Immigration
Staying Informed
Immigration Updates
General Information on In-Person vs. Online Classes
Mixed Hybrid courses (coded HY as the instructional method on the schedule) are a combination of both online sessions (synchronous and/or asynchronous) and face-to-face meetings in a physical space. An assigned time and classroom on the schedule of classes are required. Some HY courses may meet the face to face requirement if they require all students to have face-to-face meetings regularly. Please check with an OIP advisor if you have questions if a HY course is considered as an online/distance learning course or not (in relation to your immigration status).
Disclaimer: The information and resources listed on this page should not be taken as legal advice. If you have further questions after visiting United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)’ website, you may want to contact a licensed, legal professional knowledgeable in immigration law.
Maintaining and Changing Status
It’s important for international students to understand the requirements for maintaining their immigration status while studying in the U.S. This includes keeping enrollment full-time, reporting address changes, and following employment regulations. If your plans or circumstances change—such as transferring schools, changing academic programs, or adjusting visa types—make sure to consult with your international student advisor to stay in compliance and explore your options for changing status.
Maintaining Status Overview
- Do not let your I-20/DS-2019 expire.
- Keep your passport valid and un-expired at all time.
- Enroll and complete a full-time course of study during the fall and spring semesters.
| Undergraduate | 12 credit hours/semester to be full-time |
| Graduate | 9 credit hours/semester |
| MBA | 9 credit hours/semester |
- Incomplete courses from a previous semester may not count towards your full-time enrollment for a current semester.
- For students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status, only 1 online course (per semester) may be counted toward the full course of study requirement. For example, if you are required to take a minimum of 9 credits to maintain full-time enrollment as a graduate student, only 1 course within those 9 credits may be online.
Definition of “online” and “in-person” classes:
- Please note that online classes are coded as OL (Asynchronous Online), OS (Synchronous Online), OH (Online Hybrid), or LIV (Live-Stream).
- HY (Mixed Hybrid) courses may be counted as online or in-person depending on how often they meet face-to-face. Those that predominantly require in-person attendance would be considered in-person courses. If you have any questions about this standard, please check with an OIP advisor.
If this is your final semester, you only need to take the remaining courses to complete your degree.
If there is only one course left to complete the degree requirement, that course may not be an online or distance learning course.
Courses taken for “audit” do not generate credits/units and cannot be used in calculating full-time status
If for any reason you need to drop below full time, you must receive approval from an advisor in International Programs BEFORE dropping the class (unless you are in your final term of study). Fill out the iValpo e-form for Reduced Course Load (RCL) if you believe you are eligible.
Below are listed the only possible reasons for RCL authorization:
- Final Term Completion of Course of Study
- Academic Difficulties–must be one of the following situations and students must maintain at least a half-time course load (6 credits for undergraduate students, 4.5 credits for graduate students)
- Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirement.
- Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods.
- Improper course level placement. Student must resume a full course load during the next academic term.
- Concurrent Enrollment–students must have at least a half-time course load at Valpo.
- Medical Condition
REMEMBER, except for Completion of Course of Study, these RCL reasons are only applicable if International Programs determines that the student meets strict regulations. Even if you feel that you may fall under one of these categories, you MUST submit the RCL e-form request and consult with an International Programs advisor BEFORE dropping below full-time credits.
New students, report to the International Programs office orientation sessions to have your SEVIS record registered in SEVIS immediately upon your arrival to Valpo.
If you are a transfer student from another U.S. institution, you must complete the transfer procedures within 15 days from the start date of your Valpo I-20. You may do so by seeing an International Student Advisor. A new I-20 will be issued to you replacing the notation “transfer pending” to “continued attendance”.
If you are transferring to another U.S. institution, you need to inform International Programs.
Notify International Programs through iValpo if there is a change in your major or level of study. We will update your I-20 accordingly.
Report any new U.S. residential address through iValpo within 10 days of the change (U.S. Local Address Change e-form). Also remember to update any change in your name, major, funding source, dependents, or country of citizenship. These updates may also be reported through iValpo through various e-forms.
Never work off campus without authorization from our office or from USCIS.
Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours during the semester. On-campus employment includes assistantship, working for Valpo departments, bookstores, cafeteria, etc. On-campus employment means your employer is Valpo, and your pay check should be issued by Valpo.
If you plan on dropping ALL classes or you are not returning to Valpo the following semester, you must contact an advisor immediately.
All students who were in the U.S. for any part of the previous calendar year must fulfill tax reporting requirements in the Spring (the tax filing deadline is usually April 15), even if they did not work during that previous year. The OIP will send instructions for tax filing in January or February.
If you violate any of the above, you will be OUT OF STATUS. You may lose immigration benefits such as CPT, OPT, H1-B, and Permanent Residency. You may be denied visa or face deportation.
U.S. law requires every foreign national age 18 or older to, at all times, carry with them and have in their personal possession documentation of their immigration status in the U.S. You should carry…
- A valid, unexpired I-94 admission record, or,
- If you are on OPT, a USCIS employment authorization document (EAD).
