Under United States law, international students have certain responsibilities. In order to maintain proper legal status, F-1 students must comply with the United States immigration regulations. This includes keeping your passport, visa, I-20 and other official documents up to date. By failing to keep your documents up to date, you may cause unnecessary problems that may interfere with your education. As you work toward your degree at The Citadel you will be asked to comply with all of these immigration regulations. Some of theseregulations can be confusing so it is important to understand how to stay in status with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Ultimately, it is your responsibility to know and understand these regulations; however, the International Student Advisor at The Citadel will be available to answer any questions you may have.

Enforcing United States immigration laws and regulations is the responsibility of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The INS District Office that has jurisdiction over international students at The Citadel is located in Atlanta, Georgia. The local INS Office is located at the following address:

Immigration and Naturalization Service
170 Meeting Street, 5th Floor
Charleston, South Carolina, 29401
Phone: (843) 727-4350

 

The following section provides a summary of the immigration regulations for F-1 students. The information contained in this section includes the immigration terms and regulations that an international student should be familiar with. It is the responsibility of the F-1 student to comply with these regulations. If the student fails to comply, they may be ineligible for the benefits INS offers F-1 students such as on-campus employment, "practical training", eligibility for school transfer or other F-1 benefits.

Because immigration law is constantly changing, it is important to consult the Office of International Studies for advice on these regulations and assistance in obtaining the benefits that are legally permitted to F-1 students.

Immigration Terms

• Immigration Status: This refers to your visa category, such as F-1, B-2, A-1, etc.
  
  
• Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS): The U.S government agency which enforces U.S immigration law.
  
  
• Designated Signature Officer (DSO): The DSO is a school employee responsible for approving and recommending benefits for F-1 students, educating students and the school about their rights and obligations under the F-1 regulations and preparing, issuing and signing the Form I-20 and other immigration forms. The DSO acts as a liaison between INS and the student.
  
  
• Passport: A document issued by the government of your country. As an F-1 student, you must keep your passport valid at all times during your stay in the U.S. It is also important to keep copies of your passport in the event it is lost or stolen.
  
  If your passport is lost or stolen you should take immediate steps to have it replaced. Replacing or renewing a passport can be done within the U.S. by the foreign government authority that issued the passport initially. Because each country's policy is different, international students that need to replace or renew a passport should consult their embassy or consulate located in the U.S to determine the proper procedure to follow. Important: When sending your passport to the embassy or consulate do so by certified mail so that you can receive a receipt confirming that your passport reached its destination.
  
  
• U.S Visa Stamp: An entrance document that is stamped or affixed to a page in your passport by the U.S consulate or embassy in your country. The visa enables you to enter the U.S until what time it expires. Although you are not considered "out of status" if your visa expires while in the U.S, you will be unable to return to the U.S. if you leave the country. Unlike a passport, you cannot renew your visa while in the U.S. To renew your visa you will need to depart from the U.S and go to the U.S consulate or embassy in your country (or another country) and apply for the new visa. You would need the same documentation required when obtaining a new visa.
  
  
• I-94 Card-Arrival /Departure Card: The small white card you receive upon entering the U.S. The I-94 card indicates:
  
  
  • date and place of entry to the U.S
  • immigration status: F-1
  • 11 digit admission number
  • length of authorized stay: "Duration of Status" D/S

  
  If you lose your I-94 card, you should apply immediately to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for a replacement document. The Office of International Studies can help you with this process.

• Form I-20 A-B: The INS document issued by the school you have applied to, when all admission requirements have been met. This form makes you eligible to apply for an F-1 student visa. The Form I-20 has two parts: A "school copy" and a "student copy". You must retain the Form I-20 "student copy" to be able to establish your legal status in the U.S. If you lose the I-20, you should request a new form from the Office of International Studies as soon as possible.

 

1. Pursue a "full course of study" at the school listed on your current valid Form I-20 during every academic session or semester except during official school breaks, unless an exception is authorized in advance by the International Student Advisor/DSO. Go to Registration, Attendance and Courseload Requirements.
   
   
2. Make normal progress towards completing your course of study before the expiration of the "program completion date" on the Form I-20 (item #5). Reinstatement to F-1 Status.
   
   
3. Keep your Form I-20 valid by following the proper procedures for:
   
   
   • Extension of stay
   • Change of major or educational level Keeping your Form I-20 Valid.
   • Transfer of schools
     
     
4. Remain in the U.S for no longer than 60 days after completing a full course of study, unless prior to that time you have applied for practical training, change of major or educational level, or school transfer.
   
   
5. Keep your passport valid at all times.
   
   
6. Do not work, either on or off-campus unless authorized by the Office of International Studies and INS. Link to F-1 Student Employment.
   
   
7. Report any change of address to the Office of International Studies and to the Registrars Office within 10 days.
   
   
8. If applicable fill out yearly income tax forms and send them to the Internal Revenue Service.

Violation of Status could result in the cancellation of your F-1 Student Visa. If you feel that you have violated your status, see the International Student Advisor in the Office of International Studies as soon as possible to apply for reinstatement. Failure for a student to be reinstated in a timely manner may result in the student being barred from reentering the US for three to ten years.