Current students

The primary purpose of an F-1 visa, is for students to study in the United States. All F-1 students are required to take a full course load each academic term. The University of Redlands confirms every term that all F-1 students are fully enrolled. A full course load varies based on the academic program you are enrolled in. A full course load for:

• CAS undergraduate students is 12 credits per semester
• SBS undergraduate students is 12 credits per semester
• SBS graduate students is 8 credits per semester
• SOE graduate students is 8 credits per semester
• GST graduate students is 8 credits per semester

All F-1 students are only eligible to take a maximum of one course per term online. All other coursework must be completed in-person.

Students should not drop below a full course load without speaking to an OISS staff member. In some limited circumstances, an F-1 student can be authorized to take less than a full course load while maintaining their F-1 immigration status. The limited exceptions to get authorized for a reduced course load:

Academic Difficulties

• This includes improper course level placement, initial difficulty with reading requirements, initial difficulty with the English language and unfamiliarity with US teaching methods
• This option can only be used for the initial academic term and a student must maintain a minimum of half number of credits required for a full course load. Student must begin second academic term with a full course load.

Illness or Medical Concern

• Student must provide medical documentation from a licensed:
• Medical doctor
• Doctor of Osteopathy
• Clinical psychologist
• The reduced course load cannot exceed 12 month aggregate per program level
• This may excuse students from all classes.
• The reduced course load must be renewed for each academic term

To Complete Course of Study in Current Term

• This can only be used in a student’s final term if they can complete the program with fewer classes.
• Student must be enrolled in at least one required class (must be in person).

Yes, F-1 students may be able to take a course at a community college or a summer course at another university while enrolled and getting their degree at Redlands. This is called concurrent enrollment. Students would need to meet with a OISS team member to discuss their possibilities and next steps. The college/university where the student plans to take classes would need to be a SEVIS approved school and the student would be expected to take a class or two, not receive a degree. Since the University of Redlands is the institution who issued the student’s I-20, approval would be needed and a letter would be issued to the other institution outlining that the student is in active status at Redlands and granting permission to the other institution for the student to enroll in pre-determined coursework.

If a student wishes to get a degree from another institution, the student would need to transfer.

A transfer of a student’s SEVIS record needs to occur in the following situations:

• When a student transfers from Redlands to another institution to complete their degree
• When an active student completes their current degree and gets accepted to a masters/PhD/etc. program at another institution
• When an active student on OPT gets accepted to another univerity’s degree program.

Any student considering a transfer must be in communication with the OISS team. To initiate a transfer out from Redlands, the OISS team will need:

• Written confirmation of your acceptance to the other institution
• SEVIS code for the other institution
• Date to release your SEVIS record to the other institution

For students transferring before they complete their degree at Redlands they should be in touch with their academic advisors and also complete any University of Redlands withdrawal procedures.

F-1 students can take a leave of absence (authorized early withdrawal) due to a family emergency, personal matter or another circumstance that requires the student to leave the US prior to their program’s completion. Authorized early withdrawals are not needed for planned academic breaks (summer break for programs that do not run year round breaks between semesters, etc.).

There are guidelines as to how a student requests an authorized early withdrawal. Students must:

1. Contact the OISS Office to discuss their options.
2. Speak to their academic advisor and complete the LOA process for their school/college
3. Complete OISS’s Leave of Absence from the University of Redlands by F-1 Student Form and submit it to OISS (oiss@redlands.edu).
4. Make their request prior to withdrawing from class or departing the US. If a student requests an authorized early withdrawal after the first day of classes, the student must currently be enrolled full-time for the term they are requesting a leave of absence from to be in status and granted an authorized early withdrawal.

Once granted an authorized early withdrawal, a student’s status in SEVIS will be terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal. Students must then depart the country within 15 days. If a student does not depart within 15 days they will be in violation of their student visa status and this may have negative implications on their ability to reenter the US and/or apply for another visa.

Depending on how long a student is on leave, makes a difference as to how/when a student can return to the US.

For leaves of less than 5 months the following applies.

