Information for F-1 Students
Before Departure / Upon arrival in U.S.
- Be sure you have paid the SEVIS fee. Information about the SEVIS fee can be found here.
- Obtain necessary visa; you can check visa appointment wait times here.
- Be sure you have proof of international insurance when you arrive on campus.
- You must check-in with the Designated School Official (DSO contact information below) when you arrive on campus.
- Provide a copy of your I-94, passport, and visa to the DSO when you arrive on campus.
- Contact the DSO before your arrival if you have questions about any of your required documents.
Maintaining your legal status while enrolled at Emory & Henry College
- Maintain full-time enrollment -- minimum of 12 hours; reduced course load is permitted in the event of a medical condition, but you must receive prior approval from the DSO.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress; check the course catalog for details based on your classification.
- Contact the DSO when you declare or change your majors.
- Hold a valid I-20 form and passport at all times while in the U.S.
- Follow a appropriate procedures for travel, extension of stay and employment as indicated below:
Travel abroad and reentry
- Obtain travel endorsement on I-20 from DSO before leaving the United States
- Obtain visa to destination country if necessary
- Have valid U.S. visa in passport at the time of re-entry
Extension of stay
- You may obtain an extension if you need more time to finish your program or start a new program
- Request the extension I-20 before your current I-20 expires
Employment
- On-campus employment is permitted, but there are restrictions; check with the DSO for details; off-campus employment is generally not permitted
- Limit your on-campus employment to 20 hours per week while school is in session; check with the DSO before beginning employments
- If you work on campus, you must first obtain a Social Security Number
- Curricular Practical Training - work connected to course requirements; check with DSO for details
- Optional Practical Training - work done after program is complete; up to 12 months, must apply before I-20 expires or academic program ends (whichever comes first)
Other things to know:
- You must not transfer schools without permission.
The DSO must be notified before transferring to another school.
- If you have transferred to Emory & Henry from another school within the U.S., you must finalize the transfer.
If you are transferring to E&H from another school within the U.S. (high school or college), you must have your transfer finalized by the DSO. Please bring the I-20 or DS-2019 from your previous school, your passport and the new I-20 or DS-2019 from E&H to your Foreign Student Advisor so the transfer can be completed. Transfer students must report to the Admissions Office upon arrival to Emory & Henry.
- Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 valid at all times
Always keep track of the expiration date of your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Request a new I-20 or DS-2019 form from the DSO if you need an extension before your form expires. If the ending date on the I-20 or DS-2019 form expires before notifying your DSO, you are out of status and must do reinstatement paperwork at the student's cost. There is no guarantee that USCIS will approve the reinstatement.
- Your passport must be kept valid for the duration of your stay and for travel purposes
Maintaining a valid passport is the responsibility of the student. The passport can be renewed by the home country consulate or embassy in the U.S. Check with the Registrar's Office or the DSO if you need letters certifying enrollment in the College for passport revalidation.
- Maintain your visa
Your visa stamp indicates your visa type, the period during which you may enter the United States and the number of entries permitted. The stamp may ONLY be obtained outside the U.S., so your visa may expire during your stay unless your travel or your status changes. So it is okay to have an expired visa while inside the U.S., but when you leave the U.S. you must apply for a new visa. This will require a new immigration document from your DSO before departing the U.S.
- Dependents may accompany you.
Dependents may enter the U.S. with an F-2 visa and are considered in status as long as F-1 is authorized to stay and maintains status. Dependents may not work or enroll in a degree program.
Designated School Official (DSO) Contact Information:
David Hawsey, V.P. for Enrollment Management
Office of Admissions, Emily Williams House
Phone: 276.944.6133
Fax:276.944.6935
Email:dhawsey@ehc.edu
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