F-1 STUDENTS
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
The ISSS is the office that handles international students’ immigration paperwork. As soon as you arrive in Boston, be sure to visit the ISSS on the 2nd floor of the Campus Center. The ISSS staff can answer all of your questions regarding your visa and I-20 or IAP-66.
Apartment Rental Requirements
|
Additional Apartment Fees You may be asked to pay some or all of the following:
|
Some property owners and/or brokers require international students to provide a co-signer (a U.S. citizen who will back-up the rental contract). Some owners/brokers will require you to prove through bank or other financial statements that you are able to cover your monthly rent. Be prepared to provide these documents when signing a lease. Apartment Rental Insurance covers the replacement cost of your possessions in the event of theft, fire, or flood and is strongly advised for all students.
Social Security Number & Identification Cards
Because a social security number is required to work and establish credit, some international students choose to obtain a social security card when they are living in Boston. You may pick up a social security application packet in the ISSS Office. You may take your application, visa, and passport to the Social Security Administration Office in the O’Neill Federal Building, Room 148, 10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA or via the web at www.ssa.gov.
If you are interested in obtaining a driver’s license or a Massachusetts Identification Card, you will need a social security card OR a Social Security “rejection letter”, if you were unable to obtain a social security card. Check their web address at www.massrmv.com for more information.
Student Visas
All international students who are in F-1 and J-1 visa status must follow a set of immigration regulations as outlined by the U.S. government in order to maintain their international student status. The following set of rules and regulations is a guide to properly maintaining international student status at UMass Boston.
F-1 Student Compliance
I-20: International students must be aware of the expiration date on their I-20. If it is not possible to complete their academic program by that date, students must request a program extension before the expiration date on the I-20. Students who do not file a program extension in a timely manner will be considered out of status and will need to submit a reinstatement petition to USCIS.
Passport: Students should keep their passports valid at all times. If the passport will expire soon, students must renew it through the embassy or consulate of their home country.
A Note of Caution
While the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations provide a variety of opportunities for F-1 international students to be employed during their time in F-1 student status, working without proper authorization is a serious violation of F-1 student status.
Required Courseload
International students must be registered for a full course of study during the Fall and Spring semesters:
PhD graduate students – 6 units minimum.
Audit Courses: Audit course units are not applicable to the full-time enrollment total.
Traveling outside of the USA
In order to re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence (less than 5 months), students must carry the following documents:
1. Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
2. Valid F-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
3. I-20 with a valid travel endorsement from OITA (signatures are valid for 6 months)
F-1 students: Please submit an I-20 Travel Signature Request form along with the original I-20 to OITA. The I-20 will be ready for pick up in 4 business days.
Optional Documents to Carry:
1. Financial support documents
2. Letter of Standing: this document can confirm students’ full time student attendance at UMass Boston and the details of their degree program. There is a 4 business day processing time for a Letter of Standing.
3. Copy of UMass Boston transcript and/or proof of course registration
F-1 Students on OPT
F-1 students on OPT must carry the following documents:
1. Valid Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of re-entry to the U.S.)
2. Valid F-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
3. OPT I-20 with a valid travel endorsement from OITA
4. Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card
5. Proof of current employment or offer letter.
Employment
While the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations provide a variety of opportunities for F-1 international students to be employed during their time in student status, working without proper authorization is a serious violation of F-1 student status.
Working on-campus
On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week (which must include any time worked weekly as a requirement of your fellowship) when the university is in session during the Fall and Spring semesters and 40 hours a week during University vacations and Summer vacation.
New graduate students may begin on-campus employment at the beginning of their first semester at UMass Boston. However, many international students apply for positions in various campus locations such as the bookstore, library, and cafeteria or are employed through a scholarship, academic fellowship or assistantship in their academic department.
Work-Study Positions
International students are not eligible for work-study positions on campus, as these positions are funded only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents by the U.S. government.
Working outside of UMB
In order for international students to work off-campus, they must obtain the proper work authorization through OITA and /or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS):
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows students to accept paid alternative work/study, internships, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that employers offer though cooperative agreements with the student’s school. The training must be related to the student’s field of study. A student may begin curricular practical training after the Designated School Official has approved the training request.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Under the prior rules, an F-1 student could be authorized to receive up to a total of 12 months of practical training either before (pre-) and/or after (post-) completion of studies.
- Off-Campus Employment based on severe Economic Hardship
Leave a Reply