Frequently Asked Questions:
Immigration and Visas

This section includes quick answers to some of the most commonly encountered questions about immigration and visas.

To find answers to other frequently asked questions, choose another category:
Programs // Admission // Finances // Advising // Immigration // Student Life

Immigration

1. How long can I stay in the U.S.?
2. What is "STATUS"?
3. What does it mean to be OUT OF STATUS?
4. What is the F-1 visa?
5. What is the white card (I-94) in my passport?
6. What about my passport?
7. What is my form I-20?
8. What do the program length and end date on my I-20 mean? Can I stay in the U.S. until the end date on my I-20?
9. Do I need a student visa if I only want to study for one quarter?
10. How do I apply for a student visa?
11. If I am already an F-1 student in the US at a different school, can I use the student visa I already have to attend class at Seattle Central?
12. How do I transfer as an F-1 student from one school to another inside the US?
13. Can I work while I am studying at Seattle Central?
14. If my program requires an off-campus internship (work experience), do I need a permission to work?
15. Do I need to buy health insurance while I am on OPT?

Immigration

1. How long can I stay in the U.S.?

Most non-immigrants are admitted until a specific date, such as tourist (B visa), M1 and J1 students. In comparison, F-1 students are not given a specific date, rather they are admitted for "D/S" or DURATION OF STATUS. "D/S" means that once you are admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status, (or changed status to F-1 while in the U.S.) you are allowed to stay -as long as you maintain status by following Immigration rules and school policy.

You are considered to be maintaining status if you are pursuing a full course of study, making progress towards completion of your program, AND are not violating any of the terms of F-1 visa (i.e. not accepted illegal employment or work off campus without special permission from immigration.

Students who have graduated and are on authorized Post-Completion Optional Practical Training/ OPT are STILL considered F-1 students. While pursuing full-time employment during the authorized period of time, they are considered to be maintaining status. Remember: OPT is NOT a visa. It is merely a period of time that is allowed for employment in the field related to your academic expertise.

As long as you maintain your status, you may continue to stay in the U.S. to pursue your educational goal as an F-1 (from AA to BA/BS to MA to PH.D. Degrees). However, you must follow necessary transfer or program extension procedures.

2. What is "STATUS"?

Status is not a physical thing you can touch like your passport of visa, status is a LEGAL CONDITION.

Once admitted to the U.S., you are expected to maintain status, which in part means not staying longer than the amount of time you were admitted to stay. However, since F-1 students are admitted for "D/S", this means you can stay as long as you pursue the objective of that particular visa that you were admitted.

F-1 students are admitted to STUDY full time. You are expected to abide by the rules applied to your visa classification. If you follow the rule, you will maintain the "legal condition", in other word "have legal status" to remain in the U.S.

3. What does it mean to be OUT OF STATUS?

"Out of Status" means that you are no longer maintaining good immigration status or your "legal condition."

The consequences of being "out-of-status" include denial of benefits such as Reduced Course Load (vacation quarter, medical leave, concurrent enrollment) and work authorization.

If you fall out of status, you are not eligible to transfer schools in status. Therefore, you must either apply for reinstatement (if eligible) or re-enter the country with an I-20 from a new school (if accepted).

If found to be in violation of the terms of your visa by an immigration judge or an adjudication officer, you could be considered "unlawfully present", and therefore may be at risk of detention, deportation, and denial of future visa applications.

REMEMBER: it is YOUR responsibility to maintain status!!!

4. What is the F-1 visa?

The F-1 visa is an approval stamp from the U.S. Consulate (in your home country) of your identification as a prospective student seeking an entry to the U.S. to pursue an academic goal.

The visa gives you the "right" to knock on the door of the U.S. port of entry. However, the immigration officer/ inspector has full authority to admit or deny your entry.

Once in the U.S., your visa may expire without any consequences –––as long as you maintain your status. When you travel outside of the U.S., however, you must have a valid visa to re-enter. If you go home with an expired visa, you must apply for a visa renewal before you return to resume your studies.

5. What is the white card (I-94) in my passport?

Even though this card looks small, it is in fact a very important document. On an airplane, visitors are asked to fill out a Form I-94, Arrival/ Departure Record. At the port of entry (airport), students present this card to the immigration officer/ inspector. The officer takes the "Arrival Record" and gives you back the "Departure Record" or I-94, which is usually stapled inside your passport.

This card has a red-ink stamp which shows your visa classification (F-1), the port of entry where you were admitted, and the "D/S" admittance.

