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As an F-1 or J-1 visa student at the English Language Programs (ELP) at the University of Pennsylvania, your primary purpose for being in the US is study. Student visa holders must comply with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Department of State (DOS) regulations while in the United States. Please read the "Instructions to Students" on page 2 of your I-20, or on page 2 of your DS-2019. By following those instructions and the information below, you will maintain legal student status in the US and be able to take full advantage of student status benefits such as on-campus work, travel, and continuation of your educational program in the US if you desire. If you have any questions please visit ISSS and we will be happy to discuss your situation with you.

Your Important Immigration Documents

Be very careful with your:

1. Passport
2. Entry Visa Stamp
3. I-94 Card
4. I-20 or DS-2019

These documents provide official information about you, your nonimmigrant status, and your academic program. They can be difficult (and expensive!) to replace. Keep them in a safe place and make a set of copies to keep in a separate location.

Keep Your Passport and Your I-20/DS-2019 Valid At All Times

If your passport will expire within 6 months, or to replace a lost or stolen passport, contact your embassy or consulate in the US. Your country's governmental representatives in the United States are responsible for issuing passports to their citizens. ISSS has a list of embassies in the United States. You can also find this information on the World Wide Web at http://www.embassy.org/embassies/.

Your I-20/DS-2019 must always reflect your current academic program and dates. The expiration of your educational program is listed on your I-20 (item 5, on page 1), or on your DS-2019 (item 5, page 1). You must be aware of this date and follow ELP's schedule for continued study at ELP. If you will continue to study in the US after the expiration date on your I-20/DS-2019, see below for information on changing your I-20/DS-2019 to your new program.

Report Any Change In Your Local Address Within 10 Days of Moving

Immigration regulations require students to report any change of local address to their sponsoring institutions within 10 days of the change. Institutions, in turn, must report changes to the government's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). At Penn, we require you simply to go to the ELP main office and report your change of address. We receive address changes from ELP on a daily basis and forward them to SEVIS. (If Penn is not the sponsor of your DS-2019 or I-20, you must report any change of address to the agency or school that prepared your form.)

Maintain Full-time Enrollment By Complying With the English Language Program Attendance Policy

• You must attend all your classes
• You may have a maximum of 4 absences in a class that meets 4 times/week, or 5 absences in a class that meets 5 times/week
• Lateness: 3 late arrivals to class equal one absence
• If you are more than 10 minutes late to your class, you will be counted absent

See the IP Student Handbook for the full ELP Attendance Policy.

You Are Eligible To Take a Session Off (a Break) After Completing 4 Consecutive ELP Sessions

Four ELP sessions correspond to one full academic year. After completing four sessions, an ELP student may take one session as a break. The student must re-enroll in the next ELP session. See below for transfer information.

For example:

1. Student starts in Fall Session-I
2. Studies in Fall Session-II
3. Studies in Spring Session-I
4. Studies in Spring Session-II

The student is now eligible for a break for the Summer Session-I. The student must resume studies in Summer Session-II.

Accept Only Authorized Employment

USCIS considers working without proper authorization as one of the most serious violations of your student status. If you refer to your I-20 or DS-2019 form you will see the statement "Warning -- a nonimmigrant who accepts unauthorized employment is subject to deportation." It is most important, therefore, to be sure of the employment regulations before you accept an offer of employment or begin work. Consult with ISSS if you have questions.

F-1 student employment

Generally, F-1 ELP students are permitted to work on campus only. F-1 students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the ELP session. (Please refer to the ISSS handouts on F-1 employment options for more information.) Full-time work is permitted on campus, during official university breaks, and between ELP sessions.

J-1 student employment

J-1 visa holders sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania may also work on the Penn campus up to 20 hours per week during ELP sessions. Full-time work is permitted during official university breaks, and between ELP sessions.

J-1 visa holders sponsored by other organizations (not the University of Pennsylvania) must obtain permission from their program sponsor before working in the United States.

Obtaining Your Social Security Card

The Social Security number is required for tax purposes when working within the US. Additionally, Social Security numbers are required for a Pennsylvania driver's license (you may also use a taxpayer identification number).

Numerous other governmental agencies and private businesses, services and organizations will also ask for Social Security numbers when filing applications, completing paperwork, etc. However, a Social Security Number is not required for these purposes. These organizations will be able to provide an alternate identification number if you do not have a Social Security Number.

To apply for a Social Security number, you must:

1. Find employment on campus
2. Obtain an enrollment verification form from the ELP Main Office
3. Visit ISSS to obtain a Social Security letter
4. Have your employer confirm your job offer by signing the ISSS Social Security letter
5. Take the letter, along with your immigration documents to the Social Security Office

Additional instructions are listed on the back of the Social Security letter.

Please note: you must wait 15 days after arrival in the US to apply for a Social Security Number.

Have Your I-20/DS-2019 Signed By ISSS Before Traveling Outside the US

If you will travel outside the US, you must have a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019. This signature must be obtained from ISSS:

1. Obtain an enrollment verification form from the ELP Main Office
2. Visit ISSS to obtain a travel signature.

Each signature is valid for the duration of your I-20. Please note that only continuing students may use their student immigration documents for entry into the US between ELP sessions. Once you have completed your final ELP session, you may not use your I-20/DS-2019 for entry into the United States.

Notify ELP In Advance If You Intend To Continue Studying At the Next Session

Your current I-20/DS-2019 has an expiration date showing the end of the current ELP session. If you intend to study for an additional session you must inform ELP during the fourth week of the current session. Failure to notify ELP on time may jeopardize Penn's ability to obtain an extension of your immigration document.

Transferring To Another Academic Program or To Another University

If you continue your studies at Penn in a different academic program, or if you change universities, you must also change your I-20 or DS-2019. Notify ELP of your decision to attend a different program or school before the end of your ELP session. ISSS and ELP will coordinate the change with your new program or school, and with SEVIS. Failure to notify ELP and your new school early of your intent to change your academic program or your school may jeopardize your ability to change. An ELP Transfer Out Request Form (PDF) must be completed by the student and the ELP office.