Immigration and Visas

The section of the website offers information on program extensions, changes of status, dependent requests, SEVIS transfers, and more.

While our office is here to assist students and scholars in maintaining their status, please remember that it is ultimately the responsibility of the student or scholar to maintain his or her status while in the United States. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.

The ISSS Office is not a branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, the ISSS Office is required to answer inquiries from DHS or the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USCIS). All international students and scholars who abide by USCIS regulations have no reason to fear USCIS authorities. If you are confronted by USCIS investigators, please let the ISSS Office know so that we can assist you or refer you to legal help.

Please refer to the Department of Homeland Security's "Study in the States" website for more information.

The Department of Homeland Security also offers information on I-94 retrieval and port of entry questions and issues.

If you are a J-1 exchange visitor, please visit the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website for more information and for answers to common questions about the program.

Please note: The information provided in this section is brief and subject to change. Therefore, we recommend that you consult the ISSS Office if you have any questions.

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F-type visa information

I-20 Extension Request

All F-1 students are required to complete their program by the program end date listed on their I-20. If you will not complete your program by this date, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days before your program end date on your I-20. Extensions filed in an untimely manner may not be processed and the student may have to return home or file for a reinstatement, which can be a costly and timely process.

To be eligible for an extension of stay, the student must have:

  • Continually maintain full-time F-1 status AND
  • Have compelling academic or medical reasons for the delay in completing the program, such as:
    • Change of major or research topic
    • Unexpected research problems
    • Loss of credits upon transfer to Rensselaer
    • Documented illness
  • Please note: Delays due to academic probation or suspension do not qualify for extension. In this case you would have to apply for reinstatement.

    To apply for an extension, please submit the following documents to the ISSS Office:

    • Graduate Student extension request form or Undergraduate Student extension request form (including co-terminal students)
    • A photocopy of your current I-20
    • Proof of continuing finances for the additional time requested

Note on financial support:

Your proof of financial support must be in the form of an original, paper document. If your financial support is electronic, for example an e-Statement from Bank of America, please bring the statement to your local bank and have it stamped and signed by a representative there, verifying the authenticity. We request this in order to maintain the integrity of your student file with our office.

The support may be from multiple accounts, provided the cumulative total meets the amount required. If family will be supporting you, please ask them to include a letter with their bank statement stating that they agree to financially support you and/or your dependents during your time at RPI.

If you will be applying for an extension, the amount must be for the additional time requested. The amount needed is printed on your I-20 (“Estimated Average Costs for: 9 months”). If you are extending for one semester, the amount should be half what is listed on the I-20.

If the account is an overseas or foreign account, please make sure that the account holder’s name and the account balance are clearly evident. We are able to convert from other currencies to USD.

 

Inviting an F-2 dependent

You may request your spouse or child(ren) to be listed as a dependent through the ISSS Office. A new form I-20 will be printed for your dependent(s) to obtain an F-2 visa. An F-2 dependent's status is entirely dependent upon the F-1 maintaining his/her status. If the F-1 goes out of status, the F-2 loses status as well.

Please note: all family members must be covered by medical insurance while in the United States. The RPI health center can assist you with adding your dependent(s) to your current coverage.

The following documents should be submitted to the ISSS Office:

*You must provide proof of sufficient finances for each dependent your request. At the moment, the required amounts are $8820.00 for a spouse and $4410.00 for each child. The financial statement must be from within the past 3 months and must be an original document. If other relatives will be financially supporting your dependent(s) please attach a signed letter from your relatives. If you will be submitting an e-Statement, please ask a representative of your bank to stamp and sign the statement.

Limitations on F-1 Dependents

F-2 dependents are not eligible to study full/part time at the university level. F-2s may be eligible to take classes which are recreational or vocational (i.e. English language course, cooking course, etc…), but you should consult the ISSS Office first.

US ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) has published an FAQ on updated F-2 dependent study regulations (effective May 29, 2015) here.

F-1 students: Transferring Schools

Please note: This information is intended for students who are transferring out of RPI. If you are a recently admitted student transferring in, please contact the Admissions Office.

