About Your F-1 Student Visa
Steps to Get an F-1 Visa
The Student's Commitment (Maintaining F-1 Status)
Violations of Status
OGEP's Role & Commitment
Exchange Students
Extending Your F-1 Visa
Buying Your Airline Ticket & Airport Transportation
Transferring Out to Another University
Transferring in From Another University
Applying for Reinstatement
Employment - OPT and CPT
About Your F-1 Student Visa
Currently KSU is authorized to invite students to study at KSU on F-1 Student Visas. If you need to learn more, visit this website for an overview of student visas.
Maintaining good academic and legal status must be first and foremost on your mind as an international student. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has an Internet-based system to maintain current information on international students, exchange visitors, and their dependents (i.e., all those in F or J status). The system is called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS will track F and J visa holders from the time they receive their immigration documents (I-20, or DS-2019) until they complete their programs, and will require Kentucky State University to report students and scholars to the ICE who fail to maintain lawful status. SEVIS went into effect on January 30, 2003.
Under these regulations, even the most minor status violations (e.g., failing to report in SEVIS a change of major, or failure to process a timely transfer) could result in loss of student eligibility status, loss of employment authorization eligibility, the opportunity to return to the US after a visit abroad, or even possible deportation.
Steps to Get an F-1 Visa
This information is for people who plan to enter the United States for the first time to study.
For a full overview of student visas, visit the U.S. State Department Student Visas website.
For full step-by-step information on how to apply for an F-1 student visa visit the ICE SEVIS website.
Another very good resource for preparing students for the important F-1 visa interview can be found on this web page maintained by NAFSA.
STEPS
1. Gain admission to Kentucky State University
2. Provide your financial information to the KSU admissions office. Both undergraduate and graduate students should submit the following information to with their application for admission:
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Check the
latest KSU cost sheet and complete the Financial Certification for International Students form (available on the
Forms for International Students page). Again, submit the form to the Office of Admissions with your application - but direct questions about these forms to OGEP.
3. Obtain an I-20 Form*.
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Once the Office of Global Education and Programs (OGEP) receives your financial information and a copy of your admissions letter from KSU's Office of Admissions an I-20 will be issued for you. This I-20 will be mailed to you, along with the admissions letter and other materials about KSU, via international courier.
* The I-20 is the core document a student needs to apply for an F-1 visa. Children and spouses are admitted in nonimmigrant F-2 status or classification, and must be issued their own visas. Students on an F-1 visa are held to strict requirements such as being a bona fide student, studying full time, not working off-campus, etc. See The Student’s Commitment and Violations of Status section below for more information.
3. Schedule an interview for your F-1 student visa.
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Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ask for instructions about how to get an F-1 international student visa. A list of
Consulates and Embassies can be found here . It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments be made no more than 90 days from the intended date of travel, but some can make earlier arrangements for interviews. Note: This step may precede receipt of your I-20, depending on the situation.
Take the following completed forms to the interview:
All visa forms are on the U.S. Department of State Visa Application website.
Take evidence of payment of the following fees to the interview:
Again, full step-by-step information on how to apply for an F-1 student visa is available on the ICE SEVIS website.
Important: Also take to the interview every other document related to your application to KSU - letters about financial aid, information on the program you will be studying in, a copy of your KSU application, recommendation letters, etc. Take it ALL to the inteview.
4. Approval or Denial of Visa
- Your F-1 visa, if approved, will be issued for the duration mentioned on your form I-20.
5. Make arrangements to come to Kentucky State University!
6. Check in with OGEP immediately upon arrival at KSU.
The Student’s Commitment
Check the OGEP Web page and your KSU email account regularly for any immigration updates from the OGEP. If you do not use campus mail, make sure OGEP has your email address.
To maintain status, students are required to pursue a full course of study, make normal progress towards completing their studies, keep their I-20s valid, and refrain from unauthorized work or other prohibited activities. They may also be authorized to work during the educational program and after completion of studies, provided such work has been properly approved by the Designated School Official (DSO) and/or by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) (depending on the type of work authorization).
