Navigating International Student Visa Requirements at Utah Universities

For international students aspiring to study in Utah, understanding the visa requirements is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the process, focusing on key aspects such as maintaining F-1 status, employment opportunities, and tuition relief options.

Maintaining F-1 Student Status

As an F-1 student, adhering to specific regulations is paramount to maintain your legal immigration status, which is essential for enjoying benefits like employment and program extensions.

Immigration Check-In

Upon arrival, attending a mandatory Immigration Check-In at the university's International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) is compulsory. This check-in, mandated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, is critical; failure to attend could lead to the termination of your academic program and lawful immigration status.

Full-Time Enrollment

Maintaining full-time enrollment is a key requirement. For undergraduate students, this typically means enrolling in at least 12 credit hours. If you cannot maintain a full-time course schedule, you must request a Reduced Course Load (RCL). Federal immigration regulations severely limit a student’s ability to be less than full time, but it may be allowed in some circumstances. The Designated School Official (DSO), which is the ISSO Advisors, may allow you to take less than a full course of study if you obtain the approval from a DSO in advance. If you drop below a full-time schedule (after the Add/Drop period) without prior approval of a DSO, you will be considered out of status. Note: Lack of financial support does not constitute a valid reason to reduce course load according to immigration regulations.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

Federal immigration regulations severely limit a student’s ability to be less than full time, but it may be allowed in some circumstances. The Designated School Official (DSO), which is the ISSO Advisors, may allow you to take less than a full course of study if you obtain the approval from a DSO in advance. If you drop below a full-time schedule (after the Add/Drop period) without prior approval of a DSO, you will be considered out of status.

You may apply for RCL due to academic difficulties if an academic advisor verifies your situation. A student may be authorized for an Academic Difficulties RCL basis only for a single semester during any one course of study at a particular program level, and must resume a full course of study at the next available semester (excluding summer). A reduced course load for academic difficulties must consist of at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students and at least 4 credit hours for graduate students.

You may apply for RCL if a temporary illness or medical condition prevents you from taking a full course load (or any courses at all). An RCL for a medical condition can be granted for no more than 12 months while you are pursuing a course of study at a particular program level. You must provide current medical documentation and the DSO must authorize the drop below full time for each new semester. If your final semester requires less than a full-time schedule to complete the program, you must apply for RCL. You must obtain a letter from your academic advisor to verify the situation.

Health Insurance

All international students are required to have health insurance coverage that meets the University’s standards. You must enroll in an approved insurance program at your Immigration Check-In.

Program Completion and Extensions

The United States Department of Homeland Security requires that you finish your program of study by the completion date on your I-20. The end date on the I-20 (item #5) is established by the admissions office to reflect the average length of time it should take a student to complete the degree requirements. When an F-1 student successfully completes their academic program or Optional Practical Training, there is a 60-day grace period during which the F-1 student and any F-2 dependents may stay in the United States.

To obtain a program extension, you must show that you have maintained status and that the extension is needed for compelling academic or medical reasons, such as change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or a documented illness. Delays in completing your program caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension approval. If your program end date (I-20, section #5) has expired or you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a program extension, you will need to pay a fee and file for reinstatement to F-1 status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Contact Information

It is crucial to keep your contact information up to date. If your phone number changes, it must be reported as your “Current Phone Number” in the format of 123/456-7890.

Employment Opportunities for F-1 Students

F-1 students have several avenues for employment, both on-campus and off-campus, with specific requirements and regulations.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students are eligible to work on-campus while attending classes. The work does not need to be related to your field of study. On-campus employment includes work done as a teaching or research assistant as well as jobs in the university library, dormitory, dining facilities, laboratories, and administrative offices. All on-campus student positions are posted through the online job portal, Handshake. With Handshake, students will be able to explore and apply to on-campus jobs and internships. All international students at Utah Tech are eligible to work on-campus. You may also contact Career Services for more information.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is temporary employment that is required to complete your chosen degree such as internships or cooperative education. CPT works best if you are interested in working off campus. CPT must be completed prior to the completion of your program. The purpose of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is for international students to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience directly related to their field of study. The desire for employment is not the main consideration in determining CPT eligibility.

USCIS Regulations state that an F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is “an integral part of an established curriculum. A student can work as much as is required by their academic program as long as labor laws and other relevant laws are considered; however, if a student engages in 12 months or more of full time CPT, they are not eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Full-time CPT is employment for more than 20 hours per week. 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for OPT. The student has been enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year (fall and spring) at a SEVIS approved school. An exception may be made for graduate students who are required to participate in CPT during their first year of study.

