Understanding Your
F-1 Student Status
Center for International Students & Study Abroad
Department of International Education
Victor I. Bellard, Ph.D., Director
631-420-2624/2479
Fax: 631-420-2613
Victor.Bellard@farmingdale.edu
Welcome to the United States!



We are happy that you have chosen to pursue
your education with us at Farmingdale State.
This college is student centered.
We want you to succeed and benefit from your
U.S. education.
Center for International Students
and Study Abroad(CISSA)



The CISSA office is here to help you adjust to
the U.S., the college and the community.
If you have any problems or questions, please
come in to see us in the CISSA.
Dr. Bellard is the Principal Designated School
Official (PDSO) for International Students and
Director of the CISSA.
Center for International Students
and Study Abroad (CISSA)




Director: Victor I. Bellard, Ph.D.
Phone: (631) 420-2479
E-mail: Bellarvi@Farmingdale.edu
Secretary Mrs. Kirincic
Phone: (631) 420- 2624
e-mail: Kirincma@Farmingdale.edu
Laffin Hall Room 301/302
Office Hours Monday – Thursday 9:30 – 3:00
Your F-1 Student Status



It is very important that you understand your
immigration status.
The F-1 status has many privileges and
responsibilities.
It is important that you understand the
regulations and authority of the
U. S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement.
United States Government
Authority
Student & Exchange Visitor Information System
(SEVIS)
Center for International Students & Study
Abroad
http://www.farmingdale.edu/
Events & News
Institutional
Advancement
Click on
International
Education
Library
http://www.farmingdale.edu/ifs_international_ed.html
Center for International Students & Study Abroad
« Back to Previous Page
Welcome to The Center for International Students and Study
Abroad (CISSA). We provide a wide range of information and
services to International students and scholars at the Farmingdale
State University of New York including:
•Assisting students to obtain F-1 status Visas.
•Evaluating transcripts for all applicants who have completed
academic coursework outside of the U.S.
•Orientating International students admitted to the University.
•Counseling students on immigration concerns, financial problems,
and cross-cultural issues
•Providing advisement and programs for American and international
students interested in studying outside the U.S.
Admission of International
Students
College Catalog
F-1 Student Status
Frequently Asked Questions
Forms
Office & Contact
Information
Orientation Fall 2004
Pre-Arrival Guide
Resource Guide
SEVIS Site
http://www.farmingdale.edu/ifs_international_ed.html
Center for International Students & Study Abroad
« Back to Previous Page
Welcome to The Center for International Students and Study Abroad (CISSA). We provide a wide range of information
and services to International students and scholars at the Farmingdale State University of New York including:
•Assisting students to obtain F-1 status Visas.
•Evaluating transcripts for all applicants who have completed academic coursework outside of the U.S.
•Orientating International students admitted to the University.
Counseling students on immigration concerns, financial problems, Center for International Students & Programs
« Back to Previous Page
Welcome to The Center for International Students and Study Abroad (CISSA). We provide a wide range of information and services
to International students and scholars at the Farmingdale State College including:
Assisting students to obtain F-1 status Visas.
Orientating International students admitted to the college.
Counseling students on immigration concerns, financial problems, and cross-cultural issues
Providing advisement and programs for American and international students interested in studying outside the U.S.
Admission of International Students
College Catalog
F-1 Student Status
Frequently Asked Questions
Forms
International Scholarships
New Passport Regulations
Ramon LLULL, Barcelona, Spain Exchange Program
New Photograph Requirements
New SEVIS Fee Implementation
Office & Contact Information
Pre-Arrival Guide
Orientation
Resource Guide
SEVIS Site
Study Abroad Programs
Study Abroad ScholarshipsProviding advisement and programs for American and international students interested in
studying outside the U.S.
F-1 Student Status
«F-1 Student Status
« Back to Previous Page
Maintaining F-1 Status – Information on maintaining F-1 student status.
Reinstatement or Re-establishing F-1 Status– Rules and guidelines for students to reestablish their F-1 status
Employment – Information on F-1 Employment
Extension of Student Status – Extension of Student Status (form I-20)
Dependent's Information
Procedures for Change of Status to F-1 – In order to change your status to F-1 you will use
your newly issued I-20.
Back to Previous Page
Maintaining F-1 Status – Information on maintaining F-1 student status.
Reinstatement or Re-establishing F-1 Status– Rules and guidelines for students to
re-establish their F-1 status
Employment – Information on F-1 Employment
Extension of Student Status – Extension of Student Status (form I-20)
Dependent's Information
Procedures for Change of Status to F-1 – In order to change your status to F-1 you
will use your newly issued I-20.
Understanding Your Immigration
Documents






