• International Student Services Overview
• New International Students
• Immigration Information
• Employment
• Traveling Outside of the United States
• Student Forms
• Semester Timeline
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact Information

Undergraduate Advising Handbook Advising

Advising International Students

The International Student Advisor/Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of Academic Affairs serves as the primary advisor to international students on matters of immigration, employment authorization and status maintenance.

For assistance in advising international students, please contact the International Student Advisor/Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Basic International Student Admissions Process

• Student applies and is accepted by the Office of Admissions.
• The Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of Academic Affairs issues the student his/her Form I-20[1] using the online SEVIS[2] system and mails it to the student in his/her home country.
• Student pays a mandatory fee and makes an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in his/her home country to apply for an F-1 (student) visa. Securing a student visa can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the home country and time of year.
• Student arrives at a U.S. Port of Entry where an immigration officer reviews his/her passport, F-1 visa and I-20 and transmits this information into the SEVIS system, admitting the student in F-1 (student) status.
• Student arrives at St. John Fisher College and meets with the International Student Advisor/DSO to discuss important immigration regulations, have copies made of immigration paperwork and to fill out a basic student information form.

The Basics of F-1 Student Status

In order to maintain legal F-1 student status, a student must follow specific immigration regulations:

• Carry a full course of study (12+ credits for undergraduates, 9+ credits for graduates) and make normal academic progress toward completing a  program.
• Refrain from unauthorized work. Students may not work off-campus, paid or unpaid, without prior work authorization, including internships. Work is authorized by the DSO in the SEVIS system and only when certain requirements are met.
• Make timely requests for program extensions, completion of studies dates, work authorizations, travel, etc.
• Report changes to student information within 10 days of the change.
• Keep passport valid for at least 6 months into the future
• Report to the Designated School Official in the Office of Academic Affairs upon arriving at St. John Fisher College.
• Obey all federal, state and local laws

F-1 Students and Employment/Internships

Students in valid F-1 status may work on-campus without prior authorization in work-study and non-work study positions. On-campus employment during the semester may be a maximum of 20 hours/week, and a maximum of 40 hours/week during College break periods.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (Internships) – paid or unpaid employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum and is a requirement of the program of study and/or the student will receive course credit for it

• A student must request and be approved for this type of employment prior to starting. The Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of Academic Affairs authorizes CPT employment.
• Students may work part or full-time on CPT, depending on what the program requires.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – one year of full-time or part-time employment directly related to the student’s field of study

• A student must be approved for this type of employment prior to starting. The Designated School Official and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Service Center authorizes OPT employment. Wait times for employment authorization may vary widely, taking anywhere from 30-90 days.
• Students on OPT may work part-time during the semester or full-time after completion of studies, for a period of up to one year.

Grace Period

After a student has completed his or her studies and/or any work authorizations post-completion, s/he may have an additional 60 days to make arrangements to leave the country. If a student requests to withdraw from the College, s/he will have a 15 day grace period. If a student violates his or her status, s/he will have no grace period to leave the country.