My role and responsibility as an international student:
- I must maintain a valid passport at all times.
- I must make sure that my I-20 does not expire.
- I must get an updated travel endorsement on my I-20 from a Designated School Official (DSO) at least once each academic year.
- If my I-20 will expire before I can complete my degree, I must apply for an I-20 extension BEFORE the I-20 expires. Requests for extensions must be made to a DSO in the Registration Office and should be made at least 2 weeks prior to the expiration date of the I-20 so the extension process can be completed prior to the expiration date on the document.
- I must register full-time and complete a full course of study during the academic year. If I will not be enrolled full-time (12 credits for undergraduate students, 9 for graduate students), I must receive permission from the International Student Services (ISS) Team BEFORE going below full-time enrollment.
- I realize that I am NEVER allowed to work off-campus in the United States without prior authorization (even if the employer tells me differently). F-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week between sessions. ALL off-campus work MUST be approved by a DSO or, for Optional Practical Training, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) BEFORE the work begins.
- It is my responsibility to check my Roberts Wesleyan University email account and campus mailbox for periodic updates and notices from the ISS Team. These messages are important and can impact my student status. If I do not check my Roberts email account, I realize I may miss important information that could cause me to lose my F-1 status.
- I must report any change of address or name directly to a DSO in a timely manner. The university will electronically notify USCIS of the change via SEVIS.
- I must notify the ISS Team of any accompanying dependents in F-2 status and provide biographical information (e.g., full name, address, country of birth, etc.) and immigration information (e.g., passport information, visa information, etc.) regarding those dependents.
- I must complete the official immigration transfer process whenever I change educational institutions. I must notify the ISS Team if I intend to transfer. I must obtain an I-20 from the new institution, and I must report to the DSO at the new school within 15 days of the program start date listed on my I-20.
- I realize that most of my immigration requests to the ISS Team will have to be processed through SEVIS. Because of this, I understand that some processing delays may result. Thus, for important time-sensitive requests (such as OPT and I-20 extensions), I know that I should always plan ahead and submit my requests in a timely fashion that will allow for unexpected delays. Finally, I realize that my failure to do this may result in my falling out of status.
- I realize that it is my responsibility to make sure I maintain proper status. I know that the ISS Team will do everything possible to help me. However, if I fail to meet these responsibilities, I realize that the International Student Services team's ability to help me will be extremely limited.
Important Note
This information is not guaranteed to stay the same for extended time periods, and is subject to change without notice. The ISS Team will make every attempt to notify you of any such changes.
This is why it is so important for you to always read the information from the ISS Team and to discuss any questions or concerns related to your legal status in the United States.
Questions? Contact the Office of Student Life
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. for walk-ins
8-10 a.m. by appointment
Golisano Community Engagement Center