- Failure to do so is a misdemeanor and the foreign national can be fined up to $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
Change of Status and Reinstatement
Please contact International Programs directly for more information at , or contact an staff advisor.
Traveling, Transferring, and Additional Updates
International students at Valparaiso University should stay informed about important steps when traveling internationally, transferring schools, or making changes to their academic or immigration status.
To make informed decisions and plans, consult with the Office of International Programs to ensure you have the proper documentation, approvals, and guidance. Keeping your records up to date helps protect your status and ensures a smooth academic journey.
Travel Abroad
Please keep in mind the following important reminders when you travel internationally:
- Make sure your I-20 has been signed on page 2 this semester. If it has not been, please submit the “Reprint I-20 Request” e-form on iValpo at least 2 weeks before you travel, selecting “Travel” as your reprint reason. You may pick up the newly signed I-20 from the office within 5 business days.
- Make sure you bring the following documents with you when you travel internationally:
- A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry.
- A visa which will be valid & unexpired on your return date.
- An I-20 which will still be valid when you return (e.g., program end date is after your return date), signed for travel.
- Your most recent I-94.
- Recent financial statement/guarantee to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses in the U.S.
- You may also consider bringing the following documents:
- I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt
- Proof of enrollment in classes in the upcoming semester, such as…
- Schedule of classes from DataVU
- Degree audit from DataVU
- If you have any issues while entering the U.S., please contact our office immediately. The OIP phone number is 219.464.5333, and the office is open 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday (including during Spring Break). During the weekends or after hours, you may contact the Valpo Police Department (VUPD) at 219.464.5430, and they will forward your call to one of our staff members if needed.
- Finally, remember that if you have had any legal issue while in the U.S., this may affect the validity of your visa. DUI arrests or other kinds of arrests/convictions can result in your visa being canceled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you have not notified our office of any such issue, please do so immediately so that we can provide the necessary advice
F-1 students may re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa if you travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean for fewer than 30 days (a travel signature from International Programs is still required). However, automatic visa revalidation is NOT available for all students. Please check with an International Programs advisor for details.
Traveling outside the U.S. after your OPT has been approved AND after the completion date on your I-20, you must take with you:
- Your most current I-20 endorsed for travel by OIP (each travel signature is valid for only 6 months during the period of OPT)
- Your valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- A valid passport (at least 6 months into the future from the date of re-entry)
- A valid F-1 visa stamp
- Employment letter showing that you are hired or working in your major field of study and will be returning to the U.S. to resume employment
Traveling outside of the U.S. while waiting for your OPT to be approved and BEFORE you complete your degree (you’re still enrolled as a student), take these items with you:
- A valid passport (at least 6 months into the future from the date of re-entry)
- A valid F-1 visa stamp
- Your most current I-20 with travel signature (valid for 6 months during OPT)
- I-797 receipt notice for pending OPT
Traveling outside the U.S. while waiting for your OPT to be approved AND AFTER your degree completion:
- OIP does not recommend students to travel outside the U.S. in this case as it is risky and you may not be allowed to reenter to the U.S. Also, please note that it is very difficult to apply for an F-1 visa while on OPT. Please see an advisor to discuss your travel options.
School Transfer
To transfer your F-1 immigration record out of Valparaiso University to another U.S. educational institution, you must follow the steps below. Remember, although you may apply to multiple schools, your record can only attend be held by one.
- Log on to iValpo (the blue button under Full Client Services). Find the SEVIS Transfer-out Request e-form under the F-1 Student Services tab.
- Fill out, then submit this e-form. Please allow five business days for processing. More time may be necessary if follow-up is required. You will receive a notification to your Valpo email account when your request has been approved.
On the SEVIS release date: (The release date will normally be the end of the current semester, unless you are on Optional Practical Training.)
- Valpo will no longer have access to your record to make any changes (e.g. change your transfer school);
- On-campus jobs, assistantships, CPT, OPT, or any other employment based on your Valpo I-20/DS-2019 will be terminated;
- The new school will have full access to your SEVIS record. They will issue you a new transfer I-20/DS2019. Please contact the International Student Advisor at your new institution inf you have questions about checking in and completing your transfer process. Simply receiving a new I-20/DS 2019 does not complete the transfer process.
Update I-20 or DS-2019
If there is a change in your name, country of citizenship, dependent information, major, degree level, or funding source, we need to update that information and reflect it on a new I-20 or new DS-2019.
Please schedule an appointment with an International Programs advisor to process a new immigration document. Bring your current I-20, passport, I-94, and supporting document indicating the necessary changes.
For Change of Major and Add Dependent requests, you must apply through iValpo. Please find the appropriate e-form under the ‘F-1 Student Services’ tab. You will be notified through email when your request has been approved.
If you are changing your educational level by staring a new degree program at Valpo, you must have an updated I-20 or DS-2019 BEFORE the start date of the new educational level. You will receive information about your updated I-20 once you have been admitted into the new program.
