Immigration Checklist

Since most ELP students attend on an F-1 student visa, the following is intended as general information important to obtaining and maintaining full-time student status:

1. What are the keys to a successful Visa interview?

Follow These Points
To Help You Get a Visa

1. Tell the Visa officer you will return to your home country - the officer wants to make sure you are not moving to the United States permanently.
2. Be ready to speak to the officer in English - practice with a friend before the interview. Be ready to tell the officer how learning English will help you in your home country.
3. Speak for yourself - do not bring family and friends with you into the interview room. The officer wants to talk to you - not your family and friends. If your family comes to the embassy with you, your family should wait in the Waiting Room.
4. Tell the officer why you want to learn English at California State University, Los Angeles. Explain how English can help you in your future career when you go back to your home country!
5. Keep your answers clear and short. The officer will decide about your visa in the first minute of talking to you. You must make a good first impression!
6. Have your documents ready for the officer at the beginning of the interview - don't waste time looking for them.
7. In some countries, it's harder to get the visa - The officer may be very strict with you - so you must convince the officer that you will return to your home country after you finish your education.
8. You are not supposed to work in the United States - so, you must show your bank statement to the officer to prove you have enough money to live and study.
9. Keep a positive attitude - do not argue with the officer! If you cannot get the visa, ask the officer to write down the reason. Also, ask the officer what you can bring to your next interview to help you get your visa. Then, later on, go back to the embassy for another interview. Show more information about your job and family. Give the officer more proof that you will return to your home country.

 

2. When can I arrive in the United States?

International students can arrive in the United States up to 30 days before their registration day.   This date is shown on your I-20 form, which states the registration day as the date “no later than ____________________.”  That date is your registration day, and you cannot enter the U.S. any earlier than 30 days before this date. 

      Example:  If your I-20 says “no later than 01/05/2010,” then you can only enter the U.S. only up to 30 days in advance, in this case, 12/06/2009, which is 30 days before your registration date. 

      This is important because if you come too early, you may not be able to pass the airport, and will be turned back to your country until the appropriate time.

3. How long can I remain in the United States?

When you arrive in the U.S. you will be given a small white card called Form I-94.   This card is important to keep with your passport.  It is stamped with the date you entered the U.S. and also contains the date you are required to depart the country.  For most F-1 students, the departure date is abbreviated as D/S,  which means that you may remain in the United States during your “Duration of Status” as a full-time student.  This means, “you can stay in the U.S. as long as you maintain full-time student status.” 

4. What key points must I know and follow to ‘maintain full-time student status:’

1. You must be enrolled in a “full-time course of study” (at least 18 hours per week or the duration of your school’s program, if longer, with only minimal unexcused absences);
2. You must make “normal progress” toward completing your studies;
3. You must not work or engage in other prohibited activities;
4. You must keep your I-20 valid:
   
   
   • Renew your I-20 before it expires (new Bank statement and sponsorship form required);
   • Have your I-20 signed by a Designated School Official before any travel outside the U.S. 
   • If you are taking a vacation after 3 consecutive quarters, complete a Vacation Request form and turn in to the Designated School official. You must return to the ELP for one quarter of study following a vacation;
   • If you move, you must inform the ELP office of your new address within 10 days;
   • If sickness prevents your attendance in class, obtain a note from your doctor or from the Student Health Center to excuse your absence;
   • If you wish to transfer to another school, you must also transfer your I-20:  complete a transfer request form and bring an acceptance letter from the new school before the end of the quarter;
   • If you are leaving the U.S. to return home indefinitely, theyou should notify a Designated School official and also fill out a Completion form. 

If you have any questions about your visa or your I-20, please call the ELP office at (323) 343-4840, or consult a Designated School Official at the International office, on campus at the Student Affairs Bldg., Room 115; or phone (323) 343-3170.