USI » International Programs and Services » Immigration and Naturalization Service

Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)

The District Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) that has jurisdiction over the international students at the University of Southern Indiana is located at:

U.S. Department of Justice
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Gateway Plaza, Suite 400
950 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Telephone: 317/226-6009
Live phone coverage 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday through Friday

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon on Tuesday and Thursday.

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ESSENTIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service has established certain rules and regulations which you are expected to understand and follow:

Attend the school you were authorized to attend. Enroll in and complete a full course of study during the academic year (12 credit hours for undergraduate and 9 credit yours for graduate students.) Always consult with the Director of International Programs and Services before you drop course load to part-time or withdraw from all of your courses.
Maintain a valid passport at all times.
Do not accept employment off campus without authorization from the INS. With permission from INS, students may work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and full-time during the break periods.
Report any change of address to the Office of International Programs and Services within 10 days of moving.
Leave the U.S. by the anticipated completion date on Form I-20. If studies are not completed within the allotted period of time (see explanation below), apply for an extension of stay to the Director of International Programs and Services by the date on Form I-20.
Apply to IPS to continue from one educational level to another (for example, from BA to Masters) at USI.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS
AND TELEPHONE NUMBER

Please keep us informed of your current address and phone number. It is imperative that any change of address and telephone number be reported to International Programs and Services. It is essential that we know where to contact you in case of an emergency. In addition, a newsletter containing information relevant to all international students is sent on a monthly basis.

IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS & PROCEDURES

Passport
It is your most important piece of identification, and you need to keep it valid (6 months beyond your projected date of departure from the U.S.) You cannot renew your visa unless your passport is current, nor can you leave the U.S. without a valid passport.

Visa
The stamp in your passport which is issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, allowing the bearer to enter the United States. Visas can only be obtained or renewed outside the U.S.

I-20
Certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant F-1 Student Status. This form is issued to you to attend USI initially. Having accepted the I-20, you are required by immigration to attend USI for at least one semester before transferring. Whenever you travel outside the U.S. you must carry an up-to-date I-20 endorsed by the Director of International Programs and Services. You must also check visa requirements of those countries through which you will travel.

You should keep page 3/4 of your I-20 at all times.
It serves as a record of all transactions about your status.

IAP-66 Form
Certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant J-1 Exchange Visitors. This document certifies that the person has been accepted under the Exchange Visitor Program, which is approved by the USIA in Washington, D.C. Under this program, students, researchers and professors come to the United States on a temporary basis for the purpose of educational exchange. The terms of the appointment and the financial support of the program are indicated of the IAP-66. Uses of the IAP-66 correspond to those of an I-20 form. The program sponsor endorses the IAP-66 for overseas travel (the program sponsor for those at the University of Southern Indiana is the Director of International Programs and Services.)

I-94
Entry permit issued by the Immigration inspector at the port-of-entry into the U.S. This is the little white card, which was stapled into your passport upon your arrival in the U.S. KEEP IT THERE, FOR IT IS YOUR PERMIT TO REMAIN IN THE U.S. The D/S marked on the I-94 means that you are permitted to remain in the U.S. for as long as you are pursuing your intended program of study, provided you remain in status and are making satisfactory progress toward completion of your degree.

Duration of Status (D/S) is defined as the period during which a student pursues a full course of study in any educational program and any period of practical training plus 60 days to depart from the United States.

Employment. International students on F-1 visas are not permitted to work off-campus. However, you may apply for on-campus jobs (including work-study jobs that have not been filled by U.S. citizens.) You are allowed to work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during the academic term and a maximum of 40 hours/week during the vacation periods.

In the case of economic necessity due to unforeseen circumstances which arise after your first year in the U.S., you may seek permission to work off-campus. Contact the IPS office (465-1248) for information on these regulations and application procedures.

Students holding a J-1 visa should consult the IPS office regarding regulations for off-campus employment provided by their sponsor.

Optional Practical Training is a period of up to one year during which a student is permitted to work in a position relevant to his/her field and can be used before or after completion of studies. Students remain in F-1 status with the university, although they can accept employment anywhere within the United States. Contact the IPS Office for details and application forms. The application for practical training must be received by INS within 60 days of completion of your degree requirements.

I-538
Certification by Designated School Official (foreign student advisor) used to process program extension, off-campus employment permission, curricular practical training, and optional practical training.

I-765 Form
Application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD.) For F-1 students, this form is used to request optional practical training; off-campus employment under the sponsorship of a qualifying international organization; or off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship. This is also the form the J-2 dependent must file to request work permission. The I-538 is certified by the Director of International Services and Programs.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
A laminated card with photo issued to some non-immigrants by INS indicating how long work is authorized.

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