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Applying for a U.S. Visa
You can find useful information at
applyingforusvisa.htm
Documents & Definitions
1. Passport
- The passport is a document issued by your home country government giving
permission to travel outside the country. It is renewed through your embassy.
For passport renewal purposes, letters verifying enrollment can be requested
from the ISSO or by clicking
here.
2. Visa
- The visa is a multi-colored stamp or designated page in the passport, which is
issued by a U.S. consulate abroad. It allows the visa holder to enter the U.S.
for the time designated on the visa and need only be valid on the day you enter
the U.S. If your visa expires or you change your status, you need to obtain a
new visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, as it is not possible to obtain or
revalidate the visa in the U.S.
Types of Visas
F1 student: permits an individual to enter the U.S. for
fulltime study at a designated institution. The I-20 is used to obtain an F1
visa at an embassy outside the U.S.
J1 exchange visitor: permits an individual to enter the
U.S. for study, teaching, research, and training. Form DS-2019 is used to obtain
a J1 visa.
I-94 Card (Arrival/Departure Record) - This small,
white card is usually stapled in the passport at the port of entry. It indicates
the authorized period of stay in the U.S. by the marking, “D/S” (duration of
status) as long as the student is maintaining valid F1 status. If there is
anything other than “D/S” marked on your I-94 card, please see the ISSO.
I-20/DS-2019 - The I-20 is the immigration document for
F1 students, and the DS-2019 is the immigration document for J1 exchange
visitors. They should reflect your current academic program and personal
information. They should be kept with your passport and when signed by a
Designated School Official (Marian or Denise), serve as a travel document.
More information is also available on the USCIS website
visa application .
SEVIS - What International Students must
know
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
is the mechanism employed by the U.S. government to track the arrival,
enrollment and departures of international students and their dependents.
SEVIS is an internet-based system that requires schools and the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to exchange data on the immigration and
academic status of international students.
Data schools must report
Name, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, source and
amount of financial resources, academic program, level of study, program
start and end dates
Arrival and enrollment or failure to enroll
Registration for less than a full course of study without PRIOR
authorization from the ISSO
A change of the student or dependent's legal name or address
Graduation prior to the end date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019
Failure to complete the academic program or program objective
Termination date and reason for termination
Program extension, school transfer, change in level of study, employment
authorization, and reinstatement
How does this effect you as an international student?
Enrolling full time: Undergraduate students MUST be enrolled for at least
12 credit hours per semester. Graduate students must be enrolled 9 credit hours,
6 with assistantship, or register for "Thesis Only" course if you’ve completed
coursework and are working on thesis work.
Dropping below full time: If for some reason, you are unable to enroll
full time during a semester (medical problem, initial difficulties, or final
semester) you MUST talk to the ISSO before you drop below full time. We must
approve this action prior to it happening or you will fall out of status.
Changing your degree program: If you change your degree program, you will
receive a new I-20 and your record will be updated in SEVIS.
Transferring to another school: If you plan to
transfer to another school, you must first
come to the ISSO. Once you decide which school you will transfer to, we must
complete an immigration transfer procedure. This will allow the new school to issue you a
new I-20 or DS-2019.
Updating your address: You MUST update your address within 10 days of any
move (must be where you live).
If you live off-campus, do this on your 49er express account.
If you live on-campus, make this change at the housing office.
In addition, those subject to Special Registration (NSEERS) requirements must
use the Special Registration form AR-11SR to update their address. Go to
http://uscis.gov
or pick up a
form in the ISSO.
SEVIS Fee Requirement for F1 students
Please click
here for information
SEVIS Fee Requirement for J1 students and scholars
Please click
here for information
“Special Registration” requirements
Background of "Special
Registration"
As a result of the USA
PATRIOT Act, nonimmigrants from certain countries are required to register their
presence with the U.S.. Additionally,
they must update their registration at certain pre-determined intervals and
notify them of any change of address, employment or educational institution.
Prior to any departure from the U.S., these individuals must notify of their
intended departure AND may only depart the U.S. from certain authorized
airports.
For more information, please visit:
www.ice.gov/graphics/specialregistration/index.htm
Maintaining Your Immigration
Status
- Keep passport valid for six months beyond expiration date
- Maintain full-time academic student status, which
is a minimum of 12 hours for undergraduates; 9 hours for graduates or 6 hours
with assistantship
- Obtain appropriate permission to work on or off campus
- Apply for
program extension if more time is needed
PRIOR to expiration of I-20 or DS-2019
- Keep local address up-to-date on 49er Express
- Follow procedures for transferring to another U.S.
institution
- Complete Federal and State income tax forms for
employment for the previous year
Travel
To re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence you must carry the following
documents:
Valid and updated I-20 or DS-2019 with travel signature from ISSO staff
within last year
Valid passport
Valid U.S. visa* (some
exceptions may apply for travel to Canada or Mexico)
Current proof of financial support
Unofficial transcript
Also, you will turn-in your I-94 card at the port of exit and obtain a new
one when you re-enter the U.S.
*NOTE: If
your F1 visa has expired or if you’ve changed your status within the U.S.,
you will need to apply for one at a U.S. consulate outside the United
States. At your interview, you will need to provide all of the information
above as well as a
letter of enrollment, which
you can request from the ISSO.
NOTE:
If you entered the U.S. under
“special registration”, you must meet with an immigration official at one of
the designated ports of exit (despite any advice to the contrary from any
airline official!). If you have any questions, please ask in the ISSO prior
to your departure.
To travel within the U.S. you
must carry:
passport
I-94
I-20 or DS-2019
*photocopies
of these documents would also suffice
Use your @uncc.edu
email account
The ISSO will notify all F1 and J1 students of any immigration-related reminders
or updates by sending an email to his/her @uncc.edu email account. It is the
student’s responsibility to read these emails if they want to have the latest,
most accurate information.
Transferring- Out of UNC Charlotte
You must notify the ISSO of your
intent to transfer prior to the end of the current semester and make a decision
of which school you intend to transfer to within 60 days of the last date of
being registered. The ISSO will then “release” your SEVIS record to the new
school and they will issue you a new I-20 / DS-2019. See the ISSO for more
information.
Request Forms
Click
here for instructions on downloading form.
Below is a list of forms available in Word format for
download. Please complete the form requested and either email to:
intlsso@uncc.edu
or drop it by our office. Processing time is normally 2-3
days so please allow sufficient time to complete your request.
Foreign Consulates in the United States
Foreign
Embassies in the United States
Charlotte USCIS
United States Visas
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