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> SEVIS Guidelines for Academic Advisers & Departments |
Working with F and J Students
Enrollment
- Students must register for and complete a full course of study
each semester during the academic year.
- Students who plan to withdraw or cancel from a course causing
them to drop below a full course load must consult with an ISSS
adviser before taking action.
- Graduate students not planning to enroll either for 6 credits,
or for 8333 or 8444 must complete an “ Reduced Course Load ” form and have it approved in ISSS prior
to the beginning of the semester.
- Undergraduate and professional school students not planning
to enroll for a full course of study must complete an “Reduced Course Load ” form and have it approved in
ISSS prior to the beginning of the semester.
- F-1 Students: Enrollment for less than a full course due to
an academic reason (i.e., unfamiliarity with US teaching methods,
initial difficulties with the English language or with reading
requirements, or improper course level placement) is limited to
one time per program level (i.e, one exception in Bachelor’s
level; one exception at the Master’s level; one exception
at the Doctoral level.) Prior approval from an ISSS adviser is
required.
- Students admitted to begin a program of study effective Summer
Session must enroll for a full course of study during the summer
session a “Reduced Course Load ”
form will not be acceptable if student fails to enroll full-time.
- Academic Advisers should consult
with an ISSS adviser about
students having academic difficulty so that the ISSS can work with
the student to improve performance or explore other optioins before
student is dropped or suspended.
- F-1 students can count only one Distance Learning
(on-line) course up to three credits per term toward the full-course of study requirement.
The course is to be completed within the semester of enrollment.
- F-1 students are allowed to use a medical reason for falling
below a full course of study for a period not to exceed 12 months
per program of study. Students must complete a “Reduced Course Load form and obtain a letter from their doctor. Students who reach the 12 month limit
will need to explore different visa options or return home to
recover.
- Individuals who hold a B-1/B-2 Business/Tourist Visa are not,
under DHS regulations, able to enroll for a course of study as
defined by DHS. Departments should refer these individual to ISSS.
- Individuals who hold F-2 visas are not able to pursue a course
of study. J-2 Visa holders may study.
Loss of Legal Status
- Common reasons for loss of legal status include, but are not limited failure to maintain a full-course of study, illegal employment, and allowing visa documents (I-20, Ds-2019) to expire.
- Inappropriate advice given to the student by a faculty member,
academic adviser or international student adviser that results
in loss of legal status is not accepted by DHS as grounds to reinstate.
- Students who are in violation of legal status will be required
to return home and reenter the U.S. to regain legal status or apply for reinstatement. There
is no guarantee that students will be granted reinstatement or allowed to return to the
U.S.
New Student Arrival Limitations
- New students on F-1 visas are limited to a 30-day window
prior to the “report-by date” on their I-20 form
for entry into the U.S. I-20 report-by dates are not negotiable.
New students on J-1 visas may be admitted for a period of up to
30 days before the program start date indicated on form DS-2019.
- Graduate departments can ask students admitted for
Fall Semester to arrive in the summer to begin a project prior to the 30 days window.
- Undergraduate colleges should consider the arrival limitation
when assigning orientation dates.
- Students who are unable to arrive prior to the report-by date
on their I-20 will be required to obtain a new SEVIS-generated
I-20 for entry. The electronic tracking system automatically expires
any I-20’s not used by the “report-by” date.
Working with J-1 Scholars/Staff
- Departments requesting a DS-2019 to bring a new J-1 scholar/staff
must create a record in Peoplesoft before the DS-2019 can be prepared.
- J-1 scholars/staff must report to ISSS with their passport,
I-94 card and DS-2019 immediately upon arrival whether or not
the hosting department is paying them.
- J-1 scholars/staff must always be in possession of a current
DS-2019. Extension requests must be submitted to the J-1 sponsor
before the DS-2019 expires.
- J-1 scholars/staff who plan to transfer to another institution
must inform ISSS of their intent to do so prior to transferring.
J-1 scholars should see an ISSS adviser at least one month before
their intended transfer to another J sponsor.
- J-1 scholars/staff who terminate their employment/research
at the University of Minnesota and intend to depart must notify
ISSS of their departure date.
Last Update:
Last Update: March 19, 2009
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