DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES

International Student Services

Immigration Information for F-1 and J-1 Visa Students and Language Scholars

 

The International Student Services (ISS) Office and the International Programs Office (IPO) work together to support international students and language scholars with immigration issues. Staff in both offices liaise with United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) to facilitate students and scholars’ acquisition of visas, entrance into the US, and maintenance of visa program status. If you have any immigration-related questions or face any problems, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Obtaining a Visa

Immigration Documents

If you are a new international student, in mid-May ISS will mail you immigration documents so you can obtain a student visa. (Language Scholars will receive these documents from the IPO as they accept their job offers.) The documents will include an I-20 or DS-2019 form and SEVIS I-901 Fee Confirmation. Once you receive these documents, you will need to apply for a visa, which will include a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. (Canadian citizens do not require a student visa, but will need to carry their I-20 or DS-2019 form with them when coming to Reed.) Students and scholars begin the visa application process online:

International Students Currently Studying in the United States

If you are an international student studying at a US high school on an F-1 visa, you should contact the ISS office about transferring your SEVIS record to Reed. Transferring your F-1 student record simplifies the immigration process and may obviate the need to obtain a new visa. Students in this situation should contact ISS as soon as possible.

 

Arrival in the US

Arrival Date
Students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas are allowed to enter the US up to 30 days prior to the beginning of their visa program. The program start dates for students is August 17th and for language scholars it is August 11th. Therefore, students can arrive in the US as early as July 18th and scholars can arrive as early as July 12th. US immigration officials will not allow students or scholars who arrive prior to these dates to enter the country. Please let us know when you intend to arrive on the International Orientation form.

Keep in mind that Reed dorms will not open to international students until August 17th at 9am. Language scholars will be able to move in to their rooms beginning August 11th at 9am. If you arrive in Portland before those dates you will need to make your own housing arrangements.

 

Important Documents

In addition to your passports (which will contain your F-1 or J-1 visa), you should make sure to bring the following documents with them when traveling to the US:

  • I-20 or DS-2019 form
  • Bank/financial statements used to obtain visa
  • SEVIS I-901 Fee confirmation

Please keep in mind that your passport must be valid at all times during your stay in the US and not be due to expire for at least six months when you intend to travel. Many countries disallow travel on a passport that will expire within six months.

I-94 Departure Card

As you enter the country, you will receive an I-94 Departure Card. Despite it’s unexceptional appearance, this small white card is extremely important. Most immigration officials will staple it to your passport, but whatever they do, please make sure to keep this document with you. At any point that you decide to travel outside the US, you will need to turn in the I-94 card before departing.*

*Trips of less than 30 days to Mexico or Canada do not require students/scholars to turn in their I-94 cards.

Immigration Check-in At Reed

Once students and scholars arrive at Reed, they’ll need to “check-in” with the ISS office. For language scholars, this will take place as part of Language Scholar Orientation. International students attending International Orientation will have their immigration check-in as part of that program. If you are a new student not attending International Orientation, you must arrange a check-in meeting time with the Assistant Dean of International Students.

 

Student Employment

Working On Campus
Students on F-1 and J-1 visas are allowed to work on the Reed campus without obtaining any authorization from an ISS or IPO official or USCIS. The job must not interfere with your academic work and therefore cannot exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students are allowed to work up to 40 hours per week when school is not in session.

Social Security

Social Security is a retirement program administered by the US federal government. All US citizens have a Social Security number and international students that obtain a job on campus will also be assigned a number. During International Orientation, staff members from the Business Office and ISS will discuss student employment, obtaining a Social Security number, and immigration considerations of working in the US.

Financial Aid and On Campus Employment

If you received any amount of financial aid in the form of employment (often about $1500), the stated sum is just an estimate of the amount you can earn through employment during the academic year. The sum earned through employment on-campus is received through the Business Office, usually at the end of the month. Whether or not you decide to work, however, is entirely up to you.