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International Students and Scholars, Including Professors, Who are F-1 or J-1 Visa Holders

- Students and scholars must attend the institution whose DS-2019 (J-1) or I-20 (F-1) he/she used to enter the U.S. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS) rarely approves transfers until a student has completed at least one semester of study at the college or university that issued the I-20 or DS-2019.

- Students on F-1 visas should keep their I-20 Form in their passports at all times. J-1 visa holders should keep the DS-2019 in their passports at all times. If the I-20 or DS-2019 is lost or stolen, the ISA should be notified immediately.

- To transfer to the University of Richmond, the student must first contact the Office of Admission. After the student has been admitted, s/he should contact the International Student Advisor at UR to discuss the procedures and documentation necessary to transfer. If a student wishes to transfer from the University of Richmond to another school in the U.S., the student must notify the ISA and the Dean's Office at the University of Richmond.

- Individuals who are a J-1 visa holder in a category other than student, i.e. research scholar, professor or short-term visitor, can only transfer to another program (i.e., institution) if the sponsoring institution approves it and if it is a transfer within the same category with a similar program or field of research. It is not possible to change categories, i.e. go from being a research scholar to a professor, unless the U. S. Department of State approves this.

- Upon completion of a program, all visa holders are expected to return to their home country. F-1 students have a 60-day grace period after the completion of studies that they must leave the country. J-1 visa holders have 30 days from the ending date on the DS-2019 in which they must leave the country. During the 60 and 30-day grace periods, you are considered to be in tourist visa status and therefore are ineligible for any F-1 or J-1 benefits, i.e., employment or practical training. You must not overstay this grace period or you will be out-of-status which has very serious penalties.

- Extension of the program must be requested at least 30 days before the ending date on the I-20 or DS-2019. It is not necessary to depart the country to extend an DS-2019 or I-20. If a request to extend these documents is not made within this time period, a request to USCIS or U. S. Department of State for reinstatement must be made. Approval of reinstatement by USCIS or U. S. Department of State cannot be guaranteed. If the USCIS denies reinstatement, then the nonimmigrant must depart the US immediately.

- Students must inform the International Student Advisor of any changes in academic credit load. Students are required to carry a full course of study which is a minimum of twelve credit hours for undergraduates and nine credits for graduate and law students. If extenuating circumstances do not allow full-time study the International Student Advisor should be consulted.

- Students in F-1 and J-1 status must obtain proper employment authorization from the International Student Advisor before working on or off-campus.

- Students and scholars in J-1 status must obtain health insurance that meets the minimum requirements of the exchange visitor program for the duration of their stay.

- Students and scholars must inform the International Student Advisor of any changes in address including summer during their study at UR. Upon arrival, he/she should inform the Office of International Education of his or her local address immediately. It is also important that the students advise the International Student Advisor of their summer plans prior to the end of the spring semester.

- The small white paper stapled in your passport is called an I-94 card, Arrival and Departure Record. The period of time for which the I-94 is current is referred to as Duration of Status (D/S). Duration of status is limited to the period of time during that the student is pursuing a full course of study in one educational program. These dates are listed on the I-20 or DS-2019. Students who want to pursue a course of study in another educational program must apply for an extension of stay, and, if applicable, a school transfer.

- Even if your visa expires while you are in the U.S., you are still in status as long as you have not violated the terms of your nonimmigrant visa category, the dates and information on the I-20 or DS-2019 are still valid and correct.

- All non-immigrants must keep their passport valid at all times and seek revalidation and/or renewals of passport through the student's own Consulate or Embassy.

- If you are traveling within the United States close to the border of Mexico, carry your passport and I-20 since the USCIS sets up check points 80-120 miles within the United States along the Mexican border.

Office of International Education | University of Richmond VA 23173 | Phone 804-289-8836 | Fax 804-289-8904