International Students

Immigration:

Compliance with U.S. Immigration Laws & Regulations:
The Role and Responsibility of the International Student

California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has a strong commitment in welcoming international students to our campus community to participate in the academic and other activities of the campus. We want you to be able to successfully complete your studies at CSUMB. However, in order to remain in the United States it is critically important that you maintain your legal status.

As an international student, you have an obligation to comply with the immigration laws and regulations of the United States. You are responsible for learning, understanding, and complying with the U.S. laws and regulations that apply to your F-1 student status. Failure to be aware of and to comply with important U.S. Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BICS) regulations could jeopardize both your legal status in the U.S. and your future academic plans.

Therefore, it is extremely important that you read, fully understand and comply fully with the following:

• You must attend the college/university that issued your most recent Form I-20 and for which you have been authorized by the U.S. Immigration Service to attend.
  
  
• As an F-1 visa student, you must complete a full course of study each Fall & Spring Semester. If you will not complete a full-time course load (8 units for graduate students; 12 for undergraduates), (a “W” or “I” grade is not considered completion of the course) you must receive authorization/permission from an International Student Advisor at OIP prior to dropping below a full course load. You and your academic advisor must complete the OIP form, “Request for Authorization to Drop Below Full-Time Enrollment,” and submit it to OIP if you intend to register for less than a full course load or before dropping below a full course load. If you expect to receive an “Incomplete” (I) grade in a class, please talk with an International Student Advisor at OIP BEFORE the end of the semester! You must also understand that the Immigration Service only allows for part-time study under very limited circumstances.
  
  
• You must report any change of address, residence, or name (for your and your F-2 dependents) directly to California State University Monterey Bay within 10 days of the change. You must also inform OIP of any change in your financial sponsorship. California State University Monterey Bay will then electronically notify the Immigration Service of these changes via SEVIS as required by the current regulations.
  
  
• You are NOT permitted to work in the United States without authorization. F-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session (Fall & Spring Semesters) but can work full-time only during the Summer, Winter or Spring Breaks. You are not permitted to work off-campus without FIRST receiving authorization from the Immigration Service and/or from an International Student Advisor at OIP.
  
  
• You must apply for an extension of your program of study before the expiration on your Form I-20 if you cannot complete your program by that date. You and your academic advisor must complete the OIP form, “Extending Your Form I-20.” Requests for extensions should be submitted to OIP no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the Form I-20 so the extension process can be completed in time.
  
  
• You must obtain a new Form I-20 before changing your academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Bachelor’s to Master’s level), one college to another (e.g., from the College of Business to the College of Science & Engineering), or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Mechanical Engineering to Physics). You must receive authorization/permission from the International Student Advisor at OIP prior to changing your academic program.
  
  
• You must complete an official immigration transfer whenever you change educational institutions, change levels of study (i.e. move from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree program at the same or different school), or transfer from PCPT to another program of study. F-1 students must notify your current institution of your intent to transfer, obtain a Form I-20 from the new institution, and report to the International Student Advisor at the new school within 15 days of the program start date listed on the Form I-20.
  
  
• You must maintain a valid passport at all times.
  
  
• You must notify OIP before traveling outside the U.S. so that your Form I-20 can be signed for travel purposes, or a new form can be issued, if required. Students must contact OIP no later than 2 weeks before their anticipated travel date, although you are strongly encouraged to submit this form even earlier. Only an Designated School Official is authorized to sign your SEVIS I-20 form for travel purposes! A travel signature from OIP is good for 6 months.
  
  
• You must notify OIP whenever you plan to leave California State University Monterey Bay and/or depart the U.S. (and the reason why). Sometimes, and for a variety of reasons, students leave the University early or unexpectedly. Some of these reasons include early graduation, leave of absence, suspension, or expulsion. Immigration Service regulations require that you inform and International Student Advisor at OIP if you plan to leave the University before the expected completion date indicated on your I-20 Form and the reason for doing so.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is not exhaustive and is subject to change without notice. You should contact the Office of International Programs (OIP) at 831.582.3512 or email richard_donovan@csumb.edu to arrange an appointment to discuss any questions or concerns related to your legal status in the United States.

The OIP website is an important resource for a variety of important information regarding your stay in the United States. To access the site, go to www.international.csumb.edu .

Rick Donovan
International Student Advisor & Designated School Official
Office of International Programs
CSU Monterey Bay
831.582.3512
831.582.4502 (Fax)