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The F-1 Visa
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F-1 Student Visa The F-1 student visa is the most frequently used category for Tufts University students. Upon acceptance to Tufts University and prior to your arrival in the United States, the International Affairs Office (IAO) will issue an I-20 certificate of eligibility to present to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas. Canadian citizens traveling from Canada do not need to obtain a visa stamp from the U.S. Embassy. However, they must present their I-20 form at the Canadian border. The certificate of eligibility is issued specifically for students attending Tufts University Health Sciences campus. If you are transferring from another institution you should bring your I-20 form to the IAO to complete the transfer paperwork. F-l students receive an I-94 card from the immigration inspector at the port-of-entry into the U.S. The I-94 will be notated with F-l, D/S. D/S means duration of status, and the duration of status under your F-l visa is determined by the amount of time indicated on your form I-20 as long as you maintain full-time student status. Work eligibility for F-1 Students Work Permission F-1 students need permission before they can work or accept any employment either on or off campus, please contact the IAO before starting any job. An F-1 student can only work part-time (which means up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session. An F-1 student is only allowed to work full-time (which means 21+ hours a week) during school vacations or after the student graduates. On-Campus Work Permission F-1 students may be eligible for on-campus employment for up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during school vacations. Any student wishing to work on campus should bring a letter from the hiring department to the IAO. Off-Campus Work Permission DefinitionPractical Training is temporary work authorization for an international student for employment in the United States directly related to your field of study. Optional Post-Completion Practical Training is facilitated once you have graduated. You are eligible for Pre-Completion Practical Training during your degree program after you have completed one full academic year. Duration Students in F-1 Status are eligible to apply for up to 12 months of full-time Practical Training. Post-Completion Practical Training is available after your date of completion. Any full-time or part-time Pre-Completion Practical Training used before your degree completion is subtracted from the total 12 month period allowed. For example, if you work 3 months during the summer before you graduate, the 3 months is subtracted from the Post-Completion Practical Training upon your graduation. Eligibility Eligibility requires that you are in good standing at Tufts University. Your proposed employment must be directly related to your major field of study. You do not need a job offer to apply for Practical Training. When applying for post-completion practical training: USCIS permits a five-month window of time to apply for Post-Completion OPT. You may apply for Post-Completion OPT as early as 90 days prior to your graduation or completion date or as late as 60 days after your graduation or completion date (please note that the application must be received by USCIS by the 60th day mark). Once you have applied for OPT, you must secure employment within 90 days of your OPT start date. Application Process for Practical Training
2. Receive forms back from the IAO and mail all of the documents above as well as items listed below to USCIS (via Certified or Overnight Express Mail):
USCIS Mailing Address:
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries USCIS P.O. Box 660867 Dallas, TX 75266 For Express mail and courier deliveries USCIS Attn: AOS 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business Suite 400 Lewiston, TX 75067 Unforeseen Severe Economic Hardship F-1 students may apply for part-time employment due to severe and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring student status. The student must have exhausted all other options for work permission prior to submitting this application. For further information please contact the IAO. Travel If you wish to travel outside of the United States during your stay at Tufts University- Health Sciences campus, you will need to bring your I-20 to the IAO for a signature on page 3. Please bring your passport to the IAO so that we may check to ensure that you have a visa stamp valid for re-entry into the United States. Plan to report to the IAO at least one week prior to your departure. Approval for travel is only granted to those who have fulfilled all financial obligations to the University and are in good academic standing. Downloads
The following form should be completed by F-1 students when they are contacted by the International Affairs Office and instructed to do so. |
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Version date: Monday, June 18, 2007 |
