As an F-1 student, it is your responsibility to be familiar with and abide by the immigration regulations as they relate to your documents and reporting responsibility. Please contact OISS directly if you have any questions about the information below.
Please refer to our Employment page for information about F-1 employment options.
For questions regarding travel and immigration documents, please Click here to download a quick guide that covers some frequently asked questions and answers.
Documents
OISS recommends that you check all of your immigration documents regularly to ensure that they are accurate and up-to-date, especially before traveling. If you have any questions regarding your documents, please contact our office directly.
Important Reminder: Do not rely on Google or other online sources for immigration-related questions. You should only obtain information directly through our office. Additionally, students should never submit any government (USCIS) applications without consulting our office. This includes, but is not limited to, Form I-539 and Form I-765.
Must be valid at least 6 months into the future at all times. If you have dual citizenship, be sure to always enter the U.S. with the passport that is associated with your I-20.
Check your I-20 for accuracy, paying special attention to:
- Biographical information
- Major(s)
- Program end date
- Travel signature
At the time of orientation, our office issues a travel signature to all students. The travel signature is valid for one year (or 6 months while on OPT). If your signature is expired, it is your responsibility to obtain an updated travel signature from our office in a timely manner– do not wait until the last minute!
If your I-20 needs to be updated, please request a new one through iTorero > F-1 Student Services > I-20 Request. If you need an extended I-20, you must submit the Program Extension Request through iTorero.
The F-1 visa stamp must be valid for international travel purposes. However, if your F-1 visa expires, you can stay/travel in the U.S. as long as your I-20 is valid. You are not required to renew your visa if you will not travel outside the country.
For visa renewal inquires, please contact our office for guidance, as visas can only be renewed at a U.S. consulate abroad.
If you are traveling to either Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands, you may travel under the Automatic Visa Revalidation Program with an expired F-1 visa.
An electronic admission number is given to you every time you enter the U.S. It is important to print off your most recent I-94 and carry it with you when traveling.
If you are encountering issues retrieving your I-94, or need a correction, please refer to this guide: I-94 Procedure for Retrieval Corrections.
Students on post-completion OPT receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which is an important immigration document. Students on OPT who plan on traveling internationally must carry their EAD card, along with the other documents mentioned above. We also recommend having an employment verification or job offer letter as a supporting document for your travels.
Lost Documents
If you have misplaced or lost your passport, we highly encourage you to file a police report and visit our office immediately. If you have misplaced your I-20, please request a new I-20 through iTorero.
Reporting Responsibilities
All F-1 students have a responsibility to ensure that all of their information on their record is updated accordingly. Please review the processes for updating your information below.
Your must report any changes in your contact information (local address, phone number, or email address) within 10 days of your move or change.
To update your local address please follow the instructions below:
- Log into their MySanDiego Portal
- Under the “Torero Hub" tab click on “My Torero Services”
- Under Personal Information click on “Update Address”
- Click on “Update” under Local Address
Please update your phone number and non-USD email address in iTorero > "Biographical Information" > "Your Contact Information" or by stopping by our office.
You must ensure that your I-20 is up to date with your current status. A new I-20 needs to be issued if you change or update the following:
- Academic major/minor
- Degree level
- Funding Source
- Biographical Information
To update your I-20, please complete the I-20 Request form in iTorero under F-1 Student Services.
*If you will NOT graduate by the Program End Date listed on your I-20, you must file for a Program Extension. Please contact OISS for more information.
You must notify OISS of any accompanying dependents in F-2 status and provide biographical information (e.g. full name, address, country of birth, etc.) and immigration information (e.g. passport information, visa information, etc.). OISS is required to report information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding your dependents.
If is your responsibility to renew your passport to keep it valid at least 6 months into the future at all times. Students should contact their home country's consulate for information about how to renew passports. If your F-1 visa has expired or will expire and you would like to renew it, please contact OISS. All updated documents must be uploaded to iTorero > F-1 Student Services > Document Collection.
Please note
OISS attempts to provide the most recent, useful information to our students. However, we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to here, the iTorero Portal, and in emails coming out of OISS.
Information provided by OISS does not constitute and should not be considered legal advice or a legal opinion, and it may not necessarily reflect the most current legal developments. OISS likewise cannot guarantee the outcome of status-related benefit requests filed with US government agencies. Students should seek the advice of counsel or a tax professional for additional guidance. OISS reminds students and scholars that failure to comply with F-1 and J-1 regulations is a violation of your status, which may result in serious consequences including the termination of your SEVIS record, your inability to re-enter the US, and the accrual of unlawful presence which could lead to your removal from the US.
Direct all questions regarding your F-1 and J-1 status to OISS, internationaloffice@sandiego.edu.