ISSS Link (e-forms)

Maintenance of International Student Status

Maintaining F-1 or J-1 status can be easy if students know the proper steps to take and keep track of deadlines. International students should review the information below and contact their ISSS advisor if they have any questions.

Important Note: A student's most recent I-94 is the official immigration document that confirms their current immigration status (e.g. proof of immigration registration). The US government requires nonimmigrants over the age of 18 to carry a copy of their I-94 with them at all times while in the US. Even if someone is younger than 18, it would be prudent for them to carry a copy of their I-94. Students can download and print (or screen-capture) their most recent I-94 from the CBP website. If a student notice any errors on their I-94, they should contact their ISSS advisor immediately.

How to Maintain F-1 or J-1 Student Status:

  1. Report to School
    • A new international student's first immigration responsibility is to report to the school that they will attend.
    • At Emory, new F-1 and J-1 students "report" by logging into ISSS Link and submitting the International Student Check-in: Arrival Confirmation form.
       
  2. Attend the School Authorized to Attend
    • Although students might have been admitted to several schools, F-1 and J-1 students must attend the school that issued the I-20/DS-2019 they used to travel to the US.
    • Occasionally, students may change their mind about which school they want to attend. If so, these students should follow ISSS' Transfer Out of Emory procedures after reporting to Emory.
       
  3. Enroll in a Full Course of Study
    • Each semester, international students are required to be enrolled full-time at Emory University, and they are limited in terms of the number of online or distance learning classes in which they can enroll.
    • In certain circumstances, a student may request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) and enroll less than full-time.
    • Review ISSS' Enrollment Requirements page for more information on credit requirements and RCLs.
       
  4. Make Normal Progress Toward Program Completion
    • Students who will not finish their program by the end date on their I-20/DS-2019 may request a program extension in ISSS Link by submitting the appropriate e-form:
      • I-20 Extension Request (F-1 students)
      • DS-2019 Extension Request (J-1 students)
    • Extensions can be granted if the delay is caused by a legitimate academic reason or documented illness.
    • Students who will complete their degree earlier than expected should submit one of the following e-forms in ISSS Link:
      • F-1 Student Shorten Program
      • J-1 Shorten Program Request
         
  5. Keep the I-20/DS-2019 Up-to-Date
    • Students must request an updated I-20/DS-2019 if there is a change to their academic program.  
    • F-1 students can request an updated document by submitting one of the following e-forms in ISSS Link:
      • Change of Program I-20 Request: For F-1 students who will pursue another program at Emory including programs at a different degree level.
      • I-20 Update/Replacement Request: For F-1 students who have had a change in major, funding or name.
    • J-1 students must discuss the change with their Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) before making any change to their academic program.
      • J-1 students who are sponsored by Emory, should contact their ISSS advisor.
      • Students sponsored by another organization (e.g. Fulbright) should contact their program sponsor.
         
  6. Maintain a Valid Passport
    • A student's passport must be valid at all times while in the US.
    • It is recommended that students request a new passport from their home country about eight months before their current document expires.
       
  7. Keep Contact Information Up-to-Date
    • Students must report changes to their address and contact information within 10 days of a change.
    • ISSS' Updating Contact Information includes directions on how to report these changes.
       
  8. Get Authorization Before Starting Employment
    • On-campus employment is a benefit of one's F-1 or J-1 status.
      • Students can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full time during breaks.
      • F-1 Students: Do not need to obtain additional employment authorization prior to beginning on-campus employment.
      • J-1 Students: Must obtain authorization from ISSS prior to beginning on-campus employment.
    • F-1 and J-1 students may also be eligible for off-campus employment and/or training during their studies and/or upon completion of their program.
      • F-1 Students: Must follow ISSS procedures to obtain authorization from the US government prior to starting off-campus employment/training.   
      • J-1 Students: Must obtain authorization from ISSS prior to beginning off-campus employment/training.
    • Students who have secured on-campus employment and/or have been granted work authorization will need to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) if they do not already have one.
       
  9. Be Aware of End of Program Options and Follow Grace Period Rules
    • Upon completion of an academic program, F-1 and J-1 students receive a grace period.
    • F-1 Students have a 60-day grace period to leave the US or to do one of the following:
    • J-1 Students have a 30-day grace period to leave the US or to do one of the following:
      • Apply for a Change of Status.
      • Apply for Academic Training (AT). J-1 students must receive a new DS-2019 containing the AT authorization from ISSS before the end of their program or DS-2019 end date, whichever is earlier. 
         
  10. Depart the US at the Right Time
    • Students have a grace period after completing their academic program or an approved period of post-completion OPT, STEM OPT or AT.
    • Students must depart the US by the end of the grace period unless they have filed a change of status application with USCIS or have received a new I-20/DS-2019.
    • Students who have failed to maintain status and whose SEVIS record has been terminated early are not eligible for a grace period. These students must leave the US immediately. 

J-1 Students Only

In addition to the requirements listed above, J-1 students must:

  1. Obtain Health Insurance
  2. Report J-2 Dependent Early Departures
    • J-1 students must report the early departure of a J-2 dependent within ten days of their departure.
    • Students should use the Dependent Departure/Removal form in ISSS Link to report the early departure of a J-2.
       
  3. Notify ISSS within 24 hours of any Serious Problem or Controversy
    • This includes anything that could bring the Department of State, the exchange visitor or Emory’s exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute, including conviction of a crime, potential litigation related to a Emory’s J-1 program in which the exchange visitor may be a named party, serious accident or injury or sexual abuse allegations.

Copyright 2023 Emory University

EEO Employer - Disability/Veteran Statements | Copyright