You will need I-94 as evidence when you apply for employment authorization, reinstatement, change of visa, etc. It is highly recommended to keep copies of the front and back of your I-94, just in case you lose the original. If you lost your I-94, you MUST request the replacement, by submitting form I-102 to the USCIS.

6. What about my passport?

Your passport is a travel document issued by your home country, which allows you to seek admission into a foreign country and return home. While you are in the U.S., your passport serves as your identification document to prove your legal name, nationality, country of birth, date of birth, etc. Passports look different depending on the country where they are issued.

You are required to have a valid passport to be admitted to the U.S. (along with other valid documents such as visa and I-20) and to apply for extension of stay. While in the U.S., it is your responsibility to keep your passport valid at all times. It is highly recommended that you apply for passport renewal within 6 months of the expiration date.

7. What is my form I-20?

Your I-20 form is your Certification of Eligibility for an F-1 visa, issued by a school of your destination. This form tells the U.S. Consulate in your country as well as the Port of Entry Immigration Officer: which school you will attend, your program of study and degree seeking, your program start and end dates, and your financial support information.

When you are admitted to the U.S., the immigration officer processes your I-20 by stamping your I-20 and I-94 card. It is absolutely necessary that all information on the I-20 is accurate, including your date of birth, country of birth, and country of citizenship. Please notify the IEP office immediately, if your name is misspelled or if any information need to be corrected!

8. What do the program length and end date on my I-20 mean? Can I stay in the U.S. until the end date on my I-20?

The program length on your I-20 is the estimated period of time that students normally complete certain program of study. The program end date on your I-20, therefore, is an "estimate" of the time you will need to complete your program requirements. The "End Date" on your I-20 can be shortened or extended (visa SEVIS system) depending on your situation.

For example, if you are graduating this quarter your SEVIS record will be updated and the program end date will be shorten. On the other hand, If your end date is approaching and you need more time to complete your program of study, you can request to extend your Program End Date. In any case, Program End Date reflects your "ACADEMIC TIMELINE"-not the length of time that you are legally allowed to stay in the U.S.

9. Do I need a student visa if I only want to study for one quarter?

Yes - the visa you use to enter the US should match your reason for coming, and is not based on how long you plan to stay. If your main reason for coming to the US is to be a tourist, then you should apply for a tourist visa. Since tourists can remain in the US for only one month, you will not have time to study. If, however, your main reason for coming to the US is to be a student, you should apply for a student visa.

10. How do I apply for a student visa?

The first step is to apply for admission to Seattle Central Community College. Once you have been accepted by the school, we will send you an I-20 form with your acceptance materials. You can then use that I-20 form to apply for a student visa at a US embassy or consulate (you will also need to have proof that you have money to live and go to school in the US when you apply for the visa).

The SEVIS I-901 fee went into effect September 1, 2004. The payment website at www.fmjfee.com is operational. New students and exchange visitors with a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004 are subject to the fee. Continuing students and exchange visitors are not required to pay the fee except under certain circumstances. For complete information on who needs to pay the fee (or does not need to) see the SEVP website at www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq.htm. There is a complete list of questions and answers on all aspects of SEVIS I-901 fee payment.

The phone number for the I-901 Help Desk is 1-785-330-1048.

11. If I am already an F-1 student in the US at a different school, can I use the student visa I already have to attend class at Seattle Central?

Yes - your student visa can be used to attend any school that issues F-1 I-20 forms. Many people think that since they have the name of a school written on their visa, they can only use their visa to attend that school. This is not true. The reason the consulate or embassy wrote the name of your first school on your visa is that you are required to attend that school for at least one quarter. After that, you can use that same visa to attend any other school in the US provided you complete a transfer procedure.

12. How do I transfer as an F-1 student from one school to another inside the US?

When you transfer schools as an F-1 student, there is a transfer procedure that must be followed.

13. Can I work while I am studying at Seattle Central?

Yes, IF you are eligible. Please refer to EMPLOYMENT page. It is strongly encouraged that you attend one of our upcoming EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOPS.

14. If my program requires an off-campus internship (work experience), do I need a permission to work?

Yes. Please follow the instructions on the CPT (Curricular Practical Training) guide. If you are pursuing an AAS degree, please see your Department Counselor first.

***Please do not enroll for internship credits unless your CPT has been officially authorized.*** .

15. Do I need to buy health insurance while I am on OPT?

International Education Programs highly recommends that students keep purchasing school health insurance. It is very important to pay the fee before the quarter starts. Please come to IEP office for further information.