Maintaining Your Immigration Status

Maintaining your Status

• Attending Your Authorized School

  International students MUST attend the school they are authorized to attend by the Department of Homeland Security. Students are authorized to attend the school whose name appears on their I-20 or DS-2019 - in some cases, the DS-2019 may be from a different sponsor.

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• In-Person Reporting for SEVIS Registration

  Report to the International Programs & Services office every semester. We must physically see you every semester you are enrolled at MU to report your status in the SEVIS system.

  To complete your SEVIS registration, you must report to the International Programs & Services Office no later than the first week of class. Complete the SEVIS Registration Form online and when come physically to our office in Lyle Hall with an ID to sign in with IPS staff. 

  When to contact the International Office:

  • Change of address or phone number. SEVIS must be updated within 10 days.
  • Change of financial situation and financial support documents. SEVIS must be updated within 10 days. You must pay your bill in full every semester or you will not be able to register for classes in future semesters or request official transcripts from the Registrar.
  • Change of major or minor. Your SEVIS record and Form I-20 must be updated within 21 days.
  • If you need to extend the program end date listed on your Form I-20. Extensions can be granted for valid academic or health reasons if you need additional time to complete our program. You must notify the office at least 30 days before the expiration date on the I-20.
  • If you may be under-enrolled during your last/final semester. For the last semester you are enrolled, you may be approved to take a reduced course load, which must be approved by the International Office. If you need only one class, it cannot be an online class.
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• Change of Address

  The Department of Homeland Security requires that all foreign nationals inform them of any change of address within 10 days of moving. You must update your address in your MAX account.

  All active F-1 and J-1 students and scholars (and their dependents) should inform the Office of International Programs and Services of any address change by submitting the Change of Address form.

  • Update Request Form

  Failure to comply with this requirement is a violation of your F-1/ J-1 status, which may result in serious consequences, including your termination in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitors Information System), inability to re-enter the U.S., and detention and deportation from the U.S.

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• Changing Your Academic Program or Degree Level

  During your time at Millersville you may wish to alter your academic plans. Reasons for this might include change of major, change of level from undergrad to graduate, or extending your stay due to graduating later than originally expected. When considering making any of these changes it is important to discuss these plans with the Office of International Programs & Services (IPS) ahead of time.

  Program Change

  If any changes occur regarding your degree level, or major/program of study, you must update your I-20 or DS-2019 form.

  Change of Major

  • If you change your major, visit the Registrars Office, located in Lyle Hall to update the university database.
  • Once your change of major is complete, visit IPS to update your SEVIS record and obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019.
    • Book a virtual appointment here.

  Change of Level

  • You MUST be admitted to the new program or level (Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate) to be approved for a change of level in SEVIS. You will need to show new proof of funding and an acceptance letter to IPS.
    • Find information on how to apply here. 
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• Transferring Your SEVIS Record

  If you wish to transfer out of Millersville University, you will need to follow the steps below*: 

  • Obtain an acceptance letter from another school.
  • Submit the SEVIS Transfer-Out Request Form found on the F-1 Student Services tab of your MyGlobalMU Portal.
  • Complete the Transfer Out Survey.
  • Notify the Office of International Programs and Services at international.services@millersville.edu upon completion of the process.
  • Work with the Registrar's Office to make sure you have officially withdrawn from the university.

  *Initial transfer out students will not have thier requests processed until after they arrive in the USA, completed the "Immigration Check-In" form on the 'General Services' tab of your MyMUGlobal portal, and completed the steps above. As a reminder, enrollment deposits are not refundable.  

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• Protecting and Maintaining Your Immigration Documents

  Be sure to keep your immigration documents in a safe place at all times and report lost or stolen immigration documents immediately to the Office of International Programs & Services. You should always keep a copy of your original documents somewhere safe, in a separate location from the original documents, in the case that one is lost or stolen. Ensure that all documents are valid and up to date before traveling. 

  Passport

  The passport is the legal document issued by your country of citizenship; it must be valid for 6 months into the future upon your entry into the U.S. and remain valid at all times during your stay. The passport can usually be renewed through your embassy or one of your consulates in the United States. For information regarding your closest embassy or consulate locations visit the following website.

  I-20 & DS-2019 - "Certificate of Eligibility”

  The I-20 (for those with F-1 status) or DS-2019 (for those with J-1 status) is the document which you must present to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to obtain a visa and which you present to immigration officials to enter the U.S. each time you travel abroad and return; for most Millersville University students the I-20 is issued by the university through the Office of International Programs & Services. Some J-1 students have documents issued by an outside agency. You should always keep these and any other immigration documents for your records even if you get new ones in the future. If your I-20 is damaged, lost or stolen, visit the Office of International Programs & Services and request a new form.

  • Replacement I-20/DS-2019 Form

  I-94 Departure Record

  The electronic I-94 is the document that authorizes you to be in the U.S. as a student for a specified period of time, for the specified program of study, at the institution specified on the I-20/DS-2019. For F-1 and J-1 visa holders, the expiration date should be D/S (duration of status), which implies the date of program completion (not always the same date as graduation). The I-94, like the passport, must be valid at all times. To retrieve your most recent I-94, visit the following website. 

