The Immigration and Naturalization Service has published new regulations affecting those in F and J non-immigrant status. Below is a review of this information. If you would like more complete information, please see the INS website, the US Federal Register (http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a021211c.html), and attend a SEVIS/F Information Session (see below).


To do list for students:

1) Attend a SEVIS/ F1 Information Session (the first session will be January 6 from 2-3:30 in SU 2.508. Contact the ISS Office for additional session dates). These information sessions will provide you with detailed information and allow you to ask additional questions about the new regulations and SEVIS

2) If you will reduce enrollment due to graduation, CPT, academic reasons, etc, bring a reduced enrollment form to the ISS Office and complete a form I538 before classes begin

3) By March 1, make a complete request for SEVIS I20 to the ISS Office (MC 1.310), including

a. UTD Financial Affidavit with appropriate signatures*

b. Bank statement (graduate $16, 432, undergraduate $17,932) and/or TA or RA award showing financial support*

c. International Student Data Sheet

* Should show issue date of Jan 1, 2003 or later

4) Pick up your SEVIS I20 in the Career Center Conference Room (MC 1.608) on the following dates (dependent upon completing step 2)

a. Last names A-E, Friday April 25, 1:00 - 5:00

b. Last names F-T, Friday May 2, 9:00 - 5:00

c. Last names U-Z, Tuesday May 6, 12:00 - 5:00

5) F2 students

a. If you want to study at UTD, apply for change of status (The next workshop is January 9th from 5-6:30 in MC 1.608. Contact the ISS Office for additional workshop dates)

6) Notify UTD Records Office and UTD ISS Office of any changes in:

a. Address

b. Name

c. Program of study

d. Level of study

e. Full time enrollment (before reducing course load)

f. Dependent information (address, location, etc)

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

Institutions/ Universities which allow enrollment of F and J international students are required to report information electronically to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. All schools in the US with F and J visa holders will participate in this program. Go to: http://www.utdallas.edu/student/international/ and select the SEVIS FAQs or see the INS website (http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/services/tempbenefits/sevp.htm) to learn more.

Changes resulting from SEVIS:

All UTD F1 students MUST have a SEVIS I20. We recommend that you have a SEVIS I20 by June 1, 2003.*
After January 30, if you apply for a reportable event such as CPT, OPT, extension, change of major, add dependents, etc, you will need a SEVIS I20 before we can process your extension. You will need a new SEVIS I20 for travel if you will return to the US after May 1, 2003.*
All F2 dependents will need a SEVIS I20.
* You must submit an updated bank statement and financial affidavit in order to apply for a SEVIS I20.

Changes in Reducing Enrollment below full time coursework
F1 students must enroll in 9 hours per fall/spring semester (graduate students) or 12 hours per fall/spring (undergraduate students). You must enroll for full time coursework before the first Census Day of each semester.
You MUST notify the ISS Office and submit the appropriate signed forms BEFORE reducing your enrollment. If you reduce enrollment without written authorization, under new regulations you will be immediately out of status. This is a substantial change to current procedures.
The ISS Office is now required to send written notification of reduction in enrollment to the INS, with form I-538. You must complete this form before reducing your enrollment.
You are allowed to reduce enrollment for academic reasons only once per academic level, and you must still maintain at least 6 hours. You MUST take full time coursework the following semester (excluding summer).
You may reduce enrollment if it is your graduating semester, but you MUST submit a signed reduced enrollment form and I538 to the ISS Office before the first day of classes or you will be out of status. Please note: You cannot reduce enrollment more than one semester per degree. If you are unsure of completion of studies, do not reduce enrollment.
See the attachment about reducing your enrollment in relation to Curricular Practical Training.
If you have completed all coursework and are registering only for thesis/dissertation hours, you can complete a Request for Full Time Status form. This form must be signed by your Academic Advisor, Academic Program Head, and then returned to the UTD Records Office for processing. Please complete this form long before you plan to reduce enrollment.
No other situations are allowable for reduced enrollment. If you do not have proof of one of the above reasons or if you reduce enrollment before notifying the ISSO, you are out of status and have no grace period to leave the US.

On-line and independent study courses:

You are required to have at least 9 hours (undergraduate) or 6 hours (graduate) coursework that requires you be on campus for class, exams, or other purposes integral to completion of the course. On-line courses, independent study courses, etc. that do not require you to be on campus can only account for 3 hours of the full course of study requirement.

Optional Practical Training:

You must apply for OPT prior to completion of all course requirements for the degree or prior to the completion of the course of study (excluding thesis or dissertation). You no longer have a 60 day period following graduation to apply for OPT.
You must keep the ISSO informed of change of name and address always, including while on OPT. You must report interruption of employment to ISSO.
You must be able to resume classes within 5 months of transferring out of the OPT recommending school or the date the OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier.

F2/J2

¡¤ You are required to have your own I20/ DS-2019.

¡¤ You are no longer eligible to study with an F2 status unless the courses are avocational or recreational.

¡¤ If you were enrolled on a full time basis before January 1, 2003, you may continue studying if you file for Change of Status to F1 before March 11, 2003.

¡¤ If you were not enrolled on a full time basis before January 1, 2003, you must apply for and obtain F1 status before enrolling at UTD.

Reinstatement:

If you become of status, you must file for reinstatement within 5 months. If you have a record of repeated/ willful violations, or if you fell out of status because of something within you control, you will likely be denied for reinstatement.

These regulations will affect how F students study in the United States. We recommend that you attend a SEVIS/F1 information session to be sure you understand the implications. Information about the information sessions will be available on the ISS website shortly (http://www.utdallas.edu/student/international/).

This web page is published by FACSS, a registered student organization. This web page is not an official publication of The University of Texas at Dallas and does not represent the views of the university or its officers.