Current International Students

It is essential to know the location and status of your immigration documents at all times during your time at Flagler College.

Passport

Be sure you keep your passport valid at all times. You cannot let your passport expire while you are in the United States.

VISA

It is important to check the expiration date on your F-1 visa. You must plan to renew your visa if you travel internationally and your visa is expired.

I-20

Inform the Flagler College Center for Global Education immediately if you notice a discrepancy in information on your I-20. Please also contact us to extend your I-20 before the program ends.

I-94

Have a copy of your I-94 with you at all times.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) mandates specific rules for how F-1 students must maintain status in the U.S. Current students need to remember that they must follow these requirements throughout their time at Flagler College to maintain legal immigration status.

The Flagler College Center for Global Education can assist you and answer questions you have about your immigration status. It is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status in the United States, however.

Below is a comprehensive list of all F-1 students' responsibilities while studying in the United States.

Full Course Load

Undergraduate: Must be enrolled in 12 credit hours minimum during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Graduate: Must be enrolled in nine credit hours minimum during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Online Classes

Students can participate in online learning courses. However, students may only register for three online credits as a part of their full-time enrollment.

For undergraduate students, only three credit hours may count towards 12 credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters. For graduate students, only three credit hours may count towards the total nine credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters.

Exception/Reduced Course Load

Immigration regulations require that F-1 international students maintain a full course of study (12 credit hours for undergraduate and nine credit hours for graduate).

However, students can drop below the mandatory full-time requirement in certain situations. Please note that in all circumstances, the Center for Global Education must approve a request for a Reduced Course Load Form BEFORE a student drops a course.

Dropping below a full course load without prior approval will result in the student being out of status.

Difficulties resulting from the following categories are acceptable reasons for reduced course loads:

Last Semester of Study

Students in their final semester of study with only one or two courses remaining to graduate may use this exception. You must apply for a reduced course load before your last semester. Applying for a reduced course load during your final semester does not affect your eligibility for OPT or CPT.

Academic Difficulties

This category includes:

• Improper course-level placement
• Initial difficulty with English language (including reading requirements)
• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods.

Students can only request a Reduced Course Load for academic difficulties during their first academic year (first semester only) at Flagler College. Approved Reduced Course Load requests last for the entire semester you requested. Students should prepare to re-enroll in a full-time course load for the following semester.

Illness/Medical Conditions

To initiate a reduced course load, you must submit a note from a licensed medical professional to the Center for Global Education. The note does not need to go into details about the diagnosis. However, the licensed professional must explain why, due to medical circumstances, the student be reduced to part-time enrollment or not enrolled.

Make Normal Progress Towards Degree Completion

F-1 visa students must make normal progress toward completing their program of study by the program end date listed on their Form I-20.

Making normal progress includes, but is not limited to:

• Enrolling in the proper courses required for degree completion (12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate and 9 credit hours per semester for graduate)
• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress
• Continually meeting all institutional enrollment requirements

Students must contact the Center for Global Education if they are no longer making normal progress.

Notifying Changes

All F-1 students must notify the Center for Global Education about changes to their address, legal name(s), marital status, major, and email address within 10 days of the event. It is imperative that students remain diligent in keeping the Center informed of major events such as those listed above.

Travel

Students should meet with the Center for Global Education before traveling internationally to maintain their status. Please see the travel section for more information.

Employment

Students may not engage in unauthorized work.

Students should consult with their International Student Advisor before engaging in any form of employment. That's to ensure they are being compliant. More employment information is located in the employment section.

International students and scholars can travel both domestically and internationally. However, please note that different documents and procedures are required for domestic and international travel. International students and scholars may leave the U. S. for a short period (5 months or less) and re-enter to continue their program if they hold the appropriate immigration and travel documents. These travel documents include:

• A valid passport
• A valid F-1 or J-1 US visa (except those from Canada and Bermuda)
• It is recommended you carry a copy of your unofficial Flagler College transcript in case the Customs and Border Protection Officer wants proof of your current enrollment, proof of funding (bank statements, sponsor support letter, etc.), and I-901 (SEVIS) fee receipt.
• For currently enrolled F-1 students, please ensure you have an unexpired form I-20, endorsed for travel on page 2. Your travel signature must be less than one year old at the time of re-entry to the United States.
• For currently enrolled J-1 students, please ensure you have an unexpired form DS-2019, endorsed for travel on page 1. Your travel signature must be less than six months old at the time of re-entry to the United States.

