Immigration Matters

Williston Hall 406

Office Hours Monday -Friday8am-12pmClosed for Lunch1pm – 4:30pm

Walk-In HoursMonday -Friday1pm-3pm

Other times by appointment only

*Change of Status and Reinstatements require an appointment

Who do you get your immigration

advice from?

ISFO!!!!!!!

• MUST BE ENROLLED FULL TIME!!!!• Undergrads– 12 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters

• Grads– 9 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters

• Summer Term not required by Regulation– May have other reasons that you must take

classes

• Underloads– Talk to ISFO

Enrollment F-1 & J-1 Students

• Undergrads– 2.0 GPA

• Grads– 3.0 GPA

• If you are not in good academic standing, you are NOT eligible for:– Curricular Practical Training (CPT)– Optional Practical Training (OPT)– Travel Signatures (until we know you are

retained)– On-campus employment (must get special

permission to continue working)

Maintain Good Academic Standing

• DO NOT LOSE YOUR DOCUMENTS– Keep in a safe place– If you do lose of damage your documents,

come talk to ISFO immediately about replacement

• Passport– Must remain valid entire time abroad– If you renew, make sure ISFO gets a copy

• Visa– Can expire while in the U.S.; must renew if

you leave the country

Documents

F-1 I-20Old

version (1st page)

School Code

Program end date

Program start date

SEVIS #

F-1 I-20Old version (3rd page)

Endorse for Travel

F-1 I-20New

version (1st page)

School Code

Program start & end dates

SEVIS #

Student signature

F-1 I-20New

version (2nd page)

CPT employment information

Endorse for Travel

J-1 DS-

2019Endorse for Travel

Program Dates

SEVIS #

Program Code

• Travel Signatures– Need a recent signature (6 months highly

recommended)• Page 2 of I-20• Page 1 of DS-2019

• Academic Probation– Your status must be confirmed before a

travel signature can be issued.

• Mid-Semester Travel– Not recommended, but if there is an

emergency come talk to ISFO

Travel

• Allowed for everyone right away• 20 hours/week limit during Fall and

Spring Semesters• Possible full-time during Summer

• F-1 No Authorization Needed• J-1 Authorization Required

On-campus Employment

• Global Friends Network is a new program that will connect American and International students at NIU in a structured way that promotes cultural understanding, improves the assimilation of International Students into the NIU community, and enhances professional preparation of the students in a Globalizing world.

• The program will be run on a semester-by-semester basis and will be organized by the International Student and Faculty Office with partnership from the Study Abroad Office, College of Business and Honors Program.

• As a starting point for Fall 2015, this program aims to recruit about 20 American and 20 International Students. Through an online application system, students will apply to be a part of the program at the beginning of each semester. ISFO will review applications and match students in pairs. Each pair of students will be required to meet twice a month for an activity (getting coffee, studying together at the library, going for a bike ride, getting lunch together, etc…). ISFO will also host 3 group events for all participants throughout the semester (matching ceremony, outdoor activity and end-of semester banquet).

Global Friends Network