J-1 student visa information

• Register full-time every semester according to your academic program/degree level; no more than one on-line course is allowed each semester to meet full-time requirements; if you have only one course to complete your program, it cannot be an on-line course
• Get passing grades in your courses according to your academic program/degree level; make progress towards completing your program or degree; grades of W or WF do not count towards full-time enrollment
• keep your passport current; preferably, at least 6 months into the future
• keep your DS 2019 paperwork current; this means full-time enrollment in a program of study or an approved post-study program such as Academic Training
• accept only ISSC-authorized on or off-campus employment, and at a maximum of 20 hours a week while enrolled in classes
• tell us immediately if you change your address – or within 10 days at the latest, even in the summer
• tell us immediately if you change your name
• maintain a permanent address outside the U.S.
• obey all U.S. laws
• notify us if you have dependents accompanying or joining you
• read all ISSC communications and check your UMD account.  Such communications and emails may contain important information regarding your legal immigration status in the U.S.
• come to the ISSC office immediately if you are not doing any of the above; you may be eligible for reinstatement or record correction

THINGS YOU MUST NEVER DO AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AT UMASS DARTMOUTH

• do not work anywhere on or off campus without permission
• do not let your passport or DS 2019 paperwork expire; passport must be current to at least 6 months in the future
• visa must be valid when entering U.S
• do not stop going to class or drop a class without telling us; we must authorize any changes in your enrollment; a grade of W or WF does not count towards full-time enrollment
• do not enroll in more than one on-line class per semester; your full-time status will be invalid.
• do not travel outside the U.S. without valid travel signatures on your DS 2019 forms
• do not forget to report change of address

 THINGS ALWAYS REQUIRING SPECIAL PERMISSION

• on or off-campus employment
• change of major
• requesting a leave of absence from your study program
• changing to another non-immigrant or immigrant status
• extending your study program; request must be prior to expiration date on DS 2019
• withdrawal from the University
• transferring to another school

 WHEN MUST I LEAVE THE U.S.?

• After the “date of completion” on your current Form DS 2019, including any program extensions you may have received; or when you complete your authorized academic program requirements, whichever comes first.
• Students who are approved for authorized employment (Academic Training) after they complete their academic program may remain until the end of the training period.  Academic Training includes a 30-day grace period when you may not work but may travel inside the U.S. and prepare to return home no later than 30 days after the end of your training period/employment.