When the school issues an I-20, it is giving the student the core document he/she needs to apply for an F-1 visa at a US embassy or consulate, and to enter the US in nonimmigrant F-1 status or classification. Children and spouses are admitted in nonimmigrant F-2 status or classification, and must be issued their own SEVIS I-20s and obtain F-2 visas.
Violations of Status
The violations below vary in severity, but all are serious and can result in reinstatement not being granted:
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Failure to report to the I-20-issuing school for SEVIS registration
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Failure to register for a given academic term
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Failure to make normal progress
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Failure to attend the authorized school
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Failure to complete the transfer out and transfer in process
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Failure to file a timely change of status
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Failure to obtain a program extension prior to program end date
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Failure to provide notification of an address change in a timely fashion
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Failure to depart from the US in an appropriate time
Unauthorized employment
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Being out of status for more than 5 months
Remaining in the US after ceasing, terminating, or interrupting studies before the completion of the program
OGEP's Role & Commitment
In order to keep you well informed of these important changes, OGEP will:
- Send announcements and updates to your Kentucky State University email account.
- Conduct information sessions at the start of each semester or as deemed necessary.
- Maintain up-to-date information concerning the new regulations on our Web site.
OGEP and SEVIS
OGEP does not issue you a visa. OGEP simply provides the U.S. government with the information necessary to provide you with a visa. The I-20 is the primary means through which that is done. In addition to issuing I-20s and maintaining permission to issue I-20’s, schools are required to report the enrollment of any F-1 or M-1 non-immigrant every semester, term, or session. In addition, the school must report in SEVIS the current students that fail to enroll, maintain status, or complete their program. The result is termination of the student's status as a legal non-immigrant. Remember, it is not our choice to take these actions; if KSU wants to continue admitting international students, it must comply with these requirements set forth by Congress as part of its effort to ensure America’s security.
Schools are currently required to maintain records of the student’s name, date and place of birth, country of citizenship, address, status, date of commencement of studies, degree program and field of study, practical training, termination date and reason, documents related to the student’s admission, the number of credits completed per semester, and a copy of the I-20. All of this information resides in the SEVIS system (not solely as hard files at each school); therefore, ICE should never need to contact a school for access to these records. SEVIS will track the issuance of I-20s, extensions, transfers, authorized employment, and reduced course loads. Schools must also report the following in SEVIS:
- A student’s enrollment at the school
- The start date of the student’s next term or session
- A student’s failure to enroll
- A student’s dropping below a full course of study (with or without the school’s authorization)
- A change of the student’s or dependent’s legal name or address
- Any disciplinary action taken against the student as a result of the student being convicted of a crime
- A student’s graduation prior to the program and date listed on the Form I-20
- Degree program and field of study
- The date of termination from the school and the reason for termination
OGEP will also maintain up-to-date information on the Web site concerning these matters. You may always access the SEVIS information page .
Buying Your Airline Ticket & Airport Transportation
Before you purchase your airline ticket you should verify the exact dates that you are supposed to arrive. Do not simply go by the dates on your I-20. If you are coming for a special short-term program, verify the correct arrival and departure dates with the office that is inviting you. If you are coming for a full semester you can go to the academic calendar online and check to see when the residence halls open, when registration for new students is, and when the last day of the semester is. New students should arrive during new student registration, and the dorms usually close on the Saturday immediately following the end of the semester. Feel free to contact OGEP if you have questions.
You have three options to come to Frankfort by air. Three airports serve the area - Lexington, KY (closest - about 30 minutes away), Louisville, KY (about 1 hour away), and Cincinnatti, Ohio (about 1:15 minutes away). If you need transportation from the airport, let the Office of Global Education and Programs know and they will advise you.
Extending Your F-1 Visa
Sometimes it is necessary to extend the period of stay at KSU. With proper approvals, this is usually not a problem.