Passport
F-1 Visa
Form I-94
Form I-20
Keep all documents in a safe place.
Make copies of all important documents
and keep in a different location.
Passport
Your identification and travel
document.
 Keep it valid at all times.
 In your passport is your
F-1 student visa.

F-1 Visa







The visa is not a passport.
It is a stamp or attachment to a page of the passport.
The F-1 visa is your permission to enter the U. S. for
the purpose of Full-time study as a student.
It can expire without a problem while you’re in the
U.S.: It’s a permission to enter, not to stay and has
no legal status.
The visa stipulates how many entries you are entitled
to up to the expiration date.
Multiple (M): unlimited entries
Limited (2,3,4): limit of entries permitted.
Form I-94


The Form I-94 Departure Record (white
card) was given to you by the I.C.E.
inspector when you entered the U.S.
It contains the date you entered the country
and gave you F-1 status at this approved
school.
Form I-94


The inspector marked it D/S (Duration of
Status), which means that you have
permission to attend F/T at this approved
school until the date listed.
You also can stay, with authorization, for
Optional Practical Training (OPT) after
your D/S date for 1 year plus 60 days before
you must depart the U.S.
Immigration Identification Number



This is the Administration Number for
your D/S.
It is also noted on your Form I-20 and
visa.
It will be used whenever you enter the
U.S.
Form I-20


This form contains the specifics about
your F-1 status.
It records:
Your college
 Your major field of study
 The length of your program

Obligations of F-1 Status







Full-time Study
Work as Authorized
Changes in Form i-20 and related ICE
procedures
Records
Passport Validity
Safekeeping Immigration Documents
Violations of Status: What are they?
Full-time Course of Study




F/T course of study is defined as 12
Credit hours/semester.
You are required to enroll for at least 12
credits or more, if you desire, each
semester, except vacations (semester
breaks), which is free time for you.
If you fall below 12 credits, by not
enrolling or by withdrawing from
courses, you are in violation of your F-1
status.
See your PDSO before you W/D from
any course.
F/T Course of Study




Your status may be terminated if you do not consult
the PDSO when you make such an unauthorized
change.
I.C.E. allows the PDSO to approve certain exceptions
to the F/T requirement.
The PDSO is the only person that can do this to
protect your F-1 status.
Others may tell you differently, which may be correct
academically, but the I.C.E. regulations are not the
same and supercede any others.
Authorized Work

Work only as I.C.E./PDSO authorizes!

On-campus




Part time during the semester or Fulltime during
vacations.
No I.C.E. approval is required.
PDSO approval is required.
Off-campus



Work permission from I.C.E. as authorized.
The PDSO must assist you to prepare documentation
for application
Never work off-campus without I.C.E./PDSO approval!
I-20 Changes

Any important change must be reported to
I.C.E. by the PDSO.



This notification must be completed by a specific
date:
Change of School: PDSO at home school must
release SEVIS records to new school so that a new
I-20 can be issued within 15 days of the change.
Level of Education: (#4 on the I-20 form) within
15 days of beginning new program. (ex. AAS to
BS)
I-20 Changes




End of Program (#5) any change requires an
extension and a new I-20.
Change of Major: new I-20 required or
PDSO may write change on back of existing I20.
Financial Support change: new I-20
required.
Address and phone number: report to PDSO
A.S.A.P.
Provide Documentation




The PDSO must be provided with all
documentation requested:
Passport: keep it valid at all times.
I-94 form
All I-20’s you’ve ever had while in the U.S.
Safekeeping of Immigration
Documents



