International Student Support

We are continuously monitoring changes to U.S. immigration policies and regulations that may impact our international student and scholar community. We are committed to providing timely guidance and support when necessary and appropriate. It can be difficult to determine the effects of these real and proposed changes, so we encourage students and our campus community to maintain awareness of current events and contact the Office of International Services with any questions or concerns. Our team is here to assist you in maintaining your immigration status and connecting you with other on-campus resources available to all students, staff, and scholars.

General Maintenance of Status Information:

Keep valid documents.

Passport: maintain a valid passport during your entire stay in the U.S. and for a period of 6 months beyond the end of your program. Contact your Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. at least 3-6 months prior to the passport expiration should you need to extend or renew your passport.
Visas: your visa can expire while in the U.S., if your passport remains valid and you continue to maintain your visa status. Traveling outside the U.S. with an expired visa, however, will require a renewed visa for re-entry to the U.S. (It is recommended to schedule your visa appointment before departing the U.S.)
Form I-20/Form DS-2019: should be valid and accurate at all times. Requests to extend your program must be made to our office prior to the expiration of these documents.
Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record: It’s recommended that you keep a printed copy of your most recent I-94 and travel history. Always check your I-94 any time you re-enter the U.S. It should accurately reflect your visa status, date of entry, and location of entry.

NOTE: Always keep backup copies of your documents (digital and paper).

Report changes to U.S. address.

Report any change in physical address within 10 days of the move, even if the move is temporary (e.g., CPT, summer, etc.)

Remember that during the academic year, you must live within the Springfield area.

Students on OPT report address changes through the SEVP Portal or to IS within 10 days of the change.

Travel with Caution.

If you cannot afford an interruption to your studies, research, employment, or teaching due to an indefinite period abroad, you should carefully consider the need to travel outside the U.S.

Even with valid documentation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will always have the discretion on whether to admit you into the U.S.

Ensure your travel documents are valid (passport, visa, and I-20/Form DS-2019 with a proper travel endorsement for U.S. re-entry).

Students on approved OPT should also travel with a valid EAD. It is not recommended to travel if the OPT request is still pending.

Know that CBP officers have the legal authority to search electronic devices. Information and content found on devices (including social media accounts) can be used to deny entry into the U.S.

Electronic Devices: See CBP and the ACLU blog for further information.

Social Media and Apps: Take time to evaluate your online presence so that it accurately reflects compliance with U.S. immigration laws and properly reflects you academically and professionally.

Stay vigilant against scams.

Our office is aware of an increase in scam emails and phone calls specifically targeting international students often claiming to be a government official trying to intimidate and/or collect personal, financial, and immigration information with the intent of causing harm.

If you receive a threatening call or message from someone claiming to be a government official:

Do not share any personal or financial information with them.

Attempt to collect any contact information from the caller.

End the communication immediately and then contact IS for advisement.

NOTE: Common Scams – USCIS website; forward suspicious email to USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov.

Maintain academic requirements.

Be enrolled in a full course of study each semester and make normal satisfactory progress towards the completion of your degree

Request authorization for reduced enrollment prior to the beginning of the affected semester and/or before dropping classes.

NOTE: Summer semester enrollment is only required for the first or final semester of study.

Employment - work authorized and know the rules.

On-Campus Employment:

Students in F-1 status are automatically eligible to work on-campus without special authorization.
Students in J-1 status need an authorization letter from their sponsor first.
Limited to 20 hours/week during spring and fall. 40 hours/week during summer and breaks.

Off-Campus Employment:

Off-Campus Employment requires prior authorization from the IS office and/or USCIS. Do NOT work off-campus without proper authorization.

This includes paid or unpaid employment, practical training (internships, externships, practicums, etc.), or activities resembling employment or training.
Working without authorization or engaging in activities that could be viewed as employment will lead to serious and irreparable consequences to your immigration record and status in the U.S.
Remember the reporting rules for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the STEM OPT Extension.
When in doubt, always consult our office.