- What is an I-20 form?
An I-20 form, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) students, is a document that Marymount Manhattan issues to enable you to apply for an F-1 student visa.
| TOP
|
- What do I need to do to get an I-20 from Marymount?
You must be academically admitted to Marymount and have proven with financial documents that you and / or your sponsor have sufficient resources to cover all expenses associated with your stay and study in the United States.
| TOP
|
- Will I get a student visa with an I-20 from Marymount?
An I-20 form will enable you to apply for a visa, but it does not guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Visa approvals vary from country to country. To be issued a visa, you must prove to the consular officer that you are financially secure and have strong ties and intensions to go back to your home country upon completion of your study in the United States.
| TOP
|
- What is a SEVIS I-901 fee?
Effective September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security introduced an additional fee often referred to as SEVIS I-901 fee. If you have not previously paid the I-901 fee, you must pay the fee provided that your I-20 form is issued after September 1, 2004. The I-901 fee is $100 in most cases. The I-901 fee payment receipt may be requested during your appointment at the consulate. If you file a change of status application with the Immigration Service within the United States, it is advisable that you attach a copy of the payment receipt to the application package.
| TOP
|
- How do I pay SEVIS I-901 fee?
You must have a valid I-20 form issued by the school and your passport number to make a payment. The application requires that you write a school code and a SEVIS number when processing a payment. Both numbers can be found on the I-20 form. Also, you must know your passport number.
a) Fill out an I-901 fee form as required
b) Attach a money order or a check for $100 to the application. The check should be made payable to: I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee. Remember to write your name on the check.
c) Mail the application and the check by regular mail to the address below:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee, P.O. Box 970020, St. Louis, MO 63197-0020
or courier the form I-901 and the payment to:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee, 1005 Convention Plaza, St.Louis, MO 63101
Fees must be submitted in the exact amount. Failure to file forms correctly or with the correct payment will result in the return of this form to you and an additional delay in processing.
If you prefer you can also make an online payment with a credit card.
| TOP
|
- How can I pay SEVIS I-901 fee with a credit card online?
To make an online payment, you will need the information as follows:
- Your passport number
- School code and SEVIS numbers from your I-20 form
- Credit card information including: a credit card number, a credit card expiration date, name and address of the primary card holder
If you do not have your own credit card, someone else can make a payment on your behalf. If someone else allows you to use his or her credit card number, make sure you have all the information before you start filling out the online form. To make an online payment, follow the instructions below:
- Go to www.fmjfee.com
- Fill out the online form as required
- Print out the payment receipt for your own records.
| TOP
|
- How can I learn more about SEVIS I-901 fee?
To learn more about I-901 fee, go to www.fmjfee.com
| TOP
|
- How soon can I come to the United States after my visa is issued?
You will be allowed to enter the United States no sooner than 30 days before the program start date indicated in point 5 on your I-20 form.
| TOP
|
- How many classes do I have to attend to maintain my legal status?
As per immigration regulations, F-1 visa students must be enrolled full time and carry at least 12 credits per semester during spring and fall semesters.
| TOP
|
- Can I get a Social Security Number as an F-1 student?
F-1 student visa holders are not eligible for Social Security Numbers unless they intend to engage in employment.
- If you are an F-1 visa holder with secured on-campus employment, take your passport, your I-20 visa document, your I-94 form, and the job offer letter from your on-campus employer confirming your job offer to one of the Social Security Offices.
- If you are an F-1 visa holder on OPT, take you passport, your I-20 visa document showing the authorized OPT, your I-94 form, and your EAD card to one of the Social Security Offices.
- If you are an F-1 visa holder on CPT, take your passport, your I-20 visa document showing your authorized CPT, and your I-94 form to one of the Social Security Offices.
At the Social Security Administration Office you must complete an application form. You will receive notification of your social security number in the mail. The process usually takes from four to eight weeks. You may call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 with any questions. For more information, check the website: www.ssa.gov
| TOP
|
- Can I work on a student visa?
Employment opportunities for F-1 students are very limited
As per immigration regulations, F-1 visa students may legally engage in on campus employment up to 20 hours a week. There are no special procedures required to apply for this type of employment. You may begin as soon as you are offered a position. Your job does not have to be related to your field of study. Employment authorization is not required for this type of employment.
The other types of employment available are: OPT ( optional practical training), CPT (curricular practical training) and economic hardship based employment.
| TOP
|
- What is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a one-year employment authorization that allows you to engage in legal off campus employment to gain practical experience upon completion of your program. It can also be done part time or when the school is not in session. Employment authorization is granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service upon recommendation of the school. Processing your employment authorization may take about 90 days. Therefore, it is essential that your application be submitted at the beginning of your last semester at Marymount.
| TOP
|
- When I become eligible to apply for OPT?
To be eligible for Optional Practical Training, you must:
- maintain a valid F-1 status at the time of the application
- have been in a full time valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year prior to submitting your application
- intend to work in a field related to your major of study
Once your employment authorization is approved, it will be valid for one year. Dates of employment must be identified on the form. For OPT after completion of studies, the beginning date cannot be later than 60 days after the date you have completed your studies.
| TOP
|
- What is Curricular Practical Training?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students where the practical training employment is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. This employment may be an internship, a practicum, or any other work experience that is either required for your degree (as set forth in the course catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded. Employment authorization ( EAD card) issued by the Immigration Service is required.
| TOP
|
- Am I eligible for economic hardship based employment authorization?
To be eligible to apply for off-campus employment authorization based upon severe economic hardship, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must demonstrate severe economic hardship resulting from one of the following unforeseen circumstances:
- loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student
- unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support
- medical bills
- other substantial and unexpected expenses
- You must have been in valid F-1 status for at least full academic year
- You must be in good academic standing and registered full-time.
| TOP
|
- What if I cannot complete my program on time?
If you cannot complete your program by the program completion date indicated on your I-20, you may need an extension of your program. Please consult director of international students and be aware that extensions can only be filed before your current program ends.
| TOP
|
- How soon do I have to leave the United States after I graduate?
You are allowed to stay in the United States for a period of sixty days counting from the program completion date indicated on your I-20 or the last day of classes, whichever earlier.
| TOP
|
- Can I stay in the United States legally waiting for my classes after I transfer out from Marymount?
After you transfer out, you may stay legally in the United States to start classes in another school provided that the waiting period does not exceed 5 months. Consult your international students advisor to make sure you will not fall out of status.
| TOP
|
- Can I drop below 12 credits and not lose my legal status?
Under certain academic or medical circumstances, you may be authorized for a reduced course load. Before you drop a class, please see the director of international students to discuss your situation.
| TOP |
