Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Travel and Visa Issues

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Travel and Visa Issues

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, we have all become more concerned with immigration, travel and visa issues. We have compiled the following questions and answers to help students as they make travel plans or prepare to renew their visas.

If I am not completed with my studies, can I travel outside the United States?

Students may leave the United States and be readmitted after absences of five months or less. Upon your return to the United States, you should provide immigration inspectors with:

A valid passport.
A valid F-1 entry visa stamped in the passport.
A current SEVIS Form I-20 signed by the International Student Advisor on page 3 for re-entry.
A new SEVIS Form I-20 if there have been any changes in your course of study or place of study (i.e. change in major, change in program, change in name, any typographical errors, etc.)
Proof of your financial support.

When making your travel plans, please remember that you must be a full-time student to keep your F-1 student status. If you have any questions regarding travel issues, please make an appointment to see an International Student Advisor.

Q:	If I am traveling to another state, do I need to have my I-20 signed before I leave?
A:	You will need to receive a re-entry signature on page 3 of your SEVIS I-20 ONLY if you have traveled outside of the United States and re-entered with your SEVIS I-20. That signature can be obtained by visiting International Student Services at least 9 business days before you depart.

Q:	How long is the re-entry signature on page 3 of my I-20 valid?
A:	The re-entry signature is valid for 12 months while you are pursuing your studies full-time. However, once you are on OPT the signature will need to be updated after six (6) months.

Q:	What documents should international students carry when they are traveling within the U.S.?
A:	You should have your passport, I-20, and a student or state ID or driver’s license to show for identification. If applicable, you will want to use your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, too. Airlines/airports now require that you carry a government issued photo ID.

Have there been any recent changes in visa issuances at U.S. consulates?

No new laws have been made, but you should expect that applications will now be going through an extensive screening process. Some embassies no longer offer "mail-in" services and will now only allow appointments to be scheduled to process applications. Some embassies have closed in certain countries. Delays can be expected to take six - eight weeks. Due to the delays, please allow yourself ample time for the application processing when planning to travel.

To find out how applications in your home country are being processed, access the U.S. Department of State Web site: www.state.gov and select a particular consulate office. This site will also list travel advisory warnings, if any.

Q:	What documents should a student have ready to show when they are applying for a visa renewal?
A:	Students will need to go through the same process as if they are applying for a student visa for the first time. They will need: Unexpired passport New SEVIS I-20 – complete with 3 pages intact Current financial support documents Recent transcripts Registration for the next available term A verification of enrollment from the Registrar’s office or Center for Graduate Studies

** Not required but suggested**

Transcripts are not usually required, but may help your application. The consulars would like you to prove that your visit to the U.S. is temporary, that you have no intention of abandoning your citizenship in your home country. They would also like to make sure that you are traveling to the U.S. for the purposes that you have indicated.

Q:	What is a 3^rd Country visa?
A:	A 3rd Country visa is when you apply for a visa in a country other than your own. Because of political unrest, many countries are reluctant to take applications from citizens of other countries. Consulars may also be unaware of particular forms/laws applicable in your home country.

Does the expiration date on a student visa determine how long the student can remain in the U.S.?

Although many people believe that the visa expiration date determines when they must depart the U.S., this is NOT true. The visa is used as an entry document to the U.S., accompanying your I-20 and passport. The expiration date on your visa determines the LAST DATE YOU MAY ENTER THE U.S. on that visa, along with other required documents. If your visa expires while you are still in the U.S. and studying full-time, maintaining your F-1 status, you are not in violation of status. However, if you leave the U.S. after that visa expires, you will be required to obtain a new visa before being allowed to re-enter the U.S.

If my visa is expired, can I go to Mexico or Canada?

YES. If you are planning on visiting Mexico or Canada for less than 30 days, you can re-enter the U.S. with your expired visa. You can re-enter using the "Automatic Visa Revalidation" process. Show them your form I-94 card, passport, and visa, and you will be allowed to re-enter. International Student Services provides a letter of the process for students traveling. This letter can be picked up at the front desk in the Career Services Center. If you plan to try to apply for a new visa during your visit and you are denied, you will not be allowed to re-entry by "Automatic Visa Revalidation" process, you will have to return home and apply for a new visa.

OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:	How do I find out my authorized period to stay in the U.S.?
A:	The white form I-94 card, usually stapled next to your visa, will have a stamp on it. The stamp should say, "F-1, D/S." D/S means "Duration of Status," or while you are studying full-time. As long as you are fulfilling your F-1 requirements, you are in the U.S. legally.

How do I renew my passport?

Your passport can be renewed through your embassy or consulate. Since every country has their own requirements, it is best to consult with an official from your country. You may start by accessing a list of consulates in Hawai‘i, which is available in the 2003 – 2004 International Student Handbook. This handbook is available as a pdf file on the HPU Pipeline and as a link located at the bottom of this page.

What if I need to take a leave of absence?

