Current International Students


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Tempe, Polytechnic, West and Downtown Phoenix campus international students:

International Students and Scholars Office
Suite 150, Tempe Center
951 S. Mill Ave.
Phone: 480.965.7451
Email: iso@asu.edu

 

Maintaining Student Status

To view a specific topic, click on the appropriate link:

 

1- SEVIS Registration

Must be completed upon arrival at ASU.  Students should plan on arriving at least two weeks before classes begin and attend the mandatory ISO orientation.  Students should report to the ISO before the first day of classes and because processing times apply, it is the student's responsibility to report and submit all required documentation for SEVIS registration no later than 5 days after the program start date.  SEVIS registration and new I-20 process can only be completed after you have registered full-time and paid your tuition in full or enrolled in the tuition installment plan so please plan accordingly.

  1. Submit to International Student Office (ISO) the copies of:  I-20/DS-2019, I-94, passport pages with photo, visa and print-out of your address information updated through ASU Interactive website, www.asu.edu/interactive

  2. Update address information through ASU Interactive
    Address information:
    • Local Address – current residence in Arizona
    • SEVIS Address – home country residence
    International Students may not list a PO box for their Local or SEVIS addresses.
  3. F-1 students will be registered in SEVIS.

  4. J-1 student participation will be validated in SEVIS to complete registration process.

  5. If transferring from another school in the USA (including AECP) and you traveled and entered using your ASU I-20, follow the above process. 

    If transferring your immigration status from another school in the USA (including AECP) and you did not travel and use your ASU I-20, you must see an ISO staff member for SEVIS update/registration. This process must be completed no later than the first week of classes.

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2-Maintain a full course of study at all times

  1. 12 credit hrs- undergraduate, 9 credit hrs- graduate

  2. 6 credit hrs, if you have an assistantship (unless your department or college requires more)

  3. Only 3 credit hrs online/distance learning classes may be applied towards full-time requirement per semester.

  4. No classes taken during winter intersession or taken as an audit may be counted towards full time enrollment.

Exemption to the full-course- of-study in a given semester is given for the following academic and medical reasons with International Student Office (ISO) and/or Academic Advisor approval only:  last semester, dissertation/research or thesis hours, concurrent enrollment at a local community college, USICE recognized case of academic difficulties, serious medical problems and personal issues that prevent academic success.

The completed request for exemption to the full-course-of study must be submitted to the ISO prior to the beginning of the semester.  If circumstances beyond your control prohibit you from gaining appropriate approvals prior to the semester, the ISO will accept completed forms no later than close of business on the Friday of the first day of classes.  No exceptions.

Note:  SEVIS registration requires that international students must be enrolled full time no later than the late registration and drop/add deadline published in the ASU academic calendar.  If you plan to submit a request for an exemption to the full-course-of-study, please plan accordingly as processing times may apply (see above).

Obtain ISO authorization prior to dropping below a full course of study
Student must submit appropriate forms/documents to receive ISO approval for exception to the full-course-of-study requirement BEFORE the start of the semester and/or PRIOR to dropping below full-time.

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3-Validity of document and Duration of Status (D/S)

  1. Maintain a valid passport at all times
    - Passport renewals or replacement while in the U.S. is processed through your country’s embassy.

  2. The VISA stamp in your passport, on the other hand, has the function of an entry ticket into the USA and does not need to be valid while you are in the USA.
    - Visa renewal is done outside the U.S. only.

  3. Maintain a valid Form I-20 or  DS-2019  at all times
    - Pay close attention to program limit on your I-20 or DS-2019; ask for extension BEFORE your immigration document expires. Processing times apply, so please plan ahead and schedule accordingly.
    - I-20/DS-2019 must reflect correct major and level of study.
    - Keep all copies of the I-20/DS-2019 indefinitely.

  4. I-94 is a small white card which is usually stapled to the visa page in your passport
    - The date to which you have been authorized to remain in the U.S. is recorded on your I-94 card.
    - The I-94 cards of persons holding F and J status will usually be marked D/S or Duration of Status.

Duration of Status (D/S)

  1. This means that you have permission to remain in the U.S. for the length of your academic program as stated on line #5 of your I-20 or line #3 of your DS-2019 form as long as you remain a full-time student or scholar in that program.

Reasons for End of D/S

  1. Completion of degree program/ Optional Practical Training  (OPT)
  2. Failure to maintain status
  3. Approval of change of status

Grace period of status

Immigration regulations allow for a limited grace period in which you may remain in the U.S.

  1. 60 days – completed course of study and after Optional Practical Training (OPT) for  F-1
  2. 30 days – completed course of study and after Academic Training (AT) for  J-1
  3. 15 days – terminated course of study before completion authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO)
  4. 0 day   –  terminated course of study without DSO Approval 


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4- Abide by employment regulations

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5-  J-1 Dependent Health and Accident Insurance

  1. J-2 insurance is mandatory. (F-2 insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended)

  2. Additional information about insurance may be obtained at this website: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/health/


Important!
Dependents of F-1 or J-1 students are not eligible for public assistance programs such as medical services or insurance provided to low-income U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Accepting such benefits could result in deportation and forced repayment of fees.

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6-  Special Registration

  1. Certain non-immigrants including F-1 and J-1 will be registered upon admission through a U.S. port of entry.

  2. Individuals subject to Special Registration are required to use only designated ports of departure when departing the U.S. http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm

  3. For updated information including countries on the Special Registration list, go to http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm


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7-  Update local address information

  1. Within 10 days after you move, you must report any change of local (current residential  address) through ASU Interactive http://www.asu.edu/interactive. This address cannot be a PO box.


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8-  OTHER IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION REMINDERS

  1. STAY IN STATUS! Your failure to maintain your status will result in you being placed on administrative hold by the ISO to prevent future registration at ASU and your SEVIS record will be TERMINATED for failure to maintain status. Terminated records are subject to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement review which could result in detention and deportation.

  2. You are responsible for your own immigration matters. Know and understand the regulations that apply to you. Remember, decisions you make about your academics may impact your immigration status.

  3. Always consult International Student Office (ISO) if you are in doubt about immigration issues.

  4. Handle immigration matters in a timely manner. Pay attention to the expiration dates of your I-20/DS-2019 form, Passport and Visa. Most document/transaction requests take 7-10 working days. Please plan accordingly.

  5. Stay informed about USICE and ISO matters. Read our notices at the ISO Bulletin Board. Sign up for an ASU e-mail account and regularly check your emails. International students from all campuses will receive email updates from the ISO at the Tempe campus regarding immigration updates and programming opportunities.

  6. At any point where you have any visa immigration related questions, need information and/or advisement, here are the suggested methods of contact for Tempe, Polytechnic, West and Downtown Phoenix campus students:

    1. Go to the website - http://www.asu.edu/iso
    2. Visit the ISO - SSV Building Room 265, Tempe campus
    3. Email -  isoeadvisor@asu.edu
    4. Call - 480-965-7451


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