保持你的合法学生身份

既然你已进入美国.S. as a nonimmigrant in F-1 or J-1 student status, it is critically important that you are aware of and abide by the regulations that govern your stay. International Student and Scholar Advising can assist you in maintaining your legal student status and dealing with various U.S. 政府机构. However, you are responsible for finding out, knowing, and following pertinent regulations. Under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an internet-based system that facilitates the transmission of data to and from the federal government, 你的记录, 包括名字, 出生日期和地点, 国籍国, 当前的地址, 学术地位, 就业信息, can be checked regularly by several 政府机构. The consequence of you falling out of your status may be severe. If you are the least bit uncertain about your status—whether your permission to stay is valid or whether you may be paid for an internship—check immediately.

To maintain your legal student status, you must:

1. 请始终保持护照有效.

  • Your passport must be renewed six months before it expires. 没有有效护照, you do not have legal 移民身份 and are ineligible for employment of any type, 包括校内工作, 实际培训, 等. Visit you country’s consulate website to learn how to renew your passport.
  •  You should keep a copy of your passport and your I-94入学/离境记录 与实际文档分开. Your home country’s embassy’s or consulate’s contact information should also be easily accessible.

2. Maintain full-time enrollment and normal progress toward your degree, as defined below:

  • You must register and complete a full course of study each fall and spring semester. 本科:至少 三个课程 每学期. 毕业生:和你的学校核实一下.
  • The measure of normal progress is the rate at which the average full-time student in your program advances toward his or her degree. Working to complete courses or projects designated as incomplete from previous semesters is not maintaining normal progress. 如果你发现自己处于这种情况, or if you have an academic reason to carry a less than full-time load, you must consult with International Student and Scholar Advising immediately, 除了你的建议院长.

3. Notify your Principal/Designated School Official (P/DSO) immediately (within 10 days) if you: 

  • 更改您的家庭或本地地址. You must always maintain a local address with the college.
  • 申报或更换专业
  • Change your financial support; or
  • 改变你的U.S. 移民身份.

4. Limit your on-campus employment to a maximum of 17.上课期间每周5小时*. You can work on-campus full-time during vacation periods. 

5. Never work off-campus without prior authorization from your P/DSO and the U.S. 美国公民及移民服务局(USCIS).

  • Employment includes: work experience, paid or unpaid internships, practicum and volunteer work 等.
  • Beginning to work off-campus without proper authorization from the USCIS is considered one of the most serious violation of your status; it renders you illegally present in the U.S.
  • 课程及实践训练 (CPT) authorization is available for students who meet CPT eligibility requirements.
  • As off-campus employment authorization may take up approximately 90 days to obtain, it is very important that you consult with your P/DSO before you plan to work. Please also keep in mind that if you are applying for post-completion optional 实际培训 (OPT), the USCIS must receive your application with 60 days of your program end date.
  • It is illegal to begin to work in anticipation of being granted permission to do so; you must have permission first.

6. Keep your I-20 Form (F-1 student) or DS-2019 Form (J-1 student) valid.

  • You must receive proper signature from the Principal or Designated School Official (P/DSO) for re-entry into the U.S. P/DSO签名的有效期为一年.
  • If you must continue to study beyond the date in item #5 of your I-20 or in item #3 of your DS-2019, you must apply for a “program extension” 30 days before the expiration date.
  • To continue at Bryn Mawr in a different academic level (e.g., bachelor’s to master’s), you must also apply for an extension. You must verify your admission to the new program and your ability to finance the program. International Student and Scholar Advising will issue a new I-20 or DS2019 indicating your correct academic program.
  • If you are considering transferring to another school, consult with the International Student and Scholar Advising, 除了你们的院长, 在做决定之前.

7. Once you have completed your studies and any 实际培训 that is authorized, 你必须离开美国.S. or change to another 移民身份 within the appropriate time.

  •  If you are in F-1 student status, you are permitted to stay in the U.S. 完成日期后60天.
  • If you are in J-1 student status, you are permitted to stay in the U.S. 竣工日期后30天. Always seek advice from your international student adviser regarding questions about your visa status.

*Although US immigration regulations permit on-campus employment up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, 推荐全球十大博彩公司排行榜 procedures limit on-campus employment to 17.每周5小时.