Keep all documents together in a safe
place
Make photocopies of everything and keep
them in a different safe place.
You are responsible to prove that you are
a legal F-1 student.
Violations of Status


A violation of status means that you have broken
I.C.E. laws or have not fulfilled some of your
obligations.
Violations of status include:





Not attending F/T without PDSO approval
Working off-campus without I.C.E. authorization
Working more than authorized time.
Failing to obtain a new I-20: new school, new program
major or level, extension of completion date.
Failure to enroll within 30 days of the start of a semester.
PDSO Responsibility


When the PDSO discovers a violation, it must
be reported by law to the I.C.E. through the
SEVIS System.
PDSO assistance: help is available:


Advice
Help with filing applications

You may still continue to attend school but you have
to explain and resolve the problem with I.C.E.
Consequences of Violation of Status


Termination of F-1 status: most severe,
student has 60 days to exit the U.S.
Student can apply for Reinstatement as an
F-1 student.

This is a costly and time consuming procedure.
Duration of F-1 Status
Rules:
Pursue F/T Study at authorized school, or
Be authorized Reduced Credit Load (RCL)
Obey Rules re: work
Keep I-20 valid & truthful at all times
Optional Practical
Training (OPT)
(after degree completion)
12 months
Keep I-20 valid & truthful at all times
Or
Program
Start
Date
Program End
Date
(Completion)
OPT may begin at
any point after
completion of
studies & run for
a maximum of 12
months
60 days
Grace
Period
to
Depart
U.S.
30
days
Depart U.S.
U.S.
Entry
Violation of Status !! =
60 days
to
depart
U.S.
Privileges of F-1 Student Status





Employment: Definition of Types
Educational Progress
Dependents
Constitutional and Legal Rights
Change and Adjustment of Status
Employment
On-Campus: P/T or F/T during vacation

Off-Campus: four types:
A.
Optional Practical Training (OPT):
12 month maximum F/T employment
experience in major field of study while on
F-1 status in the U.S., not available if in
Intensive English Program.
Documentation from Department Chair and
Employer required.

Optional Practical Training

See web page
Click on
F-1 Student Status
« Back to Previous Page

Maintaining F-1 Status – Information on maintaining F-1 student status.

Reinstatement or Re-establishing F-1 Status– Rules and guidelines for
students to re-establish their F-1 status

Employment – Information on F-1 Employment

Extension of Student Status – Extension of Student Status (form I-20)

Dependent's Information

Procedures for Change of Status to F-1 – In order to change your status
to F-1 you will use your newly issued I-20.

Employment








F-1 Student Employment
« Back to Previous Page
Curricular Practical Training – Information on Curricular Practical
Training
Economic Necessity Work Authorization – Information on economic
necessity work authorization.
Employment with International Work Authorizations – Information on
Curricular Practical Training
F-1 Employment Options – An overview of F-1 employment options
available.
I-9 & Tax Information – Information on economic necessity work
authorization.
Optional Practical Training – Information on Optional Practical Training.
Click on
Optional Practical Training – Information on Optional
Practical Training









Information on Optional Practical Training
(for students in F-1 status)
Please select from the list below:
Introduction EligibilityPeriods Of Participation When To ApplyProcedure The
Application PacketWhen May You Begin Working? Responsibilities While On
OptBenefits Travel While On OptAfter OPT
INTRODUCTION
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) permit students in F-1 status to work in
the United States so that they may reinforce what they have learned in university and college
degree programs. This benefit is called Optional Practical Training (OPT). Like Curricular
Practical Training (CPT), the work must be in the student's field of study. Unlike CPT:
USICE, not CISP, authorizes this training;
A job offer is not necessary to apply for OPT;
The student may participate in OPT before and/or after completing the program of study. A
student may work for one or more employers, change jobs, or look for work during the
training period.
Whatever the scenario, the student must carefully plan when to participate in OPT because it
is limited to only one year (12 months).
Employment
B.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
Must be integral to your curriculum such as a
cooperative educational program or an
internship.
Documentation from your department Chair
and your employer will be required.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

See web page

F-1 Student Status
« Back to Previous Page
Maintaining F-1 Status – Information on maintaining F-1 student status.
Reinstatement or Re-establishing F-1 Status– Rules and guidelines for
students to re-establish their F-1 status
Employment – Information on F-1 Employment
Extension of Student Status – Extension of Student Status (form I-20)
Dependent's Information






Click on
Procedures for Change of Status to F-1 – In order to change your status
to F-1 you will use your newly issued I-20.

