The document provides an overview of the Office of International Affairs at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), which oversees international programs and ensures compliance with student visa regulations, and summarizes services provided to over 1,231 international students from 116 countries including maintaining legal immigration status and employment authorization.

1. Welcome to NSU!
Office of International Affairs
August 2012

2. Overview of Presentation
• Office of International Affairs
• Student Visa- Compliance issues
• International Student Employment
• Useful Information

3. Office of International Affairs
Mission
To develop, facilitate, and oversee high quality
innovative international programs, initiatives
and partnerships by providing leadership,
coordination, and service to students and
faculty both on and off campus.

4. Office of Enrollment and Student Services
ESS
Office of International Affairs
OIA
Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli, Executive Director
Alejandra Parra, M.A., Associate Director
Office of
International
Students and
Scholars
NSU Schools,
OISS Colleges, and
Jim Vatral Centers
Deborah Pabon
5 student workers

5. NSU Overall Facts and Figures
International Enrollment on campus: over
1,231 students (student visa)
116 countries represented on campus

6. NSU in the world....
USA Europe
The
Caribbean
Africa Asia
Latin
America

7. Interesting Facts about
International Students at NSU…

8. Interesting Facts about
International Students at NSU…

9. Office of International
Students and Scholars
MAINTAINING
YOUR LEGAL STATUS

10. WHAT IS “VISA STATUS”?
A status granted by the United States Custom
and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the port
of entry. This status is stamped (or written)
on your Admission and Departure Card (I-94).

11. AFTER YOU ARRIVE:
Check-In at the Office of International Students and
Scholars and bring your:
•I-20
•Passport
•Visa
•I-94 Card
•Local Address
•Local Phone Number
•Nova email address
•Certificate of Virtual Pre-arrival Orientation

12. IT’S EASY TO MAINTAIN
YOUR LEGAL STATUS
What document gives you your legal status as
an F-1 Student?

13. I-94 CARD Port of Entry
Entry Date
Status
Limitation of Stay
11 Digit number
One of your most important documents. Keep in a safe place. Replacing it is costly

14. What is SEVIS?
Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

15. SEVIS I-20

16. SEVIS I-20 Academic Level
Academic Program
Length of Program
Initial attendance/Continued attendance/Transfer in progress
Your I-20’s program’s end date should not expire prior to completing your
coursework or you will fall out of status. If you will not complete your studies
before this date, please contact our office for instructions on how to extend this
time

17. SEVIS I-20
.
This area may or may
not be stamped by
immigration.

18. Information recorded in SEVIS
and reported to USCIS
•Program start/end dates
•Term start/end dates
•Educational level
•Program or major
•Program extension
•Authorized vacations
•Transfer to/from NSU
•Off-campus employment/employer information
• Dropping below full course load
• Failure to enroll in classes
• Termination of program (graduation;
withdrawal)
• Change of address for F-1 and F-2’s

19. Maintaining legal F1 status
• Full Course of Study
Undergraduate: 12 credit hours
Master’s: 6 credit hours
Doctoral: 1 class
• Online classes – only one per term towards your
program of study
• Local Address – report any address change to the
OISS within 10 days

20. Maintaining Legal Status
• Employment – only authorized employment
• Prior Approval
– Reduced Course Load
– Dropping/Withdrawing
– Change of Major/Program
– Off-Campus Employment
• I-20 – valid and properly endorsed

21. How does a student fall out of status?
• Not checking in
• Being registered below a full course load
• Not enrolling
• Withdrawing or dropping classes without
authorization
• Taking only online classes
• I-20 expires before program completion
• Working without authorization
• Changing address and not reporting the
changes to the OISS within 10 days

22. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU…
Non-Payment
Termination of Status for
“Failure to Enroll”!!!!
Bursars Hold
Cannot Register

23. WHAT IF I FALL OUT OF STATUS?
You can…for reinstatement.
Apply
Leave and re-enter the
Or, country with a new I-20.
you can…

24. Travelling
To your home country Other than home country
• valid I-20 • valid I-20
• valid visa (except Canada • valid visa (except
or Bermuda) Canada or Bermuda)
• passport which is valid 6 • passport which is valid 6
months into the future months into the future
from the date the from the date the
student intends to re- student intends to re-
enter the USA enter the USA
Important: Check with the Embassy
of that country for any additional visa
requirements

25. Can an international student work while
in the USA?
ON CAMPUS OFF CAMPUS
• CPT
20 hours (part-time)
Curricular Practical Training
37.5 hours (full time) • Economic hardship
• OPT
Optional Practical Training

26. Information to remember….
• Never destroy your “old” immigration documents.
• Always keep copies of your important documents.
• Your responsibility to know the regulations.
• ALWAYS check your Nova email account.
• Never act on “information” from friends, relatives,
or the grapevine
• Make sure all your documents are up-to-date and
valid before you travel internationally.

27. Also remember…
• do not use a tourist visa for re-entry
• Seeking advise
• In case of emergency contact OISS
• detained and questioned at the point-of-entry,
only answer their questions
• Academic performance
– SUSPENDED or DISMISSED I-20 is
IMMEDIATELY terminated and you must leave
the country immediately

28. After Completion
If you complete your program and do not apply for
OPT you have 60 days in which to
• Transfer to another university
• Begin a new program at NSU
• Depart the United States

29. Useful Information

30. TRANSPORTATION
NSU Shuttle
Bus Service
TriRail/Metrorail

33. Other….
• Driving in Florida
• Car Insurance
Come to the OISS for more information.
We are here to help you!

34. PAYMENT INFORMATION
• Register for courses
• automated system creates an E-bill
• sent to NSU e-mail account
• E-bill
• amount you owe
• form of payment
• the terms of payment
• Payments - automated system which you will find within the
Sharklink area.
• Payments must be made within 30 days of the beginning of
the semester.
• “Bursar’s hold”
• “late payment fee” of $100

35. OIA Contact information
Website:
http://www.nova.edu/internationalstudents/
Email:
intl@nova.edu
Phone:
954-262-7240 (24/7)
Skype:
nsu.international