You are legally required to notify International Programs of any personal address change within 10 days. You can do this through completing the Local Address Change e-form on the iValpo site. This applies to current students and students on Optional Practical Training or Academic Training (OPT).
Add Dependent I-20
Students with active F-1 status may request a dependent I-20 for their spouse or child. International Programs must review the dependent’s passport photo page and a recent financial guarantee covering both the dependent(s) and student for one academic year (see Certification of Finances Worksheet on this page). If approved, International Programs will then create a dependent I-20 with which the dependent(s) may apply for an F-2 visa in their home country.
Please be aware that the actual F-2 visa application will likely require more documentation than International Programs needs to make the dependent I-20. Please check with your U.S. consulate to confirm exactly what documents the dependent will need to present during the visa interview.
Please fill out an e-form request on iValpo.
Fill out and submit the e-form; allow five business days for processing. You will receive an email when your request is approved and the new I-20s are ready to pick up.
Log in to ‘Full Client Services,’ the blue button, using your Valpo username and password.
Find the ‘Dependent I-20 Request’ e-form under the ‘F-1 Student Services’ tab.
Final Term
In your final term, if the total number of credits you need to graduate does not add up to a full-time level, you may take less than a full-time schedule. For example, if you are an undergraduate student, and you only need six more credits to graduate, you are allowed to be enrolled less than full-time (12 credits) and take only those six credits.
HOWEVER, don’t forget that at least one of those remaining classes MUST be in-person! If you are taking only one or two classes in your final term, at least one of them must be in-person.
According to immigration regulations, once you have completed all the required courses for your degree, you have completed your program. It does not matter which semester you are participating in the graduation ceremony. You may not request to take additional courses in a new semester once your required coursework has been completed.
F-1 students have a 60-day grace period; J-1 students have 30 days. Your grace period will begin at the end of the term in which you complete all degree requirements (i.e., the last day of exams in your final term). Your I-20/DS-2019 will be shortened to this date.
On-Campus Work
- F-1 and J-1 students are permitted to work on campus up to the last day of their final enrolled term. Please notify your department that you can no longer work on campus after the last official day of university exams in your final term.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Post-completion Optional Practical Training is work authorization after graduation for F-1 students. You must attend an OPT workshop before applying for OPT through iValpo. See here for details.
Academic Training (AT)
- Academic Training is work authorization for J-1 students. Check with your program sponsor or government sponsor to see if you are allowed to participate in this after graduation.
If you wish to pursue another degree at Valpo, please make sure a new I-20 or DS-2019 is issued to you within the grace period.
If you wish to pursue a degree at another institution, please refer to the SEVIS transfer-out procedures (see above transfer section). Your SEVIS record must be transferred out and a new I-20 and DS-2019 must be obtained within the grace period (60 days for F-1, 30 days for J-1).
If you are going to change your immigration status, the application must be filed within the grace period. While your application is pending, you may be able to remain in the U.S.
After you complete your degree requirements, it is not possible to travel outside the U.S. and return to the U.S. during your grace period in F-1 or J-1 status unless you have practical training authorization and proof of employment. You may travel within the U.S. during the grace period.
If for any reason you cannot graduate as planned and your I-20 or DS-2019 has already expired, please see an International Programs advisor immediately.
Extension of Stay
F-1 and J-1 students must complete their program before the date noted on their I-20 or DS-2019. If you are unable to complete the program by that date, you must apply for an extension BEFORE your I-20 or DS 2019 expires. You are eligible to extend your I-20 or DS-2019 if you have been maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status and if you have been making normal progress toward completion of your degree. Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reason for program extension.
Before requesting extension, you should gather the following documents:
- Current I-20 or DS-2019.
- Valid passport and I-94 card.
- Original financial support for the time period requested (dependents included).
- Click here for details on financial totals (Certification of Finances Worksheet).
- Click here to see a sample acceptable financial document from Chase Bank.
- If you have changed your major or added a major, documentation to prove the change.
Important Note:
Extension of F-1 or J-1 status is the student’s responsibility. If your I-20 or DS-2019 expires, you are out of status and would need reinstatement from USCIS; if you work after your I-20 or DS-2019 expires, you are considered to have engaged in unauthorized employment and will face serious consequences. Request extension at least one month before your I-20 or DS-2019 expires.
Log on to iValpo using your regular Valpo login information (the BLUE button under “Full Client Services”) and find the I-20 Extension form under the F-1 Student Services tab. (DS-2019 Extension e-form for J-1 students, under J-1 Student Services).
Complete the form, attaching the necessary documents.
Fill in your academic advisor’s name and email. The form will be routed to him/her for approval.
Once your academic advisor approves the e-form, it will be routed to the International Programs advisor. When the International Programs advisor approves the extension request, you will receive an email notification, and your I-20 will be ready to pick up in the International Programs office. (NOTE: Your academic advisor and/or International Programs advisor may request more documentation, which will increase the processing time.)