Here in the International Student Office, we have created these Forms to help the process of getting you what you need as a F-1 Student. All these forms will need to be submitted to the International Student Office (ISO) at least 3 – 5 business days before you want the requested item. If you have any questions, want to submit your documents via email (they must be scanned, not pictures), or want to schedule a meeting, please email us at . Our office is located in King Hall, upstairs and to the left (King Hall Pictured above). We look forward to serving you.
For new and returning international students
The F-1 visa is a type of non-immigrant student visa that allows non-immigrants to enter the U.S. to engage in full-time course of study and pursue an educational degree. F-1 visas are only issued at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S.
Once admitted to TMU/TMS, students are eligible to obtain an F-1 visa by visiting their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate and presenting their TMU I-20 with additional supporting documents such as proof of financial support and SEVIS fee payment receipt. Students are expected to report to and attend the educational institution that issued their I-20 before they are eligible to transfer to another institution.
The F-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to the dependents (spouse and children) of an F-1 student. F-2 visa holders are not eligible for employment authorization and may not engage in full-time course of study. Dependents must have an F-2 dependent’s I-20 issued to them by the institution sponsoring the F-1 visa to be eligible to obtain an F-2 visa at their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State better monitor schools and exchange programs sponsoring F, M, and J visa holders. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa holders), exchange visitors (J visa holders), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2 visa holders).
Once you have completed your mandatory check-in and visa workshop requirements at TMU, it is your responsibility to review and understand the guidelines for maintaining F-1 status to ensure compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) F-1 regulations during your academic program.
Failure to comply with F-1 regulations may result in the termination of your F-1 status and loss of future eligibility to enter the U.S.
F-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment and make normal academic progress toward completion of their degree program.
Failure to maintain full-time enrollment during your program will result in severe consequences for your F-1 status.
*F-1 students are not allowed to drop below full-time enrollment without receiving prior authorization for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) from ISO.
F-1 students are required to have a valid local mailing address and permanent foreign address at all times (P.O. box addresses not valid).
**Please keep all of your addresses up-to-date. Changes in address (local and permanent) must be updated using the I-20 Request Form within 10 days of the change. Failure to maintain a valid local and permanent address will affect your visa status and eligibility for services at ISO.
All F-1 students must maintain a valid passport at all times. Your passport must always be valid for at least 6 months into the future.
On-Campus Employment
F-1 students are eligible to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic year and full-time (more than 21 hours per week) during winter and summer vacation. On-campus employment may include tutoring, lab work, reader appointments, or student positions at the campus library, bookstore, food/dining services, etc. F-1 students can work on-campus without obtaining employment authorization from ISO or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
For jobs with TMU departments, please contact that specific department for job opportunities.
Off-Campus Employment
F-1 students may not engage in off-campus employment (including paid and unpaid internships) before receiving proper employment authorization from DCISS.
Types of Off-Campus Work Authorization:
**You must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to receive wages from employment in the U.S.
Grace Period
Upon completion of your degree program, you have 60-days to:
**Students may not exit and re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status during their 60-day grace period.
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is available to eligible F-1 students interested in engaging in employment in the U.S. directly related to their field of study after their degree completion. F-1 students are eligible for an initial 12 months of OPT per higher degree level achieved. OPT is not a visa; rather, it is a type of employment benefit for F-1 students who are maintaining their visa status. Students must first apply for OPT recommendation from the International Student Officer (ISO), Joshua English. Then, mail documents to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for adjudication.
OPT applications may be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for processing as early as (but no earlier than) 90 days before a student’s program completion date. Please note that USCIS requires approximately 3 months to approve an OPT application. It is highly recommended that students submit their OPT application to the ISO at least 3 months before their requested OPT start date.
All documents listed in the OPT Application Checklist must be submitted to the ISO to request an OPT I-20 before an OPT application can be submitted to USCIS for processing.
Applicants must choose their OPT start date at the time of application. A requested OPT start date can be as early as 1 day after the program completion date and up to 60 days after the program completion date.
F-1 students engaging in Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) must report their employment status and any changes to their address or phone number within 10 days of the change through the SEVP Portal:
POST-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) REQUEST – STUDENT REQUEST
POST-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) REQUEST – ACADEMIC ADVISOR
POST-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) REQUEST – REGISTRAR
POST-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) REQUEST – STUDENT CHECKLIST
OPT Employment Types and Timeline
