Regulations for F-1 Students

It is of the utmost importance that you remain in good standing in status by following U. S. Department of Homeland Security regulations. If you do not you will be considered out of status. Once you fall out of status you need to apply for reinstatement if you have a valid reason, or depart the country and return as an initial entry in a new F-1 nonimmigrant status. Please understand that reinstatement is not an easy or guaranteed process. The Department of Homeland Security is very stringent about what are deemed acceptable reasons for reinstatement.

Remaining in Good Standing ("In Status") for All F-1 Students

A student must do the following to stay in status (eligible to remain at menlo College and in the US as a matriculating student):

• Maintain and complete a full course load each semester—at least 12 units. We report your attendance each semester in the SEVIS database, which is a tracking system for international students.
• Not engage in off-campus employment unless authorized and after completion of the appropriate paperwork. Students are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours during the school year, and up to 40 hours during vacation times.
• Possess a current I-20 issued through International Student Services.
• Possess a valid visa and passport.
• Follow correct procedures to transfer to a school other that one originally authorized on I-20.
• Ensure that your I-20 is validated by Designated School Official (DSO) before you leave the US.
• Report any change in address or name to International Student Services within 10 days of the change. The change will be reported to the Department of Homeland Security through the SEVIS database.
• Follow all regulations outlined in the Federal Register and in this summary. Students are responsible for understanding and following all Department of Homeland Security regulations that govern their status at Menlo College and in the US.

CPT—Curricular Practical Training
(internship during course of study)

The international student requirements for CPT eligibility are as follows:

• Full-time status and current student
• F-1 status for at least one academic year
• Off-campus internship related to academic field
• I-20 must be updated prior to start of CPT and endorsed by Designated School Official

Transferring to Another Institution or Graduate School

You must be in status to transfer to another institution. If you transfer to another institution or start a new program in a graduate school you must begin classes at the new school within 5 months of the program completion end date (graduation) listed on the I-20 or the next available term, whichever is earlier.

If you are not pursuing a full course of study at the institution you were last authorized to attend, you are ineligible to transfer and must apply for reinstatement or depart country and return as an initial entry in a new F-1 nonimmigrant status. See an international student advisor for more information.

Transfer Process

• Student notifies DSO of intent to transfer and designates which school she/he is transferring to (student can choose only one school).
• DSO updates student record in SEVIS as "transfer out" and indicates school student is transferring to and a release date (current semester completion date or date of transfer if earlier).
• At the time of release date, new school will be granted access to student's record in SEVIS and then student becomes the responsibility of the new school.
• At the time of release date the transfer school (new school) must complete the transfer of the student's record in SEVIS and issue student new I-20.
• Student is then required to contact the DSO at transfer school within 15 days of program start date listed on I-20.
• Upon notification that student has reported for classes, DSO of transfer school must update SEVIS to reflect student's registration and address.
• In the remarks section of new I-20, DSO notes that the transfer has been completed, including date and returns form to student.

Graduating Seniors

If you are a graduating senior you have several options to remain in the US. The following list does not include all options:

• Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• Attend graduate school.
• Secure a job by a company who will sponsor you on an H-1 visa.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)
One year of work or training after completion of studies

Eligibility and Process

• Full time status
• F-1 status for at least one academic year
• Seeking work related to your academic field
• You can submit OPT application up to 90 days prior to completion of studies. The application usually takes 3 months to process.
• Students may now register for OPT up to 60 days after graduation.
• Student does not have to secure position at the time he/she is completing the application.
• Student should not leave the country until she/he receives her/his Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS, a work offer, and I-20 signed for travel or a job.
• Student may only begin OPT on date listed on EAD.
• OPT must be completed within a 14 month period following completion of studies.
• You will need to complete the necessary paperwork with Virginia Spinelli in International Student Services.
• You must report any change of name, address or disruption of work to Virginia Spinelli within 10 days of the change.
• You must obtain an OPT position within ninety (90) days.

Termination

Your OPT application is automatically terminated if you transfer to another school for graduate work. This allows you to apply for OPT and graduate school simultaneously. However, you can only choose one option.