Information for
F-1 Students
Oberlin College
International Student Resource Center
Wilder 105
The SEVIS
Database
 SEVIS is a web-based system where DSOs enter and
exchange information on F-1 students with the US
government.
 DSOs are required to report the following each semester
for each F-1 student:
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Enrollment and registration status
Whether a student drops beneath a full course of study
Completion of a program of study
Extension of a program of study
Changes in legal names or address
Some academic or disciplinary actions
Program changes, transfers, majors, employment authorization
& more!
Image Credit: http://www.iss.ku.edu/sevis-fee
“Immigration Documents”
Passport
Form I-20
F-1 Visa
Form I-94
Image Credit:http://international.syr.edu/new-students/visas-and-arrival/travel-and-portof-entry-procedures.html
Form I-20
 Certifies that a F-1 visa applicant has been
admitted to a full time program of study
and has demonstrated sufficient financial
resources to meet their costs.
 Program start and end dates are the
estimated dates of the student’s F-1 status.
 Must be re-signed every year for travel
outside of the U.S.
 Dates cannot be extended without a
compelling academic or medical reason.
Image Credit:
https://my.thechicagoschool.edu/community/studentresources/ie/Pages/InternationalStudents.aspx
F-1 Visa
 Authorizes the holder to request entry to the
U.S. for the purpose of full-time study as an F-1
student.
 Does not need to be kept current while in the
US.
 Cannot be renewed from within the US.
 Must be current to re-enter after departing the
US.
Image Credit:http://www.lindsey.edu/offices-and-services/international-student-programs/visarequirements.aspx
Form I-94
 Arrival and Departure Record maintained
electronically by U.S. Customs and Border
Patrol (CBP).
 Retrieved electronically at
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.
 The number on this record is also referred to as
your Admission or “A” number.
Image Credit: http://www.travelsworlds.com/category/home/page/2566
Other Important
Documents
F-1 students are advised to keep the following as
part of their permanent records:
 Receipts for tuition and books
 Student IDs
 Course syllabi
Protect your Documents!
 Keep all original documents (including all
previous I-20s) together in a safe place.
 Make copies of everything and keep them in a
different safe place.
 Store pictures of your originals electronically.
 You are responsible for your own records!
Image Credit: http://mundokk.deviantart.com/art/safe-documents-4725317
F-1 Visa
Requirements
 Enroll in a full-course of study every semester
according to the terms of your degree program.
 Obtain employment authorization before working
off-campus.
 Report address or name changes to international
student advisor (DSO).
 Keep a valid Passport.
 Request extensions (for legitimate academic or
medical reasons) before your I-20 expires.
Image Credit: http://www.wwu.edu/isss/impdocf1.shtml
Overview of Employment
Regulations
On-campus
 Part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the
semester or Full time (more than 20 hours per
week) during vacations.
 Prior authorization is not required.
 First year students are eligible.
Off-campus
 Prior authorization (CPT or OPT) is required.
 Must have completed 2 semesters of full-time
study and have declared a major.
 Employment must be directly connected to major.
Image Credithttp://apsgangtok.com/apsgangtok/index.php/en/rules-and-regulationsmenuitem
More about
CPT
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is an employment benefit that can be authorized for
employment which is an “integral part of an established
curriculum” and which is directly connected to the student’s
declared major. Students must have completed one full year
of study, have declared a major, and have a faculty
recommendation and written job offer in their field of
studying order to apply. CPT may only be authorized prior
to completion of degree program.
Image Credit: https://siss.ucdavis.edu/scholars_depts/other_work_status.html
More about
OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12 month
employment benefit in the student’s major field of study.
Use of OPT prior to graduation reduces eligibility for OPT
after graduation. Faculty recommendation and an
application fee of $410 are required to apply. A job offer is
not necessary at the time of application but students must
employed within 90 days of their OPT start date in order
to remain in status. Authorization takes 2-3 months.
Image Credit: tps://internationalaffairs.uchicago.edu/page/opt-optional-practicaltraining
If you Travel
Outside the US:
 Your I-20 must be signed on the 2rd page by a DSO
within 12 months of your return travel date.
 Your F-1 visa sticker must be current to re-enter the
US; if it has (or will) expire before re-entry, renew it
while you are out of the country. (The F-1 visa
sticker cannot be renewed from within the US.)
 Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity
from the date that you will re-enter the US.
Image Credit: http://www.travelsworlds.com/category/home/page/2566
Check your Understanding
 What document tells you do how long you can
remain in the US on F-1 status?
 If your F-1 visa sticker expires while you are in the
US what should you do?
 If you are offered an internship in a firm this Winter
Term, can you accept it?
 You are going home for summer vacation, do you
need to do anything before you leave?
Ask Questions!
Oberlin College’s DSOs are your best source of
advice regarding regulatory matters; make
an appointment to meet with one of us if
you have questions or concerns!
Wilder Hall, 105
8462
Image Credit: http://oberlincollege.tumblr.com/post/18508611040/myladyemily-24-february-24peters-in-the