F-1 Immigration

The information and instructions contained in this section are very important to you. During your stay in this country you must obey certain regulations that are based upon laws of the United States and are enforced by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These regulations are simple, however, failure to obey them can cause difficult situations.

The Office of International Education has been established to assist you in complying with all federal regulations. Keep in mind, however, that it is your personal responsibility to see that you comply with all regulations. Please call the International Education Office 480-461-7758 or International Admissions 480-461-7600 when ever you have questions pertaining to immigration regulations.

Each international student is advised to make a photocopy of the following documents. These copies should be kept in a separate place from the original documents. The International Admissions office will also keep a copy of these documents.

I-94 (small white card attached in your passport)
I-20
Identification page of the passport (has your picture)
Visa (stamped inside your passport, or official letter from INS.)

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF STATUS
The most important things to remember to keep you in status with INS regulations are as follows:

Your passport must be valid at all times
You must attend the school that issued your I-20
You must carry a full course of study every semester (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester - you are not required to study in summer or winter session)
I-20 must not be expired
Engage ONLY in authorized employment

DO NOT LET YOUR IMMIGRATION PAPERS EXPIRE!

F-1 students are responsible for maintaining their legal status while studying in the U.S. Consequences for an F-1 student who fails to maintain legal status can be serious. Students who are out of legal status are ineligible for employment, transfer to another school, change to another status, as well as ineligibility of other benefits. Out-of-status students must either apply for reinstatement or leave the US and reenter. (see Out-of -Status section).

I-20 - CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY
Issued by the school the student is attending. This document gives the foreign student permission to study in the U.S. for the time it takes to complete their educational program.

I-94 - ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE RECORD
All foreign students entering the United states are issued an 1-94. This document is usually stapled to the passport by the visa and is very important. Please keep this document with your passport at all times.

VISA
The visa gives permission to enter the U.S. If your visa expires while you are studying in the U.S., you do not need to renew it unless you plan to travel outside of the United States.

VISA & TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.A.
To reenter the United States most students will need to present:
1. valid passport
2. valid U.S. visa
3. valid I-20 signed for travel by DSO
4. current proof of financial guarantee

Traveling to Mexico or Canada for 30 days or less:
1. valid I-94 card
2. valid I-20
3. valid passport

Please make sure your I-20 is signed by the DSO, Linda Shaw, Admissions Office, before you leave the U.S. The signature is valid for up to one year from the date of signature.

I-20 EXTENSION
Eligibility requirements - students who have maintained lawful status
(including completing 12 credits every semester and not worked off campus illegally) but whose program completion has been delayed due to academic or medical reason:
Acceptable Academic Delays:
1. Original length of time to complete the program was not reasonable for the particular program.
2. Change of major or degree or,
3. Lost credits upon transfer to another school or,

*Medical Delays - requires confirmed documentation from your Physician or medical facility

Requirements: If you qualify for an I-20 extension, you need to do the following:
I . Visit with your International Student Advisor and request a Program of Study (POS) for an I-20 extension.
2. Obtain a new financial guarantee letter (must be no more than 6 months old).
3. Submit the POS and guarantee letter to International Admission Office for a new I-20.

TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL
Eligibility Requirements - student must have maintained lawful status by:
1. Maintaining full-time status every semester.
2. Making normal progress towards completing program of study.
3. Has not engaged in unauthorized employment.
4. Has not received notification of deportation.

Please make sure you begin transfer procedures at least one semester before your desired transfer semester, if not sooner. Most universities have application deadlines, so be sure you begin the process on time. Withn the universities, most colleges and departments may have even earlier deadline dates, so please check with the university of interest for more information. In addition, visit or contact an advisor at the university you want to transfer or make an appointment with the Transfer Office in the Advisement Center at MCC when you are ready for more information.

CHANGE OF MAJOR OR DEGREE
Students need to inform the International Education Office or the International Admissions Office if making an academic program change.