Additional Information

• The original stamped I-20 form is a very important document. DO NOT LOSE IT!   CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE!   It is your responsibility to renew this document  before it expires.
• Should you wish to travel outside the U.S., please contact a UCSC Extension immigration advisor (DSO) so that your I-20 can be signed and your travel and reentry be authorized. UCSC Extension has five authorized DSO's. Please check with a DSO at least 1 week prior to your departure.

Staying in Status

Remember: in order to stay in status you must do the following:

1. Enroll and complete 12 units of course work each quarter
2. Maintain a valid I-20 and passport documents
3. Keep UCSC Extension updated on all your address changes
4. Accept no illegal employment.

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Transferring to Another School
If you are planning to transfer to another school after completing our program, you have 60 days from the day you last attended a course to transfer.

Also, if you are planning to transfer to another school before completing your program, you must be officially accepted by the new school and have received the transfer I-20 form before you leave the UCSC Extension program. Otherwise, you will be considered 'out of status' and will need to apply for reinstatement. (See below for reinstatement information)

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Reinstatement

If you are ‘out of status’, you may apply for reinstatement (except in cases of illegal employment). To apply for reinstatement you need do the following:

1. Provide UCSC Extension with all the documents necessary to issue a new I-20 form, this includes submitting new financial information showing that you have at least $25,000 available for your studies. Please see above for how to apply to UCSC Extension. Continuing students need to provide new financial statements only.
2. Write a letter of explanation about your status violation and why you fell out of status. It should discuss why it important for you to be reinstated, a statement that you do not foresee falling out of status again, and specific request that USCIS reinstate you to F-1 student status.
3. Complete and sign Form I-539 (Application to Extend Status/ Change Nonimmigrant Status). The form is available at www.uscis.gov
4. Write a check to USCIS for $300
5. Pay your SEVIS fee if you have been out of status for more than 5 months. Please pay the fee at www.fmjfee.com.

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Optional Practical Training

With written permission from USCIS, students are allowed to work off-campus either during the summer vacation, during the academic year or after completion of the program. Every quarter, UCSC Extension will hold an OPT workshop and will answer all questions and help with the application process.

There are two types of Practical Training: Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training. Maximum length is 12 months. UCSC Extension only recommends students for Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)). Practical Training during annual vacations or Curriculum Practical Training are not available

Practical Training is available to students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis in a USCIS approved college, university conservatory or seminary for at least nine consecutive months and completed the program they studied for (8CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)). One year of OPT is allowed after every level of education.

You have to apply for OPT before completing your studies. It is highly recommended that you apply at least three months before finish your studies as it often takes up to 90 days for the USCIS to process OPT applications. If you submit your application late, you may lose some time on your OPT.

PROCEDURE TO APPLY FOR OPT
Contact your immigration advisor and pick up an OPT packet; this will include a questionnaire and instructions for the application. You will need to print and complete a Form I-765 from the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov.

1. Complete Form I-765. Don’t forget to mark the very first box “I am applying for permission to accept employment.” For question 3, use an address that will be valid for at least three to four months. You can use the UCSC Extension address in Santa Cruz if your are not sure where you will be living in three months. The reason for this is that your EAD card cannot be forwarded by the U.S. mail service. For question16, mark “( c ) ( 3 )( i )”.Print very clearly in black or dark blue ink.
2. Complete the questionnaire and list all classes that you have taken at UCSC Extension.
3. Contact Anna Zagorska at azagorska@ucsc-extension.edu or 831-427-6638 and submit the following items:
   • Completed Form I-765. Write "Optional Practical Training" across the top of application
   
   
   • Your passport, I-94, all your I-20s
   
   
   • 2 small photos of you prepared according to U.S.C.I.S. specifications (there has been a change in the photo requirements do not take a photo as described on page 5 of the I-765 booklet). Please lightly print your name in pencil on the back of both photos.
   
   
   • A check or money order made out to Department of Homeland Security for the application fee of $340
   
   
   • Photocopy of any previously issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if you have received work authorization from the U.S.C.I.S. on another occasion

USCIS California Service Center
P.O. Box 10765
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1076

For private courier (non-USPS) deliveries:
USCIS California Service Center
24000 Avila Road 2nd Floor, Room 2312
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Send the packet through the U.S. post office with a return receipt option so that you have proof that it was received by the Service Center.

In 10-30 days you will receive a “notice of action” (form I-797) in mail. This is your official receipt from the USCIS and it will include a WAC (Western Adjudication Center) number. With this number you will be able to check the status of your application online by visiting www.uscis.gov.

You will receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in the mail within 90 days from the date on your receipt.

If you have not received the EAD within 90 days you can make an appointment online to go to the local USCIS office and receive assistance to speed up the process. You must wait until the 91st day in order to schedule your appointment. To schedule an appointment, go to www.uscis.gov and click on “InfoPASS."

Additional Immigration Information

Please note that the I-20 is an important document. This electronically issued certificate allows you to apply for a visa and to enter and re-enter the U.S. It also shows what, where and when you are studying and it must be current at all times. ELI is required to report any changes you make to your study program, your name, or your address to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. When your study program ends, you are allowed 60-days to either leave the U.S. or transfer to another school. If you plan to study past your program end date, you must talk to one of our immigration advisors before that date.

If, while studying with us, you plan to travel out of the U.S. for a short vacation and return to ELI, make sure that page 3 of your I-20 is properly endorsed. When you re-enter the United States you must present the I-20, a valid F-1 visa, and your passport. If returning from Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands (except Cuba) after a visit of less than 30 days, your visa need not be valid; however, you will still be required to show a properly endorsed I-20 and a valid passport.

It is your responsibility to be informed about your visa requirements, and to maintain your status. Information on the requirements for F-1 students is provided during the orientation offered by ELI each session and you’re always welcome to speak with one of our Immigration Advisors if you have any questions.

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For More Information
For more details regarding immigration regulations for F-1 student visas, please see the following U.S. Government links:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly know as the INS): http://www.uscis.gov
• SEVIS Information from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/index.htm
• U.S. Department of State: http://www.travel.state.gov
• U.S. Visa Homepage: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
• U.S. Department of State (lists American Embassy and Consulate links worldwide): http://usembassy.state.gov

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When do I report to school?

You should report to school either on the first day of classes or orientation date, whichever comes first. You will be contacted with the orientation date at least 30 days prior to beginning of your program. The mandatory international student orientation is a full-day of important academic, cultural and immigration information. Have the following documents with you at Orientation:

• Passport
• I-94
• Stamped I-20