Immigration Overview
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
U.S. embassies and consulates in major cities around the world are responsible for issuing visas which permit entry into the U.S. They are part of the U.S. Department of State.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) controls all immigration regulations and procedures for F-1 foreign students while they are physically present in the U.S. (e.g., program extension, practical training, etc.). SNHU is in the Boston District. Much of the work on applications by students is also done at the Vermont Service Center.
The Department of State (DOS) Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau is the body which governs J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs and establishes the regulations for those programs.
Your country probably maintains consular services at its embassy in Washington, D.C. and may have consulates in Boston, New York City or other major cities. Your consular services can renew your passport or replace it if it is lost or stolen. They also help with approval for foreign exchange and other issues affecting their citizens.
FORMS AND DOCUMENTS
Passports are issued by your government and can be renewed in this country by your country's consulate. Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times.
Visas permit you to enter the U.S. in a particular status (e.g., F-1 student, J-1 Exchange Visitor, etc.) They are issued outside the U.S. at an embassy or consulate. If you are in the U.S. already and your visa has expired, there is no problem because the visa itself is only permission to request entry.
Form I-94 "Arrival and Departure Record" is a small white paper stapled into your passport upon your arrival. This document governs your stay in the U.S.
Many notations regarding your status are made on this document. F-1 and J-1 students receive an I-94 stamped with the name of the port of entry and noted D/S. This "D/S" means you are allowed to stay for the "Duration of status" - the LENGTH of your program as written on your I-20 or DS-2019. The I-94 has your admission number. If you lose your I-94, you must request a new one from the DHS on form I-102. When you travel beyond North America, an immigration inspector or airline agent will collect your I-94.
FORM I-20 "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status..." is sent from the university to a new student so that s/he may obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate, or so that s/he may transfer to Southern New Hampshire University from another program. The I-20, WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF A DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL in the Center for International Exchange Office (CIE) is also needed for re-entering the U.S. after a temporary absence. It is used also for authorization of curricular practical training; and for recommendation of optional practical training. Your spouse and dependent children will also receive I-20's.
It is very important to keep all I 20's which you have used.
FORM DS-2019 is used to obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa for a person coming to the University to study, to teach, to do research or to receive training. It is also used to permit reentry and for family travel independently of the J-1. Your spouse and dependent children will also receive forms DS-2019.
YOUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
You must attend the school which you are authorized to attend. This is the school indicated on the DS-2019 or I-20 which you used to enter the U.S. or which has been sent to notify DHS or DOS of your transfer. You must be registered as a full-time student (12 or more credits per 16 weeks in an undergraduate program; 6 credits per term and 24 per year in most graduate programs). If you are ill and must take time off, please keep medical records and provide a letter from your physician for your file in CIE. There are also valid academic reasons for less than full-time enrollment. These must all be approved in advance by the foreign student office.
You must notify CIE of any changes in your address - either your home address or the place where you live during your studies. The regulations require local street addresses, not PO box numbers for U.S. addresses. You must submit any changes within 10 days of your move. CIE is responsible for updating the DHS database.
TRAINING
F-1 students are eligible for curricular practical training for work experience that is a regular part of the course offerings. An endorsement by a designated school official is necessary before the employment begins.
Optional practical training for up to twelve months is also available during your studies or after graduation in an area related to your major and at a level appropriate for your degree. Before completion, it may be full-time during vacation periods or part-time during school. You must have approval from DHS; see someone in CIE about procedures and details. You are eligible for 12 months of OPT for each level of education that you complete. For training after your program, you application must be received by DHS before your program completion date.
J-1 Exchange Visitor students are eligible for up to eighteen months academic training in an area necessary to round out your academic program. Authorization is granted by a responsible officer of your sponsoring agency. If Southern New Hampshire University issued your DS-2019, authorization is granted in CIE. Contact CIE or your agency for details.
EMPLOYMENT
F-1 students may work on campus without permission of DHS. They must comply with University requirements and be certified eligible for employment by CIE.
After one academic year, F-1 students may apply to DHS for authorization for off campus employment when there are unforeseen changes in their financial circumstances. Proof of these changes must be provided. These applications require endorsement by a designated school official. See CIE for details and assistance.
