Concordia College welcomes international students to campus. We value and prize the contributions you make to the campus community.

International students have entered the US for a stated purpose (to study), and certain regulations will affect you. International students attending Concordia are generally granted F-1 status. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ABIDE BY THE REGULATIONS AND PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR STUDENT STATUS IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE YOUR STUDIES. The consequences of a failure to maintain status can be severe, including deportation from the US.

You can read the regulations themselves – start with this site, select Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (8CFR) at the bottom, then select 8CFR Part 214, then select section f.  You can learn more about how laws and regulations are formulated here.

The regulations themselves may be straightforward, although they can be interpreted in different ways, and also can change frequently. It is the student’s responsibility to know and follow the regulations. This site is designed to help you understand the basic features of the regulations, however you should realize the ultimate responsibility for knowing and complying with the regulations falls on the student.

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System and is a government database.  SEVIS is used to track international students while they study in the US. SEVIS was introduced in the 2002/2003 school year.

Following is information which may be helpful to you:

Reduced Course Load

You are required to be registered for a full load of classes (at least 3 course credits each semester) except in certain circumstances where permission has been granted in advance. To apply for permission to be enrolled in less than a full course of study please discuss with Angela Seewald-Marquardt and use this form.

Change of Address

You are required to report your US physical address when you first arrive, and notify Concordia of any change in address within 10 days on this form.   Even if you change rooms within the same residence hall, you must report this change of address.  Also, you must keep us notified of your address in your home country and any changes to it using the same form.  Please bring these forms to Angela Seewald-Marquardt so SEVIS can be updated.

Change of Major

Please use this form to report a change of major and bring it to Angela Seewald-Marquardt so SEVIS can be updated.

On-Campus Employment

You are allowed to work only on campus, up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. There is no INS limitation on the number of hours per week you can work on campus during breaks, but your campus employer may have policies regarding this – please check with your employer. A page with information about international student employment is here.

Transferring Out

If you wish to transfer to another school please complete this form and bring it to Angela Seewald-Marquardt so SEVIS can be updated.

Extending your Graduation Date

If it will take you longer than the time indicated on your I-20 to graduate, please discuss this with Angela Seewald-Marquardt and complete an extension of stay form.   This change must be noted in SEVIS before the end date listed on your I-20.  Monitoring your program completion date and graduation dates are your responsibility.

Keep a Valid Passport

You are required to keep a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from the passport requirement. If your passport will expire, please apply to your Embassy for a replacement giving yourself and the Embassy plenty of time to handle the request.

Leaving and Re-entering the United States

If you wish to leave and re-enter the United States, you should have these documents at the time you re-enter:

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa. If your current visa is expired you will need to obtain a new visa while outside the US. Please plan for this, and remember it can be a lengthy and difficult process, and the outcome is never certain.  In most case, you will need to renew your visa in your home country.
• Properly endorsed I-20 form with a signature within the current semester.

Disclosure of Convictions

You are required to abide by rules prohibiting criminal activities and requiring disclosure of criminal convictions. Please do not engage in any criminal activities, and please notify Angela Seewald-Marquardt if you have been convicted of a crime using this form.

Additional Links

Information about visiting Canada is here.

Links with information about USCIS regulations and SEVIS to assist you:

• The USCIS Online
• NAFSA

International Student Life Links

Int'l Student Life Home

Maintaining Status

Federal Regulations & SEVIS

Special Registration

Friendship Family Program

International Student Services

International Student Organization

Working

Employer Handout - Yes, you can...

Local Bus Information

Minnesota ID/Driving License

Renewing Expired Passport

Visiting Canada

Excursions / Community

Tax Information

Visa Validity after break in studies

FAQs

NAFSA Paul Simon Award

Open Doors Data

Illustrious Alums - where are they now?

Areas of Interest In Your Department...

USCIS Website

USICE Website SEVIS Website Maintaining Status Website Special Registration Material Special Registration Update

Education USA Your guide to finding and applying to US colleges

Social Security Electronic fact sheet

Publication Date: Friday, December 15, 2006 10:18 CST