F-1 INFORMATION

Purpose of the F-1 Visa Category
An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant that is pursuing a "full course of study" towards a specific educational or professional objective, at an academic institution in the United States that has been designated by Department of Homeland Security (formerly INS) to offer courses of study to such students, and has been enrolled in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). Once the educational objective has been attained, the F-1 student is expected by the US government to return to his or her residence abroad.

Authority Cite: An alien having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention of abandoning, who is a bona fide student qualified to pursue a full course of study and who seeks to enter the United States temporarily and solely for the purpose of pursuing such a course of study at the established college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, and or other academic institutions or in a language training program in the United States particularly designated by him and approved by the Attorney General.

F-1 immigration roles and relationships
F-1 "status" involves various relationships between the government, private individuals, and educational institutions. Six principal entities are involved in the F-1 immigration process:

1. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
2. The U.S. school
3. The Designated School Officials
4. The Student
5. The U.S. Department of State
6. The SEVIS database and the SEVIS help desk

The Student
The F-1 student must:

1. Sign the Student Certification on Form I-20 to indicate that he or she has read and understood the terms and conditions of F-1 status.
2. Pursue a full course of study at the school that issued his or her Form I-20.
3. Follow proper procedures to transfer schools, change educational levels, or extend his or her program of study.
4. Engage in employment only when specifically authorized.
5. Possess sufficient funding to cover expenses (living expenses and tuition & fees) for the duration of their study.

The U.S. School
UCI has the following roles in the F-1 process:

1. Petition for government approval to enroll F-1 students and issue visa documents.
2. UCI's "designated schools officials" who have official functions in the F-1 process are International Center staff members.
3. UCI through the official responsible for admission accepts the prospective student for enrollment in a "full course of study" that leads to the attainment of a degree.
4. UCI provides a "full course of study" to the student.
5. UCI is required to comply with its record-keeping and reporting obligations in SEVIS.

How to Request an I-20 Form for Initial Entry
The prospective F-1 student must be admitted by the school for a full course of study before an I-20 can be issued. A formal request is made by Admissions and Relations with School for undergraduate students, and by the Office of Graduate Studies and admitting departments for graduate students to the International Center for issuance of a visa document.

*As early as 90 days before the start date of the program the process for issuing the I-20 may begin.

Processing for Undergraduate I-20:

• Student receives admissions to the University of California, Irvine.
• Completes and returns the admissions packet, which includes the Confidential Financial Statement. *Failure to complete and return this form to the undergraduate admissions office will cause a delay in the I-20 processing.
• Transfer students already attending another US institution must pay special attention to the required immigration steps. These students need to have their SEVIS records released in a timely manner by the current institution to UCI.
• The processing time is 15 working days for the issuance of the I-20.

Processing for Graduate I-20:

• Admissions Letter stating the date of admission, program of study and any other pertinent information.
• Financial verification can be provided by the department, personal funds or sponsorship from other sources. Every international student must provide proof of sufficient funding for one academic year (September-June).
• Confidential International Applicant Questionnaire (CIAQ) Form (to be completed by students)
• Academic Department's Request for Issuance of Student Visa Document (to be completed by Academic Department)

Important Fact: Effective December 1, 2003, a student may succeed in getting his or her visa issued up to 90 days before the expected report date on Form I-20, however, the regulations do not permit the student (or his or her dependent) to enter the United States sooner than 30 days before the start date listed on the I-20.

How to Request an I-20 for Family Members (spouse and or/children under 21 years of age) entering the U.S. after the F-1 Student:

• Submit the I-20 Request Form
• Funding verification of an additional $4,000 for spouse, and $3,000 for each child needs to be provided
• Passport documentation for dependents (biographical page only)

How to Request an Extension of Stay for a Student:

• Complete the I-20 Request Form and the Advisor's Recommendation for Extension of Program of Study and Change of Major
• Funding verification for the extended period of time (maximum one academic year of funding).
• Extension must be completed prior to expiration date of I-20 (at least 30 days prior to the end date). If the end date passes on the current I-20, the International Center will not be able to extend the document and the student will be out of status.

Department Responsibility:

• Notify the International Center if student has withdrawn or is at risk of not making normative progress with his degree objective. This will impact a student immigration status and possibly his legal stay in the US.
• Notify the International Center regarding: Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, Part-Time study, Filing Fee Status, Change of Major, and Extension of Stay. Most of these notifications need approval from the International Center as well as the academic departments.
• If a student has been offered on-campus employment then the Non-Immigrant Employee Verification Form needs to be completed and sent to the International Center prior to the start of employment.

Employment:

"Employment is defined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as type of work performed or services provided in exchange of money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours during the academic year and full-time (40 hours) during the vacation period. The Department must complete the Non-Immigrant Employee Verification Form

Optional Practical Training:

• The department will need to verify a student's major, expected completion date and academic status for the purposes of Optional Practical Training.
• An F-1 student may apply to USCIS for the benefit of employment post-completion of studies. In some instances students choose to utilize this option prior to their graduation (this is limited to part-time employment
• Departments are not able to employ the student while they are waiting for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and their completion date of program has passed.

*Current regulations state that an Optional Practical Training application MUST be received by the immigration service prior to then end date of their program of study. If a student has finished his studies without applying for OPT in a timely manner they will have 60 days to leave the United States.

Curricular Practical Training, On-Campus Employment Off Campus Site, Employment based on Economic Hardship are some other employment options available to international students.

Before Returning Home
Near the end of the student’s program, please refer him or her to the International Center to complete the departure form, for assistance with the transfer to another U.S. institution, or applying for a change of status or Optional Practical Training.