F1 Student Immigration Rules and Regulations

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) requires California Western School of Law to provide detailed and current information on all F-1 students in attendance. Because it is critical that we deliver accurate and up-to-date information, students should inform the Admissions Office immediately of all changes to their name, address, and academic situation. In addition, because it is the student's responsibility to maintain status, all students should review the latest guidelines and procedures.

• SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on F-1 non-immigrant students and their dependents (F-2 visa holders).
• SEVIS enables schools to transmit electronic information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE ) and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student’s stay in the United States.
• The system reflects international student status changes, such as admission at Port of Entry (POE), change of address, change in program of study, and other details. SEVIS will also provide system alerts, event notifications, and basic reports to the end-user schools, programs, and Immigration related field offices.

F-1 Student Responsibilities

F-1 students are responsible for maintaining their immigration status. If you fail to do so you may face serious immigration problems which could lead to deportation from the United States. There are several important things you must do to maintain status:

• Maintain full-time enrollment and normal progress towards your degree. Contact the Admissions Office immediately if you are unable to fulfill this requirement.
• Keep your passport valid! Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months past your expected completion date at all times. You can apply for a passport renewal with the Embassy or Consulate of the country issuing the original passport. You will need a certification of student status from California Western School of Law for your renewal application. Addresses of embassies and consulates are available at the admissions office.
• Obtain extensions, as needed, of your permission to stay in the U.S. USCIS regulations state that F-1 students may stay in the U.S. for the duration of an educational program or a series of educational programs (for example, from an undergraduate degree through a master’s degree) plus the duration of optional practical training and then an additional 60 days. However, students who do not complete the stated educational program within the time indicated on their I-20 form must request a program extension prior to the completion date.

Those who do not request a program extension are out of status and must be reinstated by the USCIS. There are new laws that severely penalize non-immigrants who violate their status through overstays. Please make sure your I-20 does not expire.

• You cannot work more than 20 hours per week on campus (first-year J.D. students are limited to 5 hours per week).
  • As an international student, the only employment you are permitted to engage in during your first year of study is on-campus employment.
  • You are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
  • Working more than 20 hours per week is a violation of your student status and could lead to any number of USCIS penalties including deportation.
    During summer and other breaks, there is no hour limitation.

NOTE: On-campus, employment is not guaranteed. If you do wish to work on campus, please let us know when you arrive.

• You cannot work off-campus without USCIS approval.  All off-campus employment must be directly related to your area of study and requires an Optional Practical Training (OPT) application, which must be approved by USCIS. Contact the Admissions Office if you are interested in working off campus.
• Report a change of address, phone number, email address, and home country address to the Admissions Office within 10 days.

• SEVIS I-20 is the immigration document that is issued to a student to apply for F-1 status.
• All actions (e.g., transfers, primary purposes, etc.) are recorded on this document.
• Dependents will each have their own SEVIS Form I-20.
• In instances of travel, a student with a SEVIS Form I-20 will have a separate page for the DSO (Designated School Official) signature authorizing travel.
• After being accepted for admission and upon receiving your deposit, your Form I-20 is issued by California Western School of Law. This form serves as evidence the school has admitted you.
• Before issuing the Form I-20, the school must make sure you have sufficient financial resources to study full-time for one academic year. The money can be from your own funds or those of close family members or even a corporate sponsor. Since living and studying in the United States can be expensive, a very important part of applying for the F-1 status is providing evidence of financial support.
• The SEVIS Form I-20 indicates the estimated cost of one year's study at the school. If you apply for F-1 status, you are required to show that you can pay the cost of the first year of study in the United States and that you have dependable financial resources for the rest of your educational program.
  Proof of Financial support can be demonstrated in several ways:
  • Some applicants use what is known as an Affidavit of Support or Form I-134.
  • You will need letters from a bank, tax records, or other evidence confirming the financial resources of whoever signs your Affidavit of Support.
  • If you want to prove that you have personal resources to pay for your own education, you need to show that you can maintain yourself financially throughout the entire period of study. Evidence of bank accounts, a trust, or similar income must be presented.
  • If a distant relative or friend will support you, it is best for money to be put directly into your personal bank account rather than rely on an Affidavit of Support.