International
Student Orientation
Spring 2022
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Housekeeping items
ZOOM MEETINGS SHOULD NEVER LAST LONGER THAN AN HOUR
AND OTHER THINGS I LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC
1. Please mute your audio
2. Use Chat for Questions.
3. There will be mini sessions next
week to catch up on what we
missed.
4. The Slide Show will be sent to you
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Roll Call of Nations
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F-1/J-1 Advisors
We are so glad you are here!
Ms. Joy Werka- Graduate
International Student Advisor
Ms. Audrey Jupiter- Undergraduate
International Student Advisor
Ms. Talyn Walton- J-1 Exchange
International Student/Scholar
Advisor
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F-1/J-1 Immigration
Rules
#1 RULE TO MAINTAIN STATUS
Students on an F-1 or J-1 Visa
check in with the Office of
International Services and Provide
Copies of immigration documents
and a local address to be entered
into the Student Exchange &
Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
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F-1/J-1 Immigration
Rules
#2 RULE TO MAINTAIN STATUS
Students on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must be enrolled
for a FULL TIME course of study & Make
Progress towards Program of Study.
• Undergraduate(Bachelor’s Degree) 12 hours
• Graduate (Master’s or Ph.D. Degree) 9 hours
• Credits must count towards your Major/Program
• Cannot Drop or Withdraw from a class that will
result in less than FULL TIME STATUS
• You must Pass your classes
• When in doubt, ask your INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT ADVISOR
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F-1/J-1 Immigration
Rules
#3 RULE TO MAINTAIN STATUS
Students on an F-1 or J-1 Visa MAY NOT WORK OFF
CAMPUS WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM OUR OFFICE
• Students can work On-Campus for 20 hours a week while school is
in session.
• Students may work up to 29 hours a week ON-CAMPUS while
school is NOT in session
• Off Campus Paid and Unpaid Internships and Co-ops are available
for international students AFTER your first YEAR using Curricular
Practical Training (CPT).
• When in doubt, ask your INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR
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F-1/J-1 Immigration
Rules
#4 Your I-20/DS-2019 needs DSO/RO signature to travel outside
the U.S. and re-enter
YOU MUST HAVE A VALID TRAVEL ENDORSEMENT
TO EXIT THE U.S. AND RE-ENTER
• You can drop off your I-20 during drop-off hours and have it
signed and ready to pick up the next day
• We can also send you an electronic copy with travel endorsement
if you prefer.
• Plan ahead- you should request a travel endorsement no less than
two weeks prior to scheduled departure.
• Travel endorsements are valid for 12 calendar months.
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On campus employment
•20 hour per week limit
•GTA/GRA is on campus
employment
•On campus job application
once have position offer
needs a signature from an
advisor to proceed – and
help with SSN
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International Student 101-Other rules
and status concerns
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You are responsible
for the validity of
your F-1 Form I-20 or
J-1 Form DS-2019 at
all times.
DO NOT LET YOUR
FORM EXPIRE WHILE
YOU ARE STILL A
STUDENT!!!
Make sure the program
on your immigration form
is accurate- if you change
your major, make sure
your immigration form is
reflects the change.
If you travel, make
sure you have a
VALID TRAVEL
ENDORSEMENT.
If you can’t graduate or
finish your program
before the end date on
your I-20/DS-2019- see
your International
Student Advisor.
When in doubt,
talk to your
International
Student Advisor.
I-20
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DS-2019
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Passport
•At least 6 months validity
•Keep in safe place
•Suggest a state ID
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F1 or J1 visa
•Stamp affixed in passport
•Does not determine length
of stay in U.S.
•If it expires when outside of
the U.S., you must renew
visa in order to return to the
U.S.
•A visa cannot be issued
inside the United States
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International Student 101
DRIVERS LICENSE
International students are allowed to get a driver’s license in the U.S. We
will assist with this process. Meet with an international Student Advisor
for more information.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
International students with on-campus jobs or CPT are allowed to get a
SSN number. We will assist with this process. Meet with an international
Student Advisor for more information.
HEALTH INSURANCE
MANDATORY for all international students. There is a charge every
semester and our office signs you up. Waivers are very limited.
I-94 arrival/departure record
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•Print off within 2 weeks
of arrival to ISSS
•You can use our
printer/computer
•You need this for Bank
Account, Social Security
Administration – Driver’s
License or State ID card
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Reporting changes and employment
•Change in address –
Registrar’s Office or BANNER
– anytime you move submit
the new address
•Advisors need to know any
changes in major, financial
sponsor, visa status
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Who to trust?
•SEE AN ADVISOR
•Don’t ask friends,
professors, or the internet
•DSO role on campus and
with immigration
•Study in the States or other
government websites
(USCIS, DHS)
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How to Contact us
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• Email is best- Please wait 24 during peak hours for a response and remember our
advisors don’t check emails on evenings or weekends.
• Advising by appointment only, call or email, or go to our website to book an
appointment
• 256-824-6055, isss@uah.edu, uah.edu/isssisss@uah.edu
• Appointments available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 – 4:30-Socially
distanced- face-to-face-or phone or Zoom.
• If these times don’t work, we will find another time on Monday or Friday
• You can pick-up and drop off documents Monday-Friday from 9-4.
• Our office closes daily from 12-1:30 for lunch.
Stay informed
•Read your UAH email regularly
•Bi-weekly to monthly announcements
•Follow us on Instagram @uahinternational, Twitter
@ServicesUah, and Facebook @Office of Internal
Services UAH.
•Reminder to file tax return in Spring
•Important deadlines
•Social Events
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STUDENT TO-DO LIST
• Get a Charger ID CARD- Charger Union 131- have your Student ID
Number and other form of ID (passport) available.
• Go to UAH Student Health Services and complete a MANDATORY
Health Screen. Call to make an appointment next week at
256-824-6775 Ext. 3 OR come to a Walk-In Appointment on
Tuesday or Wednesday (Jan 11 & 12 between 8:30 AM and 11:30
AM in Wilson Hall 325
• Check your email from International Services. We will be sending
out a form to get your local address. This MUST be completed so
that we can register your immigration record to maintain your
status.
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Can’t remember all this stuff?
• Don’t worry, we will have workshops, forms,
advising appointments, emails reminding
you.
• When in doubt, ASK an international student
advisor
• There is no such thing as a silly question
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