Curricular Practical Training
(CPT):








F-1 Student Employment
« Back to Previous Page
Curricular Practical Training – Information on Curricular Practical
Training
Economic Necessity Work Authorization – Information on economic
necessity work authorization.
Employment with International Work Authorizations – Information on
Curricular Practical Training
F-1 Employment Options – An overview of F-1 employment options
available.
I-9 & Tax Information – Information on economic necessity work
authorization.
Optional Practical Training – Information on Optional Practical Training.
Click on
Curricular Practical Training
(CPT):












Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
« Back to Previous Page
Information on Curricular Practical Training
Please select from the list below:
General Information
Eligibility
Limitations
General Procedure
The Academic Component
When May You Begin Working?Benefits & Responsibilities
GENERAL INFORMATION
As stated in the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (USICE) regulations, F-1 students wishing to
participate in an off-campus training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum, must first
obtain work authorization for curricular practical training (CPT). The training, which must be directly
related to the student's major field of study, is defined as "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative
education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers
through cooperative agreements with the school" [federal regulation, 8CFR214.2(f)(10)]. This cooperative
agreement is formalized through an Internship/Co-op/Practicum/Experiential Learning course in which the
student enrolls.
To Obtain A Social Security Number



The procedure to obtain a SSN is as follows:
The Center for International Students & Study Abroad (CISSA) will
give the primary F-1 visa holder documents to take to the Social
Security Office.
The following documents must be presented to the SS Office:









Passport
Visa
I-94 card
Form I-20
Institutional ID # and Semester Receipt.
Statement from employer …re: promise of employment; nature of work,
beginning and ending date of employment
Statement of Department Chair …re: relevance of employment to student’s
curriculum
Statement and stamp from school PDSO … re: the nature of the employment
and identification of the employer and that student is in good standing.
EAD if available
To Obtain A Social Security Number




The address of the local SS Office is:
1121 Walt Whitman Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
2nd Floor
SS Office hours are: M-F, 9 AM – 4 PM
Telephone Number: (800) 772-1213
F-2 spouses and children of F-1 or J-1 students
cannot obtain a SS card since they are not permitted
to work.
Employment
Severe Economic Hardship:
We hope you’ll never need to apply for this.
- For students with unexpected or unforeseen
changes in financial situation.
It takes months and is labor-intensive.
D.
Internship with International Organization:
Such as the United Nations
The I.C.E. has very specific requirements and you
may not be eligible for all of them.
Talk to the PDSO if interested.
C.
Educational Progress




Continued educational progress is available to
you here in the U.S.
You can continue from one educational level
to another.
You can stay in the same school or move to
another.
Ex. You can start in an Intensive English
Program and attain degrees up through the
Ph.D. if you choose to do so.
Dependents



You can bring dependents (spouse, children)
with you to the U.S.
These must be recorded by the PDSO with
SEVIS and a separate I-20 will be issued for
each.
You must provide proof of financial support
while you all are here.
Constitutional and Legal Rights

You are protected by the U.S. Constitution
and have legal rights as an F-1 student in
the U.S.
These rights include:
Freedom of Speech
 Freedom of Assembly
 Freedom of Religion
 Freedom to Consult an Attorney

Family Educational Rights &
Privacy Act

F.E.R.P.A. grants you certain rights such as:
Access to your educational records
 The FSC Student Handbook and the College
Catalog spell these out in more detail.

