Immigration and Visa Information

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It is��your responsibility��to maintain regular communication with Ohio Northern’s visa officials��to assure compliance with all Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requirements. If you ever have any questions about immigration matters, please visit the Academic Affairs office located in Lehr Memorial 204.

BASIC IMMIGRATION DEFINITIONS

Visa:��Stamp/chop in passport obtained from a United States Embassy or Consulate giving permission to come to the United States. These are only issued outside of the United States, and usually have an expiration date. Most F-1 Visas are issued for duration of status (D/S). Regardless of whether there is an expiration date or D/S indicated on the visa, you are not in jeopardy as long as you remain in status as a student. The visa is a document used only to gain entry into the United States. If the visa expires while you are in the U.S., that is perfectly fine. However, you will not be able to leave the U.S. and return if your visa is expired.��

��-1:��Type of visa for students in a degree-seeking academic or language program

��-2:��Type of visa for the spouse, child, or dependent of someone who holds an F-1 Visa

J-1:��Type of visa for an Exchange Visitor

��-2:��Type of visa for the spouse, child, or dependent of someone who holds a J-1 Visa

I-20:��Certificate of Eligibility issued to F-1 students so they may obtain a visa to enter the United States. The SEVIS I-20 is also used in recording school transfers, extensions of stay, off-campus employment, and practical training authorization. This form is permanently retained by the student and must be carefully safeguarded.

Designated School Officials (DSO):��The employees at the university who communicate your information to the U.S. government, issue and sign I-20s, and are able to advise you on immigration matters

DS-2019:��Certificate of Eligibility issued to J-1 students so they may obtain a visa to enter the United States and participate in an exchange program

I-765:��Application form for Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Application is necessary for optional practical training in an occupation directly related to the student’s studies. You should plan to complete the application well in advance of the period of desired training. See the DSO for assistance.

I-94:��Arrival/Departure form issued to all visa categories upon arrival in the United States, available electronically at��

Passport Validity:��United States Immigration requires that you keep your passport valid for at least 6 months in the future at all times.

Responsible Officers (RO):�� The employees at the university who communicate your information to the U.S. government, issue and sign DS-2019s, and are able to advise you on immigration matters.

More Important Information

PASSPORT: Your passport is your form of legal identification, containing personal information. It must always be valid��at least 6 months into the future.

STUDENT VISA: Your visa is located inside your passport.
It has information such as:
�� •��Place of issuance
�� •��Personal information: Your name (family, Given), Gender, Date of Birth, Nationality, etc.
�� •��Your passport number
�� •��Entries:��'M' means multiple. This means that you are able to leave and reenter the U.S. multiple times
�� •��Visa Type/Class:��'R' for Regular/F-1 or J-1��is your class of visa��
�� •��Expiration Date:��The date when your visa is no longer valid.��*If you have a valid I-20 or DS-2019 form when your visa expires, you may continue to study in the U.S. legally. However, if you choose to leave the U.S. on an expired visa, you will need to extend your visa before returning to the U.S.*

I-94 ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT: When you enter the U.S., your passport will be stamped with the following information:
�� •��Port of Entry: where you last entered the U.S. (may not be your final destination)
�� •��Date��you last entered the U.S.
�� •��Your class:��F-1/ J-1
�� •��D/S:��'Duration of Status', period in which you are an active full-time student or engaged in OPT

Your electronic I-94 document will be available for you to access electronically after your entry into the U.S. Please access and print your I-94 as soon as possible so you will have a copy on hand.

In order to access your I-94, visit��

Your I-94 will also have an 11 digit��admission number ('A' number) at the top of the form.��The first 9 digits make up your��Alien Registration Number.

You will receive a new electronic I-94 document each time you leave and reenter the U.S.��

FORM I-20 (FOR F-1 STUDENTS):��Your I-20 is issued by your university (��«Ӱҵ) and is mailed to you in your home country before you arrive for classes. When you receive your I-20, sign the bottom and take the document to the U.S. Embassy when you apply for your F-1 student visa. This document is very important to safely guard because it is your proof of purpose for being in the U.S. You must always take it with you when traveling outside the U.S. and hoping to come back in.
Reasons to receive a new I-20:
�� •��You run out of room for travel signatures
�� •��You extend your Program End Date
�� •��You change your Major/Minor
�� •��You apply for OPT or CPT (each time you apply)
�� •��You add/subtract a dependent
�� •��You change education level (UG to G, etc)
�� •��You transfer to another school

FORM DS-2019 (FOR J-1 STUDENTS):��The DS-2019 or "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status" is the document used in the administration of the exchange visitor program.��

You will use this form at a U.S. embassy when attempting to obtain a J visa to enter the U.S.

