Immigration
Immigration issues are crucial to all international students here at Gonzaga University. As an international student, you have the responsibility to understand immigration law as it applies to your visa status and to maintain your immigration status at all times. Ignorance concerning visa issues can lead to serious problems, including deportation.
Please use the ISP office and this website as a resource. Learn the law, and if you have any questions, please ask an advisor in the ISP for help.
In order to maintain your F-1 status, you must:
- Attend the school that issued you theI-20 visa. If you decide to transfer,you must tell your new school that you are a transfer student. After you are accepted to the new school, you must ask your former school to transfer your SEVIS record to the new school. Then, you must obtain a new, transferI-20 from your new school.
- Be enrolled for a full course of study each term (vacation periods excluded): 12 credit hours for undergraduate students; 6 credit hours for graduate students. ESL students must be enrolled in at least 18 hours of instruction per week. Any deviations from this MUST be approved by an adviser in the ISP office.
- Not participate in any OFF-CAMPUS employment without proper authorization given in the ISP office.
- Limit authorized employment, both on and off campus, to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Obtain a new I-20 if you change your major or educational level (for instance, from B.A. to M.A.) Contact the ISP office for a new I-20.
- Complete your educational program by the date specified on the initial I-20 or APPLY TO EXTEND YOUR STAY AT LEAST 15 DAYS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE ON YOUR I-20. Then complete the program by the new date specified on the new 1-20 issued for program extension. FAILURE TO EXTEND YOUR PROGRAM PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE ON YOUR I-20 WILL BE A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN STATUS.
- Notify the ISP office if you plan to transfer from GU to another school or language institute.
- Keep the ISP office informed of your current address,telephone number, and email address. You must notify the INS of any change in physical address within 10 days of the move. Forms to notify the INS of a change of address are available online at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/ar-11.htm.
- Keep your passport valid at all times.
- Maintain Gonzaga insurance coverage for yourself and all dependents in the US.
Failure to Maintain Status
A student who is not maintaining lawful F-1 status is considered to be unlawfully present in the U.S. The student may request to be re-instated by USCIS, andUSCIS will decide whether or not to re-instate the student. Violations of status and unlawful presence in the U.S. carry serious consequences, including deportation and permanent visa denial. Be sure that you carefully follow the regulations and properly maintain your status at all times!