OISS can request that your SEVIS account be reactivated. The earliest OISS can request reactivation is 60 days before the start a student’s returning term. If your account is reactivated, the earliest a student can re-enter the US is 30 days before the start of classes. Students should not attempt to re-enter the US before receiving confirmation from OISS that their SEVIS reactivation was approved. If students attempt to enter without approval, they will be denied entry.

A SEVIS reactivation will allow a student to use their current I-20 to re-enter the US and if approved, they will keep the same SEVIS ID number and record, with continuous F-1 status. If a student’s F-1 visa stamp is valid, they can use it for re-entry. However, if a student’s F-1 visa stamp is expired, they will need to apply for a new visa.

Students should contact OISS up to 60 days before their planned return to Redlands and provide the OISS office with the following information:

• Proof of full-time enrollment for upcoming academic term
• Copy of flight itinerary

Upon receipt of these materials, OISS will submit a request to have the student’s SEVIS record returned to active status. This may take 2-3 weeks, so do not delay in contacting OISS. Reactivation requests are adjudicated by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). If a student’s reactivation request is denied, they must apply for a new I-20 and F-1 visa to re-enter the US. If approved, OISS will notify the student once their record has been returned to active status, and they may apply for your visa and/or return to the US.

For a leave of absence for more than 5 months, the process is different.

For leaves of more than 5 months, students are required to get a new SEVIS ID and I-20 and are also obligated to pay the SEVIS fee again.

Once a student has been readmitted to Redlands and the OISS has received the following work on the issuance of a new I-20 can begin:

• Proof that the student has completed the return from leave of absence process at Redlands/been readmitted to the U of R
• A copy of the photo and information page of the passport
• Proof of sufficient funding for the academic program that is less than six months old

If a student needs to apply for a new visa (if the current F-1 visa is expired or will expire before a student returns to the US) they must obtain a new F-1 visa) and the issuance of the new I-20 must be done before the visa appointment.

If a student’s F-1 visa is still valid at the time of re-entry, current Dept of State and SEVP guidance indicates that students do not need to apply for a new, regardless of length of time outside the United States.  Because a new SEVIS record with a new SEVIS number is created for the student in this situation, the SEVIS ID associated with the student’s previous visa will not match their new I-20. Students should be aware that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has occasionally been inconsistent in their treatment of students re-entering with an old visa and a new I-20 with new SEVIS ID. We recommend that students print current SEVP guidance and travel with it, in case they face any issues.

On-campus employment is when a student is employed by the University of Redlands or a company that provides services directly to students on campus (Harvest Table).

F-1 students are allowed to work on campus without approval from the OISS team. J-1 students do require written permission from OISS to work on campus.

Students can find on-campus employment opportunities in the student employee portal (found in My Redlands or self-service https://myredlandsapps.redlands.edu/StudentEmployment/).  Once offered a position, students must complete the proper paperwork with Human Resources. International students who do not have a Social Security number may need to apply for one. See information in the Social Security section for instructions on how to complete that process.

Curricular Practical Training is an opportunity for students to gain important professional experience through a placement that is an integral part of an established curriculum and must be directly related to a student’s major area of study.  It may be defined as: alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or other type of internship or practicum (required or optional). CPT placements are always associated with a credit-bearing course that requires students to draw on their placements to deepen their learning within their degree program. CPT is authorized through the Office of Global Education.

Eligibility Guidelines to apply for CPT:

• F-1 undergraduate students: must have completed at least one academic year in a degree granting program with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and be enrolled full-time. Undergraduate students may pursue part-time work if internships are a requirement of their program of study.
• F-1 graduate students: must have completed two academic terms with a minimum 3.0 GPA and be enrolled full-time. Graduate students enrolled in a one-year program are only eligible for part-time CPT (20 hours per week).
• No exceptions to these policies will be made.

If at any time, the student’s GPA drops below the requirement, their employment status may be jeopardized and they may need to forfeit their position.