J-1 Exchange Visitor students may only work if authorized by the responsible officer for their program. Students may work part-time on-campus. Off-campus work depends upon changed in financial circumstances. Contact CIE or your sponsor for information on requirements for authorization.
EXTENSION OF STAY
Both F-1 and J-1 students are admitted to the USA for the duration of status. But, you must finish by the date on your I-20 (item 5) or DS-2019 (item 3). Always be sure that you will be able to finish by the date indicated or contact the Center for International Exchange for a program extension.
If there is a valid academic reason for delay, F-1 students may be extended by the designated school official. A new affidavit of support will be required and a new I-20 will be issued. This process must be finished before the program completion date on your I-20.
If there is not a valid academic reason to extend a program, or if you wait until after the program completion date on your I-20, then F-1 students must apply to DHS for reinstatement of status. This can be a time consuming and frustrating process. See CIE for details.
J-1 Exchange Visitors may apply for extension of stay by requesting a new DS-2019 from their program sponsor. Once granted, the sponsor will notify DOS.
TRANSFER
In order to transfer to another program, F-1 students must first inform CIE of their plans and the school to which they wish to transfer. The foreign student advisor will enter your wishes in the DHS foreign student database (called SEVIS) and the date you are released from SNHU. After that date, the new school will complete processing your transfer.
J-1 Exchange Visitor students may sometimes change schools without changing programs - if the sponsor is not the school. If your sponsor is Southern New Hampshire University, then you must meet with staff in CIE to begin the transfer procedure.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Application for a Social Security number (SSN) may be made at the Social Security Administration office at 2 Wall Street, Manchester. Forms, maps and bus directions are available in CIE. F-1 students are only eligible for a SSN if they first have an on-campus job or other work authorization on their I-20; contact CIE for details.
Contributions for social security and Medicare should not be withheld from wages of F-1 students or J-1 Exchange Visitors if the employment is properly authorized.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
If you are employed in the U.S., you are subject to federal income tax. But, your tax situation is significantly different than it is for U.S. residents. Consequently, unless you are a citizen of India, you must request that an additional $7.60 per week be withheld from your pay. This balances the amount withheld so that it comes closer to your actual tax liability. You will do this on form W-4 with your employer.
U.S. embassies and consulates in major cities around the world are responsible for issuing visas which permit entry into the U.S. They are part of the U.S. Department of State.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) controls all immigration regulations and procedures for F-1 foreign students while they are physically present in the U.S. (e.g., program extension, practical training, etc.). SNHU is in the Boston District. Much of the work on applications by students is also done at the Vermont Service Center.
The Department of State (DOS) Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau is the body which governs J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs and establishes the regulations for those programs.
Your country probably maintains consular services at its embassy in Washington, D.C. and may have consulates in Boston, New York City or other major cities. Your consular services can renew your passport or replace it if it is lost or stolen. They also help with approval for foreign exchange and other issues affecting their citizens.
FORMS AND DOCUMENTS
Passports are issued by your government and can be renewed in this country by your country's consulate. Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times.
Visas permit you to enter the U.S. in a particular status (e.g., F-1 student, J-1 Exchange Visitor, etc.) They are issued outside the U.S. at an embassy or consulate. If you are in the U.S. already and your visa has expired, there is no problem because the visa itself is only permission to request entry.
Form I-94 "Arrival and Departure Record" is a small white paper stapled into your passport upon your arrival. This document governs your stay in the U.S.
Many notations regarding your status are made on this document. F-1 and J-1 students receive an I-94 stamped with the name of the port of entry and noted D/S. This "D/S" means you are allowed to stay for the "Duration of status" - the LENGTH of your program as written on your I-20 or DS-2019. The I-94 has your admission number. If you lose your I-94, you must request a new one from the DHS on form I-102. When you travel beyond North America, an immigration inspector or airline agent will collect your I-94.
FORM I-20 "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status..." is sent from the university to a new student so that s/he may obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate, or so that s/he may transfer to Southern New Hampshire University from another program. The I-20, WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF A DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL in the Center for International Exchange Office (CIE) is also needed for re-entering the U.S. after a temporary absence. It is used also for authorization of curricular practical training; and for recommendation of optional practical training. Your spouse and dependent children will also receive I-20's.
It is very important to keep all I 20's which you have used.
