How to Extend Student Status
This message explains how an F-1 or M-1 student can apply for an extension of
their student status while in the United states. An F-1 student is admitted to
the United States for "Duration of Status" (which is noted as "D" slash "S" on
their Form I-94, "Arrival-Departure Record", instead of a specific expiration
date) to complete an educational program, plus any authorized practical training
following completion of their studies, plus sixty day grace period to prepare
for departure from the United States.
An F-1 student is eligible for program extension if he or she has
"continually maintained status" and delay in completion is "caused by compelling
academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topic,
unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses."
To apply for an extension an F-1 student must submit completed Forms I-20A-B
and I-538 to their designated student official within a 30-day period before the
expected completion date noted on the initial Form I-20A-B.
The program-extension process does not require an INS adjudication or a
formal authorization of extension of stay. It is a process whereby the
designated student official verifies eligibility criteria and notifies the INS
Data Processing Center of a student's new expected completion date. This
information is used to update INS's student database.
A M-1 student must keep valid his or her permission to stay in the United
States, as noted on the Form I-201D. Extension of stay for M-1 students is
processed by submitting Form I-539 with the required filing fee.
Send the student's Form I-201D, the Form I-20M-N (if applicable), and the
Form I-94 of dependents (if any) to the INS office having jurisdiction over the
student's current school not less than 15 or more than 60 days before the
student's authorized stay expires.
The student should not send his Form I-94 or passport to INS. While the
application for extension of stay is pending, the M-1 student is considered to
be legally in the United States as long as the student has met and continues to
meet all the requirements for maintaining his or her status.
Permission for Foreign Students to Work
This message explains how foreign nationals on F-1 or M-1 student visas may
apply for permission to work. There are only certain types of employment legally
available to F-1 or M-1 students in the United States.
M-1 students may not work, except for practical training, for which approval
from INS is required. F-1 students, on the other hand, may accept practical
training employment or off-campus part-time employment after having been in
status for nine months. F-1 students must apply for INS approval for off-campus
employment and practical training after graduation. Note that F-1 students may
accept on-campus or curricular practical training when authorized by the
designated school official.
These rules are strict because F-1 or M-1 visas are not initially approved
without proof that the potential student can provide for themselves and their
education without needing to work while in this country. Please note that the
law bars any F-1 student from any type of off-campus employment during their
first 9 months as a foreign student in the United States.
Both the F-1 and the M-1 students must use recommendations by the designated
school official on Form I-201D, along with Form I-765, "Application for
Employment Authorization," to apply for employment authorization from the INS.
The instructions on the Form I-765 should answer any of your questions about the
student employment, and filing fees required, and where to file the application.
Please remember that it is important that you are barred from accepting any
off-campus or practical training employment unless and until you receive
authorization by the designated school official on your I-201D or a Form I-688B
from INS. If you are found working without permission, you are subject to
deportation.
Visa to Study or Do Research in the U.S.
Foreign students can study in the US under F-1 student visas or J-1, exchange
visitor visas. The applicant must be accepted by a school or institution
approved by the INS to issue I-20 forms, or by the US Information Agency to
issue IAP-66 forms. You can find out from the school or institution whether it
has the necessary approval.
The school or institution will send the I-20 or the IAP-66 form directly to
the student or exchange visitor. The student or exchange visitor can apply for
the visa at the nearest embassy or consulate.
To apply, he or she must present a valid passport, one recent 1.5 inch square
photograph, the I-20 or the IAP- 66, and a completed application form. The
application form may be obtained from the embassy or consulate.
The applicant must also present evidence that all expenses can be paid. In
addition, he or she must show serious intent to study or do research and that he
or she has strong and binding ties that will compel departure from the US after
the study or exchange visitor program has been completed.
The applicant must also have enough knowledge of English to be able to study
here, or proof that English language training here has been arranged.
A student's or exchange visitor's spouse and unmarried children under the age
of 21, also can apply for visas to come with him or her.
If you are in the US on a student or exchange visitor visa and wish to change
school or institution, or obtain work permission , you must contact your foreign
student advisor, responsible officer, or your local immigration service.
If your visa has expired and you need a new one to travel outside the US and
return, you should apply for the visa at an American Embassy or Consulate while
overseas.
The Department of State does not issue or renew student or exchange visitor
visas in the US.
Visas for the Spouse and Dependent Children of Foreign Students
Note that if there has been any major change in the information on your
I-20A-B or I-20M-N, a new form will need to be obtained and submitted by the
foreign student.
