IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to take your Certificate of Eligibility SEVIS I-20 form and letters from the University of ST. Thomas to your interview. Additional documentation needed, can be found at www.usembassy.gov.
You may also need to provide proof of ties to your home country, such as job offers, evidence of ownership of a residence or property in your home country, or copies of bank statements from a bank in your home country. 
 
F-1 Student Currently In the U.S 

F-1 Transfer for New Students Remaining in the United States 
If you do not leave the United States before arriving at the University of St. Thomas, your transfer will be processed when you check in with the International Student Office at the University.  It is essential that you identify yourself as a transfer student and speak to the international student advisor before registering for classes. 

F-1 Transfer for New Students leaving the United States 
If you leave the United States before arriving at the University of St. Thomas, you must enter the United States on the University of St. Thomas I-20.  If your current F-1 visa has not expired, it is NOT necessary for you to go to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy to obtain a new visa or have the name of the school changed on your current visa stamp page.  If your visa has expired and you leave the United States, you will have to apply for a new F-1 visa.  DO NOT enter the United States on a tourist visa.

Maintaining Your F-1 Status
Note: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FOLLOW THESE REQUIREMENTS OR FACE POSSIBLE REMOVAL FROM THE UNITED STATES 
 

1. Maintain a valid passport at all times.  Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months into the future.
2. Be a full-time student (12 credit hours for undergraduate and 9 hours for graduate) each semester.  Do not drop below these minimum full-time hours without consulting the International Student Advisor first.
3. Never let your I-20 expire.
4. Only attend the school listed on your current and stamped I-20.  To attend another university, you must transfer to that school (obtain approval on a new I-20).
5. Complete an I-20 transfer whenever you change schools.  An I-20 transfer must be completed within 45 days of the beginning of classes of the first semester at the new school.
6. Apply for an extension of your I-20 thirty days before the expiration date.  The extension can only be applied for with International Student Advisor within the 30-day period.
7. Do not work off-campus without first obtaining the proper authorization from the International Student Advisor.  If you work even one day before or after your authorization, you may be in danger of being removed from the U.S.  On-campus work does not require specific authorization, but you must maintain your full-time student status to be authorized.  On-campus work is limited to 20 hours or less per week during the fall and spring and may be full-time (40 hours) during the summer.
8. Visit the International student advisor first if you plan on traveling outside the U.S.  The back of your I-20 must be endorsed before leaving the country.
9. Report a change of address or phone number to the International Student Advisor within 10 days of the change. 

Employment Opportunities for F-1 Students

On -Campus Employment
-F-1 students may apply for work on-campus. You are permitted to work part-time (20 hours) during the academic terms and can work full-time (40 hours) during the summer and winter breaks. You must present your valid I-20 and passport to the Career and Testing Services. You do not need approval from the International Office to work on campus. However, you must be enrolled full-time.

Off Campus Employment
- As an F-1 student, you are not permitted to work off campus unless you have received special permission from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.  A student may be authorized for off-campus employment under some circumstances. You may visit the International Student Office for more information.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- You may apply for CPT during your program of study. CPT must be “an integral part of an established curriculum.” -This may be an internship for a specific class or if approved by your advisor an internship class can be created for your degree (you must enroll in this course for the CPT semester). You must be enrolled and undergraduate students must have completed two full semesters before you being eligible for CPT. Graduate students do not have to meet this same requirement. Even though you may have approval from your academic advisor and have a job offer, you should not begin working until you have completed all the paperwork with the International Student Office and have received a new I-20 with the CPT eligibility dates. Failure to comply with these regulations is grounds termination of your F-1 status. You may visit the International Office for more information on CPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)
-You may apply for OPT at the beginning of your final semester (post-completion OPT,) or during your study (pre-completion OPT) ** Please call the office for more detail on both categories. **OPT is “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.” You may apply for OPT 120 days before graduating from your program. The OPT approval process usually takes 90 days. Once you receive your Employment Authorization Card and have graduated, you may begin working full-time for one year. You may only be unemployed up to 90 days during the 12-month period. You may visit the International Student Office for more information on OPT.

Change of Address
If you change your address, you must notify the Registrar’s office. You may do this by completing a “change of address form” at the front counter of the Registrar’s office. You must also inform the International Advisor within 10 days of changing your address.