• CPT authorization will not extend beyond the completion date of the student’s degree. CPT authorization is for one semester at a time.
• School of Business and Society students authorized for CPT will simultaneously enroll for independent study credits (in School of Business, either BUAD 475 or BUAD 675), which will require them to integrate their CPT into their programs of study.  This section will be supervised by a faculty member, and will be evaluated as Credit/No Credit.  Students performing part-time CPT need to register for one credit per semester, while full-time CPT placement requires two credits per semester.  Students may be renewed for CPT each new term.  School of Business students may renew their CPT each semester.  Renewal of CPT authorization is contingent upon the student's performance in the prior term's coursework (including the Practical Training course) and on the continued alignment of CPT placement and the degree program.  
• Undergraduate and Graduate Students in CAS.  Undergraduate students will be approved for CPT during the academic year only when they are enrolled in a program of study with an embedded and required internship or practicum.  College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate students must register for departmental internships to integrate their CPT into their program of study.  This section will be supervised by a faculty member, and will be evaluated as Credit/No Credit. School of Performing Arts students are eligible for CPT for performance or arts instruction with the support of faculty and with proper notation on their Form I-20.
• Otherwise, during the academic year, CAS undergraduate students may only work on campus or, in extreme cases, may be considered for Economic Hardship.  CAS students are additionally eligible for CPT during the summer following their junior year if accompanied by an enrolled internship.  

CPT application Process

• Download the CPT application form 
• Find a position with an employer that will directly relate to the program of study.  Students must obtain CPT authorization before beginning employment. Working prior to obtaining authorization is a violation of the student’s immigration status. Students are not permitted to begin work prior to starting the term.
• Complete the student portion of the CPT application and secure the following materials:
  • Job/Intern Offer Letter on official company letterhead that includes: start/end date, position title, employment status, indicate number of work hours per week (part time up to 20 hours per week or full-time more than 20 hours per week), company contact information (address, phone number, supervisor name and contact information)
  • Copy of job description with specific job duties on official company letterhead
  • Letter of support from the student’s faculty sponsor (can be CAS undergraduate faculty advisor or graduate-level program coordinator).
• Submit your signed CPT application and required supplemental documents (job/intern offer, job description, letters of support from academic advisor/faculty sponsor for internship course) to ISS@redlands.edu.

Authorization by the Office of Global Education

The Office of Global Education authorizes CPT after verification that a student meets the eligibility requirements for CPT, has an appropriate job offer, and has support from the faculty that the CPT experience is integral to the student's program of study. The authorization is placed on the second page of the I-20; no Employment Authorization Document from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services is required. **Please allow 5 - 7 business days for CPT processing once submitted**

Maintaining student status during CPT

While you are completing authorized CPT, you must maintain your F-1 lawful status each semester. This includes:

• Reporting address or telephone number changes to ISS@redlands.edu within 10 days.
• Maintaining full-time enrollment status in your academic program.

Requesting Changes after CPT Authorization

CPT is approved for a specific employer, location of employment and time period. You must request approval for any changes two weeks before extending your current CPT end date, working at a different location or for a new employer. Completing new forms and obtaining new authorization is necessary.

Effect on Optional Practical Training (OPT)

F-1 students with 365 days or more of full-time CPT are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Accumulating part-time CPT has no effect on OPT eligibility. Part-time CPT is classified as 20 hours per week or less. Full-time CPT is classified as more than 20 hours per week.

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training gives F-1 students the ability to work for a year or more after graduation in a job or internship related to their major. It allows students to gain practical training and experience in their field.

How to apply for OPT?

Students can submit their OPT application no more than 90 days before their program end date.

1. Students must be issued a new I-20 with an OPT recommendation on page 2, before they submit their online application to USCIS. For the Office of Global Educaiton to issue a new I-20 with an OPT recommendation, students must provide the following information via email (ISS@redlands.edu):
   1. Expected graduation date
   2. Requested start date for OPT. It is important to think about what start date to choose. The requested start date is what will be issued on the student’s EAD card, if approved, and is the actual date a student can begin work.
2. Once a student has their new I-20, with the OPT recommendation noted on page 2, students can prepare and file their OPT application. This application is submitted online through the USCIS system. Students must first create an USCIS Online Account. When creating the online USCIS account, students should use their personal email (not Redlands as it will be deactivated a few months after graduation).  
3. Once the USCIS online account is created students must:
   1. Prepare their online application (Form I-765). Information about the Form I-765 can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765. 
   2. Collect evidence to upload. Evidence includes (2x2 photo “passport sized photo; most recent I-94 form, passport biographical data page, any previously authorized CPT or OPT; I-20 form with OPT recommendation on page 2)
   3. Pay filing fee
   4. Students can schedule an appointment with a team member to go over the Form I-765 before submitting. Email ISS@redlands.edu to schedule an appointment.
   5. Submit the application.

