Basic Immigration Requirements

You are responsible for maintaining valid documents for the duration of your stay here in the U.S. as a non-immigrant student. The basic documents listed below are defined for your information. The most important immigration regulations are summarized to assist you.

Basic Documents:

PASSPORT: A booklet issued by your home government for the purpose of departing from and returning to your home country. You must maintain a valid passport. You must renew your passport six (6) months before it expires. Passport renewal procedures vary, depending upon the Consulate. Contact the Office of International Student Affairs for information regarding passport renewal.

ADDRESS: You must keep the International Student Affairs Office informed of any changes in your address. E-mail the Director at Cwilkerson@tntech.edu with your old address and your new address so we can update your record in SEVIS and the TTU student database.

I-20, Certificate of Eligibility: A form issued by the university, authorized by the U.S. State Department, for the purpose of obtaining an F-1 visa for initial entry into the U.S. The I-20 must be inside your passport at all times. We recommend that you staple the I-20 to one page in your passport. If you are planning a trip outside the U.S., bring in your passport for endorsement of your I-20 at least two weeks prior to your departure. The issuance of the I-20 is based on admissions and financial resources to cover the cost of tuition, housing and other fees related to ones program of study. An affidavit of support (I-134) with bank documents can be used for the issuance of the I-20.

DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66), Certificate of Eligibility: A four-page form issued by sponsoring agencies, authorized by the U.S. State Department, for the purpose of obtaining a J-1 visa as an exchange student. The DS-2019 form is prepared by the sponsoring agent and mailed to you thirty (30) days prior to the beginning program date.

Application for the DS-2019 request can be found here.

VISA: An endorsement stamped on a visa page in the passport by a Visa Certifying Officer at a U.S. Embassy, usually in your home country. The purpose of the visa is to permit you to request entrance into the U.S. as a non-immigrant student.

You do not need to obtain a new visa as long as you remain in status with Immigration and Naturalization Services. If you leave the U.S. after your current visa has expired, you must obtain a new visa outside the U.S. to request permission to re-enter. YOU CANNOT OBTAIN A NEW VISA IN THE UNITED STATES.

Important Links to apply for your visa:

• Be sure to apply for the appropriate U.S. visa in a timely manner. Click here to read tips on Visas from the US Government.
• You can check the visa wait times here.
• Remember you will be required to do the following forms to apply for a student visa.
• DS-156 U.S. Department of State Non-Immigrant Visa
• DS 157 Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa application
• DS 158 Work History for a Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant
• Be sure to book an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in your country or region. For more information click US Department of State website for U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions

I-94, Arrival/Departure Card: A small, white card stamped and stapled in the passport by an immigration official at the port of entry. The purpose of the I-94 is to permit you to stay in the U.S. for the "duration of status", D/S, as a non-immigrant student. The I-94 is surrendered at the port of exit when you depart the U.S. A new I-94 is issued when you re-enter the U.S. You will, however, maintain the same admission number for the duration of your studies in the U.S.

Note: Please be aware that the name on the I-94 must match your I-20, this can cause delays in students being issued a social security number or gaining on-campus employment. Corrections can only be made at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security office, which has jurisdiction over the student.

Maintaining Lawful Status: In order to maintain lawful F-1 and J-1 student status, you must:

How Many Hours Must I Take?

Follow immigration procedures for moving from one educational level to another (e.g., from Master's to Ph.D.), and for transferring from one school to another.

Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week when school is in session.

Refrain from off-campus employment without authorization.

You may obtain current information regarding part-time work and practical training in the Office of International Student Affairs.

WARNING TO SPOUSES OF STUDENTS:  Spouses of students, visiting faculty, or scholars are forbidden by BCIS to work in any capacity, or accept payment of any kind, unless they are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., or have obtained BCIS work authorization. Violators are subject to deportation.