US Immigration Questions

Q. What is a visa?

A. A visa represents permission from the State Department for the bearer to enter the United States in a particular category. In the past, visas were rubber-stamped on the passport page with multi-colored ink. The transition is nearly complete, however, to a machine-readable, label-type of visa, with a photograph of the bearer.

Many people use the term "visa" to describe certificates of eligibility or some of the other documents issued in connection with one's nonimmigrant stay in the United States, but the word is in fact only used correctly when referring to the State Department document in the passport.

The USA splits responsibility for issues having to do with non-citizens between the State Department and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); once in the United States, "aliens" are under the jurisdiction of the INS, which is part of the Department of Justice. It's a law-enforcement agency!

An unusual feature of this division of responsibilities is that, once admitted to the United States, a nonimmigrant can allow his or her visa to expire. While many other countries specify the length of stay on the visa itself, the INS relies upon the I-94 card for that purpose.

Q. What's an I-94 card?

A. A small (3x4") section of the long form you filled in on the plane. The INS inspector removed the bottom of it and stapled it into your passport. It bears the date and port of entry, the inspector's identification number, the status in which you are admitted, and either the date to which you are allowed to stay, or a reference to your certificate of eligibility as the controlling document in that regard. In this case, the I-94 card will be marked "D/S." (Duration of Status) This will be true for anyone in F or J status.

Q. What do I need in order to apply for a visa?

A. At a minimum, you need the visa application form and any certificate of eligibility (e.g.. I-20 or DS-2019) or approval that may be associated with the status for which you are applying.

Consuls, however, have the authority to ask for any other type of documentation they feel is necessary to make a decision. They ask for this documentation as evidence that you are eligible for the status you are requesting, and/or that you are not "excludable."

The essential documentary concerns of most people bound for American School are:

1) the certificate of eligibility, or the approval of the employer's petition;

2) proof that you have sufficient funds to carry out the activities permitted by the visa without resorting to unauthorized employment;

3) evidence that you have a compelling reason to return to your home country.

(In some cases, such as the application for an H visa, 2 and 3 are not needed by the consul. For most students and exchange visitors [J-1], however, all three are areas of concern. And this applies to parents, friends or siblings, for example, who want to visit you as tourists in the future.)

Q. If the visa stamp in my passport expires while I am in the U.S. must I leave the country to renew it?

A. The visa stamp in your passport is an "entry permit" only, so you need not be concerned if it expires once you have already entered the U.S. unless you plan to travel out of the U.S and re-enter, in which case you will need to go to the U.S. Consulate (preferably in your home country) and apply for a new visa stamp. When you go to the Consulate to apply for the new visa stamp, you should bring with you your I-20 (if you are a student on an F-1 visa), which, unless it's a brand new document (consisting of both the "school copy" as well as the "student copy"), should be endorsed on the back by one of the I-Center designated school officials. It is also strongly recommended that you bring proof that you have the funding to cover your tuition and living expenses and a letter from your advisor stating that you are in good standing and making adequate progress toward your degree.

Q. Are there scholarships that will pay for my studies at American School?

A. It is not easy to find scholarships that will fund your study at American School.

If you are an undergraduate international student you will be informed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions about any possible scholarship money available. You will receive this information when you apply. It is very difficult, once you are at American School, to obtain scholarships from American School to continue your undergraduate education.

Graduate students in doctoral programs should inquire about funding through their departments. Many international graduate students in doctoral programs are assisted through scholarships and fellowships and by working as Teaching or Research Assistants.

International students studying for Masters degrees are usually not funded in any form by the university or departments. There are some exceptions to this and, again, you should inquire of your department.

It is very difficult to find outside scholarships to fund study at American School, especially once you have enrolled and have begun your studies. Such awards as Fulbright and Rotary are available to students as long as they apply before they begin their studies. Foreign governments and companies also assist students to start their studies at American School.

One of the problems that international students face at American School is trying to find funds to continue their studies. Because American School is an expensive school in terms of tuition the chances of finding outside agencies to help students complete their studies at American School are not good. It is also very, very difficult for non-immigrant students to obtain any kind of loan through U.S. institutions or banks.

The International Center does not have any scholarship funds to help support international students at American School. We do have some information and publications on non-American School scholarships but such awards are very competitive and often do not grant enough funds to cover the cost of studying at American School.

Q: What are my general responsibilities as an international student in the United States?

A: The Passport to Understanding Visa Status and Benefits booklet that was issued to all new International students that participated in the autumn 1994 orientation that was published by the Bechtel International Center says:

* Keep your PASSPORT valid at all times.

* Maintain FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT during the academic year.

* File any necessary EXTENSIONS OF STAY before your present stay expires.

* Do not accept off-campus EMPLOYMENT without official permission.

* Do not TRAVEL outside the United States, even briefly, without the proper documents.

* If you are about to graduate or otherwise complete the activity for which you came to the United States and want to remain in the US for further study or some other activity,apply for your extension or change of status BEFORE you complete your current activity.

* F-1 students must make sure they have transferred programs properly within 15 days of starting at a new institution.

* Make and keep photocopies of ALL your documents and safeguard the originals.

Q. What do I do if my passport expires or I lose it while I am within the United States?

A. Contact your local Consulate for instructions to renew or replace a lost passport. The I-Center currently has a list of the all the Consulates in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Q. What are the restrictions concerning on-campus employment (BEFORE graduation) for students holding F-1 visas?

A. F-1 visa holders who are registered as full-time students may work no more than 20 hours per week on-campus during the regular academic year. Registered F-1 students do not require authorization from the INS or the I-Center for on-campus employment. A student on a 50% Research Assistantship (RA-ship) or a 50% Teaching Assistantship (TA-ship) may not work additional time on or off-campus during the school year. However, full-time on-campus work is allowed during breaks between quarters and during summer quarter if the student was registered for fall, winter, and spring quarters.