If you need to take a leave of absence, please see your academic advisor first. They will help you plan out your degree plan, and other specifics that will need to be addressed. After, you will need to bring the forms issued by your academic advisor to International Student Services, where your options regarding immigration and travel will be discussed with you. If you are dropping classes you must have authorization from an international student advisor prior to dropping. If you are outside the U.S. for more than five (5) months, and plan to return to complete your studies, you will need to contact the International Center or Center for Graduate Studies for a new I-20.

What is the Department of Homeland Security?

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks against America on September 11th, 2001, President George W. Bush decided 22 previously disparate domestic agencies needed to be coordinated into one department to protect the nation against threats to the homeland. The new department's first priority is to protect the nation against further terrorist attacks. Component agencies will analyze threats and intelligence, guard our borders and airports, protect our critical infrastructure, and coordinate the response of our nation for future emergencies.

Q:	What is the USCIS?
A:	USCIS is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. USCIS is the sector that will process and adjudicate all applications for benefits submitted by nonimmigrants. USCIS falls under the new Department of Homeland Security.

Q:	What is the USCBP?
A:	USCBP is the United States Customs and Border Protection. On March 1, 2003, the border inspection functions of the U.S. Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, along with the U.S. Border Patrol, were transferred to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

What is the USICE?

On March 1, 2003, functions of several border and security agencies including the U.S. Customs Service, Federal Protective Service (FPS), and former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) were transferred into the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security within the Department of Homeland Security. As part of this transition, these agency functions were reorganized into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE).

What is SEVIS?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which provides tracking, monitoring, and access to accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa) and exchange visitors (J visa). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit electronic information and event notifications via the Internet to the USICE and the Department of State throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States. SEVIS allows for the printing of appropriate forms and provides reminders, alerts, and basic reporting capabilities. SEVIS is a source of timely and accurate information for educational institutions and government agencies which are tasked with assisting and overseeing the many international visitors who have chosen to pursue an education in this country.

How do I apply for permission to transfer schools?

You must be a full time student in good academic standing. You must notify your current school of your intent to transfer. You must ask the school that you plan on attending to accept you into their institution, and issue you a new Form I-20. You must sign and date the I-20 and give it to your new designated school official (DSO) within 15 days of transferring. The designated school official (DSO) should give you 3 pages, and forward a copy of the new I-20 to your prior school.

How do I work in the United States?

Students who have studied full-time for one academic year may be eligible for off-campus work authorization. Students seeking on-campus employment may begin working not more than 30 days before classes begin. Students seeking off-campus work authorization will need to meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss the different types of work authorizations:

Curricular Practical Training
Optional Practical Training
Economic Hardship
Special Student Relief

What if my visa expires while I am on OPT?

If you do not plan to travel outside the U.S., you do not need to renew your visa. However, if you need to travel abroad, please stop by International Student Services, so that we can issue a new I-20, for the purpose of visa renewal. A Designated School Official will then enter your information into the government database, and produce a new I-20. The processing time for I-20 requests is nine (9) business days.

Q:	What is the total time I may remain in the U.S after I complete my one year of Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
A:	Upon completion of your OPT you have 60 days in which you must either depart, or begin another program of study. If you have not already applied for your OPT or indicated that you will begin another program, you will have 60 days to depart.

I did my OPT for my undergraduate degree, and I want to continue on for my graduate degree. Can I do another OPT after my graduate studies?

Yes. Once you complete your undergraduate studies and your OPT, you must complete another LEVEL OF STUDY to be eligible for another 12 months of OPT. For example, if you completed your bachelor’s degree, then completed 12 months of OPT, you must enroll in a master’s degree program in order to be eligible to apply for another 12 months of OPT. The second year of OPT will commence once you complete your graduate degree.

Q:	What happens if I don’t complete my studies as I had planned, but I’ve already applied for OPT?
A:	If you fail to complete your studies and have submitted an OPT application, your OPT will become pre-completion OPT, and only PART-TIME employment will be authorized, until you complete the requirements for your degree.

Do I need to pay taxes? If so, what taxes do I have to pay as an international student?

Yes, you will need to pay Federal and State taxes as applicable. The only portion you may not be required to pay is Social Security (FICA), unless you have been present in the U.S. for 5 years. A handout with the Federal Code citing this issue is available at the front desk of the Career Services Center. Students must also file income taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year. Forms required are 1040 NR-EZ and 8843 for Federal taxes, to be filed by April 15, and Form N-15 for State taxes, to be filed by April 20. All tax forms are available online. Use the link located at the bottom of the page.

Q:	How do they determine the amount withheld? (i.e. My friend has less taxes withheld)
A:	While we desire to answer questions regarding taxes, we are not qualified or licensed to answer such inquiries. Any questions should be directed to a tax consultant, who would be able to better assist and inform you.

Q:	Can I get a refund? How?
A:	Non-residents who have had FICA taxes withheld from their earnings by error, can use form 843 to claim their lost funds. Tax forms are available online. Use the link located at the bottom of the page. Specific tax questions should be directed to a tax consultant, who would be able to better assist and inform you.