Passport
Your passport must be valid at all times. Keep your passport and other important documents in a safe place. Report a lost or stolen passport to the police because your government may require a police report before issuing a new passport. To renew or replace your passport, contact your country’s consulate in the U.S. for further instructions. It is recommended that you keep 6 months validity remaining on your passport at all times or begin the process to renew the passport if within the 6 months remaining time period.
Visa (Foil)
The visa is the foil (sometimes called a sticker or stamp) that the U.S. consular officer placed on a page in your passport. The visa permitted you to apply for admission into the U.S. as an F-1 student, and does not need to remain valid while you are in the U.S. Once you use the valid visa to enter the U.S., you may remain in the U.S. on an expired visa (not an expired I-20), but must renew the visa outside of the U.S. before returning if you exit the country. Visas can only be obtained outside of the U.S. at a U.S. consulate. Note: Neither citizens of Bermuda nor Canada are required to have a visa.
Please remember: If your visa expires while you are in the U.S., the next time you travel abroad you must obtain a new F-1 visa before returning to the U.S. You do not need to depart the U.S. due to visa expiration.
Form I-20 "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status"
Issued by WVU Tech, this document allows you to apply for an F-1 visa if you are outside the U.S, apply for F-1 status within the U.S., enter and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status, and prove your eligibility for various F-1 benefits. The I-20 indicates the institution in which you are permitted to study, your program of study, and the dates of eligibility.
The I-20 is a printout from your SEVIS record. SEVIS is an internet-based database that allows schools and federal immigration agencies to exchange data on the status of international students. Information is transmitted electronically throughout an F-1 student’s academic career in the U.S. Each student has a unique SEVIS ID number, which is printed on your I-20 in the top left corner.
Form I-94
The issuance of I-94 arrival/departure record cards is electronic for air and sea travelers. The Form I-94 is required for processing social security cards and Driver Licenses. To obtain your I-94, you can visit CBP's I-94 website, click on "get most recent I-94," enter your passport information, and print.
Full-time Enrollment
To maintain in good standing with your student status at WVU Tech you must take at least 12 credit hours per the fall/spring semesters and meet all Tech requirements. Of these 12 credits, only 3 credits may be online each semester.
Authorization to register less than or drop below full-time (see below) must be obtained through International Student Services (ISS) prior to less than full-time enrollment or dropping below full-time. Dropping below full-time without prior authorization is considered a violation of status that would result in your visa status being terminated if not corrected.
Please Note: A grade of "W" (for withdrawal) does not count towards full-time enrollment.
Online Classes (Distance Education) Limits
It is best practice to enroll in all in-person courses if possible to maintain full-time regulatory requirements for F-1 status. If you do need to enroll in an online course, no more than the equivalent of one online/distance class (or 3 credits per semester) may count towards the “full course of study” requirement per semester.
If you have requested a reduced course load for less than full-time credits in your final term and will only be taking one class, that class CANNOT be an online designated course. You must then either enroll in an additional in-person course or enroll in the equivalent in-person version of the course.
Report any changes in program to ISS
Students must notify ISS whenever there is a change in their academic program or program dates. We will then need to confirm the change in your official WVU academic record and may need to reach out to your academic department or advisor if the major change is not currently reflected in your academic record. Please ensure that this change is reflected in your academic record by speaking with your academic advisor when placing the request.
Abide by employment regulations
F-1 student status permits you to work on campus for no more than 20 hours/week while school is in session and full-time during university breaks (winter, spring, summer). These 20 hours include the work you do for an assistantship (if you have one).
You are not permitted to work off-campus without prior authorization. Off-campus employment is allowed with prior permission from ISS (and usually an application to USCIS) during and/or after the completion of your studies.
Economic Hardship work applications to USCIS are available and are for unforeseen and dire financial circumstances. You will need to meet with the ISS office to discuss with you your eligibility.
Know Your Rights (Wilberforce Pamphlet) from the Department of State is an information pamphlet describing your rights while working in the United States.
Working off-campus without prior authorization or participating in CPT/OPT prior to being authorized is considered a violation of status likely leading to termination of your SEVIS record.
Transferring Out to Another U.S. Institution to Continue Your Studies
Students must receive authorization from ISS before leaving WVU Tech in order to transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) out to another approved U.S. institution.
Please note: you must maintain your F-1 status at the school that holds your SEVIS record (WVU) until your transfer out is completed. For example, if you request to transfer out at any time during a required semester, you must remain enrolled full-time until the transfer is approved.
To transfer your SEVIS record out of WVU Tech, please email ISS your intention to transfer. ISS will need proof of admission to the new school and the new SEVIS number. In addition to contacting our office, please make sure you withdraw correctly by contacting your Academic Advisor, Residence Life, and any other departments you need to notify.***Please note that you are responsible for all other requirements for transferring out of WVU including, but not limited to, contacting your academic department and being aware of policies regarding student accounts and dropping/withdrawing from courses. If needing to order an official transcript for your transfer, please see: https://techregistrar.wvutech.edu/academic-records/transcript-request.
End of Program Departure Requirements and Options
F-1 visa holders must depart the U.S. within 60 days of their I-20 expiration date or within 60 days upon completion of their degree program and new I-20 program end date if not utilizing one of the following options (which must be completed within the 60 day grace period):
- Changing Educational Levels (going to grad school, starting a new degree, etc)
- Transferring to another U.S. institution in order to change educational level
- Applying for OPT
- Speaking with an immigration attorney to change to another status that would allow you to stay in the U.S. for work and/or study.
Sometimes, and for a variety of reasons, students leave the university early or unexpectedly. Some of these reasons include early graduation, completion of practical training, leave of absence, suspension, or expulsion.
U.S. federal regulations require F-1 students to inform ISS if they plan to leave the university before the expiration date of their I-20 form as well as the reason for doing so.