• For F-1 students on OPT, you must bring a copy of your unofficial transcript in case the Customs and Border Protection Officer wants proof of your current enrollment. We encourage you to take proof of funding and your I-901 (SEVIS) fee receipt. 

  Moreover, you must have a valid passport, F-1 visa (except those from Canada and Bermuda), employment authorization document (EAD card), and proof of employment (a letter from your employer stating the job offer and conditions of employment or proof of job hunting in the U. S. if you do not yet have a position). Likewise, you must have a travel signature on page 2 that is less than six months old at the time of re-entry to the U.S.

• Important: If you arrive at a U. S. port of entry without all your required documents or are missing other information, the U. S. Customs and Border Protection officer may deny you entry into the United States.

  As an alternative, the officer has the discretion to issue you a Form I-515A, which allows you temporary entry into the United States for 30 days, with the requirement to complete all documentation before the 30 days run out. Please contact the Center for Global Education as soon as possible if you are issued a Form I-1515A.

Travel within the U.S.

Students preparing to travel within the U.S. should review the domestic travel checklist.

Domestic Travel Checklist

• Your valid passport with an expiration date that is at least six months in the future of the date you are traveling
• Your most recent Form I-20
• Any State-issued identification document you have received while in the United States (i.e., Social Security card, Florida driver's license, etc.) 

Travel Outside the U.S.

Students preparing to travel outside the U.S. should review the international travel checklist.

International Travel Checklist

• Your valid passport with an expiration date that is at least six months in the future of the date you are traveling
• Your valid F-1 student visa 
• Your Form I-20 with travel signature for re-entry.
  • Check the 2nd page of your I-20 for travel signatures from a Flagler College DSO (i.e., someone from the Center for Global Education). If you are traveling internationally and do not have a travel signature, please come to the Center before you depart.
  • The travel signature is an important part of your international travel as it indicates to U.S. Border Patrol Officers that the Center is aware of your international travel. Please note that the I-20 travel signature is shown during RE-ENTRY to the United States.

Students in F-1 or J-1 status may accept employment under certain circumstances. Please note this page is for informational purposes only.

If you have an employment question or would like to determine your eligibility, please attend an Employment Authorization workshop or contact a Center for Global Education member at global@flagler.edu.

F-1 Students

On-Campus Employment

All F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus Students do not need to report their on-campus employment. During the Fall and Spring semester, and during other terms where a student is enrolled full-time, students are limited to 20 hours or less of work per work week. Violation of this restriction could mean termination of your status, so please be sure to stay aware of the hours you work each work week. While classes are not in session and students are on an official break, students are eligible to work over 20 hours per week. Before the start of every break, the Center for Global Education will email out the dates and times that students can work additional hours. For more information, contact the Center for Global Education at internationalcenter@flagler.edu.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is a temporary off-campus work authorization that students can apply for with the Center for Global Education that allows students to pursue practical training directly related to their field of study while they are still earning their degree. CPT is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with Flagler College. Students must obtain authorization before they can begin this type of work. If you have a question on whether you could receive CPT authorization for a type of employment, please contact a staff member in the Center for Global Education. Students can have Part-Time CPT (20 hours or less a week) or Full-Time CPT (More than 20 hours a week). If you would like to participate in CPT or if you would like to learn more, please contact the Center for Global Education.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training is a work authorization in the U.S. that provides students with the opportunity to gain further skills and knowledge related to their major area of study. OPT is typically used after a student graduates in the form of Post-Completion OPT. If students would like to participate in OPT while they are a current student (Pre-Completion OPT) then they should reach out to the Center for Global Education. OPT has an initial period of one year, with an additional two-year extension for students with STEM-eligible degrees for the STEM Extension. Employment must be related to a student's field of study on the student’s I-20. Students will need to apply to receive OPT authorization from the Center for Global Education and USCIS.