It contains personal information about the exchange visitor and their designated sponsor, and provides a description of the exchange visitor's program - including start and end date, category of exchange, estimate of the cost.
As an international student, you are registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and you must comply with all SEVIS regulations during your time in U.S. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure you are maintaining status. If you fail to comply with the regulations, your academic career could be negatively impacted, and you could be subject to deportation from the U.S.

REPORT CHANGE OF ADDRESS

You are required to report any address changes to International Services within 10 days of the change. At the beginning of every fall semester, we require all international students to complete a new Student Info Form by coming into our office. If you are a pharmacy student in your 6th��year and on rotations, you must update us every month of your new address. If you moved to a new address, please��complete a change of address form in the��Registrar's Office at��registrar@onu.edu��or 419-772-2024.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Students needing to complete a change of address form may contact the Registrar's Office at��registrar@onu.edu��or 419-772-2024.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Students needing to complete a change of address form may contact the Registrar's Office at��registrar@onu.edu��or 419-772-2024.

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GET AUTHORIZATION BEFORE TRAVELING

If you will be traveling outside the U.S., you must notify International Services in advance so we can endorse your I-20, or your DS-2019 must be endorsed by your sponsor. Travel signatures are valid for one year. If your I-20 fills up with travel signatures, we will print you a new one.

AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED BEFORE DROPPING BELOW FULL-TIME STUDY

All F and J students are required to maintain a full course load of study during the fall and spring semesters. Full time is 12 credit hours. You are only allowed to drop below full time for very limited cases, including ““initial difficulties with English language or reading requirements, unfamiliarity with American teaching methods, or improper course level placement” and you must receive approval for a Reduced Course Load.

REPORT DEPARTURE DATE AND REASON

If you leave ��«Ӱҵ early or unexpected (before the program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019), you must inform International Services and explain your reason. Examples include early graduation, suspension, expulsion, or family emergencies.

FOLLOW EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS

F-1 students are allowed to work on campus after their first semester. J-1 students are typically not approved to work on-campus. There are other stipulations for off-campus employment. Please refer to the employment page for more information.

REPORT TRANSFERS TO ANOTHER SCHOOL

If you decide to transfer to another school in the U.S., you must inform International Services of your intent to transfer and the new school you’re transferring to. Your SEVIS record will not be released until you inform us. Then the new school can issue you an I-20 and the transfer can be completed.

APPLY FOR A PROGRAM EXTENSION

If you cannot complete your program by the expiration date on your I-20 or DS-2019, you must apply for an extension BEFORE the expiration date is reached. Contact International Services.

IF CHANGING ACADEMIC PROGRAM OR MAJOR

If you switch your major, you must inform International Services because you will require a new I-20 or DS-2019.

ADHERE TO YOUR GRACE PERIOD

F-1 students: After the program end date on your I-20, you have a 60-day grace period to remain in the U.S. until you are required to leave.

J-1 students: After the program end date on your DS-2019, you have a 30-day grace period to remain in the U.S. until you are required to leave.
If you decide to travel during university breaks, or you return home at any time, check with International Services to make sure you bring the correct paperwork and there won't be any issues returning to the U.S.

F-1 students, your I-20 must be signed by the Designed School Official (DSO). Signatures are good for 1 year. ��Be sure to bring your passport, visa and I-20 when you travel.

J-1 students, you must have a visa that allows for 'multiple entries' before you decide to travel. Often, you will have to consult with your sponsoring agency before you travel abroad. Be sure to bring your passport, a valid visa, and DS-2019 signed by the Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).

Immigration and Visa Contacts

��«Ӱҵ's visa officials are:
�� •��Dr. Lynda Nyce, Director of Global Academic Initiatives
�� •��Dr. Julie Hurtig, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
�� •��Mrs. Nicolle Merkel, Executive Assistant, Office of Academic Affairs

Office of Academic Affairs
204 Lehr Memorial Building

419-772-2033
academic-affairs@onu.edu

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