Maintaining Legal F-1 Status
Maintaining an F-1 status is critical for all international students studying in the United States, since it keeps you eligible for many other F-1 benefits. In order to maintain your F-1 status, international students must:
- Enroll full-time (at least 12 semester credits) during fall and spring semesters (and at least 3 credits) during January term at R-MC.
- Keep your passport valid at all times.
- Have your I-20 signed by the Office of International Education if you plan to leave the United States.
- Complete your degree by the date specified on your I-20. If you are unable to finish your degree by that date, see request for program extension.
- Comply with required procedures for transferring process.
- Obtain a new I-20 if there is any change in educational level, major or source of funding.
- Obtain an appropriate employment authorization for any work. Do not be employed on-campus for more than 20 hrs/week while school is in session. Students can work up to 40 hrs/week during school breaks and vacation.
- Update your current residential address in the U.S. if there is any change.
- Depart the U.S. within the 60-day period after completion of your program or a regular semester/session; depart the U.S. within 15 days if you cancel enrollment in the middle of a semester.
- Disclose fully and truthfully all information requested by DHS.
- Obey all federal and state laws that prohibit the commission of crimes of violence.
Employment
Whether working on campus or off campus, international students who have been offered a job in the U.S. must have a Social Security Number (SSN) in order to be paid. Below is the information regarding employment for international students while studying at Randolph-Macon College:
- On-campus Employment
For information about available on-campus work, please visit the Office of Financial Aid or e-mail at financial-aid@rmc.edu.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Changes of Address
Report to the Office of International Education if there is any change in your current address in the U.S.
Information on SEVIS Fee
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that can track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.
Transfer Process
New international students who are already in the U.S. and are currently holding an F-1/ J-1 visa are classified as transfer students when they are accepted to Randolph-Macon College. More information about the transfer-in process.
International students who wish to transfer from Randolph-Macon College to other U.S. college or university should come to the Office of International Education to discuss with an international student advisor. Also, they should contact the Registrar’s Office regarding the transferring process.
You will also have to submit a request form for the release of your SEVIS record to your new school. Please follow the following procedures:
- Once you are accepted by another school, complete the request form for transfer out. This form will facilitate the releasing of your SEVIS record to your new school.
- After we receive the completed form from you, and if you are eligible to transfer based on your records, we will release your record to the other school, indicating a transfer release date that is usually the day after the end of the last semester in which you are enrolled at R-MC.
- Your new school will issue you an I-20/DS-2019 as appropriate.
- You will complete the transfer procedures by reporting to and enrolling at the new schoo.
Suspensions/ Withdrawal
If you are suspended or withdraw from Randolph-Macon College, you should transfer to another institution and comply with the I-20 transfer procedure; change your status; or depart from the U.S. immediately. Students who fail to take one of these actions are “out of status.”
- If you voluntarily withdraw with the Office of International Education’s prior approval , you have a 15-day grace period in which to depart from the U.S.
- If you are suspended from the College or withdraw , you have no grace period, and cannot remain in the U.S. with your I-20. You must obtain a new I-20 from us before you return to Randolph-Macon College.
Health Insurance
It is mandatory for international students studying at R-MC to bring a health insurance from their home countries or purchase one upon their arrivals on campus AND maintain the policy for the entire duration of your stay at R-MC. This is a very important process of your study in the US to help cover your medical expenses that may occur.
If you do not have an adequate health insurance policy upon arriving at Randolph-Macon College, you MUST enroll in one. We have a contract with an insurance provider called HTH Worldwide. The Office of International Education staff can provide the insurance information and assist you with signing up for insurance before or once you arrive on campus.
Driver’s License
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the responsible organization for the issuance of driver’s license for Virginia’s residents. The following documents are necessary for applying for a driver’s license in Virginia:
- Valid passport/visa/I-94
- I-20 with stamp (If you do not have stamp on your I-20, you must obtain a certified school record for OIE).
- Letter from your international student adviser
- Proof of Virginia residency (i.e. an original bank statement, utility bills, certified school transcript from R-MC …etc).
- Social Security card (if you are ineligible for a SSN, you do not have to present this to DMV)
If you are age 19 or older, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education program, or you must have held a learner's permit at least 30 days before taking a road skills test. If you are under age 19, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education program, and you must hold a learner's permit at least nine months before taking the road skills test and applying for a license. You may take the road skills test no more than three times in any three-month period.
For more information about obtaining a driver’s license in Virginia, please visit the Department of Motor Vehicles, Driver Services Section. For answer to any of your queries regarding driving and licensing, please contact DMV.
Social Security Number
In order to apply for a Social Security Number, you must have the following documents:
- Letter verifying an offer of employment
- Letter from OIE verifying your employment eligibility
- I-20
- Valid passport
- F-1 Visa
- I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (usually stapled with your passport)
For more information on how to file an application for a SSN,
contact the Office of International Education.
Program Extensions
If you need to remain in the U.S. longer than the period of time specified on your I-20 , you must apply to the Office of International Education for a program extension before the program end date on your I-20 form. Program extensions can only be granted if the delay in completion of studies is due to compelling academic or medical reasons. A student who is unable to complete the program within the time listed on the I-20 and who is ineligible for extension is considered “out of status.”
Completion of Program
Once your program of study is complete, you have four options. You can:
- Depart the U.S. within 60 days after your program completion date (May grads – date of Commencement; December grads – last day of Fall Term final exams; Feb – last day of January final exam).
- Apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) before your program completion date. You must submit your OPT application to the Office of International Education at least 2 weeks before your program end date.
- Complete the transfer procedure to enroll as an F-1 student at another U.S. institution.
- Change to another visa category. Again, consult with the Office of International Education for more information.