J-1 Students On-Campus Employment

J-1 students are permitted to work on campus. Students must report their on-campus employment each semester. During the Fall and Spring semester, and during other terms where a student is enrolled full-time, students are limited to 20 hours or less of work per work week. Violation of this restriction could mean termination of your status, so please be sure to stay aware of the hours you work each work week. However, while classes are not in session and students are on an official break, students are eligible to work over 20 hours per week. Before the start of every break, the Center for Global Education will email out the dates and times that students can work additional hours. For more information, contact the Center for Global Education at internationalcenter@flagler.edu.

Academic Training

Student in J-1 status are permitted to accept employment directly related to their field of study through academic training. Academic training may not exceed a cumulative total of 18 months, or the period of full course of study in the US - whichever is less. Additionally, your J-1 program sponsor must approve your academic training. For more information, contact the Center for Global Education at internationalcenter@flagler.edu.

Needed for all Types of Employment

Obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN)

International students in F-1 and J-1 status who are currently engaging in or have obtained authorized employment must obtain a social security number. Students are not eligible to apply for a social security number unless they obtain permissible employment. Students can obtain an SSN by applying with the Social Security Administration.

Tax Implications

As a nonresident F-1 or J-1 student, if you have an on or off-campus position, you will need to file tax forms each year with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is your responsibility to understand and meet your tax obligations. U. S. tax laws can be complex and confusing and the laws that apply to international students and scholars are not the same as those that apply to U. S. citizens. For more information, please contact staff in the Center for Global Education.

Unauthorized Employment

International students and scholars are only allowed to participate in employment under specific conditions. International students are not allowed to work off-campus without authorization for any type of position. Students cannot receive authorization to work off-campus for roles not related to their major area of study. This would include any work that is done while the student is physically located inside the United States, no matter how the payment is made if there is one. Students could not work remotely for any off-campus employer without authorization. If you are unsure whether you are about to participate in unauthorized work, please reach out to the staff at the Center for Global Education. Volunteer work could also be considered employment if it is done regularly and/or is related to your major area of study and/or if there is any compensation involved.

Other Employment

International current students who return home during school breaks are allowed to work in their home country for employers of any type based in their home country. Students could not continue to work for these employers once they return to the United States.

Career and Professional Development

Need help finding employment? Want to learn more about building a resume, maximizing your networking skills, how to dress for an interview, and more? Don't miss upcoming events and opportunities by checking out the Career Development Center.

Any F-1 student who wishes to work in the United States while at Flagler College must obtain a U.S. Social Security number. The Center for Global Education recommends reading the Social Security Administration's International Students and Social Security Numbers document for more information. 

Students with on-campus employment must follow specific steps to receive a Social Security number.

The Social Security Administration Office requires students to submit the following:

• Evidence of employment, including letters from Flagler College's Center for Global Education and Human Resources 
• Valid Passport and Visa
• Form I-20
• A printout of the electronic I-94
• Application for a Social Security Card

The closest Social Security Administration Office to Flagler College is at 2428 Old Moultrie Road, St Augustine, Fla. 32086.

International Students may apply for a Florida-issued driver’s license during their time at Flagler College.

However, please note that driving rules and regulations in the United States may differ from your home country. It is your responsibility to be aware of the rules of the road in the United States.

You are encouraged to read the state of Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Handbook before you attempt to obtain a U.S. driver’s license. 

You can apply for a Florida-issued driver’s license at the St. John’s County Tax Collector's Office, located at 4030 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, visit their page here.

Be prepared to present the following during your driver’s license appointment:

• Print out of electronic I-94
• Form I-20
• Valid Passport and visa
• Cash, check, or money order for the processing fee
• A letter from the Center for Global Education confirming your local address
• One of the following documents showing a Florida address to confirm residence, such as:
  • Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year
  • Utility bills (cell phone, electric bill), not more than two months old
  • Mail from financial institutions, including checking, savings, or investment account statements, not more than two months old
  • Credit card statement

More information about obtaining a Florida-issued driver’s license can be found on Florida’s Highway and Safety Motor Services website. 