  Entry visa

  The entry visa is a sticker with photograph on a page of your passport that permits you to enter the U.S. Individuals entering the U.S. as an international student will have either an F-1 or J-1 entry visa. The visa may expire while you are in the U.S.; you cannot and need not renew it while you are here, however a new entry visa will be required if the original expires and you travel outside and then wish to re-enter the U.S. You must present a valid SEVIS form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) from the school you will attend to the US Consular officer to obtain your entry visa. Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S.

  Important Note:

  Replacing lost or expired immigration documents can be a timely process. You should plan ahead if you know any of your documents are expiring soon, especially if you have upcoming plans to travel internationally. 

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• Reinstatement Rules and Procedures

  It is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status. Students who take a long leave of absence or fail to maintain their immigration status will need to be reinstated. If at any time you decided to alter your purpose for being in the U.S., you will have to change your immigration status. In all of these cases it is important to discuss your plans with the Office of International Programs & Services, so we are able to assist you moving forward. 

  Reinstatement

  F-1 and J-1 students who have failed to maintain their immigration status may request reinstatement from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS has the discretion to reinstate students to lawful immigration status. Alternatively, students may decide to return home, pay the SEVIS Fee, apply for a new visa (if needed) and reinstate their status by re-entering the U.S. using a new initial I-20/DS-2019.

  The reinstatement is often complex and will require you to work with IPS to prepare your application. YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO APPLY FOR REINSTATEMENT ON YOUR OWN.

  The estimated processing time is 3-8 months. After your application has been reviewed by the USCIS, they will inform you of their decision.

  You must attend school as a full-time student while your application is pending, but you may not begin an assistantship or engage in any on- or off-campus employment until you are reinstated. You also may not travel outside the U.S. while your application is pending. If you do, your application will be considered abandoned by the USCIS.

  If your reinstatement application is denied, you will be required to leave the U.S. immediately.

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• Length of Stay in the US and Grace Periods

  Your Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) and passport should list D/S (Duration of Status). This means you are permitted to remain in the United States until your program end date—or the end date of your post-completion OPT or STEM Extension—even if your visa has expired, as long as you follow all immigration regulations.

  • Your program end date determines how long you are considered “in status.” To maintain your status:
  • You must be enrolled in classes every fall and spring semester until you complete your degree.
  • Enrollment during the summer (May–August) is not required, unless summer is your first semester.
  • Any unauthorized break in enrollment may result in termination of your SEVIS record.
  • You may remain in the U.S. during official university breaks and holidays.

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  Grace Periods After Your Program Ends

  Program Completion / Graduation – 60 days

  You may:

  • Prepare for departure.
  • Transfer to another school or degree program.
  • Apply for OPT.
  • Apply for a Change of Status.
  • Travel within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and U.S. territories.

  Restrictions:

  • No travel outside the U.S. except to Canada, Mexico, or U.S. territories.
  • Limited employment only as permitted under OPT rules.

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  Authorized Withdrawal – 15 days

  If you receive prior approval from the IPS Office to withdraw (see here for more information), you may:

  • Prepare for departure.

  Restrictions:

  • No transfer to another school.
  • No travel outside the U.S.
  • No employment.

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  Unauthorized Withdrawal or Loss of Status – No Grace Period

  If you withdraw without authorization or fail to maintain status, you must depart the U.S. immediately.

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• Letter Requests

  The Office of International Programs & Services can provide various letters of verification you may need throughout your stay in the U.S. If you are a current international student at Millersville University in good standing, on a valid visa, and you are in need of a letter, complete the appropriate form below.

  Students should plan ahead to allow up to 1 week for processing.

  VERIFICATION LETTERS

  Letters verifying student status and address are needed if you are seeking to obtain a Social Security Card, to obtain a driver’s license, and frequently for traveling outside the U.S. Exchange students may also need similar letters for their home universities.

  If you need a letter detailing information not included in the form below stop by the Office of International Programs & Services to discuss your letter with a program coordinator or email International.services@Millersville.edu with the completed form and the additional information you need included in your letter.

  • Letter Request Form

  SACM LETTERS

  If students sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission need letters, they should complete the form below. For example, you may need to request a letter to change your major, to submit a graduation plan, for a scholarship extension, or to request permission to take an online course.

  If you need a letter detailing information not included in the form below stop by the Office of International Programs & Services to discuss your letter with a program coordinator or email International.services@Millersville.edu with the completed form and the additional information you need included in your letter.

  • SACM Letter Request Form
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• Changing of Status

  A change of status is a change in one’s primary purpose for being in the U.S. There are two ways to change one’s immigration status. One way is to travel home or outside the U.S., apply for a new visa at a U.S. Consulate, and then re-enter the U.S. in the new status. The other way is to submit a change-of-status application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) while remaining in the U.S. You MUST be in lawful immigration status to apply.

  USCIS reviews applications for changes of status based on the applicant's ability to document and justify a change in primary purpose for being in the U.S. since having arrived in the U.S. In some cases, the students are able to attend classes while their status is under review.

  The change of status process is often complex and will require you to work with the Office of International Programs & Services to prepare your application. YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO APPLY FOR CHANGE OF STATUS ON YOUR OWN.

  For more information regarding change of status, please visit the following website. 

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