Always consult International Students and Scholars (ISS) on immigration matters and before beginning employment. Immigration regulations are complex and subject to change. The most recent and accurate information is available at ISS.
F-1 STUDENTS
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS (Do not DROP a class without talking to ISS first)
- Maintain full-time enrollment during Fall & Spring semesters
- Undergraduates must be enrolled for 12 hours of credits
- Graduate students must be enrolled for 9 hours of credits
- Online Classes
- You can only be enrolled for 1 online class per full credit load
- Undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 9 in-person credits each Fall and Spring
- Graduate students must be enrolled for at least 6 in-person credits each Fall and Spring
Reduced Course Load (RCL) – Undergraduate
- You may only take less than a full course load if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You have an illness or medical condition that prevents full time enrollment
- Improper placement in classes
- Initial difficulty with the English language
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
- Final semester of your degree & you do not require a full course of study to complete degree requirements (if full course of study is required to earn degree in final semester, students do not qualify for this exception)
Reduced Course Load (RCL) - Graduate, PharmD, Law
- You may only take less than a full course load if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You are working full-time on graduate research, thesis, or dissertation requirements
- You are preparing full-time for graduate comprehensive exams
- You hold a teaching or research assistantship
- An illness or medical condition prevents full time enrollment
- Final semester of your degree & you do not require a full course of study to complete degree requirements (if full course of study is required to earn degree in final semester, students do not qualify for this exception)
Reduced Course Load (RCL) - All Students
- You are required to submit the online Reduced Credit Load Request before dropping a class or before initial registration
- The RCL request form requires your academic advisor to electronically certify the reason for the RCL
- If you have an illness or medical condition, documentation from a licensed medical professional is also required
IMMIGRATION AND TRAVEL
I-20: Pathway, ELI, Degree Seeking Students
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student
- If you have an I-20 you also hold an F-1 or F-2 visa
- Provides permission for you to remain in U.S. and study
- Must be able to provide original and all updated I-20 forms
- Changes to information on your I-20, must be reported to ISS within 10 days of change via email or the Forms page
- Address
- Major
- Education Level
- Phone Number
- Program End Date
- Report missing or stolen documents to ISS
- Notify us in person or via email and we can reprint a new copy
- Make copies of your documents and keep somewhere safe!
I-94
- Proof of your admission in U.S. & legal visa status
- Will need a copy of this for common things like driver’s license and getting a social security number
- You can print a copy of your I-94 by visiting:
International Travel
- I-20’s require signatures from a DSO/ARO for international travel (includes Canada!)
- Domestic travel does not require a travel signature
- You submit the electronic - takes 2 business days to process
But I forgot to get a travel signature!
- Email iss@umontana.edu before you attempt to reenter the U.S.
- ISS will send you an electronic copy of your I-20 with a travel signature
- Bring a printed copy of the new document with you when you enter customs along with your previous copy
Final Departure
- F-1 students have a 60-day grace period to remain in US after program end date
- During grace period you can travel during the US
- During grace period you cannot work or study
- You cannot re-enter the US in F-1 status even if within 60-day limit
EMPLOYMENT
NO OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT!!!
On Campus Employment
- Not all forms of on campus employment allowed; check with ISS first!
- May work up to 20 hours/week during Fall/Spring semesters and up to 40 hours/week during Winter/Summer break
Curricular Practical Training (CPT): F-1 degree seeking students
- A way for F-1 students to complete a paid or unpaid internship off campus
- Must be for academic credit
- Eligible after 1 year of full-time enrollment (Undergraduates)
- May be eligible prior to 1 year of full-time enrollment if certain conditions are met (Graduate)
Optional Practical Training (OPT): F-1 degree-seeking students
- Provides 1-3 years of work permission within the U.S. in any area related to your major after graduation
- In rare cases, may pursue during degree program
Contact ISS to learn about how to apply for OPT
Social Security Number (SSN)
- U.S. tax identification number
- Can only receive a SSN if you have an offer of employment
- Requires paperwork from ISS Office
Filing Taxes
- If you work in the US, you must file taxes in the spring
- If you received a taxable refund from the 猎奇重口 (and you do not work or have a social security number) you must file taxes in the spring on that taxable refund (see Apply for ITIN)
- For more information on this topic, please visit Filing U.S. Taxes
J-1 STUDENTS
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS (Do not DROP a class without talking to ISS first)
- Maintain full-time enrollment during Fall & Spring semesters
- Undergraduates must be enrolled for 12 hours of credits
- Graduate students must be enrolled for 9 hours of credits
- Online Classes
- You can only be enrolled for 1 online class per full credit load
- Undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 9 in-person credits each Fall and Spring
- Graduate students must be enrolled for at least 6 in-person credits each Fall and Spring
Reduced Course Load (RCL) – Undergraduate
- You may only take less than a full course load if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You have an illness or medical condition that prevents full time enrollment
- Improper placement in classes
- Initial difficulty with the English language
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
- Final semester of your degree & you do not require additional courses to complete degree requirements
Reduced Course Load (RCL) - Graduate, PharmD, Law
- You may only take less than a full course load if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You are working full-time on graduate research, thesis, or dissertation requirements
- You are preparing full-time for graduate comprehensive exams
- You hold a teaching or research assistantship
- An illness or medical condition prevents full time enrollment
Reduced Course Load (RCL) - All Students
- You are required to submit the online Reduced Credit Load Request before dropping a class or before initial registration
- The RCL request form requires your academic advisor to electronically certify the reason for the RCL
- If you have an illness or medical condition, documentation from a licensed medical professional is also required
IMMIGRATION AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
DS-2019: Exchange Visitors
- Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status
- If you have a DS-2019 you also have a J-1 or J-2 visa
- Provides permission for you to remain in the U.S. and study
- Must be able to provide original and all updated DS-2019’s if necessary
- Changes to information on your DS-2019, must be reported to ISS within 10 days of change via email or the Forms page
- Address
- Major
- Education Level
- Phone Number
- Program End Date
- Report missing or stolen documents to ISS
- Notify us in person or via email and we can reprint a new copy
- Make copies of your documents and keep somewhere safe!
I-94
- Proof of your admission in U.S. & legal visa status
- Will need a copy of this for common things like driver’s license and getting a social security number
- You can print a copy of your I-94 by visiting:
International Travel
- DS-2019’s require signatures from a DSO/ARO for international travel (includes Canada!)
- Domestic travel does not require a travel signature
- You submit the electronic - takes 2 business days to process
But I forgot to get a travel signature!
- Email iss@umontana.edu before you attempt to enter the U.S.
- We will send you an electronic copy of your DS-2019 with a travel signature
- Bring a printed copy of the new document with you when you enter customs along with your previous copy
Final Departure
- J-1 visitors have a 30-day grace period
- During grace period you can travel during the US
- During grace period you cannot work or study
- You cannot re-enter the US in J-1 status even if within 30-day limit
EMPLOYMENT
Academic Training: J-1 Exchange Students
- A way for J-1 students to gain work experience during or after your exchange program
- Must be related to your major and approved by your UM academic advisor
- Contact ISS to learn about how to apply for academic training
Social Security Number (SSN)
- U.S. tax identification number
- Can only receive a SSN if you have an offer of employment
- Requires paperwork from ISS Office
Filing Taxes
- If you work in the US, you must file taxes in the spring
- If you received a taxable refund from the 猎奇重口 (and you do not work or have a social security number) you must file taxes in the spring on that taxable refund (see Apply for ITIN)
- For more information on this topic, please visit Filing U.S. Taxes