Immigration Information for International Students

International students on F-1 or J-1 visas who come to study at Andrews University (AU) should be informed about the immigration laws and regulations in matters related to their visa status. It is the responsibility of the international student to maintain his/her student I-20 (for F-1) and DS-2019 (for J-1) status at all times. Failure to follow immigration regulations, whether intentional or unintentional, is a violation of the student visa status. Consequently, the status of the international student would be terminated and he/she must apply to the USCIS to be reinstated back into the legal student visa status or depart the US and re-enter with F1 or J1 status again to be legally admitted to study.

The personnel at the Office of International Student Services and programs (OISSP) consists of the director, called the Principle Designated School Official (PDSO), and the Designated School Official (DSO). They are appointed by Andrews University and authorized by United States Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20s and sign legal students’ documents. The Office of International Student services’ director is also the RO (Responsible Officer), and therefore, is now authorized to issue its own DS 2019 documents for it J1 (student/researcher/exchange visitor) and J2 (dependent of J1) applicants. This office also has an ARO (Alternate Responsible Office) for assisting in the preparation of the DS2019 document. The PDSO, RO, ARO and DSO are also required to advise international students in areas related to student life on campus such as study, work and travel, etc.

The Office of International Student Services communicates information to the international students in matters related to the government laws and immigration by several methods. First, the orientation for new international students is required upon arrival at Andrews University at the start of each of the 3 semesters (fall, spring and summer). Failure to attend the orientation program may result in student not having relevant information to live in accordance to the requirements to live by the student visa status they arrived upon and to failure to maintain legal status during the duration of the time spent on campus. Please visit the Office of International student services as soon as possible to receive the non-immigrant guidelines.  Other means of communication include the Andrews “Bulletin,” the International Student Services website, the Andrews Agenda and email. All international students are required to immediately update the Office of International Student Services of any changes in their student visa status, address, change of major or change of academic level.

          **F2 visa status holders are dependents of F1. F2 visa holder who is a spouse, is not permitted to work during the entire duration of their stay in the US but are allowed to be a student on a part time basis. F2 dependent children are permitted to go to school but not work. However, when the F2 dependent completed high school, F2 dependent should change his/her visa status to F1 is s/he would like to continue with their education at a college/university. 

General requirements for maintaining status as international students:

1. Have a valid passport at all times.
2. Continue to carry a full course of study.
3. Leave the United States once the courses for the academic program are completed, unless the student applies for a work permit (for F-1: OPT, for J-1: Academic Training).
4. Apply through the Office of International Student Services for a new I-20 if it is desired to change programs, to continue for another academic level within the same school or to transfer out to another institution of higher learning within the US.
5. Extend the current I-20 if additional time is required to complete student’s program of study. Extend request process begins with the Office of International Student services.
6. Keep the I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) updated at all times. The most recent signature by the PDSO or DSO on one of these documents should be within 12 months from the time of signature. If it has exceeded, another signature must be obtained prior to travel outside of the U.S.
7. Maintain a legal work permit (on- or off-campus according to USCIS regulations).

Tuberculosis Testing: All international students must submit a negative (clear) TB test prior to admission.

Attendance at Another School

International students that come to study with an Andrews University I-20 or the DS-2019 should always maintain a full course of study at Andrews University. With an Andrews University I-20, international students may take additional classes from other schools if approved by the academic advisor and the Office of International Student Services.

The Department of Homeland Security system to track all international students who are admitted to study in the United States is called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). It is administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States.

Transfer to Another School in the U.S.

J-1 students who want to change schools or their academic program must first check with their sponsoring organizations. If an F-1 student intends to change schools for any reason during the program, or after receiving a degree, he/she must initiate a transfer and obtain a new I-20 from the new school. Also, the Office of International Student Services at Andrews University will require you to submit a letter of admission from the school you will be transfering to. The transfer instructions that need to be followed are normally given by the new school. Once the receiving school is ready to issue the new I-20, the student should inform the ISS office so that the student’s current legal file can be transferred electronically to the new school.

Full Course of Study

USCIS requires every student on an F-1 or DS-2019 student visa to enroll full-time every semester at the school they are authorized to attend beginning immediately after the report date on the I-20 or DS-2019. Full-time class enrollment is as follows:

Summer semester is the vacation semester for those who start a regular school year (fall semester). International students do not have to enroll for a lesser course load during summer except if the initial attendance reporting date on the I-20 or DS-2019 is dated for the spring or summer semesters. If so, the student must enroll for a full study load during the summer. Additional information is available in the Office of International Student Services.

