Immigration, Employment, Travel Information

Immigration Information

US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS formerly INS)

Sevis
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States. This site has information related to the SEVIS fee, visa application and arrival in the U.S., maintaining your student status, and other resources.

Obtaining a Student Visa

St. Olaf College will only issue an I-20 form for F-1 student visa application after a student has been accepted, verified his or her financial support, and confirmed his or her attendance with a $600 deposit.

Students should apply for their F-1 student as soon as they are able to, but no more than 120 days before the start of their program of study at St. Olaf at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Here are tips on applying for a student visa.

Maintaining Student Status

International students and exchange visitors should understand the importance of maintaining their status while in the U.S. Failing to maintain your status could result in serious consequences and may affect your ability to remain in or return to the United States. (Adapted from SEVIS fact sheet.)

You should consult with the International Student Advisor on the latest regulations and procedures. St. Olaf College expects its students to pursue their studies full-time, attend their registered courses, and make satisfactory academic progress. Although not exhaustive, you are responsible for the following inorder to maintain your status:

  • See the ISA at the beginning of each semester so you can be registered in SEVIS
  • Maintain a full class load (minimum 3.0 St Olaf cours credits) and make progress towards your coures, including attending all courses
  • Consult with the ISA before before you travel outside of the U.S. or change your enrollment status
  • Contact the ISA before (but no later than 10 days after) should you change your major(s), address, withdraw from St. Olaf, transfer to another school, extend or shorten your program of study, or experience changes in your financial status.
  • Abstain from any unauthorized on or off-campus employment.
Leaving and Re-entering the U.S.

If you are leaving the U.S., even to Canada or Mexico, and will return to continue your studies, you should prepare the following, and speak with the International Student Advisor before you leave:

  • Carry your I-20 (F-1 student) or DS-2019 (J-1) and make sure it has a recent signature from the DSO or RO.
  • A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry.
  • A valid, current visa or you traveled to contiguous country or adjacent island for less than thirty days.
  • Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
  • If you are outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months, you will need to have a new I-20 or DS-2019 issued to you before returning to the the U.S.

Bringing your most recent I-94, Departure Card, will facilitate your reentry, if reentering through a land POE. If you are flying, the airline will collect your I-94 prior to departure and you will complete a new one upon reentry.

If you do not have the above information, you might be refused re-entry into the U.S. at the port of entry. However, some international students who reenter the U.S. without a properly endorsed Form I-20 may be admitted into the U.S. for a 30-day period and issued a Form I-515A by the border offical that must be processed within this 30-day period. Please see the Int'l Student Advisor as soon as you get to campus to process the form.

Driver's License and State Identification Card

If you intend to drive a motor vehicle while in the U.S., you should have a valid International Driver's License or apply for a MN one. To apply for Minnesota driver's license, identification, or permit, you should view these requirements. Depending on your situation, you may have to take both the written (knowledge) and road (skills) test, visit this site to learn more.

Employment Information

Note: Every effort has been made to update the information below, however things are subject to change without notice.

By law, employment opportunities for international students in the U.S. are restricted. In general there are two types of employment: on or off-campus employment.

Students with F-1 visas are permitted to work on-campus part-time (up to 20 hours/week) while school is in session without United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) approval and as long as it does not interfere with your ability to continue as a full-time student.  During your vacation periods you may work full-time (more than 20 hours/week) on-campus. 

Under CIS regulations, degree-seeking students who meet the requirements are eligible to work off-campus part or full-time.  There are three type of off-campus work authorization: Curricular Practical Training (CPT); Optional Practical Training (OPT), OPT is reserved for after graduation; and Severe Economic Hardship (SEH).  Many students chose to use their CPT during the summer vacation period.  

If you are considering ANY off-campus work experience (paid or unpaid), you MUST meet with the International Student Advisor (ISA) to verify your eligibility, file the necessary paperwork, and obtain CIS approval before you begin you experience.  Never work off-campus without written permission, even in un-paid “volunteer” positions. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Tax Information

International students with F-1 (or J-1) visas are generally exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes for the first 5 years, but are required to pay all federal and state taxes.  The exemption may apply to any period, e.g., CPT, OPT, in which an international student is in “practical training” or other off-campus employment allowed by CIS as long as the students remain nonresident aliens for tax purposes (less than 5 years). If you are in any other visa status other than F-1, e.g., H-1B (teachers, trainees, and researchers), H-1A (alien nurses), you are liable for Social Security and Medicare taxes from the first day you change status or are employed.

Please notify your internship site supervisor and/or the human resource department of this fact, especially if you will be paid, and complete the necessary Internal Revenue Service  (IRS) tax forms with them, such as Form 8843.

If you have an employer withhold the taxes in error, you should ask them for a refund of Social Security and Medicare taxes.  If the employer will not issue a refund, you need to file IRS Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, www.irs.gov.  ISA can provide some assistance with the form, but you are responsible for filing it. Please note that it may tax up to 6 months to get the refund from the IRS. Further information can be found at the IRS's site.

Self-Help Web tax resources for nonresident alien student and scholar.

http://thetaxguy.com/
http://www.utexas.edu/international/taxes/

Social Security Card
Some students are eligible to work in the U.S. under their student visa. You should consult the International Student Advisor to see if you are. The ISA will discuss the procedures and letters you'll need for applying for Social Security Number. Not all information on the SSA site pertains to international students but this link relates to applying for a SSN.

International students can only apply for a SSN if they have a work-study award and on-campus job offer. To learn more about on-campus jobs, visit the financial aid office.