All students in current F-1 and J-1 status must maintain their address and communication information within SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) by notifying the ISO of any address changes within 10 days. Please use the following forms, depending on your immigration status:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In addition to keeping your passport valid, it\u2019s important to pay attention to the expiration date of your academic program, as indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Keep Copies of all your immigration related Documents","icon":"","row_content":"
If your passport or U.S. visa is ever lost or stolen, there are a few important steps you should take, as suggested by the US Department of State<\/a>. Start by filing a police report in the area where the documents went missing. Then follow your home country\u2019s process for replacing your passport. You should also notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate<\/a> that issued your visa and provide any information or copies you may have. Keep in mind that once a visa is reported lost or stolen, it cannot be used again, and a new visa must be obtained abroad during future travel. If this happens to you, please contact ISO as soon as possible so we can help guide you through the next steps. Read more<\/a> about these next steps.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Report Changes to your Immigration Status","icon":"","row_content":" If you are planning on changing your immigration status to another status, please make sure you speak with your ISO advisor<\/a>.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":" You are required to maintain full-time enrollment every academic term for the duration of your program. This requirement is reflected on your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Full-time enrollment means taking a specific number of credits each term, depending on your program. Read more <\/a>about the academic requirements as an F-1 student.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Taking a Leave of Absence","icon":"","row_content":" If you are considering a leave of absence, you should consult with ISO\u00a0before making your final decision. You may not remain in the U.S. during a leave of absence, so you will need to make plans to depart the U.S. in a timely manner. Read more<\/a> about the leave of absence process as an F-1 or J-1 student.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Study or Research Abroad","icon":"","row_content":" Please consult with ISO if you plan to study or conduct research outside the U.S. for an academic semester or longer. If appropriate, arrangements may be made to keep you in lawful student status. Read more<\/a> about research or study abroad while in F-1 or J-1 student status.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Changing degree program or level","icon":"","row_content":" If you are admitted to a new degree program at the University of Rochester, you must get a new I-20 or DS-2019 that reflects your updated program dates, funding, and field of study. This applies whether you are moving to a higher degree level, switching to a lower level, or changing to a different program at the same level. You must submit the New Student Intake Form (NSIF) and receive your new document from ISO before making any official change to your academic program. To qualify for a Change of Education Level, there cannot be a gap of more than five months between your current authorized activity (such as enrollment as an active student or OPT) and the start of your new program. Please apply sufficiently in advance so that the ISO has time to process your COEL before your grace period ends. Read more<\/a> about the NSIF process.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Transferring to another US School","icon":"","row_content":" When transferring your SEVIS record to another SEVP certified school, you should make sure you are admitted to the new school and carefully choose your transfer release date. You must maintain valid F-1 status until the transfer and ensure the gap between programs does not exceed five months. Be aware that any employment ends prior to your release date. If you plan to travel after the release date, you must reenter with the new school\u2019s I-20. Read more<\/a> about transferring your SEVIS record out to your new school.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Finishing or ending degree\/program earlier\/later than expected","icon":"","row_content":" If you need additional time to complete your studies, or if you finish earlier than expected, you must update your record by submitting a Program Extension<\/a> or Program Shorten<\/a> e-form. Extensions must be based on academic or documented medical reasons, and you must continue making progress toward your degree. Failing to request an extension on time can result in a violation of your immigration status and affect your eligibility for future F-1 or J-1 benefits. Note that your permission for on-campus employment ends on your program completion date.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":" As an F-1 or J-1 student, you must have work authorization before starting any kind of employment in the United States. Each work authorization, such as on campus, off-campus or academic training all have their own requirements. Understanding these rules helps you avoid any immigration violations. Read more <\/a>about the types of work you may be eligible for, and the processes required to obtain authorization.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"U.S. Tax Overview","icon":"","row_content":" All international students, scholars, and employees in the U.S. must file a tax return each year, even if no income was earned. Nonresidents for tax purposes are required to report their U.S. presence. Failing to file can lead to fines and may impact future immigration benefits, including visa renewals or status changes. You can read more <\/a>to learn about the U.S. tax system, Social Security Number (SSN), and Individual Taxpater Identification Number (ITIN).<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":" All J visa holders (including J-1 students and each J-2 family member) are required to have specific health insurance coverage <\/a>as determined by the U.S. Department of\u00a0State.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Matriculation Rules","icon":"","row_content":" J-1 degree seeking students may advance in their academic journey by matriculating to a higher level degree program. Matriculation may only occur from a lower degree level to a higher degree level. For example, from Bachelor\u2019s to Master\u2019s or Master\u2019s to PhD. Matriculation may not occur to a lower degree level, for example from PhD to Master\u2019s.<\/p>\r\n Additionally, matriculation may not occur from the J-1 Non-Degree Student status to any other degree level (Bachelor\u2019s, Master\u2019s, or\u00a0PhD).<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Two-Year Residence Requirement","icon":"","row_content":" Some J-1 students and their J-2 dependents are subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement. Read more<\/a> about this requirement, whether it applies to you and what it means.<\/p>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"Academic Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>","description":"","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Maintain Full-time Study ","icon":"","row_content":"
Travel Related Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>","description":"","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Travel with appropriate documentation and travel signature","icon":"","row_content":"
\r\n \t
Employment and Tax Related Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>","description":"","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Obtain Proper Employment Authorization ","icon":"","row_content":"
J-1 Specific Requirements <\/strong><\/h3>","description":"","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Maintain Health Insurance coverage","icon":"","row_content":"
Risk of Not Maintaining\u00a0Your\u00a0Status<\/h3>","content":"