Tufts University, Office of International Affairs

The F-1 Visa

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

Definition
Practical 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 Practical Training. Practical Training is available before and after completion. Any full-time or part-time Practical Training used before degree completion is subtracted from the total 12-month period allowed. For example, if you work for 3 months during summer vacation before you graduate, the 3 months is subtracted from the Post-Completion Practical Training upon your graduation.

Eligibility
Eligibility requires that you be in good standing at Tufts University. You must have completed one academic year at Tufts as an F-1 student. 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 to Apply for Post-Completion Practical Training
You may apply for Post-Completion Practical Training within 120 days prior to graduation. Your application must be received by USCIS within 120 days of graduation. FAILURE TO APPLY FOR PRACTICAL TRAINING BEFORE GRADUATION WILL RESULT IN FORFEITING YOUR PRACTICAL TRAINING.

Optional Post-Completion Practical Training Application

Step One:Obtain the proper forms from the IAO or download from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Website):

Form I-765

Step Two:Submit all forms and the additional documents listed below to the IAO:

Copies of all I-20 forms from all universities attended

Letter from the Registrar confirming your date of graduation or completion

Copies of biography page of passport, current I-94 card, and visa stamp

Step Three: Receive forms back from the IAO Office and mail all documents listed below to:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

Check for $340 payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

2 photos (2"x 2", "passport style")

Copies of SEVIS I-20 and other non-SEVIS I-20s

Copy of your current I-94 card and visa stamp

Biography page of your passport

Form I-765 (original)

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

To view and print PDF (Portable Document Format) files you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To download this free software follow these instructions.

Download Declaration Form Here

The following form should be completed by F-1 students when they are contacted by the International Affairs Office and instructed to do so.

Download SEVIS F-1 Registration Form Here

Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
136 Harrison Avenue / Boston, Massachusetts 02111 / 617-636-7000