- \n
- Medical \u2013 (must provide a recommendation letter from a licensed medical professional who is residing in the United States or a non-US professional who has personally seen you within the past 3 months) Note: there is a one year MAXIMUM authorization period for medical reasons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improper course placement \u2013 (must have a written recommendation from academic advisor)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Initial difficulty with American teaching methodology \u2013(first semester only \u2013 must have a written recommendation from academic advisor)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Initial difficulty with English language or reading requirements \u2013 (must have a written recommendation from academic advisor)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Final semester of a student\u2019s academic program (graduate students must have written recommendation from academic advisor)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Notify and discuss with ISS before:\n
- \n
- Changing your major or program. Note that ISS automatically updates majors the semester following the change. Only request a new document if you do not receive an updated one 60 days into the new semester. If you have not received a new I-20 within 60 days, please submit MyISS<\/a>>General Services>Ask Student Counselor<\/strong> to request assistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Changing your education level<\/a>. If you want to change your level of study (bachelors, Masters, or PhD) you should complete a Change of Education Level Request via MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Change of Education Level<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transferring to a new school<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Taking a break from school. Students who need to take time off from their education but plan to return to Purdue should submit\u00a0MyISS<\/a>>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Intent to End F-1\/J-1 Student Program<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Requesting a program extension<\/a> if you do not think you will complete your program of study by the end date listed on your Form I-20. An extension must be requested before your program end date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dropping a class that takes you below your limits. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Changing your source of finance- if you have a change to report, do so via MyISS<\/a>>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Financial Update<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmployment<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\nNever work off-campus without written authorization <\/strong>from ISS or USCIS. Do not participate in any off-campus employment activities, paid and unpaid opportunities or employment, including mandatory orientation associated with off-campus employment activities without express written permission from ISS or USCIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All forms of off-campus employment require pre-authorization from either ISS or the USCIS before the first day of employment. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session (except for students on certain forms of practical\/academic training). Off-campus employment can be any of the following: Internship (paid or unpaid), Co-Op (paid or unpaid), casually helping a friend with their business, starting a business, Interns for Indiana, and other similar scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On campus full time employment is allowed during official school breaks or during periods when the student is not required to be enrolled. (J-1 students must obtain written authorization from ISS for both on- and off-
campus employment).<\/p>\n\n\n\nRead further on Employment, SSN & ITIN<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tInsurance<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\nPurchase and maintain adequate health insurance for yourself and for your dependents, if applicable, in
accordance with Purdue\u2019s requirements. There are consequences for those that do not meet the stated deadline. These include late fees, a hold on your account to prevent registration and\/or unavailability of transcript, and possible cancellation of classes resulting in violation of your visa status. See Buy Your Insurance<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tTravelling<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\nWhen traveling outside the United States, you will need to have the proper documents to return, including a valid travel authorization from an immigration counselor at ISS. Contact the ISS office before you travel to obtain the authorization and any other documentation that may be required. Re-entry to the US normally requires that you have a valid passport, valid entry visa, and a valid I-20 or J document endorsed by ISS for travel. See also my post Travelling while a F-1 Student<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tDeparture after end of studies<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\nYou have a 60-day grace period following the completion of your program, unless you have OPT, CPT or STEM-OPT authorisation. This is the period of time before you are required to leave the United States. You have several options during this period, but if you have not taken action by the time it is over, you must<\/strong> depart the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you wish to extend your stay in the United States, talk with ISS to learn more about doing one of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Transfer to another school.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Change your education level (e.g. bachelor\u2019s to master\u2019s).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Apply to change status to another visa status (e.g. H-1B-temporary worker; O-extraordinary ability in science, art or business; P-athlete).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
Public benefit or assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t
<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\nNever accept any public benefits or assistance from the federal, state or local government such as free school lunches, food stamps, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under certain U.S. federal, state, county, and local laws, non immigrants and their dependents may qualify for \u201cpublic assistance,\u201d such as health insurance, subsidized housing, food assistance, or unemployment benefits. Accepting such benefits as a non immigrant visa holder can lead to inadmissibility to the United States due to reliance on \u201cpublic assistance\u201d under the Immigration and Nationality Act, this could ultimately result in denial of re-entry into the United States in the future. The non immigrant is responsible for understanding that certain types of benefits could qualify for \u201cpublic assistance\u201d and knowing the risks associated with enrolling and\/or receiving such benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always consult ISS before accepting any such help or assistance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\u201cWhen in doubt, check it out!\u201d at ISS. Seek advice and clarification from ISS staff regarding immigration-related issues. The office is located in Schleman Hall, room 136. Immigration counsellors are available on a walk-in basis Monday-Friday from 9:00 – 11:30 and 1:30 – 4:00, except Thursday mornings. The office phone number is 765-494-5770 and the office e-mail address is: iss@purdue.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the unlikely event that ISS is unable to assist you, or if you would prefer to ask someone else, you may contact SEVP by email at sevp@ice.dhs.gov<\/a>. In your email, please describe your situation and include any questions you have. SEVP provides responses on a first-come, first-served basis. Answer times may vary depending on the current number of inquiries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Changing your education level<\/a>. If you want to change your level of study (bachelors, Masters, or PhD) you should complete a Change of Education Level Request via MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Change of Education Level<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Changing your major or program. Note that ISS automatically updates majors the semester following the change. Only request a new document if you do not receive an updated one 60 days into the new semester. If you have not received a new I-20 within 60 days, please submit MyISS<\/a>>General Services>Ask Student Counselor<\/strong> to request assistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Attend all your classes, and maintain normal academic progress. If school is too difficult, speak with ISS immediately.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/main><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Maintain a full course of study each term. If you cannot study full time, contact ISS immediately. You may be eligible for a reduced course load in only these limited circumstances:<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/main><\/div>\n