Read also: Your Guide to University Place

CPT is processed and authorized term by term. Students may only be employed by a specific employer, at a specific location and for specific dates as approved by the ISSO, and a student can begin working with their CPT employer once they have received the I-20 reflecting the CPT work authorization and the start date has begun. Students should submit application materials well in advance of their desired start date. Students may be approved for CPT multiple times during their degree program, however, Advisor and DSO approval is required each semester. Internships/jobs longer than one semester require two separate CPT applications. For CPT approval students MUST be registered in CPT course available under student’s declared major, this can be done as early as registration is available for the next semester. Your employer or company must officially offer you a training opportunity. Ask your employer to write a Detailed Training Description. Specify the street address where employment will take place (street, city, state, and zip code).

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is temporary employment directly related to your field of study after graduation. Optional practical training (OPT) is defined in the regulations as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.” Students in F-1 status are eligible to apply for this benefit as long as they have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year. An academic year would include fall and spring terms only. Like Curricular Practical Training (CPT), the training MUST be directly related to the area of study and not just serve as an opportunity to work.

During post-completion OPT, the travel signature should be no older than six months.

STEM OPT Extension

F-1 students approved for standard post-completion optional practical training based on a degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field that appears on the STEM-Designated Degree Program List can apply to USCIS for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT. A student who has applied for a STEM extension can continue working for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of the prior post-completion OPT EAD while the STEM extension application is pending. A student may change employers during the 24-month period, but all employers that a student will work for during the STEM extension period must be registered in the DHS E-Verify program, and the student must report the change in employment to his or her DSO.

Types of Employment During OPT

Multiple employers: Students, such as musicians and other performing artists may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). The student should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration.
Work for hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than employment relationship. The company for whom the student is providing services must be registered with E-Verify for STEM extensions.
Self-employed business owner: Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must work full-time.
Employment through an agency: Students on a STEM extension may be employed by an employment agency or consulting firm.
Volunteering or unpaid internships: Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this does not violate any labor laws. The work must be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT.

Reporting Requirements During STEM OPT

In addition to reporting any change of address, STEM OPT recipients must also make a “validation report” to the DSO every six months starting from the date the 24-month extension begins and ending when the student’s F-1 status ends, the student changes educational levels at the same school, the student transfers to another school, or the 24-month OPT extension ends, whichever is first.

Travel During STEM OPT Application

Traveling during the STEM extension application process is at the student’s own risk. In some cases, students have been denied re-entry to the United States even with proper documentation.

Economic Hardship Employment

If other employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, you (an eligible F-1 student) may request employment authorization based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. These circumstances may include a loss of financial aid or on-campus employment that was not your fault, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and /or living costs, or unexpected changes in your financial condition, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses. Source: [8 C.F.R.

Volunteering

Any off-campus employment for F-1 students must be authorized. Volunteering may seem simple, it is actually a complex area where immigration regulations and labor laws intersect. Department of Homeland Security, or struggle getting a visa in the future.

Social Security Number and Taxes

Social Security Number (SSN)

Yes, a Social Security number (SSN) is issued to track earnings over a worker’s lifetime. must apply for a Social Security number. A Social Security number is not required to obtain a driver’s license, cell phone, credit card, insurance, admission to an academic institution or other “non-work” reasons. New students: complete all steps in the Arrival Checklist. When you visit the SSA Office, you will finish the process and share your documents.

Taxes

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the U.S. government agency that collects taxes. As a nonresident F-1 or J-1 student, you may need to file forms each year with the IRS, even if you earned no income. When you get an on-campus job, you will be required to pay tax on your earnings. You may qualify for exemptions if your home country has a tax treaty with the United States. Please visit our Taxes page for more information. Moreover, while employers do withhold money from your paycheck throughout the year and send it to the IRS, it may not equal the exact amount owed at the end of the year. If too much was withheld, you may be eligible for a refund. The only way to get this money returned to you is to file an income tax return. Otherwise, the Federal government will keep your refund.

To ensure correct tax withholding, non-resident aliens should refer to IRS Notice 1392 (Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens) and IRS Publication 515 (Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).

Admission Requirements for International Students

General Requirements

For admission, please fill out the application online. Once you are admitted, you will be sent a letter of admission and an I-20. You will then schedule a visa interview to obtain your visa to study at SUU.

Graduate Admission Requirements

International graduate applicants must satisfy all graduate program admission requirements in addition to the international admission requirements. The following admission requirements apply only to international students that plan on attending an in-person graduate program via an F-1 student visa.

Proof of English proficiency is required for all applicants whose first language is not English. Exams must not be over two years old at the time of application.
All international college transcripts must be evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluation company. SUU's preferred evaluation company is The Evaluation Company(TEC).
Please provide a copy of the photo page of your passport.
International students are required to demonstrate that funds are available for the first year of study.
This form will provide the information necessary for your current school to transfer your government record to SUU. Students who have previously attended SUU must be in good academic standing (a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA) in order to be unconditionally readmitted.

