Student Visa Regulations

SEVIS

SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that requires all colleges and universities in the United States to report electronically to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) information about F-1 students and J-1 students and visiting scholars.


NOTICE TO STUDENTS REGARDING SEVIS

The International Programs Office (IPO) wants all international students and scholars who hold F or J status to be aware of new US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) reporting requirements. IPO will continue to send a series of e-mails outlining all changes and issues relating to SEVIS.

THIS ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION SYSTEM WILL CHANGE INS PAPERWORK AND PROCEDURES AND WILL REQUIRE THAT GREATER CARE BE TAKEN BY STUDENTS AND VISITING SCHOLARS TO MAINTAIN THEIR F-1 AND J-1 STATUS AND FOLLOW ALL REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY.

MANDATORY CHECK-IN SESSIONS
There will be a mandatory International Student Check-In session during the first week of every semester that you must attend. You will be given the dates and times of the check-in session via your Boise State email account two weeks prior to the session. Each and every student must attend the check-in session every single semester. BCIS will be informed that you have checked in.


Answers to Questions Regarding SEVIS

Q: What must students do?
A: Students must maintain their “F” or “J” immigration status by:

1. enrolling each academic term as a full-time student (12 credits for an undergraduate, 9 credits for a graduate student);

2. obtaining authorization from the adviser in the International Programs Office (IPO) to have a reduced course load (one semester only per program/degree for a valid academic reason, and up to 12 months for a medical reason). If you drop below a full course load without prior approval from your International Student Adviser, you will automatically lose your F-1 status. Do not drop any classes without approval;

3. informing IPO within 10 days of an address change and update Bronco Web within 10 days of an address change (you may not use a P.O. Box address when reporting to BCIS)

4. notifying IPO within 10 days of a name change (self or dependent);


Q: What must the University do?
A: Working on behalf of the University, IPO must:

1. report to the BCIS each academic term whether a student is registered full-time, part-time, or not enrolled;

2. report each term the current address of every enrolled student; and

3. report the start date of the next academic term for each student.


Q: What happens if a student does not maintain status?
A: If a student violates his or her status, the student may apply to the BCIS for reinstatement if the violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student's control, such as illness, injury or natural disaster. If a student has been out of status for more than five months, she or he many not apply for reinstatement, and may be required by the BCIS to depart the United States.


Q: What do the regulations say about work?
A: F-1 and J-1 students may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and more than 20 hours per week during semester breaks and the annual vacation semester. Off-campus employment requires authorization from the BCIS or IPO before work begins.


Q: What are the approved reasons for a reduced course load?
A: An adviser in IPO may authorize a reduced course load for the following academic reasons:

1. student is having initial difficulty with American teaching methods;

2. student is having initial difficulty with the English language or reading
requirements;

3. student was improperly placed in a particular course level; or

4. student is in the last semester of the academic program and will graduate at the end of that particular semester.

Students authorized for a reduced course load based on approved academic reasons must enroll for at least six credit hours during that quarter.


Q: What is full-time study?
A: For an undergraduate, it is 12 credit hours
For a graduate student, it is 9 credit hours.


Q: What is the rule on reduced course load based for medical reasons?
A: Students with medical problems are allowed to have a reduced course load, or enroll in no classes, for a maximum of one year. This medical problem should be documented by a medical professional and a copy placed in your IPO file.


Q: What is the best advice to give an “F” or “J” student?
A: Students must meet with their IPO adviser before dropping a course that takes them below full-time; before accepting employment; before transferring to another school; and before traveling outside of the United States.

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© 2006 Boise State University, International Programs Office,
1910 University Drive., Boise, ID 83725
Problem? Email IPO Office.   Last reviewed 3/27/2006.