Change of Education Level – When a student completes one degree program and proceeds to a second degree program at the same University. Often this is a progression to a higher degree level, but it could be a second degree at the same level.

Change of Status – When eligible, a non-immigrant visa-holder may change between one visa status and another. An example would be from an H-4 to an F-1.

CPT – Curricular Practical Training is a training program that is part of a required academic course of study.  Work authorization is granted by the Designated School Official.

Continuing Registration – A non-academic placeholder course that students register for when they are completing an authorized project for their academic program, such as a required internship, a research project or a thesis.  Students must complete a Less-than-full-time authorization form with the UIS in order to register for continuing registration. 

DS-2019 – The immigration document that allows you to apply for a J-1 (or J-2) visa. This document also allows you to legally remain in the U.S. Must be valid and up to date at all times.

DSO – Designated School Official.  An employee of the university appointed by the school and approved by USCIS, who represents the school in all F-1 matters.  Only a DSO may sign immigration documents for the school.

EAD – Employment Authorization Card is issued by USCIS.  It is a laminated photo ID that authorizes a non-immigrant to work in the US.  EAD’s are granted for a specific period.  Students may not begin OPT without an EAD in their possession.  

F-1 – A non-immigrant category used for degree-seeking students studying at a high school, English language school, college, or university.

F-2 – The legal spouse or child under the age of 21 of an F-1 academic student

FT – Full-time. Likewise PT is used to refer to part-time. Minimum FT enrollment required per semester for the F-1 visa is 9 credits (graduate) or 12 credits (undergraduate). Anything less is considered PT. Also used to refer to employment. Anything over 20 hours per week is considered FT employment. 

Grace period – For F-1 students, this is a period of 60 days after the end date on your I-20 in which you can legally remain in the U.S.  Before the end of this 60-day grace period you may travel within the U.S., apply for a new degree program, and/or apply for work permission.

For J-1 students, this is a period of 30 days in which you can stay and/or travel within the U.S. If you wish to apply for a new program, work permission, etc. this must be done before the end date on your DS-2019. 

All students: If you leave the U.S. before your grace period ends, you forfeit the remainder of the time and cannot re-enter the U.S. as an international student unless you have a transfer-pending or change-of-education-level-pending I-20.

ICE – US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security that is the investigative and enforcement arm of immigration and border security.  ICE oversees SEVIS.

I-20 – The immigration document that allows you to apply for an F-1 (or F-2) visa. This document also allows you to legally remain in the U.S. Must be valid and up to date at all times. 

I-20 end date – The date that you will complete your academic program.

I-765 – A form used to apply for employment authorization, including OPT.  It must be included in the OPT packet sent to USCIS.

I-94 – Arrival and Departure Record issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at your first point of entry in the US.  It shows that you have been legally admitted to the US and specifies the class of admission and authorized period of stay.  It may be a paper I-94 or electronic I-94.  You should print your electronic I-94 record from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94  

Immigration status – Your legal ability to remain in the U.S. as an F-1/J-1/F-2, etc. 

J-1 – A non-immigrant visa category for an exchange visitor, usually sponsored by a government, university or other exchange program. At the University of New Haven, these include visiting scholars, exchange students and interns, Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants, and others.

J-2 – The legal spouse or child under the age of 21 of a J-1 exchange visitor.

OPT – Optional Practical Training is a benefit of legal F-1 status.  Work authorization is granted by the USCIS based on documents submitted by the applicant, as well as the school’s recommendation.  Work must be within the student’s area of study.  The length of OPT is 12 months.  Students with a STEM-eligible degree may be able to apply for a two-year extension, depending on the participation of their employer.

PT – Part-time. Likewise FT is used to refer to full-time. Minimum FT enrollment required per semester for the F-1 visa is 9 credits (graduate) or 12 credits (undergraduate). Anything less is considered PT. Also used to refer to employment. Anything over 20 hours per week is considered FT employment.

Reinstatement – The process to regain F-1 status by filing the I-539 application with USCIS. The student should first discuss with the DSO if they are eligible for reinstatement.

RO – Responsible Officer. Also an ARO (alternate responsible officer). An employee of the university appointed by the school and approved by USCIS, who represents the school in all J-1 matters.  Only an A/RO may sign immigration documents for the school.

STEM Extension – Fields in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  Students in these fields may be able to apply for a 24-month OPT extension with the participation of an eligible employer.

SEVIS – The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This is the government database that the International Services Office is required use to update and maintain certain student records regarding your legal immigration status.

SEVP –  Student and Exchange Visitor Program; responsible for monitoring all international students.

Terminated SEVIS record – As international students you must maintain your legal ability to remain in the U.S. If you do not comply with immigration regulations, the UIS is required to inform the government that you are in the US and out of status by terminating the SEVIS record. SEVIS also automates termination based on certain fields in the database. For example, the program start and end dates will generate automatic events in SEVIS if the student fails to report or to extend.  If this happens to you, please see the UIS to take corrective action.

Travel signature – A DSO/ARO signature on the second page of the I20 or first page of the DS-2019 that indicates you are maintaining your immigration standing and should be allowed to re-enter the U.S. from a short absence. Must be signed every year. 

USCIS – US Citizenship and Immigration Services is a government agency responsible for the admission, control and status of all non-immigrant students in the United States.  USCIS adjudicates applications such as, OPT, STEM Extension, Reinstatement, Change of Status, etc. 

Visa – A stamp in your passport indicating in which category you may enter the U.S. You will be denied entry to the U.S. if your visa is expired, but you may walk around inside the US with an expired visa as long as your I-20/DS-2019 is valid. You must apply for or renew the visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the U.S. 

If after reviewing this information, you still have questions, submit your inquiry to UIS via the General Inquiry Form. UIS will answer inquiries in the order they are received.