Frequently Asked Questions

All F-1 and J-1 visa holders and their dependents are required to purchase the University of Wisconsin System's comprehensive medical insurance plan. International Student Services will enroll all F-1 and J-1 visa holders and their dependents in this plan. Premiums for this plan will be placed on the student's bill.

You will need to present a newly prepared SEVIS I-20 to the visa officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate. In addition, you will be asked to document your resources, your intent to return to your home country and you may be asked for a transcript from each school you’ve attended in the U.S. If your visa application is subject to a Security Check, it could take a few months before you receive a decision. Determine if you need to prearrange an appointment at the embassy/consulate. See the International Student Services Coordinator for a new I-20 at least one month before your travel - they will need to see your passport so be sure you have it with you.

You will need to be admitted to a program of study at UW-River Falls and be issued a Form I-20. A change to F-1 status can be done either through reentry into the U.S. after having obtained an F-1 entry visa stamp from a US embassy/consulate or by submitting an application for a change of status to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. See an International Student Services Coordinator for further information on procedure.

You must apply for a program extension before your I-20 expires. Do not allow your I-20 to expire without completing your program. That will result in the automatic loss of your legal status. See an International Student Services Coordinator regarding the procedure to apply for a program extension.

Your I-20 should always reflect your current degree program. Please see the International Student Services Coordinator regarding the new I-20. 5. I have changed my major. Should I get a new I-20 that reflects my new major? Yes. Your I-20 should reflect your current program. See the International Student Services Coordinator regarding the new I-20.

If you are an undergraduate, a non-degree seeking or a first-year graduate student, please see an International Student Services Coordinator before making the decision to register for less than a full course load or withdrawing from a class which will result in less than a full course load. The International Student Services Coordinator will be able to determine if your reason for falling below full-time enrollment is valid under F-1 visa regulations. You will be asked to complete an Exception from a Full Course of Study Form and to obtain a letter from your academic adviser verifying your specific situation.

You will need to request a dependent I-20 from the International Student Services Coordinator. Your dependents must apply to the US embassy/consulate for F-2 entry visa stamps. They must present the dependent I-20, evidence of financial resources and evidence of intent to return home. They may also be asked to present a copy of your transcript and evidence of your current enrollment.

Your spouse is not able to enroll for classes as an F-2. Individuals in F-2 status can apply for admission to a program of study and file for a change in status to F-1 before the program begins. F-1 status will need to be approved by USCIS before the spouse can enroll.

No. Individuals holding F-2 status are not, under any circumstances, allowed to work in the U.S. This includes student positions on the campus.

F-1 students holding a valid University of Wisconsin-River Falls I-20 and enrolled are eligible to work on the campus. Students transferring to UW-River Falls from another U.S. college or ESL program must have their transfer authorized by International Student Services Coordinator before they are eligible for employment. Employment is limited to 20 hours/week while school is in session and up to full time during semester breaks and the summer vacation period.

You may be able to obtain Curricular Practical Training authorization to work in a job related to your field of study. See an International Student Services Coordinator regarding eligibility requirements and the application process.

If you are completing your program of study, you are eligible to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training. This application must be recommended by International Student Services Coordinator and approved by the USCIS. The employment authorization will allow you to work in a job related to your field of study. You may submit your application to International Student Services Coordinator/USCIS 120 days prior to your date of completion. See an International Student Services Coordinator regarding eligibility requirements and the application process.

You will need to ask an International Student Services Coordinator for a transfer release to the new school. You must be sure of the school you want to attend and you must be prepared to provide a date by which you plan to depart UW-River Falls. You will be eligible for the transfer release if you have maintained legal F-1 status at UW-River Falls. The International Student Adviser at your new school will not be able to process a new I-20 for you until the transfer release has been electronically input in SEVIS. You may also effect a transfer by using the new school’s I-20 to reenter the U.S. Be prepared to show U.S. inspection evidence of your financial support.

If you have completed a program of study, you are allowed a 60-day grace period from the date of your completion. During the grace period you can travel within the U.S. but you cannot leave and reenter the U.S. as an F-1 student. You must permanently depart the U.S. within the 60-day grace period to avoid “visa overstay." Please inform International Student Services Coordinator of your permanent departure and your departure date for SEVIS reporting.

All F-1 and J-1 visa holders and their dependents are required to purchase the University of Wisconsin System's comprehensive medical insurance plan. International Student Services, will enroll all F-1 and J-1 visa holders and their dependents in this plan. Premiums for this plan will be placed on the student's bill.

The entry visa in your passport only functions to help you enter the United States (U.S.). It does not determine how long you can stay. So, the entry visa can expire once you have entered the U.S., without any effect on your legal status. You need to renew it only if you leave the U.S. and want to return in the same status. At that point you will have to visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S. and apply for a new visa. As long as you remain in the U.S., you need to extend only the DS-2019.

Only the sponsor that issued your DS-2019 may extend it. Some J-1 exchange visitors at UW-River Falls are legally sponsored by other universities or organizations. Look in block 2 of your DS-2019 to identify your legal sponsor. Your sponsor's address is in block 7. In any case, you must arrange the extension of your DS-2019 BEFORE your current DS-2019 expires.

You need your DS-2019, a valid passport and a valid entry visa. If you are traveling outside of the U.S. , you may need a signature on your DS-2019. A travel signature on your DS-2019 is valid for one year from the date of signature, or until the ending date on the DS-2019, whichever is sooner. This signature may only be provided by a Responsible or Alternate Responsible Officer of your J-1 program sponsor. If your visa stamp in your passport is still valid, and is for multiple entry, you do not need to visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate while you are outside of the U.S.

Only spouses and children under the age of 21 qualify for a J-2 visa. Other family members that you may wish to invite should apply for tourist visas. If you plan to have a spouse or child join you as a J-2 dependent, they will need a separate DS-2019 for their use in applying for J-2 visas and entry into the U.S. separately from you. You must show that you have sufficient funding in order to bring your family members. If you cannot show the required funding, we cannot prepare the family DS-2019.

You should set-up an appointment with the International Student Services Coordinator to see whether or not it is possible to change your visa status. Exchange visitors and dependents who are subject to the 2-year home residence rule cannot generally change status within the U.S., but may obtain some different types of legal status by travel and re-entry.

You should make an appointment to see a International Student Services Coordinator for instructions on applying for Academic Training. Do this BEFORE you begin any employment.

Yes, it is possible to do occasional lectures, workshops, seminars etc. with advance permission from your J-1 visa sponsor. You should make an appointment to see an International Student Services Coordinator so that you can get instructions for approval of this incidental employment. Any regular or ongoing paid activity must be part of your J-1 program, with the employer listed on the DS-2019.