

Most visas are issued for multiple entries to the U.S., but some visas are only good for a single entry. You can find this information by checking the "Entries" section of your visa - (M) for multiple and (1) for single entry.

The International Office must verify F and J student's registration every semester. For new incoming students, the International Office must physically meet with you before registering you in the SEVIS system. All continuing students only need to complete their SEVIS Registration Form each semester. 

When to contact or update the International Office:

• Change of address or phone number. SEVIS must be updated within 10 days.
• Change of financial situation and financial support documents. SEVIS must be updated within 10 days. You must pay your bill in full every semester or you will not be able to register for classes in future semesters or request official transcripts/diploma from the Registrar.
• Change of major or minor. Your SEVIS record and Form I-20 must be updated within 21 days.
• If you need to extend the program end date listed on your Form I-20. Extensions can be granted for valid academic or health reasons if you need additional time to complete our program. You must notify the office at least 30 days before the expiration date on the I-20.
• If you may be under-enrolled during your last/final semester. For the last semester you are enrolled, you may be approved to take a reduced course load, which must be approved by the International Office. If you need only one class, it cannot be an online class.

During the academic year (fall and spring semesters), international students in F-1 or J-1 status must be enrolled full-time or receive authorization for a Reduced Course Load (RCL).  

The deadline to meet the full-time registration requirement is the "Late Registration and Drop/Add course period" which is often the second week of the semester. If you are not registered full-time by the deadline, your SEVIS record will be terminated. You will lose your F-1 or J-1 status and must immediately leave the United States.  

Full Time Status for International Students

In-Person Study Requirements:

• Courses with Pass/Fail grades count towards full time enrollment.
• Courses you audit and take as non-credit do not count towards full-time enrollment.
• Hybrid classes are considered in-person classes as long as you attend some classes in-person.
• You must physically attend your in-person and hybrid classes, even if the professor allows students to attend classes remotely. 

Concurrent Enrollment Information: F-1 students are allowed to enroll in courses at Kutztown University and another college or university, if authorized by the International Office and provided that all of the following conditions are met:

• The International Office must authorize the concurrent enrollment before classes begin.
• The student must be enrolled at Kutztown University for at least one credit during all terms including the final term
• The combined credits for which the student is enrolled are the equivalent of a full course of study. 
• The student must provide proof of course registration in classes from the concurrent school, indicating that you are enrolled such as a letter from the Registrar's Office, or a copy of your unofficial transcript indicating in-progress courses. 
• (No transfering of the SEVIS record) Kutztown University must maintain the SEVIS I-20 , handle all SEVIS reporting requirements, and ensure that the student is pursuing a full course of study to earn a Kutztown University degree.
• Course work at the other school must be transferable to Kutztown University. This must be confirmed by a letter from an academic advisor at Kutztown University or course transfer forms.  
• A student wishing to take courses during a winter or summer term do not need to be issued an I-20 for concurrent enrollment.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

A student who wishes to drop below full time must obtain the approval from an International Student Advisor in advance. A student who drops below a full course of study (after the drop-add period) without prior approval will be considered Out-of-Status. 

Understanding Important Dates

Your Form I-20/DS-2019 has a Program End Date. This is the extected date the student will meet all degree or program requirements.

The U.S. Department of State issues student visas based on reciprocity agreements with the student’s home country and the anticipated length of their academic program. There will be a expiration date on the F or J visa which may not be the same as your Program End Date. 

Duration of Status: For F-1 students, "duration of status" means you are permitted to remain in the U.S. as long as you actively maintain your F or J student status. Rather than having a fixed expiration date on your Form I-94 it should indicate "duration of status" or "D/S". The Program End Date on the Form I-20/DS-2019 can be extended or shortened as needed, and it determines the length of time you will be in status as long as you follow the regulations.

Note: New proposed regulations may impact an F and J student's "Duration of Status" and may require their visas remain valid while they are in the U.S. The new regulations will also provide an expiration date on your Visa and Form I-94 instead of a "Duration of Status" expiration. More information will be released once the regulation has been published. 

Grace Periods for Departure

A grace period is a window of time allowing non-immigrants to legally remain in the U.S. after their authorized employment ends or program completes.

F-1 Visa: 60 days after the Program End Date
J-1 Visa: 30 days after the Program End Date

• Travel within U.S. 
• Prepare for U.S. departure
• Transfer to another school or degree program
• Apply for Change of Status
• Apply for OPT (F visa)
• No employment allowed (Unless approved for OPT)

An F or J visa student who withdraws from Kutztown University and intends to leave the U.S. This must be approved by the International Office, who then will Terminate their SEVIS record for an

Authorized Early Withdrawal: 15 days after Authorized Early Withdrawal
Unauthorized Withdrawal/Failure to maintain status: No grace period, immediate U.S. departure

• Prepare for U.S. departure (if authorized)
• No transfers to another school or degree program
• No employment allowed

Your are required to finish your program of study by the Program End Date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Students may need to extend their F or J status for an academic or a medical reason. In these cases, an International Student Advisor can extend a student’s program of study prior to the program end date in SEVIS. 

