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Immigration News Flash

The purpose of the office is to provide educational and immigration information to the students, faculty and staff. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is impementing a new fee structure beginning July 30, 2007. This will affect all international students, specifically those requesting a change of status. The new fees are as follows:

I-539 Extend stay as Nonimmigrant or change Nonimmigrant status - $300

-765 Employment Authorization/Employment Authorization Document (EAD) - $340

These two will have the most impact on TWU international students. However, you can view the entire USCIS Fee Schedule at www.uscis.gov/21stCenturyService. Click on the website and scroll to the bottom of the page to find USCIS Fee Schedule - Effective July 30, 2007.

The SEVIS fee and who must pay the SEVIS fee?

• $100
• New F-1 and J-1 students who are issued an "initial attendance" I-20 or a "begin new program" DS-2019 after September 1, 2004.
• Students applying for a change of status to F-1 or J-1 in the U.S. with an I-20 or DS-2019 issued after September 1, 2004.
• Returning students and exchange visitors who have been outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months, were not enrolled in classes at a U.S. university on a full-time basis or were not pursuing an authorized study abroad or research program that would continue their nonimmigrant status.
• F-1 students who have violated their status and are issued a new I-20 after September 1, 2004, for the purpose of leaving and re-entering the U.S. to regain legal status.
• F-1 students who have violated their status and apply for reinstatement more than 5 months after the violation of status occurred.
• J-1 students who have violated their status and apply for reinstatement to the Department of State.
• J-1 students transferring from federally-sponsored exchange programs whose program codes start with G-1, G-2, and G-3 to non-government sponsored J-1 programs.
• J-1 exchange visitors who apply to change their J-1 category in the U.S.

Who does NOT have to pay the SEVIS fee?

• Continuing F-1 and J-1 students with an I-20 or DS-2019 issued prior to September 1, 2004, who are maintaining their nonimmigrant status, even when traveling abroad or applying for a visa renewal.
• J-1 students participating in federally-sponsored exchange visitor programs whose program codes start with G-1, G-2 and G-3 (e.g. Fulbright program).
• F-1 and J-1 students transferring between universities or programs, changing degree levels or requesting a program extension.
• F-2 and J-2 dependents of students and exchange visitors.

MAINTAINING F-1/J-1 STATUS

Dropping Below a Full-time Course Load (NEW)
Remember that in order to maintain your status, you must enroll as a full-time student. This means that undergraduates must enroll in a minimum of 12 hours and graduate students in a minimum of 9 hours (except for PhD candidates registering for dissertation). There are some exceptions that allow for students to go less than full time; however, you must speak with an Immigration Advisor about your situation and get an authorization to drop in SEVIS BEFORE dropping any course which will put you less than full time.  

In Absentia registration for fall 2004/ correspondence courses/ ACC courses
If you are graduating in fall 2004 but are planning to enroll in absentia, you need to first speak with an Immigration Advisor to figure out what your options are regarding your immigration status. Registering in absentia, without changing your immigration documents, could result in the loss of your F-1/J-1 status. Also, you would not be able to apply for OPT based on fall graduation if you are not enrolled in any regulation TWU classes in fall 2004 (registration for extension courses, correspondence courses and ACC classes will NOT provide maintenance of status either).

Check the expiration date and major/level on your I-20 or DS-2019
All continuing students should check their documents for expected completion dates and apply for an extension before the expiration of your I-20/DS-2019. You should also look at your I-20 to verify that your correct major and level appear on the I-20. Remember that your I-20 is only valid for the major, level and time period indicated on your most recent I-20. If the information has changed, you'll need to request a new I-20 from an Immigration Advisor.

Did you move recently?
Please be sure to go to the International Education Office and update your local address:
- Local address has to be a physical, street address rather than a P.O. Box
- F and J Regulations require that students and their dependents maintain the above information on file with the University at all times. Any changes to this information must be updated within 10 days of the change. Address updates reported to the TWU International Education Office   will be reported to SEVIS by the University which fulfills your legal obligation to report your change of address with DHS (Department of Homeland Security).

EMPLOYMENT ISSUES

Are you graduating in December? Apply for OPT/Academic Training now!
F-1 students who will be graduating in August 2004 must submit an OPT application by December 16. If you are planning to travel after graduation in December and want to use your OPT after you return, you should apply for OPT as soon as possible . OPT applications are currently taking around 3 months to be processed, and you need to have the EAD card with you in order to travel after you graduate.
If you are pursuing a dual degree and want to have the most options available during OPT, our recommendation is to graduate with both degrees at the same time . Remember that you must apply for OPT prior to graduation, otherwise you won't be eligible to work in that particular field of study. If you are pursuing a dual degree, stop by the International Education Office to talk to an Immigration Advisor about your options.
J-1 graduates must apply for Academic Training prior to graduation.

Students who plan to take part in a CO-OP or Internship
Students who plan to take part in a CO-OP or internship must get authorization from an Immigration Advisor at before the start date of the job . The proper application must be completed and submitted to an Immigration Advisor and the work authorization must be noted on page 3 of your I-20 before you can start working. Working without first getting authorization is a serious violation of F-1 status.

TRAVEL ISSUES

Traveling abroad during the fall 2004?
Have your immigration documents signed for travel! Visit International Education Office now to have travel documents (I-20 or DS-2019) signed by an Immigration Advisor. Though the signature is valid for one year, we recommend to get a new signature from our office every 6 months. If you see that your signature will be more than 6 months old when you are planning to travel, please stop by to have your I-20/DS-2019 signed. We recommend to get a new signature even if you are traveling within the U.S. anywhere close to the border - South Padre, Big Bend, South Texas or Mexico.

Do you need to renew your visa?
If the visa stamp in your passport has expired or you think you might need a visa to visit the country of your destination, please come to ISSS and speak to an Immigration Advisor. Be advised that border posts in Mexico and Canada are taking appointments for visa renewal for third country nationals; however, it becomes a complicated issue if you are subject to a security check or your visa is denied. Please come to International Education Office and speak with an Immigration Advisor BEFORE you make the decision to go to Ciudad Juarez or any other border post to renew your visa.

Always keep with you proof of your immigration status
Immigration regulations require that you carry proof of your immigration status with you at all times, even when traveling within the U.S. If you don't feel comfortable carrying around your original documents while in Denton, Dallas, or Houston, at least carry copies of your documents and make sure the originals are easily accessible. We strongly recommend you take your original documents with you if you are traveling. If you have lost your immigration documents, please come by International Education Office to discuss the issue with an Immigration Advisor.

Important notice for Special Registration Students leaving the U.S.
Students who went through Special Registration at the port of entry or local DHS (formerly INS) office need to register with DHS when leaving the U.S. It is very important that you find DHS representatives at the airport or port of entry that you are leaving from and register with an immigration officer. Please see detailed instructions on how to find an immigration officer at ports of entry at the DHS web site (click on 'Walkaway Materials' to download the document). If you do not register with DHS when leaving the U.S., you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. in the future.