Change and Adjustment of Status



You can change or adjust your status
as a lawful F-1 student.
You may qualify and apply for a nonimmigrant or immigrant status, and
be granted new status without leaving
the U.S.
Immigration Attorney




Change of status from non-immigrant to
immigrant or from a tourist (B-1) to an F-1
status will require the services of an
immigration specialist attorney.
Maurice H. Goldman, P.C.
1415 Kellum Place, Suite 204, Garden City,
NY 11530
Consult phone directory for Immigration
Attorneys
I.C.E. Rules Change



The PDSO is responsible to alert you of rules
changes as they occur.
These will be posted outside the CISP office
and on the International Student Web site.
E-mails will also be used for these and other
important announcements.
Role of International Student
Advisor




PDSO
DSO
ICE Reporting Obligations
Confidentiality Policy
I.C.E. Reporting




The I.C.E. requires that the PDSO of each
college report changes which may affect the F1 status in a timely manner.
All reporting must be truthful and accurate,
under penalty of perjury.
Strict confidentiality is maintained.
The responsibility for remaining lawfully in
the U.S. rests with the non-immigrant.
PDSO


The PDSO is a data entry compliance
officer of the college.
The PDSO is not an employee of the U. S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
PDSO Duties







Advise students: Responsibilities and Risks
Stop Violations of Status before they happen.
Monitor student status: inform students of
violations.
Determine eligibility and chances of success.
Advisement: Reinstatement and Travel.
Advisement: How to file applications
Advocate for student applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions






Travel:
Reentry from a neighboring country
Reentry without a travel endorsement or Form
I-20
Expiration of the F-1 Visa
Reentry and a change of status
F-1 visa renewal
Travel to Home Country





The F-1 student is not expected to immigrate to
the U.S.
Travel to the home country is viewed as a
favorable action that demonstrates ties to home.
The F-1 student must obtain a Travel
Endorsement (last page of the I-20 form) from the
PDSO to assure trouble-free reentry.
The F-1 status is left behind in the U.S.
The Travel Endorsement allows you to get it back,
since it shows that you are still planning to attend
F/T at your college.
Travel to Adjacent Country




No special privileges are available to F-1
students for travel to adjacent countries of
Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.
You need a Travel Endorsement from the
PDSO
You need a valid passport and an I-94 card.
You need a visa to enter the other country:
contact the country’s embassy for information
on Visitors Visa.
Reentry Without a Travel
Endorsement



If you do not have an I-20 or the I-20 Travel
Endorsement, the I.C.E. may admit you for 30
days if you have the passport and I-94.
The inspector marks the visa F-1 – 30 days –
and the expiration date.
You need to get a new I-20 from the PDSO
and submit it before the 30 days expire or you
are in Violation of Status
Expiration of the F-1 Visa




If you are out of the U.S. when the visa expires, you
need a new F-1 visa to return.
You must reapply at the U.S. Consulate in your home
country: contact the PDSO for assistance.
If you are in the U.S. when the F-1 status expires: the
F-1 visa is only for entry into the U.S. and you have
no legal status.
Contact the U.S. Consulate Office in New York City
and explain.

They will counsel you on obtaining a new visa.
Reentry and Change of Status





The first F-1 visa is the hardest to get.
Once you have it, the U.S. Consulate does
not want to stop you, only those that are not
serious bona fide students.
Plan to travel to home frequently: shows
strong ties to your home country.
You need all the documents you brought to
get the original F-1 visa.
If you haven’t traveled for a long period,
the U.S. Consulate thinks your ties to home
are not strong, which slightly increases the
difficulty of getting a new visa.
Farmingdale State College (FSC)
Student Services








College Website: www. Farmingdale.edu
CISP Website: Farmingdale website;
International Education
College Catalog: available on the college website
College Registrar: FSC Laffin Hall
Intensive English Institute: Stony Brook University
Tutoring Center: FSC Sinclair Hall
Student Success Center: FSC Greenly Hall
Health and Wellness Center: FSC Infirmary
Mailing Address
Center for International Students and Study Abroad
(CISSA)
301/302 Laffin Hall
Farmingdale State University of New York
2350 Broadhollow Road
Farmingdale, NY 11735
PPT
Understanding
Your F-1
Student Status