When the family members enter the United States, they will present their
passport and form I-20A-B or I-20M-N to the immigration inspector. The inspector
will issue each person a form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, which notes the
authorized period of stay. This period of stay will match that of the foreign
student. Please note that F-2 or M-2 visa holders are barred from accepting
employment or engaging in business under any circumstances while in the United
States. To do so will subject the individual to deportation.
The American consulate in your native country would determine whether the
above requirements are met and qualifies as a spouse or dependent child for an
F-2 or M-2 visa. In addition, form I-20A-B or I-20M-N from the school which the
foreign student is either going to attend or is currently attending must be
submitted to the American consular officer in order to support the application
for the F-2 or M-2 visas.
If the spouse and or dependent child are going to accompany the foreign
student to the United States, the foreign students' form I-20A-B or I-20M-n may
be used as the basis to request the F-2 or M-2 visas.
If the spouse and or dependent child are joining the student later, they will
need to submit to the United States consular officer a properly endorsed form
I-20A-B or I-20M-N from the school the foreign student is attending.
For a spouse and/or dependent children to enter the United States with an F-1
or M-1 student, or to join them later, the spouse and/or dependant children must
meet certain requirements. These requirements are:
1. They each must hold a valid passport, unless they are citizens of Canada
or exempt from passport requirements;
2. They must prove they have sufficient funds to meet all their expenses
while in the United States;
3. They must agree to depart the United States upon the termination of the
foreign student's F-1 or M-1 visa.
School Transfers for F-1 Students
If you are currently an F-1 student who has been pursuing a full course of
study at a school which INS has authorized you to attend you may transfer to
another school or continue in the same program or major at a different school.
To be eligible you must be a bona fide student wishing to transfer to another
school to complete an academic educational program. For example, from a high
school program to a college program, or from one degree program to another, or
from one college to another. In order to transfer from one school to another you
must follow some simple procedures.
An F-1 student who is maintaining status may transfer to a different school
through a notification procedure. There is no need to ask INS for permission to
transfer schools.
To transfer schools an F-1 student must first notify the school he or she is
attending of the intent to transfer, then obtain a Form I-20A-B from the school
to which he or she intends to transfer. The transfer will be effected only if
the F-1 student completes the student certification portion of the Form I-20AB
and returns the form to a designated school official on campus within 15 days of
beginning attendance at the new school. Upon receipt of the student's form
I-20AB, the school official must:
1. Note "Transfer Completed on (Date)" on the student's I-20ID in the space
provided for the designated school official's remarks, thereby acknowledging the
student's attendance;
2. Return the I-20ID to the student;
3. Submit the I-20 school copy to the service's data processing center within
30 days of receipt from the student; and
4. Forward a photo-copy of the form I-20AB to the school from which the
student transferred. However, an F-1 student who is not enrolled as a full-time
student at the school he or she was last authorized to attend is ineligible for
school transfer. Such a student must apply to the INS district office for
reinstatement to F-1 student status on Form I-539, "Application to Extend Time
of Temporary Stay", accompanied by a Form I-20AB from the new school.
A fee is required for the processing of the application for reinstatement.
If permission to transfer is denied, INS will specify a date by which you
must depart the United States. If you transfer schools without first seeking
permission from INS, you will then become subject to deportation.
To request permission to transfer schools as an M-1 student you must submit a
completed form I-539, "Application to Extend Time of Temporary Stay", along with
a completed for I-20MN , "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1)
Student Status for Vocational Students", endorsed by the designated school
official of the school to which you wish to transfer. These documents, along
with your I-94, "Arrival Departure Record", and those of your spouse and
children and your Form I-20ID, should be submitted to the INS office having
jurisdiction over the school where you were last authorized to attend.
Sixty days after having filed for this transfer, you may start attending your
new school. If the application is approved, it will be retroactive to the date
of the filing of the application. You will be granted an extension of stay for
the period of time necessary to complete the course of study, plus thirty days,
not to exceed one year.
As an M-1 student, you may be eligible to transfer to another school within
the first six months of your present enrollment, provided that you meet the
following requirements:
1. You must be a M-1 student in valid status.
2. You must have been pursuing a full course of study at the school which you
were last authorized to attend.
3. You must intend to pursue a full course of study at the school to which
you wish to transfer.
4. You must be financially able to attend the school to which you wish to
transfer.
Please note, after you have completed six months as an M-1 foreign student,
you may not transfer to another school unless, due to circumstances beyond your
control, you are unable to remain at the school which you were initially
authorized to attend.
|
