Cleveland State University
Center for International Services and Programs
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Campus Location
Keith Building, Room 1150
1621 Euclid Avenue
Phone: 216.687.3910
Fax: 216.687.3965
cispcsu@csuohio.edu
Web Content Contact
Natkamol Tayarachakul
n.tayarachakul@csuohio.edu
Web Technical Contact
d.arthur91@csuohio.edu
Current Student FAQs
- 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 I-20 if I lost my original copy?
- I lost my I-20 form. What should I do?
- I lost my passport and I-94 card. 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 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 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?
- CPT FAQ
- OPT FAQ
- Health Insurance FAQ
- Income Tax Information
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 8 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 attached Under Enrollment form and submit it to our office in the Keith Building 11th Floor. Or FAX it to us at (216) 687-3965.
This must be in our office no later than the first day of school.
What do I have to do if I want to travel outside the United States?
The student should stop by the International Student Advisor's Office for a signature endorsement on the I-20. The advisor will check current registration status of student. If the student is in status, an endorsement will be done. The student can pick up the endorsed I-20 at the front desk after two full business days have passed.
I want to work / I need permission to work, what should I do?
On-Campus Employment
Students must obtain a social security number in order to apply for an on-campus job. During the fall and spring semesters, job opening information for the CSU student employment program is available at the Financial Aid Office, located in Adrienne Hall. Work contract agreement and other paperwork will need to be completed. For summer on-campus student employment, interested students must apply in the Office of Human Resources.
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 I-20 if I lost my original copy?
The student should call the International Student Advisor's Office to schedule an appointment to meet with the international student advisor to discuss the lost I-20 and to request a new one. Generally, students will be encouraged to look carefully for the missing I-20. If the I-20 was stolen, the student will be encouraged to file a police report. A replacement I-20 may then be issued to the student.
I lost my I-20 form. What should I do?
You need to request a new form from the CISP office. Processing time will take approximately 2-3 days.
I lost my passport and I-94 card. Can you replace it?
We cannot replace your passport or I-94. You will need to contact the embassy of your country in Washington, D.C. to report the loss and request a new passport. To replace your I-94 card, you will have to file form I-102 and send it to USCIS along with the appropriate filing fee.
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 form in our office in KB 1150, along with proof that you will be able to support your dependents financially. The university requires proof of an additional $3,000 for a spouse, $1,500 for the first dependent child, and $1000 for each additional child.
Can my parents be included in my I-20?
No. Only spouses and dependent children can be added to your I-20 form.
Spouses in F-2 status cannot work under any circumstances. Spouses in J-2 status may work with USCIS (formerly INS) 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 I-20 is going to expire, do I need to extend it?
Please see the International Student Advisor to discuss your reason for waiting to extend your degree program/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 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?
You could certainly do so. You will need to contact the International Student Advisor and provide all the necessary information about a family member or friend, for example, his or her name, date of birth and relation to you.
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 need to file Form 8843 which you can download from http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8843.pdf
I plan to go home. How long can I stay in the U.S. before I go home?
All 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 I-20 to be electronically sent by completing our Transfer Out form at http://www.csuohio.edu/internat/forms.html and include a copy your admission letter from the new school. You must have your record transferred NO LATER than 60 days after you complete studies and you must be enrolled in classes at the new school no later than 5 months after completion of studies.