All F-1 students who intend on continuing study at a new school, whether at a new level (i.e. graduate school) or mid-program, must transfer their SEVIS record from RPI to the new school. This includes students currently on OPT. You must transfer your record within 60 days of your end date. Please fill out and submit the F-1 transfer-out form.

Please note: Students who are transferring out must consult our office and formally withdraw from the institution. Undergraduate students should contact the Student Experience Office and graduate students should contact the Office of Graduate Education.

 

Please keep the following in mind when transferring your record:

  • Part of RPI's ISSS transfer-out form must be completed by your new school. Please plan accordingly as your new school may need time to complete the form.
  • Your new school may have a transfer-in form that ISSS needs to complete. You should allow our office at least 2 weeks processing time for any forms.
  • Students on OPT who will be returning to school must request their SEVIS record be transferred. This can be done at any time while you are on OPT or within 60 days of your OPT end date. Choosing a release date before your OPT ends automatically cancels any remaining OPT work authorization.
  • Your new school cannot issue a new I-20 until the SEVIS record has been released to them.
  • You can remain in the U.S. throughout the transfer process. If you are overseas your record can still be transferred, but you will need the new I-20 from your new school to re-enter the U.S. and apply for a new F-1 visa (if you current visa is expired).
  • On your SEVIS release date, your record no longer belongs to RPI. This means that you are no longer authorized for any study or employment granted by RPI, and that the ISSS Office no longer has access to the record to make changes. Please think carefully about your plans before choosing a release date. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.
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J-1 Information

Inviting a J-2 dependent

If you would like your spouse and/or child to join you in the United States, you can request a dependent through the ISSS Office. A new form DS-2019 will be printed for your dependent(s) which can be used to obtain an J-2 visa to enter the United States. As a J-2, your dependent(s)’ status will be entirely linked to your J-1 status. Thus, if the J-1 goes out of status, the J-2 loses status as well. This also means that the J-2 is subject to the same restrictions as the J-1, including 212(e).

Please note: All J-1 and J-2 visa holders must have medical insurance meeting the Department of State requirements for the entire duration of their stay in the United States. The requirements are as follows:

  • Medical Benefits: at least $100,000 per accident/illness
  • Medical Repatriation- $25,000
  • Medical Evacuation- $50,000
  • Deductible not to exceed $500

 

When requesting a J-2 dependent, please submit the following documents to the ISSS Office

*You must provide proof of sufficient finances for each dependent your request. At the moment, the required amounts at $8820.00 for a spouse and $4410.00 for each child. The financial statement must be from within the past 3 months and must be an original document. If other relatives will be financially supporting your dependent(s) please attach a signed letter from your relatives.

J-2 Dependents- Study and Work Authorization

J-2 dependents are eligible for full-time/part-time study in the United States as well as work authorization through USCIS. Please consult the ISSS Office for details.

 

J-1 students: Transferring schools

Please note: This information is intended for students who are transferring out of RPI. If you are a recently admitted student transferring in, please contact the Admissions Office.

All J-1 students who intend on continuing study at a new school, whether at a new level (i.e. graduate school) or mid-program, must transfer their SEVIS record from RPI to the new school. You must submit your request for a transfer at least 30 days before your program end date on your DS-2019. There can be no gaps in your J-1 program.

Please fill out and submit the J-1 transfer-out form.

Please note: Students who are transferring out must not only consult our office but also formally withdraw from the institution. Undergraduate students should contact the Student Experience Office and graduate students should contact the Office of Graduate Education.

