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Entering International Students: Obtaining Your F-

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TRAVEL DELAYS

From the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office:

Nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors can be delayed at secondary inspection for any number of reasons; the most common is that of a terminated SEVIS record.  SEVIS has twenty-five (25) reasons that result in terminated records.  All terminated records are reviewed by the ICE Compliance Enforcement Unit to determine whether the termination was valid and whether further investigation is warranted.

Students and exchange visitors who are delayed at secondary inspection should first consult with their designated school official to determine whether the student has a termination code on the student's record.  If this is the issue, the designated school official can contact the SEVIS Help Desk to request corrective action.  However, if the student continues to have issues, the student or designated school official may consider using the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP).  SEVP's Fact Sheet on the use of DHS TRIP to assist the students and/or their designated school official can be found on the following website: http://ice.gov/sevis/faqs/redress.htm.

If you have any travel delays in the future, please complete an on-line DHS TRIP Traveler Inquiry Form at http://ice.gov/sevis/faqs/redress.htm.  If you feel the delays are related to your previous termination status, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

OPT Application Pending

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My office has received numerous questions regarding leaving and re-entering the United States prior to Optional Practical Training (OPT) approval. I hope the following information answers most of your questions. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

1.You may remain in the United States while your OPT application is pending.

2.To avoid delays and possibly the inability to re-enter the United States, I would advise you to wait until your OPT application is approved and you receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before leaving and re-entering the United States.

3.If you must return home prior to your OPT approval, you should leave and re-enter the United States as an F-1 student, not as a visitor. If you leave and re-enter as a visitor, you may not be able to work once your OPT is approved because you will no longer be classified as an F-1 student. For proof of F-1 student status, once you submit your OPT application, please carry your new SEVIS generated I-20 which indicates OPT pending.

Tax Forms for International Students

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Just a reminder that when you are filing your U.S. Tax returns you want to be sure that you are filing the "NR" version of the form- i.e. US1040 NR EZ. You can locate current year tax forms on the IRS WEBSITE .
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97817,00.html

If you need tax forms for prior years, you can find them here -
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=98339,00.html

Travel Documents

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All International Students planning to travel outside the United States for quarter break/externship sites should have the following documents:

Valid passport or travel document Properly endorsed Form I-20 Arrival/Departure Card (I-94) Illinois College of Optometry Student ID Card

The signature on page 2 of the I-20 is valid for one year. However, to avoid departure and re-entry delays, please obtain a signature from a staff member in the Office of the Registrar before leaving the United States.

Also, there has been heightened security not only at all border crossings, but also at bus terminals, train terminals and airports throughout the United States, so allow sufficient time in case you are randomly detained.

As a reminder, you are required to keep the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services informed of your current address. Please complete a change of address form within ten days of moving and return it to my office. Do not use 3241 South Michigan Avenue unless you reside in the residential complex.