FORM DS-2019 is used to obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa for a person coming to the University to study, to teach, to do research or to receive training. It is also used to permit reentry and for family travel independently of the J-1. Your spouse and dependent children will also receive forms DS-2019.
YOUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
You must attend the school which you are authorized to attend. This is the school indicated on the DS-2019 or I-20 which you used to enter the U.S. or which has been sent to notify DHS or DOS of your transfer. You must be registered as a full-time student (12 or more credits per 16 weeks in an undergraduate program; 6 credits per term and 24 per year in most graduate programs). If you are ill and must take time off, please keep medical records and provide a letter from your physician for your file in CIE. There are also valid academic reasons for less than full-time enrollment. These must all be approved in advance by the foreign student office.
You must notify CIE of any changes in your address - either your home address or the place where you live during your studies. The regulations require local street addresses, not PO box numbers for U.S. addresses. You must submit any changes within 10 days of your move. CIE is responsible for updating the DHS database.
TRAINING
F-1 students are eligible for curricular practical training for work experience that is a regular part of the course offerings. An endorsement by a designated school official is necessary before the employment begins.
Optional practical training for up to twelve months is also available during your studies or after graduation in an area related to your major and at a level appropriate for your degree. Before completion, it may be full-time during vacation periods or part-time during school. You must have approval from DHS; see someone in CIE about procedures and details. You are eligible for 12 months of OPT for each level of education that you complete. For training after your program, you application must be received by DHS before your program completion date.
J-1 Exchange Visitor students are eligible for up to eighteen months academic training in an area necessary to round out your academic program. Authorization is granted by a responsible officer of your sponsoring agency. If Southern New Hampshire University issued your DS-2019, authorization is granted in CIE. Contact CIE or your agency for details.
EMPLOYMENT
F-1 students may work on campus without permission of DHS. They must comply with University requirements and be certified eligible for employment by CIE.
After one academic year, F-1 students may apply to DHS for authorization for off campus employment when there are unforeseen changes in their financial circumstances. Proof of these changes must be provided. These applications require endorsement by a designated school official. See CIE for details and assistance.
J-1 Exchange Visitor students may only work if authorized by the responsible officer for their program. Students may work part-time on-campus. Off-campus work depends upon changed in financial circumstances. Contact CIE or your sponsor for information on requirements for authorization.
EXTENSION OF STAY
Both F-1 and J-1 students are admitted to the USA for the duration of status. But, you must finish by the date on your I-20 (item 5) or DS-2019 (item 3). Always be sure that you will be able to finish by the date indicated or contact the Center for International Exchange for a program extension.
If there is a valid academic reason for delay, F-1 students may be extended by the designated school official. A new affidavit of support will be required and a new I-20 will be issued. This process must be finished before the program completion date on your I-20.
If there is not a valid academic reason to extend a program, or if you wait until after the program completion date on your I-20, then F-1 students must apply to DHS for reinstatement of status. This can be a time consuming and frustrating process. See CIE for details.
J-1 Exchange Visitors may apply for extension of stay by requesting a new DS-2019 from their program sponsor. Once granted, the sponsor will notify DOS.
TRANSFER
In order to transfer to another program, F-1 students must first inform CIE of their plans and the school to which they wish to transfer. The foreign student advisor will enter your wishes in the DHS foreign student database (called SEVIS) and the date you are released from SNHU. After that date, the new school will complete processing your transfer.
J-1 Exchange Visitor students may sometimes change schools without changing programs - if the sponsor is not the school. If your sponsor is Southern New Hampshire University, then you must meet with staff in CIE to begin the transfer procedure.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Application for a Social Security number (SSN) may be made at the Social Security Administration office at 2 Wall Street, Manchester. Forms, maps and bus directions are available in CIE. F-1 students are only eligible for a SSN if they first have an on-campus job or other work authorization on their I-20; contact CIE for details.
Contributions for social security and Medicare should not be withheld from wages of F-1 students or J-1 Exchange Visitors if the employment is properly authorized.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
If you are employed in the U.S., you are subject to federal income tax. But, your tax situation is significantly different than it is for U.S. residents. Consequently, unless you are a citizen of India, you must request that an additional $7.60 per week be withheld from your pay. This balances the amount withheld so that it comes closer to your actual tax liability. You will do this on form W-4 with your employer.