As an international student there are certain laws that you must be aware of during
your studies at College of the Desert and the Intensive English Academy. These pages
are designed to give you some information that will help you maintain your F-1 status
and access some of the benefits you are entitled to. We are here to help you understand
your responsibilities as an F-1 student. The more you understand the rules regarding
the F-1 visa, the easier your stay in the USA will be!
Please see Cody McCabe in the International Education Program Office for any of your
immigration questions. You can email him at cmccabe@collegeofthedesert.edu or call 760-776-7270 to schedule an appointment.
This page will provide you with some common terms that you should learn regarding your F-1 visa status:
SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) is the tracking system that
the US Department of Homeland Security (US DHS) uses to monitor international students
while you are in the USA. SEVIS requires all schools in the United States to report
on their international students (F- 1 and J- 1) students. This reporting is done
through computer via the internet. Reporting is done at regularly scheduled times
as well as when a new event occurs.
US DHS is very specific about the type of information that schools will need to report
on each F-1 student. Examples include: name; place and date of birth; country of
citizenship; current address of the student; verification of enrollment for current
term; the start date of the student’s next term or session; failure to enroll; dropping
below 12 units without authorization and more!
(US DHS), is the US government department that monitors international students in the United States. The DHS used to be known as the Immigration & Naturalization Service or “INS”. As of March 2003, the name and functions were changed to the US DHS.
This is the adjudication (application review) arm of the DHS. The US CIS evaluates all requests for benefits for F-1 students, including: employment applications, reinstatement requests, change of status requests, etc.
This is the enforcement arm of the DHS. The US ICE is responsible for investigations, deportations and all enforcement issues related to SEVIS.
Student or F- 1 status is given to you by the US government because you will be attending
a US school or college as a full- time student. It is the authorized period of stay
that you are allowed while in the US. Student status requires that you maintain your
enrollment at specified times:
College students: 12 units each semester (summer and winter enrollment is optional).
IEA students: Full-time enrollment required for one academic year before vacation
granted.
The I-20 is the legal document given to you by the school that you are currently attending.
This is the document that allows you to remain in the United States as a full-time
student. The I- 20 is valid for the period of study indicated in #5 OR until such
time when you end your attendance at the particular school. Make sure your I- 20
has not expired by checking the date in #5.
You must keep this document with you when you are traveling overseas and make sure
that you have the necessary signatures when traveling in order to return to the United
States.
The F- 1 visa is the stamp in your passport that was issued by the US Embassy or Consulate
in your home country. This visa gives you student (F-1) status for your stay in America.
The F-1 visa is an entry document only. This means that your visa must be valid
in order for you to enter the United States. Once you have entered the United States,
your visa can expire as long as your I- 20 and passport are valid AND you are maintaining
student status.
If you are going to travel and your F-1 visa has expired, you will need to come to
the International Student Office in order to get the necessary paperwork for visa
renewal.
The I-94 is the official arrival/departure record noted at the Port of Entry. The I-94 is often needed when applying for employment, driver's license or social security card and opening bank accounts. I-94 cards are no longer issued at the Port of Entry. Instead, students can access their I-94 card online by visiting www.cbp.gov/I94.
When you successfully complete your studies at one educational institution, you are given a 60 day grace period. This means that within 60 days you must enroll in another institution, change your status, OR return to your home country. If you stay longer than 60 day grace period, you are considered an “overstay” and out of status. Students who drop out of school or who are out of status are not given a 60 day grace period.
If an international student falls out of status, he/she must apply for reinstatement
through the US DHS. DHS will review the application and decide if the student can
be given a new I- 20 and remain in the United States.