Please keep the following in mind when transferring your record

  • RPI’s ISSS transfer-out form has a section to be completed by your new school before the record can be released. Please plan accordingly as your new school may need time to complete the form.
  • Your new school may have a transfer-in form that ISSS needs to complete. You should allow our office at least 2 weeks processing time for any forms. Please contact your new school’s international office or admissions office to see if any forms must be completed by an RPI RO.
  • Your new school cannot issue a new DS-2019 until the SEVIS record has been released to them.
  • On your SEVIS release date, your record no longer belongs to RPI. This means that the ISSS Office no longer has access to the record to make changes, so you should think carefully about your plans before choosing a release date. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.
J Health Insurance requirements

Current US regulations require all individuals having J-1 or J-2 status to carry health insurance meeting certain minimum levels, including:

  • Medical benefits - $100,000 per accident or illness
  • Repatriation - $25,000
  • Medical Evacuation - $50,000
  • Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

If your sponsor does not provide insurance which meets these levels, you will be required to purchase Rensselaer's insurance policy, which does meet these requirements. Failure to maintain adequate medical insurance for yourself and/or your dependents while in the US will cause your program to be immediately terminated.

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Maintaining Your Status

SEVIS

The Student Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS, is an internet-based system that is used to maintain accurate and current information on non-immigrant students and scholars. SEVIS allows schools to exchange data on the visa status of international students and scholars with the appropriate federal agencies.

Under 8 CFR 214.3(g), Rensselaer must report information via SEVIS, including, but not limited to, the student or scholar’s: legal name; current address; date and place of birth; country of citizenship; current academic status; disciplinary action due to crime or conviction; reduced course class load; school enrollment or failure to enroll; start date of student’s next term; student’s failure to enroll in classes for fall & spring semester by a required date; failure to maintain status or complete the program; legal name change; graduation prior to end of date on I-20/DS-2019; when/where student transfers; extensions of I-20/DS-2019; employment authorization; annual number of credit hours; date and port of entry; date of termination of enrollment and reason; degree program; field of study; visa classification; date of visa issuance and classification granted.

Prior to making any changes, international students must inform the ISSS Office and other appropriate offices (such as the Registrar). This includes, but is not limited to, any changes in legal name, address, academic program or status, employment authorizations, or other changes of immigration status. Please consult the ISSS Office if you have questions about reporting.

Leaves of Absence

All international students who will be requesting a leave of absence should schedule an appointment with the ISSS Office to discuss their circumstances. Undergraduate students must also consult their class dean in the Student Experience Office (518-276-8022). Graduate students must consult the Office of Graduate Education (518-276-6488).

When a student takes a leave, the Registrar’s Office changes his or her status to “inactive.” This means that the student must forfeit campus privileges, including housing, meal plans, email, and library access, while on a leave. In most cases for international students, the student must also leave the country. This will be discussed in greater detail when the student meets with ISSS staff.

Readmission

In order for the student to return to RPI, he or she must first apply for readmission with the appropriate office. For undergraduates, this is done by the Student Experience Office and for graduate students this is done by the Office of Graduate Education.

Readmitted international students typically must return on a new, initial I-20. This means that the student will have a new SEVIS number, must pay a new SEVIS fee, and must obtain a new F-1 visa before returning to school. It also means that the student cannot return more than 30 days before the start date on the new I-20. In addition, all readmitted international students are required to submit new, original proof of financial support.

Readmitted international students are also required by law to check-in with the ISSS Office upon return to RPI. Please bring your documents (passport, visa, I-20 and I-94) with you.

Maintaining your legal status

Follow these guidelines to ensure that you are maintaining legal status in the United States:

  • Keep your passport valid at all times- Contact your embassy on what is required for a passport extension.
  • Do not work illegally- If you are not sure what is legal, ask the ISSS staff. Unpaid employment still counts as employment for immigration purposes.
  • Register as a full-time student-You must be registered full-time fall and spring semester. In most cases, this is 12 credit hours (for graduate students on assistantships, it is 9 credit hours). You must consult the ISSS Office before going part-time.
  • Keep your I-20/DS-2019 valid- Check the program end date and degree information on your I-20/DS-2019. You must update ISSS if any of the information changes, and apply for a program extension at least 30 days before the end date on the I-20/DS-2019
  • Update ISSS and SIS on any change of address-this must be done within 10 business days and includes any changes in residence hall
  • J-1 Health Insurance-J-1 students must maintain health insurance meeting the most recent DOS requirements.

If you are uncertain of whether or not what you are doing is legal, always check with the ISSS Office first.