Post Application Submission

You should receive an I-797C receipt from USCIS with 30 business days that confirms the receipt of your application. If you do not receive this notification within 30 days you should contact contact USCIS Customer Service to confirm your mailing address. Your receipt will have a case number (beginning with three letters followed by 10 numbers). You’ll need to keep the original receipt for your records as it is the only way to track your application at the USCIS Service Centers.

On average, student’s applications are adjudicated within 90-120 days. You can check current general processing times for the Form I-765 based on service center. You can also use your receipt number (found on your I-797C receipt notice) to track the status of your specific application. Students who have submitted an OPT Application with USCIS in a timely manner may remain in the U.S. after their 60 day grace period ends to await adjudication.

If your processing time is "outside normal processing times" you can submit the USCIS e-request on the USCIS website. You will need your receipt number, date when you filed your request, what type of application you filed and an email address to submit your e-request. You may also contact the USCIS Customer Service Center using the phone number of your Receipt Notice.

Additional Resources

1. OPT and Next Steps presentation
2. SEVP Portal Videos (videos on creating your SEVP portal account, updating profile address and telephone number, and managing employer information while on Post-Completion OPT)

What is a Social Security Number?

A Social Security Number (SSN) is required to earn wages, file taxes, and receive some types of government services in the U.S. A Social Security Number is a nine-digit number issued to US citizens, permanent residents, and temporary workers by the Social Security Administration. Like your passport this document should be stored in a safe location and not carried on you.

You will need to obtain a Social Security card if you have an internship or employment in the U.S. The application is available at the local Social Security Administration Office or its website (www.ssa.gov). Before you visit the Social Security Office, pick up a letter of endorsement from the International Student and Scholar Advisor.

Telephone: 1-800-772-1213

Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How to obtain a Social Security Number?

F-1 Students: F-1 students are only eligible for a SSN if they have a job offer through on-campus employment or authorized off-campus employment and will be receiving wages.

J-1 Students: J-1 students are eligible to apply for a SSN after they have completed visa check-in requirements and receive approval from the International Student Advisor.

Please visit the Office for more information.

General steps for getting a Social Security Number

1. Secure job offer.
2. Notify the Office of Global Education and request assistance to apply for a Social Security Number; this can be done by sending an email to ISS@redlands.edu and including a copy of your offer letter.
3. Your international advisor will then write you a Support Letter that you must take with you to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Please allow AT LEAST three business days to process this support letter request.
4. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card. Information about requesting a social security number for the first time can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/request-number-first-time as well as a link to the online application.
5. Go to Social Security Administration Office. Take all necessary original paperwork (application, passport, and visa documents) with you to the Social Security Administration.

You must wait at least 10 days from your arrival before going to the SSA office.

Any international student who works in the United States should file federal and state income taxes.  The University of Redlands works with Sprintax to provide tax services for our students.  Read this to learn about Sprintax's services. Each year the Office of Global Education will communicate with all current F-1 students and those on OPT or STEM OPT to provide them a unique passcode to access those services through this link.  Remember: federal and state taxes are due by April 15 each year.

• F-1 enrolled students and J-1 exchange visitors validity is one year.
• F-1 OPT or STEM OPT Extension validity is 6 months.

Contact our office by email (ISS@redlands.edu) with the subject line, Updated Travel Signature or drop your I-20 off at the Office of Global Education front desk (Duke 104) Monday-Thursday [8:00am-noon; 1:00-5:00pm] or Fridays [8:00am - noon] with a note including your date of departure and planned re-entry date (if any).