CPT is "any alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."

You may get CPT authorization as long as the experience is an integral part of the established curriculum for a respective course.

All F-1 students who have completed one academic year of courses may be authorized to participate in CPT. Students currently in their first or second semester are not eligible for CPT. CPT may be part-time or full-time, but students who participate in 12 months of full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical Training.

Overview of CPT Requirements:

1. Training is required of all students in the curriculum.
2. Training is required of all students in a particular course or degree requirement.
3. Training is not required, but CPT replaces a course for which students will receive credit.

Please review the Center for Global Education's Curricular Practical Training Information Sheet for more information about CPT.

Any F-1 student may apply for temporary employment directly related to the student's major of study.

Students can participate in optional practical training (OPT) employment authorization for 12 months per educational level (i.e., bachelor's, master's, doctorate).

Two types of OPT are available to F-1 students: pre-completion and post-completion. Here's more information.

Pre-Completion OPT

Students may request temporary employment in the United States while still in school. Students who want to participate in Pre-Completion OPT should plan to apply 90 days before their desired start date.

While this form of employment may be off-campus, it is important to remember that students may only work up to 20 hours a week while registered for classes.

Students can apply for full-time employment (40 hours per week) during annual breaks (summer vacation) and school-recognized holidays. Please remember that any OPT completed before graduation will be deducted from post-completion OPT. More information on that is below.

Post-Completion OPT

Students may request temporary employment in the United States for 12 months after graduation. Students must apply for OPT before the completion of their studies.

Students may apply no earlier than 90 days before AND no later than 60 days after the program end date on their Form I-20. The Center for Global Education encourages students to apply for post-completion OPT as early as possible so that they may receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) promptly.

Please review the Center for Global Education's Optional Practical Training Information Sheet for more information about OPT.

Applying for OPT

Apply for OPT early! Applying earlier gives students a better chance of working during their desired training period. 

For both Pre-Completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT, students must complete a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and other government documents to be considered for OPT.

Students should plan to attend the Center's OPT Workshop to learn more about application requirements. Students should also plan to meet with their International Student Advisor to review their OPT application materials.

For more information about OPT, check the OPT FAQs page.

When Should I Apply for OPT?

Pre-completion: You should apply 90 days before your desired start date.

Post-completion: You should plan to apply 90 days before the program end date on your Form I-20. Please consider other factors like meeting with your International Student Advisor, attending an OPT workshop, and reviewing your OPT application as you plan your submission date.

How Long Does it Take to Receive a Decision?

While there is no set timeline, USCIS indicates that processing can take anywhere from four weeks to five months, depending on when your application is received and the processing center receives it. 

Please refer to USCIS for more information about processing times.

What Can I Do if my Application is Rejected or Denied?

You may be able to appeal or resubmit it. Please schedule a meeting with your International Student Advisor or visit the Center for Global Education immediately. Be sure to bring your rejection/denial notice to your meeting.

I Need to Change my Address. Who Do I Contact?

You will need to visit this website: https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange. Click on the “Change of Address” box and follow the instructions.

Can I Travel Internationally While My Application is Pending? 

If you are traveling before the program end date on your I-20, travel should not pose a problem. Be sure you have a valid passport and visa and that your Form I-20 has a valid travel signature.

The Center for Global Education seriously recommends against traveling while your OPT application is pending, and it is after the program end date on your Form I-20.

Can I Travel Internationally while On OPT?

If you are planning to travel internationally while on OPT, you must be able to present the following documentation upon re-entry to the United States:

• Form I-20 indicating your approved OPT (page 2)
• Original EAD card (not a copy)
• A letter from your employer confirming that they are aware of your travel and return
• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa

What Do I Need to Know About My Job Search? 

It is important to remember that your OPT experience must directly relate to your major (not minor) of study. The Center for Global Education recommends contacting Flagler College’s Center for Career Development for personalized assistance with your job search.