Program Extension

For F visa students, a program extension requires the following documents:

• Submit a Program Extension Request Form describing the compelling academic or medical reason for the request. This will need to be signed by an Academic Advisor or Department Chair. 
• Updated financial documents showing enough funds to pay tuition and living expenses for the student (and any dependents) for the additional study time. 
• The International Office will provide an updated Form I-20 with the new Program End Date. 

For J visa students, a program extension requires the following:

• Exchange students may need to be nominated by their home institution for an additional semester. This will continue to provide a tuition and fee waiver. 
• If the student is not nominated or approved by their home institution, the student needs to decide if they want to continue as a tuition and fee-paying student. 
• The International Office will provide an updated Form DS-2019 with the new Program End Date. 

Program Shortening

F-1 students may need to shorten their programs of study for two primary reasons:

• Student completed the program of study before the anticipated Program End Date.
• Student is in a master’s program, has completed all in-class course work, and has requested post-completion optional practical training (OPT) while working on a thesis or dissertation.

Important Notes: 

• If the student is in Active status in SEVIS, designated school officials (DSOs) can shorten the student’s program of study prior to the program end date in SEVIS.
• If a student shortens a master’s or doctorate program, in order to use post-completion OPT while working on a thesis or dissertation, the student must know that once the OPT has been approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
  • Program end date cannot be extended to allow more time to complete the thesis or dissertation.
  • Student may not request a period of STEM OPT if not all of the academic program requirements, including the thesis or dissertation, are met.

A sample list of common reasons a student's SEVIS record may be Terminated. 

• Student withdraws from Kutztown University with approval (authorized)
• Student withdraws from Kutztown University without approval (unauthorized)
• A Change of Status is approved
• Student is expelled from Kutztown University
• Student participants in unauthorized employment
• Failed to maintain status

When a SEVIS record is terminated, the following happens:

• Student loses all on- and off-campus employment authorization.
• Student cannot re-enter the U.S. on the terminated SEVIS record.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents may follow up to investigate and confirm the departure of the student.
• Any associated dependent records (F-2, J-2) are terminated.
• Student must follow a pre-determined Grace Period for their Termination reason to leave the U.S. The International Student Advisor will provide guidance. 

Contact the International Office to find out what steps you must take if you are Out of Status, your SEVIS record Terminated, and need to be reinstated. You have three options:

Option 1: Submit a Correction Request
If a student's record was terminated due to administrative or technical errors, the International Student Advisor can submit a corrections request. 

Option 2: Apply for Reinstatement
If a student failed to maintain their status and their SEVIS record was Terminated as a result, and if they can prove they are eligibile for reinstatement, then the student can file for reinstatement. 

• The International Student Advisor recommends reinstatement in SEVIS and the student receives a Reinstatement Form I-20 from Kutztown University.
• The student completes and mails Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to USCIS with fee and supporting documents. (The International Office recommends you retain legal services for support with the Form I-539 filing). 
• If the student has been out of status for more than five (5) months, he or she must also: Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again, and explain why the reinstatement application could not be filed sooner.
• USCIS will review the application and may request additional information before issuing a decision. Most cases are reviewed within 13 months. 

In general, to be eligible for reinstatement, the student must:

• Not be out of status for more than five (5) months at the time of filing or show the exceptional circumstance that prevented filing in that time frame.
• Not have a record of repeated or willful violations of regulations.
• Not have worked without authorization.
• Be pursuing or intend to pursue a full course of study in the immediate future at your school.
• Not be deportable for any reason other than failing to maintain F-1 or M-1 status.
• Be able to show that: Circumstances beyond the student’s control caused the status violation. or the student fell below a full course load for a reason the DSO could have used to authorize a reduced course load, and the student would experience extreme hardship, if the student fails to get reinstatement.

Option 3: Leave the U.S. and Re-Enter on a new SEVIS Record

• • This is recommended when a student is not eligible for Option 2: Reinstatement or the student cannot wait for the time it takes the USCIS to decide on a resinstatement case. 
  • The student will receive a new Form I-20 from Kutztown University. This will have a new SEVIS ID and require the student to submit new financial documents. 
  • The student will need to repay the SEVIS I-901 Fee again.
  • The student will not need to renew their visa if it is still valid.