Office of International Student & Scholar Services
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UNIVERSITY of ST. THOMAS Office Of internatiOnal Student & SchOlar ServiceS J-1 Visa Holders TABLE OF CONTENTS immigration and visa status ..........................................................................................3 engage in appropriate activity ......................................................................................3 health and medical insurance ......................................................................................6 helpful health resources around ust ........................................................................6 registering for classes - academic status ..................................................................6 types of identification cards .........................................................................................7 safety issues .......................................................................................................................7 laws and legal issues ......................................................................................................8 houston transportation ................................................................................................8 houston information .....................................................................................................9 cultural issues and norms ............................................................................................10 international campus involvement ............................................................................11 in ust’s backyard ...............................................................................................................12 eating out: office recommendations ..........................................................................13 activities in houston .......................................................................................................14 houston’s sports teams .................................................................................................15 international markets ...................................................................................................16 hotels and hostels ..........................................................................................................16 u.s. holidays and celebrations ......................................................................................17 ust campu map ..................................................................................................................18 international student & scholar services handbook 1 OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES location: crooker center, 2nd floor, 214 lily Swan director of international student and scholar services primary designated school official/responsible officer 713-525-3503 [email protected] dora Zhang international student advisor designated school official 713-942-3412 [email protected] hiba elroz international student advisor designated school official 713-942-5968 [email protected] Office hOurS fall and spring semesters monday – thursday: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm summer semester monday – thursday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm friday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm STUDY ABROAD OFFICE location: 4121 yoakum dr. J. ulyses Balderas director of study abroad 713-525-3533 [email protected] helen Shaw study abroad program coordinator 713-525-3535 [email protected] Office hOurS fall and spring semesters monday – thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm friday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm 2 international student & scholar services handbook IMMIGRATION AND VISA STATUS the uscis (u.s. citizenship and immigration services) holds you responsible for maintaining your immigration status. it is very important for you to read through the information throughout this handbook. if you need any clarifications or guidance, please visit with the responsible officer (ro) or alternate responsible officer (aro). the most important rules for you to know in order to maintain legal status: • only engage in the activity that is on your ds-2019. • maintain a valid passport; this must be valid for at least six months into the future. • keep your ds-2019 valid. you are responsible for having the end date extended if you do not plan on completing your program in the time allotted. • obtain a travel signature on the travel validation section of your ds-2019 prior to your departure. please plan to see us at least two weeks before your departure date. ENGAGE IN APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY StudentS Maintain full-tiMe enrOllMent 22 c.f.r. § 62.2 • undergraduate: 12 credits; graduate: 9 credits. o degree seeking students: you must enroll and complete enrollment in a full course of study “as defined by the accredited educational institution in which the student is registered.” o non-degree seeking students: you must be “engaged full-time in a prescribed course of study in a non-degree program of up to 24 months duration conducted by a post- secondary accredited academic institution.” • summer enrollment is optional unless it is your first semester. • if you are considering dropping below less than full-time you are required to speak to the international student advisor. if you are authorized to fall below full-time enrollment, the international student advisor and academic advisor must sign a “Reduced Course Load Form” before you drop your class(es). SchOlarS scholars are expected to engage in the activity described on their ds-2019. if you complete or cease the activity, you must leave the u.s. within 30 days. international student & scholar services handbook 3 eMplOyMent J-1 students are eligible for part-time employment, but must be authorized by the a/ro. the following are the types of employment that one may engage in: 1. it is pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship 2. it occurs on the premises of the college or university the J-1 is attending 3. it occurs off-campus when necessary because of serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances which have arisen since acquiring J-1 student status conditions: 1. you are in good academic standing 2. you continue to engage in a full course of study during the main semesters 3. employment is limited to 20 hours/week, except during the holidays and school breaks 4. for economic necessity authorization, the a/ro must evaluate the student’s economic situation as to whether the situation is urgent, serious and unforeseen 5. ds-2019 must be updated to reflect the employment acadeMic training StudentS academic training is training/employment that is directly related to one’s degree program and is authorized by the a/ro. this may be both while enrolled in school and after completion of the program of study. eligibility 1. maintained good status 2. primary goal was to study about 1. directly related to one’s degree program a. note: since academic training is geared specifically to those that are degree seeking, non-degree seeking students are ineligible to apply for such. 2. training may not exceed a cumulative of 18 months 3. part-time/full-time; paid/unpaid SchOlarS professors/researchers are permitted to engage in the work that is described on their ds-2019. unauthorized employment may result in jeopardizing one’s status. those that are here at ust as a Professor, Research Scholar, Short-term Scholar or Specialist , may engage in occasional lectures or consultations, but would be required to consult the a/ro beforehand. a letter from the oisss, sponsoring program and faculty advisor will be required in order to adjudicate such a case. 4 international student & scholar services handbook Other iMMigratiOn MatterS Keep iMMigratiOn dOcuMentS valid at all tiMeS • ds-2019 must have accurate program info and valid dates. • i-94 must be valid for duration of status (d/s). • passport must be valid for six months into the future. • the visa sticker in your passport may expire while you reside in the u.s. and is to be used for travel purposes only. it is more important to maintain your status (following the rules, keep your ds-2019 and passport valid) than the sticker. if you choose/need to travel outside of the u.s., you will have to get it renewed in order to re-enter the u.s. this can only be done in your home country. change Of addreSS • you must inform the a/ro within 10 days of your move. attend/WOrK at the SchOOl that iS On yOur dS-2019 • only attend the school listed on your current ds-2019. to attend another school, you must transfer to that school (obtain approval on a new ds-2019) or receive a concurrent enrollment letter from our office departure infOrMatiOn • upon completion of your program, you and your dependents are allowed a 30 day grace period to depart the u.s. employment is not authorized during this time period. • before you depart the u.s., you will be required to complete our International Student Departure Form . eXtenSiOnS • if you are unable to complete your degree program in the time allotted on your ds-2019, then you must request an extension before the noted end date. any student who comes after their ds-2019 has expired to request an extension will be required to file for reinstatement. • a Research Scholar and Professor are eligible to stay in the u.s. for a maximum of five years. a Short- term Scholar may only stay for a maximum of six months. no extensions can be granted beyond the maximum allotment of time. 212 (e) and 12/24 MOnth BarS • depending on which country you are from, you may be subject to the 212 (e) or 12/24 month bar. please see the a/ro for more information. travel • to travel outside of the u.s., you