Our office will add a new travel endorsement to your I-20 and return the updated copy via email. Allow 2 business days for processing.

You must renew your passport before re-entering the United States. In most cases, to enter the United States, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date you enter or re-enter. Try to keep your passport current at all times. You need to determine your country's requirements for renewing passports as well as the time it will take. Many countries will allow you to renew your passport while in the United States. The other alternative is to renew your passport when you return home for a visit. You may want to delay leaving the United States until you have renewed your passport. You will not be able to reenter the United States without a valid passport. If your expired passport has a valid visa, you can still use it if you kept the old passport. Present the old passport, along with the new passport when you reenter the country.

You can stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status. However, if you are returning home or traveling to a third country, you must have a valid visa to return to the United States. Ensure that you have all the documentation you need for your visa application and allow sufficient time for processing a new visa. The documentation you may need for a new visa includes, but is not limited to the following:

• A SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by your ISA and your original Form I-20 (see your ISA before you travel)
• Original evidence showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses
• Evidence showing your intention to return to your home country upon program completion, including evidence of compelling social and economic ties to your home country.
• If you have applied for or had optional practical training (OPT) approved, bring a copy of your Form I-20 endorsed for OPT and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if one has been issued. The Department of State recommends that you apply for a visa in your home country. For more information about visa applications visit the Department of State website (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html).
• You can apply in a third country for a visa, but you will not be able to return to the United States until your visa has been issued. In some cases, this could take several weeks if a background check is required. If your visa is denied, you will not be able to return to the United States. Be sure to check the Department of State website for specific information pertaining to each consulate.
• If you have an expired visa and a terminated record, we strongly advise that you do not travel outside the United States until your SEVIS record shows that you are in active status. If you do travel, you may not be able to renew your visa or return to the United States.
• I wish to travel to Canada, Mexico, or one of other the islands adjacent to the United States except Cuba, can I return if my visa is expired? Yes, in most cases. You can usually revalidate an expired visa automatically when returning from a visit of less than thirty days to Canada, Mexico, or one of the adjacent islands listed below (other than Cuba) provided that you have a valid SEVIS Form I-20 and a valid unexpired Form I-94. This process is known as automatic visa revalidation. Adjacent Islands are: Miquelon, Saint Pierre, The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, Other British, French, and Netherlands territory or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea.
• However, if you meet any one of following criteria, you will not be able to automatically revalidate your visa:
  • You applied for a new visa and it has not yet been issued
  • You applied for a new visa and were denied
  • You have a terminated SEVIS record indicating that you are out of status
  • You have been out the United States for more than thirty days

No. You will need a valid SEVIS Form I-20 and a valid unexpired Form I-94. Be sure that you do not have a terminated SEVIS record indicating that you are out of status.

One of our team members will be able to inform you of your SEVIS record status and give you appropriate travel related advice.

If you need to travel on a terminated record, you must visit your ISA. If your school has requested a data fix, the ISA will put your help desk ticket number on your Form I-20 and report your pending travel to SEVP. There is no guarantee you will be readmitted to the United States if you travel on a terminated record. In most cases, inspectors will allow you to reenter the United States if you are otherwise admissible and your ISA has properly annotated your Form I-20. It is likely, however, you will be sent to secondary inspection while CBP determines whether you are eligible to return to the United States.

No.

Yes, you may re-enter to search for employment.

Can I re-enter on F-1 visa if I left while on OPT?

If your OPT has been approved and you depart before you get a job, your OPT ends and you cannot reenter unless you have a written job offer. If you have a job, you may travel and reenter to resume work at the same job or you have a written offer for another job.

The questions above outline the general requirements for reentry for F-1 students. However, because individual circumstances vary, consult your ISA, embassy, or legal advisor before traveling. If you discuss your travel plans as soon as possible, this will allow time to ensure you have proper documentation for travel. If you are not returning to your home country, you should check the requirements of the country you are visiting. Some countries will require a visa. You may also need an in-transit visa for countries where you are making a connecting flight. Be sure to check before you travel. Most countries have immigration websites that provide visa information.