Current Student FAQ

Please scroll down the page to see the responses

• Do I have to always be a full-time student?
• What do I have to do if I want to travel outside the United States?
• I want to work / I need permission to work, what should I do?
• Could I get a new Form I-20 if I lost my original copy?
• I lost my Form I-20. What should I do?
• I lost my passport. Can you replace it?
• Can I work on campus?
• I want to bring my wife or children to stay with me in the U.S. What should I do?
• Can my parents be included in my Form I-20?
• Can my wife / husband work?
• Can I renew my visa without leaving the United States?
• I have a valid visa in my old passport, but I have a new passport. Can I still use my visa?
• My Form I-20 is going to expire, do I need to extend it?
• My visa is going to expire, what should I do?
• What if I want my family or friends from my home country to attend my commencement?
• I don't work in the US. Do I need to file information to IRS?
• I plan to go home. How long can I stay in the U.S. before I go home?
• I plan to go to another school. What should I do?

If your question is not answered here, please contact us.

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Do I have to always be a full-time student?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires that all individuals in F-1 (student) status pursue a full course of study for the duration of their status. At CSU, this means a minimum of 12 credits for undergraduate students and a minimum of 9 credits for graduate students except when the student needs a lesser course load to complete the course of study during the current term. However, there are exceptions and these include the following:

1.You have completed all course work and are now only working on your thesis or dissertation.
2. It is the last semester of your program of study.
3. You are seriously ill and your doctor has prohibited you from attending school.
4. You are delivering a baby during the upcoming semester.
5. You are on a full time approved CPT.

If any of these situations apply to you for a semester, you MUST complete the Reduce Course Load Request in the CISP Portal. 

This must be Submitted no later than the first day of the term.

What do I have to do if I want to travel outside the United States?

The student should contact the Center for International Services and Programs for a signature endorsement on the Form I-20. An immigration advisor will check current registration status of student. If the student is in status, an endorsement will be done. The student can  expect to receive the endorsed I-20 within 5 - 10 full business days.

I want to work / I need permission to work, what should I do?

On-Campus Employment
F-1 visa students may work on campus. Once an offer of on-campus employment has been made to a student, they must obtain an SSN Employment verification letter from Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) if they do not already have a US social security number. They must then take that form to the hiring department and have them sign the form. The form must then be returned to the CISP for approval. After the signature has been obtained from the CISP the students will then take the form to the Social Security Administration to apply for their Social Security number. All postings for on-campus employment are posted on line through the Student Employment website. Students may only work up to 20 hours during the semester and up to 40 hours during the summer. The hiring department will help to complete all other paperwork regarding employment.

Off-Campus Work
Students, who are in F-1 status, may not work off-campus without employment authorization. After being in F-1 status and being full-time for 9 consecutive months, a student may consider applying for off-campus work. Work opportunities are, however, very limited as the United States tries to protect its job market.

Could I get a new Form I-20 if I lost my original copy?

The student should contact the Center for International Services and Programs to schedule an appointment to meet with the international student advisor to discuss the lost Form I-20 and to request a new one. Generally, students will be encouraged to look carefully for the missing Form I-20. If the Form I-20 was stolen, the student will be encouraged to file a police report. A replacement Form I-20 may then be issued to the student. Please use the eform to apply for a new I-20. 

I lost my Form I-20 form. What should I do?

You need to request a new form from the CISP office. Processing time will take approximately 5-10 days.

I lost my passport. Can you replace it?

We cannot replace your passport. You will need to contact the embassy of your country in Washington, D.C. to report the loss and request a new passport. 

Can I work on campus?

Yes, you can, if you are a J-1 or F-1 student. On campus employment is incidental to your status, but you cannot work more than 20 hours when school is in session. You may work up to 40 hours during the summer holiday. J-1 students whose program sponsor is an organization other than CSU (such as Fulbright, IIE, LASPAU, AMIDEAST, ISEP, etc) must secure permission from the program sponsor before accepting employment.

I want to bring my wife or children to stay with me in the U.S. What should I do?

Please contact the CISP. You will receive some initial information about your rights and responsibilities when bringing dependents to the U.S. You will complete a request form for dependents, which will be endorsed by CISP. You will have to submit this information along with proof that you will be able to support your dependents financially. The university requires proof of an additional $3,500 for a spouse, $1,500 for the first dependent child, and $1000 for each additional child.

Can my parents be included in my Form I-20?

No. Only spouses and dependent children can be added to your Form I-20 form.

Can my wife / husband work?

Spouses in F-2 status cannot work under any circumstances. Spouses in J-2 status may work with USCIS permission.

Can I renew my visa without leaving the United States?

No. Visas can be obtained and renewed only outside the U.S.

I have a valid visa in my old passport, but I have a new passport. Can I still use my visa?

Yes, you can use your valid visa in your old passport. When you travel, you will have to carry both your new passport, and the old one with the visa in it. If you have to return your old passport when you get a new one, you will lose your visa, and have to apply for a new one before you return to the U.S.

My Form I-20 is going to expire, do I need to extend it?

Please contact the Center for international Services Programs to discuss your reason for extending your degree program/Form I-20. Only students with legitimate academic reasons will be authorized for program extension.

My visa is going to expire, what should I do?

The visa is a travel document issued by a U.S. embassy/consulate abroad, usually in the student's home country and it is a permission by the U.S. government to legally enter the U.S. It is not possible to obtain a visa while you are in the U.S., however if your visa expires you can remain in the U.S. as long as your Form I-20 as well as your I-94 are valid and you are a full-time student.
 

What if I want my family or friends from my home country to attend my commencement?

Please see our web page about inviting family for a visit.

I don't work in the US. Do I need to file information to IRS?

If you have NOT worked in the US, you will NOT receive a W-2 form but you will still need to file Form 8843.  Please see our website about a tax service that you can access for a small fee. It is specifically geared towards international students and scholars.​​​​

I plan to go home. How long can I stay in the U.S. before I go home?

All F-1 students have a 60 day grace period after completion of studies but you must leave the US before the 60 day period is met.

I plan to go to another school. What should I do?

Request your SEVIS record/ Form I-20 to be electronically sent by completing our e-form for Transfer Out. We ask you to please include a copy your admission letter from the new school. You must request to have your SEVIS record transferred NO LATER than 60 days after you complete studies. You must be enrolled in classes at the new school no later than 5 months after completion of studies.