Student Visa Information
Student Visa Information
After you receive the Form I-20 and acceptance letter, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student (F-1) visa. You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.
If your spouse and/or children intend to live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain individual Form I-20s from CHC, and apply for a visa (F-2, but they do not pay the SEVIS fee). Visit the U.S. Customs and immigration Services (USCIS) website at www.USCIS.ORG to learn more about SEVS and the current SEVIS I-901 Fee.
How to Apply for a Student Visa
There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website at www.embassy/org.
- Complete the Online Visa Application
- Online Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 - You must complete the online visa application and print the application from confirmation page to bring to the interview.
- Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160, the form will instruct you to upload your digital image as part of completing the online visa application form. Review photo requirements at www.travel.state.gov/visa-information-resources/photo.html.
- Schedule an Interview - You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Student (F-1) visa for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a program of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the program start date.
Entering the United States
A visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry/POE (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the POE have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.
After you present your passport, visa, and Form I-20 at the POE, a CBP official will make the decision. Once you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about procedures for students entering the United States on the CBP website at www.CBP.org.
Arrival to the United States
- Immediately contact your designed school official (DSO) when you enter the United States.
- When you arrive at Crafton Hills College, you need to contact your DSO again, no later than the program start date listed on your Form I-20.
Maintaining Status
While study at Crafton Hills College, it is important to maintain your F-1 student status:
- You must take at least twelve semester hours per academic term. If you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO immediately.
- Attend and pass all your classes with a grade of C or better. If school is too difficult, speak with your DSO immediately,
- Do not drop a class without first speaking with your DSO.
- If you are unable to complete your program of study by the program end date list on your Form I-20, talk with your DSO about requesting a possible program extension.
Annual Vacation Term
F-1 student must complete at least one full academic year and in a good academic standing at Crafton Hills College to be eligible for annual vacation. Additionally, students must intend to register for classes in the spring/fall term following their annual vacation.
Working on the F-1 Visa
There are limited work opportunities available at Crafton Hills College for F-1 students. For this reason, before coming to the United States, F-1 students must prove they have the sufficient fund (e.g., present bank statement) to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying.
Depending on your academic status, you may be eligible for the following type of employment opportunities while you study in the United States:
F-1 students may begin employment on campus as long as the following criteria are met:
- Student is enrolled in a full-time course of study
- Student has active I-20 form
- Student has a valid, unexpired passport
- Student has an I-94 card that is marked “F-1 D/S”
It is the student’s responsibility to inquire directly with the various departments on campus to find an open/available position. Some of the locations hire student workers include the tutoring center, and the bookstore. The Career Center periodically have jobs as well, so be sure to visit the Career Center. Designed School Official/DSO must authorize all on-campus employment. Employment is limited to part-time (no more than 20 hours per week).
- Employment Based on Economic Hardship
An eligible F-1 student may request off-campus employment work authorization based upon severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond student’s control. These circumstances may include substantial fluctuations in the value of currency, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
To be qualify for Severe Economic Hardship employment authorization, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Student has been in active F-1 status for one academic year
- Student is in good academic standing and is carrying a full course of study
- Student has demonstrated that acceptance of employment will not interfere with the student carrying a full course of study
- Student can demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen economic circumstances beyond the student’s control
Schedule an appointment with a Designed School Official to discuss the documents needed to apply for serve economic hardship employment.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is defined in the Federal Regulations as temporary employment directly related to a student field of study. During OPT, a student remains in F-1 status. The result of the OPT request process is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS). Students can apply for an OPT for up to 12 months and can be completed before or after graduation.
To be eligible for OPT, the student must meet the following criteria:
- Be in legal F-1 status
- Be a full-time student for at one academic year
- Have valid health insurance
Schedule an appointment with a Deigned School Official to discuss the documents needed to apply for OPT.