1. International students with medical problems must provide a document from a physician recommending an interruption to take the semester off or reduction in study load.
2. Graduate international students who have completed formal course work and are engaged in comprehensive exam preparation, project, thesis or dissertation are required to register for such. Thereupon they are considered to be pursuing a full course of study provided the “Bulletin” states the course registered for is considered to be full-time.
3. An international student who registers in his/her last semester for less than the minimum credits required must present a RCL (Reduced course load) from his/her academic advisor verifying that these are the only credits that the student needs to fulfill all course requirements.
4. An F-1 student engaged in post-completion Optional Practical Training maintains his/her full visa status. A student in F-1 status doing full-time Curricular Practical Training is also considered to be pursuing a full course of study. But if an international student is engaged in part-time Curricular Practical Training or part-time Optional Practical Training, he/she is required to enroll in classes concurrently.
5. International students on an F-1 visa are not permitted to be in a program of study that is offered solely or entirely online. There may be exceptions for students on an F-1 visa–please contact the International Student Services office for clarification.

Students On Exchange Visitor Visas (J1/J2) and the Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement

The two-year home country physical presence requirement is one of the most important characteristics of the Exchange Visitor J-1 status. If the international student is bound by this regulation, it will be stated on the J-1 visa and on the bottom left corner of the DS-2019. Exchange Visitors, including their dependents, can apply for a waiver of the requirement to return home for two years upon completion of their studies. Without the waiver, such students are not eligible to change their status in the U.S. to another category. Neither can such students become eligible for any change of status until they have been physically present in their country of nationality or the country of last legal permanent residence for a minimum of two years following departure from the U.S.A.

Employment For J-1 and F-1 Students

Immigration laws are very strict about employment. International students desiring to work must be sure to comply with these laws. UNAUTHORIZED OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT CAN LEAD TO TERMINATION OF STUDENT VISA STATUS AND DEPORTATION.

J-1 students may engage in two kinds of employment:

1. Academic training related to the course of study or
2. Work on-campus or off-campus (on severe economic hardship basis) for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during vacation.

J-1 students must obtain a letter from the RO or AROs authorizing employment before beginning work. 

F-1 students may only work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during vacations (upto 29 hours during their first 12 months of stay in the US and then upto 40 during the following year for the semester of break and holidays.

Academic Training

Employment which is directly related to the course of study is permitted by the Department of State (DOS) while the J-1 student is enrolled in school or approved for Academic Training no later than 30 days after completion of the program. The General Conference is the organization that authorizes the Academic Training once the student provides the required documents.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Employment authorization for Curricular Practical Training is given to students whose degree programs require off-campus work experience. International students may NOT begin working until the I-20 has been issued for employment authorization by the DSO. CPT is limited to twenty hours per week if the student is required to take classes during the practicum. If the CPT work is full-time, then the I-20 must be issued for full-time. For more information, contact the Office of International Student Services.

Clinicals, Practicums or Internships

International students who are paid for clinicals, practicums or internships as part of a degree program MUST apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and be issued a new I-20 accordingly with the CPT notation. The CPT notation has be to made prior to start of employment. Failure to do so will consider their work illegal.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training is an optional work benefit for F-1 students, intended for practical work experience in their major field of study. Upon USCIS approval, a student receives work authorization to do OPT anywhere in the United States for a total of 12 months. International students may apply for the post-completion OPT during a five-month window, three months prior to the completion of the degree or 60 days after the completion of the degree.

Accepting Public Benefits is Illegal

Often hospital or medical clinic personnel encourage international students to accept Medicaid or other government benefits. DO NOT ACCEPT PUBLIC BENEFITS. Doing so is considered by USCIS to be a violation of your nonimmigrant status. Such students may be required to pay back the money received and may risk deportation.

The $200 SEVIS I-901 Fee

International students are required to pay $200 for the SEVIS I-901 fee. The Office of International Student Services will send along with the I-20 the instructions concerning the different ways of paying this fee. Upon paying the SEVIS fee, the system will automatically generate a receipt which is essential for the students to present at the American Consulate in order for them to obtain the student visa. Canadians must present the SEVIS receipt at the port of entry. For additional and complete information, please visit fmjfee.com/.

Additional Information

Should you need additional information, please visit https://www.andrews.edu/services/international/, call us at 269-471-6395/269-471-3310, or email us at iss@andrews.edu. We look forward to working with you and serving your needs as an international student here at Andrews University.