Immigration Terms & Definitions
Important Immigration Terms & Definitions
Visa - A visa is your permission to apply for entry into the U.S. As long asa student stays in the U.S., it does not matter if the visa is expired. There are several kinds of visas (e.g., F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2).
F-1 visa - This refers to the visa status given to an international applicant who wishes to enter the U.S. temporarily and solely for the purpose of study. When returning home or traveling to another country, you must always renew your visa if the one stamped in your passport is expired.
I-20 - The Certificate of Eligibility for non-immigrant student status for academic and language students is commonly referred to as Form I-20. It is issued by Gonzaga before a student registers for school. Students must sign on item #11 on page 1 of the form I-20. On the initial entry, the admitting immigration official stamps page 1. When you arrive at Gonzaga for the first time, a Gonzaga DSO (Designated School Official) must sign page 3 of your I-20. This allows you travel outside the United States and re-enter using your I-20 for one year from the time of the signature. The DSO can re-sign the I-20 for travel as many times as necessary as long as the I-20 is valid.
DS-2019 - The certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant sponsored exchange students. This form is the basic document used to obtain an exchange visitor visa and the J visa status. The form is issued by the sponsoring school or program and is also used for demonstrating maintenance of the status. Non-immigrants who are not issued the I-20 must have this document before beginning their studies at Gonzaga.
I-94 (Arrival/Departure record) -A small white card issued by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) upon entry to the U.S. The I-94 card is your permit to stay in the U.S. All students must have a current I-94 card. To replace an I-94 card, a form I-102with a fee must be filed with Spokane USCIS. ISPcan help you file.
Admission Number - Upon admission to the U.S., the immigration officer issues each student or exchange visitor a unique 11 digit admission number, found on the I-94 card and sometimes on the I-20 or DS-2019. This number is intended to keep track of the student's arrivals, departures, field of study, permission to work, and several other matters.
Duration of Status (D/S) - A student or exchange visitor's permission to stay is defined as "Duration of Status." It appears on the I-94 as D/S and relates to the expected date of program completion (check item #5 on I-20 or item #3 on DS-2019). Students must file for an extension of program at least 15 days before this date expires. D/S also refers to the requirement of being a full-time student. At Gonzaga, full-time study for Graduate and Ph.D. students is 6 credits; for Undergraduates it is 12 credits; for Law students it is 10 credits;for ESL students it is 18 hours of instruction per week.
Transfer - If students are transferring from another school in the U.S., they need to see an international student adviser at their new school within 15 days before the start of the term to complete the transfer process.
Traveling Abroad and Reentry - Students planning to leave the U.S. and then re-enter in student status need a valid passport, a valid visa stamp from a U.S. consulate or embassy, and an I-20 with a recent International Student Adviser's signature on page 3 (less than one year old). Students should always be prepared to verify their finances. When returning to your home country, you must always renew your visa if it is expired.
On-Campus Employment - F-1 students may work on-campus without prior approval from USCIS, provided they are enrolled as full-time students, are in good academic standing, and carry medical insurance. On-campus work is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Please visit the Student Employment office first when looking for an on-campus job. J-1 exchange visitors may request permission to accept on-campus employment as part of their exchange program from Gonzaga RO (Responsible Officer), Raymond Fadeley fadeley@gonzaga.edu .
Off-Campus Employment - F-1 students are eligible to apply for off-campus work permission ONLY if they have been in valid F-1 status for at least two consecutive semesters (9 months) and they are in good academic standing. J-1 exchange visitors may request permission to accept off-campus employment as part of their exchange program from Gonzaga RO (Responsible Officer), Raymond Fadeley fadeley@gonzaga.edu .
For F-1 Students only:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is possible for most majors, when a student is registered for an internship in the program of study. Check with your department adviser to register for a class and then get permission from the ISP Office BEFORE working.
- Based on Economic Hardship: if students unexpectedly need employment due to severe financial need caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, they can apply for a permission to accept off-campus employment. Off-campus employment is authorized by USCIS.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) is possible for undergraduate and graduate students (not ESL) before or after completion of study. F-1 students may apply for up to one year of full time employment in their field of study for each educational level completed.
Practical Training - F-1 students may be eligible to engage in temporary employment for practical training in their field of study, both before and after completion of studies.
Appointments for work authorization can be made with Raymond Fadeley fadeley@gonzaga.edu, or Kristin Webster terhark@gonzaga.edu in the ISP Office.
