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Immigration Terms and International Student Issues

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A Gannon University Faculty and Staff Resource

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Immigration Terms

F-1 Student: Most international students at Gannon University are in F-1 status. Students in F-1 status are, generally speaking, full-time, degree-seeking students who must abide by all regulations and procedures required to maintain this status.

J-1 Student: Few students at Gannon University study in J-1 status. Typically, J-1 students participate in exchange or in short-term programs for a few weeks or a semester or two. Sometimes a J-1 student is degree-seeking and completes a program of study at a U.S. institution with financial support from a national government, international organization, or other sponsor.

SEVIS: This is the acronym for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, an electronic recordkeeping and reporting system which is maintained by the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement organization. Gannon University must report information concerning F-1 and J-1 students to the government through this system within established time frames each semester. This information includes student directory information, as well as national citizenship, program of study start and end dates, and other notes about work permissions, academic status, etc.

USCIS: The United States Citizenship & Immigration Services agency fully replaced the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) in 2003. The USCIS is responsible for administering regulations that govern the status of international visa holders. Whereas the INS was part of the Department of Justice, the USCIS is housed in the Department of Homeland Security.

Visa: The visa is an endorsement (sometimes an ink stamp but now usually a machine-readable page in the passport) which the Embassy or Consulate of a country issues to those seeking to enter from outside that country.

Immigration Status: Students who are issued a Form I-20 will be in F-1 status and students who are issued a Form DS-2019 will be in J-1 status. Both may seek an entrance visa based on this status.

International Student Issues:
Helping Students Maintain their “Lawful Status”

F-1 and J-1 Employment Guidelines

Definition of Employment
For immigration status purposes, employment is considered to be any service rendered for compensation, whether as wages, salary, reimbursement, or “in kind” exchange (such as books, meals, travel, etc.). For students in F-1 and J-1 status, employment is a “benefit” of the status, rather than a “right,” and it is regulated according to the particular status of the international visa holder. The USCIS considers working more hours than allowed by immigration status or without proper authorization a serious violation, and the result of such violations may, unfortunately, lead to an untimely departure from the country.

20 Hours during Academic Year
F-1 and J-1 students may work on-campus during the academic year for up to, but NO MORE than, 20 hours per week. Students may work full-time during the breaks and summer vacations only.

On-Campus Employment
F-1 students may begin work on campus without prior authorization from the ISO; J-1 students must obtain written authorization before on-campus employment begins.

On-campus employment is through any employer issuing a Gannon University paycheck. At Gannon University, on-campus employment includes work for Metz and Associates and the Gannon Bookstore, despite these employers not being directly part of Gannon University’s payroll system.

Off-Campus Authorization Required for All J-1 and F-1 Students
There are various options available for offcampus employment; however, all F-1 and J-1 students must seek authorization through the ISO before beginning any off-campus employment.

Consequences of Unauthorized Employment
The University is required to report any instances of unauthorized employment through the SEVIS system. Work-related violations result in termination and require that a student depart the country immediately. Students may seek to re-enter the U.S. in order to complete a program of study, but should seek assistance through the ISO.

F-1 and J-1 Academic Guidelines

Fulltime Enrollment
Unless otherwise specified, F-1 and J-1 students are required to be enrolled fulltime each fall and spring semester: 9 credits for Graduates; 12 credits for Undergraduates. The USCIS recognizes that academic program requirements, language difficulties, and illness may occasion an exception to this expectation, but the University is required to report through SEVIS any unauthorized courseload reductions, and this will result in termination of lawful student status. Therefore students and their academic advisors are urged to work with the ISO to obtain authorization for a reduction in courseload prior to the semester in which the reduction will take effect.

Notifying the ISO of Early Withdrawal, Termination, or Separation from Gannon University
The ISO must determine whether a student will be able to maintain status in certain academic circumstances, and the University must report through SEVIS certain academic events. Faculty and staff should notify the ISO within 3-4 days of the following:

Student suspension, dismissal, or program termination

Early termination of program for withdrawal, leave of absence, etc.

Research or study abroad

Research at another location within the United States

Intention to complete a degree from outside the United States

Other International Student Issues and Concerns

F-2 and J-2 Dependents
Spouses and dependent children who accompany an F-1 or J-1 student have their own immigration documents, status, and regulatory guidelines to maintain and follow. For example, F-2 spouses do not have permission to take employment under any circumstances, although J-2 spouses may seek work authorization. Likewise, F-2 spouses are not permitted to study full-time towards a degree, although they make take “avocational” classes; J-2 spouses have greater flexibility in determining a course of study.

The ISO considers the spouses and children of international students to require guidance and support in order to live well here while a student spouse/parent completes a program of study. ISO reaches out to international spouses and families through programming and an open-door invitation to visit the ISO for information and counsel.

International Student Health Insurance
Gannon University requires all international students to maintain an adequate health insurance policy.

English Language Proficiency
Gannon University requires all international students to demonstrate a standard level of English language proficiency as a condition of admission. However, some students may still benefit from assistance in mastering American pronunciation or communication skills. Although Gannon does not presently offer ESL instruction, please see the ISO Web site for information about University resources that may be of use to students for whom you have academic responsibility or concern.