Transferring Credits

To transfer international college credit to replace courses required for your degree at SUU you must have your transcripts evaluated and also provide a course syllabus in English for each class to Jamie Orton with the Secure Upload Platform. All international college transcripts must be evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluation company. SUU's preferred evaluation company is The Evaluation Company(TEC).

Intensive English Program and Dual Enrollment

Students who qualify for the top level of the Intensive English Program are eligible for Dual Enrollment. Dual Enrollment allows students to take Intensive English Program level 6 AND classes within their major, at the same time. This is a one-semester program, offered Fall and Spring semesters only. Exams must not be over two years old at the time of application.

High School Students

If you are a high school student or graduate and haven’t taken college courses after graduation, high school transcripts must be submitted on an official school document, which lists the name and address of the school, the dates enrolled, grading systems, description of each subject, and mark or grade earned in each subject.

Visa Application Process

Before proceeding with the next steps, we suggest reviewing the general information about applying for select nonimmigrant visas here: F-1 student visa (I-20) & J-1 exchange visitor visa (DS-2019).

Citizens from these two countries do not need to submit the DS-160 application, schedule a visa interview, or pay the visa fee. They are required, however, to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee (step 4).

DS-160 Form: Once you receive your signed I-20 or DS-2019, you need to complete a DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. You will be interviewing for an F-1 student visa if you have an I-20 or J-1 exchange visitor visa if you have a DS-2019. Information collected on the DS-160 and gathered during your interview are used to evaluate your petition for a visa.
I-901 SEVIS Fee: Once you have submitted your DS-160, you should pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS Fee. You can read more about this fee and make the payment for it here: I-901 Fee. Be sure to print your receipt after payment.
Visa Interview: Make an appointment to interview. Be prepared for these wait times to increase during busy travel months. consulate or embassy in your home country for specific information and required materials to apply for your nonimmigrant visa and for information on how to schedule your visa interview. The interview is conducted in English and typically lasts just a few minutes, so be prepared ahead of time!

Required Documents for Visa Interview

Valid passport.
One photograph.
DS-160 Confirmation Page.
Supplemental visa application forms.
Visa application fee payment or receipt. You can view current fees for nonimmigrant visa services here: Fees for Visa Services.
Form I-20 properly completed and signed by both the Designated School Official (DSO) and you, the applicant OR Form DS-2019 completed and signed by both the Responsible Officer (RO) and you, the applicant.

Tips for the Visa Interview

Most importantly, be honest during your visa interview. Practice your English before the visa appointment, and bring physical documents to help substantiate your responses! at the end of your studies.

Visa Decision and Potential Denial

Wait times vary by country and individual student case. We recommend that students allow a minimum of 2-3 weeks to receive a decision on their petition for a nonimmigrant visa. If you are denied a student visa, you have probably not sufficiently proven to the consular officer that you are entitled to student status. In most cases, the denial will be based on failure to prove “permanent residence” or “strong ties” to your home country. A visa denial is not permanent and may be reconsidered if you can show additional, convincing evidence. We strongly suggest that you contact our office if you are denied a visa so that we can advise you prior to your second application. While you await a decision, please work on other pre-arrival requirements detailed within your application UT.

Tuition Relief for International Students

Are you currently a degree-seeking international student at the University of Utah studying with an active student visa? Will you be enrolled as an international student with an active F-1 or J-1 student visa during the semester in which you are applying for tuition relief? Will you be enrolled full-time during the semester in which you are applying for tuition relief? When was your first semester at the University of Utah? (Semester and Year) What is your current cumulative GPA? Will your tuition or other costs be sponsored by a sponsoring agency, government agency, academic department, or other entity during semester in which you are applying for tuition relief? Please write an essay describing your current financial situation and what actions you have taken to find other sources of funding. How much financial assistance do you require? Scholarship recipients will receive a one-time credit applied toward tuition.

Resources and Support

We know that preparing for University in a new country can be difficult, but the Office of International Programs is here to help. We have the resources, connections, and knowledge to help you succeed during your time as a student at UT. After being admitted, you will be provided instructions for paying the $500 USD enrollment deposit. You must pay this fee before we can send you your I-20 or DS-2019. The deposit is not an additional expense. Instead, it is a portion of your first semester tuition billed early. bank account, payment can be made at pay.utahtech.edu. Every student situation and home country has slightly different requirements, however, so it is important that you also do individual research on the application process.

tags: #utah #university #international #student #visa #requirements