If you want to extend your visit, and the expected date of completion indicated on your I-20 will expire soon, you must complete this extension of program form to continue to stay in the United States. Please schedule an appointment with the Office of Global Education & Programs (OGEP) as soon as possible because you must submit your application for an extension at least 30 days prior to your I-20 expiration date. If you fail to apply in a timely manner, it may result in immigration-related problems, including being ineligible for on-campus employment, practical training, or even termination of your visa.
Exchange Students
There are certain special circumstances for students coming to KSU as part of an exclusive exchange agreement with a partner university. See the Exchange Student page for more details.
Transferring Out to Another University
All KSU F-1 students, including those who are currently enrolled in a program, have graduated, will graduate soon, and those on OPT, must complete a SEVIS immigration transfer if planning to attend another educational institution in the U.S. This is an immigration transfer ONLY and will not transfer your credits.
You should contact the undergraduate or graduate admissions office at the college or university to which you wish to transfer as soon as possible. Complete their admissions process and also inquire about the transfer-in process from the International Office at your new school.
Upon completing the current semester of your degree program, you must request the I-20 transfer within 60 days. Full directions are included on the KSU Transfer Out Form.
Transferring in From Another University
Similar to the process for students who want to go from KSU to another university, all F-1 students, including those who are currently enrolled in a program, have graduated, will graduate soon, and those on OPT, must complete a SEVIS immigration transfer if planning to attend KSU from another educational institution in the U.S. This is an immigration transfer ONLY and will not transfer your credits.
You will need to be issued a new I-20, so a new Financial Certification will need to be made.
You should contact the undergraduate or graduate admissions office at the college or university from which you wish to transfer as soon as possible.
You must complete KSU's regular admissions process.
Upon completing the current semester of your degree program, you must request the I-20 transfer within 60 days.
Contact OGEP as soon as you know you intend to transfer in to KSU.
Applying for Reinstatement
If you have violated your status, make an appointment to meet with an official in the Office of Global Education and Programs (OGEP), who will discuss the matter and make an assessment as to the appropriateness of pursuing reinstatement. If the director recommends reinstatement, then submit to OGEP the following materials:
- All the documents necessary to issue a new Form I-20, including updated financial support documents.
- A letter of explanation addressed to CIS specifying why you are out of status, the effect on you for failure to receive reinstatement, a statement indicating that you currently pursue or intend to pursue a full course of study, and specifically request that CIS reinstate you to F-1 status
- A completed and signed Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. You may also locate this form on the OGEP page titled “Forms.” Write in Part 2, item 1 the phrase “reinstatement to F-1 status.”
- Check or money order (see OGEP for the amount).
Materials to Submit with a Reinstatement Application:
- Form I-539...at top: REINSTATEMENT
- Form I-539 fee.
- Form I-20
- Student letter explaining why he/she is out of status and requesting reinstatement I-20
- PDSO Letter recommending reinstatement
- Verification of Finances Form and/or Affidavit of Support
- Original Form I-94
- Any other documentation that might help to support or substantiate the student’s appeal for reinstatement (e.g., student sponsor’s bank statement and letter from sponsor’s employer indicating employment status and salary—if finances were the primary reason for losing status).
Upon submission of the above-mentioned documents OGEP will help prepare a reinstatement application packet.
Employment - OPT and CPT
As a full time F-1 student you are automatically eligible to work on campus for 20 hours per week if you are enrolled full time. Any off-campus work can only be done with a special authorization known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), or a Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Both of these are legal ammendments to your I-20.
These are the definitions of OPT and CPT, taken directly from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement web site:
OPT is "employment that is related to a student's specified curriculum, but not required by it. OPT must be recommended by the DSO and authorized by the CIS before the student begins work."
CPT is "employment that is a required part of a student's specified curriculum. In most cases, CPT involves internships and similar work experience specifically required by the student's program. CPT must be authorized by the DSO before the student begins work." See also these links for more information about OPT or CPT.
To apply for OPT or CPT, follow the instructions in the KSU Optional Practical Training Packet or Curricular Practical Training Packet. Both of these can be found on the Forms for International Students page.