Length of Stay/Program Extension

Duration of Status for F-1 students (D/S)

F-1 students are normally admitted into the U.S. for the entire period of one academic program plus authorized post-completion practical training plus a 60 day grace period. This is noted on the I-94 as D/S (Duration of Status). To be "in status" means that 1) you are pursuing a fulltime course of study and that 2) you are making normal, reasonable progress toward your degree objective. Please note on your I-20 in item 5 the anticipated date of "program completion." Status may be extended 1) by moving into a higher level of studies and receiving a new I-20 for the new program, 2) by making a timely application for post-completion practical training following completion of all program requirements, and 3) by applying to UCIE for additional time to complete the current program, if required. At the final conclusion of your studies in the U.S., you have 60 days to remain on the F-1 status in order to arrange for your travels back to your home country.

Please note that program completion is not always the same as graduation, especially for graduate level students preparing a thesis or dissertation.

Period of Stay for J-1 Exchange Visitors

Examine your Form DS - 2019, item 3. This is the length of time of your program of research, teaching, or studying. This length of time may be extended by the sponsor if the same program continues. J-1 status for visiting professors and scholars is limited to a maximum of 5 years/professor and research scholar categories, 6 months/short-term scholar category, and 1 year/specialist category (see item 4 of the IAP-66 or DS-2019). Extension of stay requests must be initiated by the WSU department 90 days prior to the expiration of the date noted in item 3 of the IAP-66 or DS-2019. At the conclusion of the program, you may remain in the U.S. as a tourist for 30 days grace period. In extraordinary circumstances, J-1 research scholars may receive permission to extend beyond 3 years in order to bring critical research to conclusion. A special request such as this requires at least 4 months lead time.

Program transfer

School Transfer

If F-1 students transfer to Wright State University from another school or intend to transfer elsewhere from here, they must seek contact with International Student Advisors at both institutions to effect the transfer. The new school must issue an I-20, the old school must release the student from its program by submitting an "FSA" report to the new school and assigning a "release date" in SEVIS. CIS approval is not required.

Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor Transfer

To pursue research, teaching, or studies at another institution, you must receive an  DS-2019 issued by the new program sponsor. Ask Wright State University UCIE Responsible Officer to assign a transfer date. You also have to know the "program Number" of the school to which you are transferring. Follow instructions provided by the new program sponsor regarding release from your current program. Do not move to another Exchange Visitor Program before you receive a new DS-2019 from that sponsor and written release from the previous sponsor, or confirm in writing from the current sponsor your new plans. All changes must be approved in advance by the Exchange Visitor Program's "Responsible Officer," that is, the individual who initially signed your IAP-66 or DS-2019.

Travel

Whenever you plan to travel outside the U.S. and then return to continue at WSU, you must  have your Form DS-2019 endorsed by UCIE staff. Please bring your document to the UCIE staff at least one to two weeks prior to your date of departure from Dayton. Bring your current hospitalization and medical insurance I.D. card with you to demonstrate that you are in compliance with health insurance requirements.

Remember that you may need to apply for a new visa while on your travels. Examine the visa stamp in your passport to determine if it will be valid on the day you plan to return to the U.S. If not, be sure to consider the additional time you may require to make the visa application at a U.S. consular office overseas. Carry with you evidence that you have been maintaining your immigration status while in the U.S.

Student Employment (while in F-1 or J-1 status)

F-1 and J-1 students in good academic standing and maintaining student visa status may be eligible for certain forms of employment, training, academic internships and professional externships. The following introduces the various categories of this student visa benefit. These are not "work visas."