By Qianyu (Margaret) Cheng
Hi! Welcome to ISSS blog again J today our topic is about immigration status. It’s fairly important for you to maintain your F-1 status as an international student. Although at first it may seem overwhelming, but later on you will realize that once you have yourself educated, it’s easy and fun.
You probably all remember that excitement when you were admitted to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. However, after that, another challenge had been put on schedule – the visa appointment. It’s different for each country, but in China an interview is needed and I still remember the question that the interviewer asked: “What’s your favorite book?” and I responded: “Harry Potter?” she then said: “ How long did it take for you to read that?” I thought for a while and said: “ You mean one of them or seven of them?” Then she smiled and got me through. That’s how I got the F-1 visa, the undergraduate international student visa.
However, it was not the end of story. When I came to U.S. as a freshman, I knew nothing about visa maintaining and what so ever. However, when I came to international student orientation “maintain your F-1 status”, I got to know the system better. Immigration status is relevant to everyday life.
First, check in with ISSS within 30 days of I-20. That’s for the freshman, but it’s also good to keep in mind. Check in with ISSS can make sure that you are in the record of system, and we can help you with all sorts of questions and provide you what you have to know as international student. In other word, International student scholar service is like another home for me.
Second, enroll as full time student. For international student, we must enroll with 12 credits or more each semester, unless it’s the last semester of your undergraduate year and you need less than 12 credits to graduate. So it is always important to not drop your class below 12 credits. For me, I usually enroll for 15 credits each semester, so if I have to drop class, I can still ensure I have 12 credits. If you have to drop your class, there is second eight week of class to register before the middle of semester. But it is always good to keep it in mind.
Third, update your local address online within 10 days of moving. When I was a freshman, once I heard about it, I got online to University of Illinois Self-Service and enter my address in dormitory, it was simple and fast. And then when I moved out to an apartment in sophomore year, I updated my address too.
Also, whenever I have to leave U.S. to travel or go back to my hometown, I will go to ISSS and get signed for travel signature. It is valid for one year but it is always recommended to have a travel signature valid for at least 6 month.
From knowing nothing to knowing something about immigration status, I have been to ISSS orientation, research online as well as ask upper classmates about what they think. If you are still confused, you can always schedule an appointment with ISSS advisor. They are here to help you. But it is always good to educate yourself about immigration status.