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F-1 OVERVIEW

Maintenance of Status
The following is a quick reference guide for maintaining status as an F-1 nonimmigrant student:

• Keep your passport valid at all times.
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 units per quarter) and make normal progress toward your degree objective.
• Do not accept any employment off campus without the permission of the International Center and/or USCIS
• Notify the International Center when you plan to transfer to another school.
• File an application to extend your I-20, prior to the end of program date in line 5 of your current I-20. You may request an extension as early as 60 days. The I-20 request form must be authorized by your academic advisor/professor.

If you fail to maintain status in any of these ways, that failure constitutes grounds for deportation from the United States. You must request reinstatement from USCIS in writing in order to avoid being deported. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your status, make an appointment with an International Student Advisor in the International Center as soon as possible to discuss your situation.

Your I-20
An I-20 is the document which is issued to each student wishing to study in the U.S. on an F-1 visa The I-20 indicates the name of the school, major field, level of study, as well as your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, source(s) of funding. After your arrival on campus, you are required to provide a copy of your I-20, your passport pages, visa stamp, and your I-94 card. It is a good idea for you to keep a copy of these documents, should they ever get lost.

Employment
"Employment" is defined by the USCIS as any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food, or any other benefit.

On-Campus Employment
Students at UCI on an F-1 visa may accept employment on the Irvine campus or at the Medical Center in Orange without prior approval USCIS. You may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and full time (40 hours per week) during the summer and/or vacation periods. You must have a Social Security Number and your I-20 showing your enrollment status at UCI, along with a valid passport, in order to be hired.

Upon finding an on-campus position, the hiring departments must complete a UCI NONIMMIGRANT EMPLOYEE VERIFICATION FORM prior to your first day of work.

Off-Campus Employment Based on Economic Hardship
According to USCIS regulations, if on-campus employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, F-1 students are eligible for off-campus work authorization caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. In order to be authorized, you must be able to provide the following:

• Proof of serious unforeseen financial hardship.
• Proof that a good faith effort was made to locate employment on campus.
• Evidence that you are in good academic standing and carrying a full course of study, that you have been in F-1 status for at least nine consecutive months, and that acceptance of employment will not interfere with full-time enrollment.

If you think that you may be eligible for an employment based on economic hardship, set up an appointment to see an International Student Advisor in the International Center.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)
As an F-1 student, you may be given authorization by the USCIS to work off-campus for the purpose of practical training in a field related to your major. Optional Practical Training is defined, as employment in your field of study used to enhance your educational program in the U.S. Optional Practical Training is available for 12 months at each degree level. In other words, a student is eligible for one year of OPT at the Bachelor’s degree level, one year at the Master’s degree level, and one year at the Ph. D level. The one year of OPT must be used at the completion of each degree and cannot be saved for future use. Remember, current regulations state that student MUST apply for OPT prior to completion of studies.

Regulations surrounding practical training are discussed in information sessions, which are presented by the International Center and held at various times throughout the year. (Please see Calendar of Events for upcoming OPT Information Sessions.) Be sure to contact the International Center for information and updates regarding practical training, and apply early! APPLICATIONS FOR OPT MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER BY THE DATE YOU COMPLETE YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY AT UCI.

For more information and application process, visit: http://www.ic.uci.edu/students/OPT.html

CAVEAT: While USCIS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in F-1 status, working illegally or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. Please contact the International Center at (949) 824-7249 before beginning any employment. In light of recent changes to immigration laws, working without proper authorization could be a very costly mistake.

Extension of Stay (EOS)
As an F-1 student, you have been admitted to the U.S. for "duration of status (D/S)". This is defined as the time during which you are pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward completing that program, or engaging in USCIS authorized practical training following the completion of your studies. The "Completion of Studies" date in item #5 on your I-20 is the date by which the USCIS expects you to complete the requirements for your current program. If you are unable to complete your program of study by that date, consult with the International Center as early as 60 days before reaching the I-20 end date. You may apply for an Extension of Stay if:

1. Your current I-20 has not expired
2. You have continuously maintained lawful F-1 status.

If your completion of studies date expired or if you do not meet eligibility requirements to apply for a program extension, you may need to apply for "reinstatement" to lawful status. In either case, please contact the International Center to discuss your specific situation and apply for the appropriate extension in a timely manner.

School Transfer
If you are or were attending another school in the U.S. before coming to UCI, you must notify your last (or current) school of your intention to transfer to UCI. That school will update your SEVIS record to show your intent to transfer to UCI and enter a “release date,” which will be the last day of the classes or the day on which you complete all your program requirements. Only after that day passes can your SEVIS record be released to UCI and an I-20 be issued for you. Conversely, if you want to transfer out of UCI, you must let an International Student Advisor know your intention to transfer out and your SEVIS record would be updated appropriately.

CAVEAT: Failure to complete your transfer is a serious violation of your status.