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SEVIS Student Guidelines
for Academic Advisers, Departments and Colleges
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Reporting Mandates
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

Working with F and J Students | Working with J-1 Scholars/Staff

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 “Exception from a Full Course of Study” 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 “Exception from a Full Course of Study” 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 – “Exception from a Full Course of Study” 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 ISSS can work with the student to improve performance or explore other optioins before student is dropped or suspended.
  • F-1 students will be allowed to count only one Distance Learning (on-line) course per term toward the full-course of study requirement. The course is to be completed within the semester of enrollment.
  • F-1 students will be 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 who have reached 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 be prohibited from study in the future.
Loss of Legal Status
  • DHS is unforgiving if a student loses legal status due to completion of less than a full course of study, illegal employment, or allowing their visa document (I-20/DS-2019) to expire. DHS will reinstate legal status only if loss of legal status was due to “act of God”.
  • 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. There is no guarantee that students will be allowed to return to the U.S.
New Student Arrival Limitations
  • New students on F-1 visas will be limited to a 30-day window prior to the “report-by date” on their I-20 form or 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 no longer ask students admitted for Fall Semester to arrive in the summer to begin a project.
  • 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.
  • The SEVIS regulation currently allows J-2 to study. However, the Department of State has indicated that J-2 study will be prohibited in future regulations.


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