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USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) is a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for enforcing U.S. immigration laws and regulations. USCIS headquarters are located in Washington D.C. and have been divided into a number of regions and districts for administrative purposes. The address of the USCIS district office that has jurisdiction over foreign students and scholars at Armstrong Atlantic State University is Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 180 Spring Street, S.W., Suite 332, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Passport

International Students’ passports must be kept valid at all times. Passport renewals may be obtained by contacting the nearest consulate or embassy of your country.

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Visa

The visa stamped in your passport at the U.S. consulate is for permission to enter the United States for a specific purpose and for a period of time. Students are usually given an F-1 visa. J-1 visas are given to researchers, scholars, and students who are sponsored by agencies or universities. Since this stamp is only important for entry or re-entry to the United States, there is no need to worry if this expires while you are here. If you need to leave the U.S. temporarily, the Office of International Support Services will counsel you on how to obtain a new visa. Entry visas can only be renewed outside the U.S. It is impossible to renew your entry visa while you are here.

Visas for Spouse and Children

The spouse and children of an F-1 visa holder are issued F-2 visas. An F-2 visa holder is not eligible to apply for work permission. J-2 visas are issued to the spouse and children of a J-1 visa holder. Under certain circumstances, a J-2 visa holder may apply for work permission with INS.

For INS forms or more information on how to bring family to the U.S., please contact the Office of International Education.

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I-94: Arrival/Departure Record

The Form I-94, also called Arrival/Departure Record is the small white card attached to your passport at the port of entry to the United States. This form officially determines how long an international student can remain in the U.S. Please do not detach this card from your passport at any time.

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Temporary Departure from the U.S.

If you plan to leave the U.S. temporarily to visit your homeland or another country, you must have the back of your I-20 ID (F-1) or IAP-66 (J-1) endorsed by a designated signing officer. You will also need a valid passport and a valid entry visa. Students in valid status may travel to Canada, Mexico and many of the adjacent islands if they have a valid passport, a valid I-94 and a valid I-20 or IAP-66, endorsed by an Admissions Official.

F-1 Student Regulations

I-20 ID

The I-20 is returned to the student at the port of entry after inspection by an immigration official. It serves as the "identification" of the international student on an F-1 visa and must be kept in a safe place. If lost, a new one must be requested.

Duration of Status

All F-1 students must pursue a full-time course of study. If for any reason you cannot take a full load of courses, you should immediately make an appointment with the international student admissions officer. He/she will attempt to help you maintain your full-time immigration status. International students may take less than a full load during a vacation semester only after being enrolled full time for two consecutive semesters. A vacation semester is any semester in which the student takes less than a full load of courses and remains in the United States.

Duration of status expires if a student takes longer than expected to complete a given academic level (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate). The amount of time permitted to completing studies at a given level is determined by the date put on the I-20 issued by the institution you are currently attending. Students must pay close attention to the expected completion date noted in item 5 on the original I-20 Form for each institution and degree level. If a student does not complete the program of study within the time period listed in the I-20 Form, he/she must request a program extension or will be considered out-of-status and will be required to apply for reinstatement to student status.

Program Extension

F-1 students need permission for an extension of stay in the United States to continue their program of study beyond the date stated on the original I-20 A-B. Legitimate reasons for an extension of stay include: change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems or documented illness. If you need an extension of stay, you should make an appointment with the international student admissions officer at least 60 days in advance of the expiration date.

Change of Level/Program at AASU

Students who continue at the same school from one educational level to another (e.g., from a bachelor’s to a master’s) must notify USCIS of this change. Please contact the Office of International Education for advice in this matter.

Transfer to Another School

An F-1 student is eligible to transfer to another school if he/she has maintained legal status, intends to pursue full-time study at the new school, and is financially able to attend the new school. To transfer to the new school you must obtain a new I-20 Form from the "new" school. Upon arrival, take your passport, I-94 and the new I-20A-B to the international office of that school for endorsement.

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J-1 Student (Exchange Visitor) Regulations

The J-1 visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate upon presentation of a Form DS2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) from a sponsor. J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs are approved by the U.S. Information Agency. After completion of their program of study in the U.S., persons on J-1 visas who have received support from the United States government or whose field of study appears on the country skills list are required to reside at least two years in their home country before re-entering the United States as a permanent resident or on some other nonimmigrant visa. The IAP-66 form is renewable annually by the sponsor. Persons wishing to temporarily leave the U.S. will need to obtain a responsible officer’s signature on the pink copy of their valid DS2019 form. Practical training is available to J-1 students. Check with the responsible officer for details.

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Remember

As a nonimmigrant student, you have been granted temporary permission to live and study in the United States. It is your responsibility to follow the regulations outlined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in regards to maintaining your nonimmigrant status.

Should changes occur in your immigration status and/or regulation, the international student admissions officer will notify you. If you have any questions, please contact the AASU international undergraduate student admission officer.

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Armstrong Atlantic State University
Office of International Education
Gamble Hall 204A
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419

Phone: (001) 912.344.3128 Fax: (001) 912.344.3456