I. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Office of International Students provides advice and assistance to students from outside the United States, particularly with regard to immigration issues relating to
F-1 student status and J-1 Exchange Visitor student category. Each semester, the office conducts an orientation session for international students. The office also assists students in understanding American cultural behavior and in interpreting various bureaucratic procedural requirements.

Upon their arrival in New York City, new international students should contact the Office of International Students as soon as possible so that the office can record their immigration documents and verify status.

The U.S. government regulates the immigration status of international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). International students are personally responsible for complying with all government regulations that relate to their F-1 or J-1 immigration status. Therefore, all students are urged to familiarize themselves with the regulations and procedures that apply to their specific immigration status. Students should keep copies of all documents relating to their immigration status and bring their passport, I-94, and current Form I-20 or DS-2019 whenever contacting this office.

SEVIS requires immediate reporting to the Office of International Students of any changes in an international student’s personal or academic information.

In particular, this includes the following:

• change in U.S. residence address
• change in academic level
• change in academic program
• change of legal name (as it is in the passport)

International students with any questions regarding any aspect of the immigration regulations or their stay in the United States should consult an adviser in the Office of International Students.

International students must consult this office for information on the following:

• obtaining an initial Form I-20 (F-1 status) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 status);
• on-campus employment regulations and procedures;
• off-campus employment authorization procedures;
• travel outside the United States and reentry;
• inviting a spouse or dependent children to the United States;
• extension of legal stay in the United States;
• passport and visa information;
• transfer to another school;
• change of status to or from F-1 or J-1.

International students must consult the Office of International Students:

• before accepting employment of any kind (see “Employment” below); and
• before discontinuing their studies (i.e., Leave of Absence, Withdrawals from the program, or Termination of studies) at the Graduate Center.

"United States Immigration Regulations and Procedures," a brochure providing general information on immigration regulations for individuals holding F-1 and J-1 immigration status, is available from the Office of International Students.

With regard to academic policies and procedures, students should consult the Vice President for Student Affairs, Room 7301; Telephone: 1-212-817-7400. Questions on degree requirements should be directed first to the Executive Officers or subprogram heads of an individual student’s academic program.

International students are required by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to enroll in a full-time course of study in order to maintain proper immigration status. It is essential that students who are considering requesting a Leave of Absence from the Graduate Center obtain a clarification of their immigration status from the Office of International Students before submitting a request for a Leave of Absence.

International students are required to enroll in a full-time study and/or research program and also to complete a full-time course of study or research program each semester. Students who are considering Withdrawing from a course should consult the Office of International Students first to determine the effect of such a Withdrawal on proper maintenance of their F-1 or J-1 student status.

1. On-campus Employment: students who are enrolled full time, or who are registered for full-time enrollment in the next semester, may work on-campus at any CUNY college as follows: (a) 20 hours per week total maximum while classes are in session; and (b) above 20 hours per week during regularly scheduled vacation periods.

2. Off-campus Employment: International students must not begin any kind of employment off campus (i.e., outside CUNY) without (a) receiving authorization from either the Office of International Students or the Immigration and Naturalization Service and (b) determining the applicable limit on the number of hours of employment permitted per week and the duration for which the employment may continue. Students who work more than the regulations permit will be in violation of their immigration status.

ALL international students are subject to taxation on all U.S. source income and must file annual reports (“tax returns”) with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regardless of whether or not they received any income. Although the Office of International Students is not able to provide income tax advice, it does make available appropriate information concerning federal (U.S.) tax requirements as well as New York State tax returns. CUNY requires all students to register in GLACIER before they may receive any money. CUNY also makes the CINTAX on-line software available for students to determine their tax status and to help prepare their U.S. tax returns when appropriate.

Suggestions or advice concerning immigration, employment, or taxation that are made by other students, or advice and/or permissions given by an administrator or faculty member, DO NOT constitute authorization for, or compliance with, U.S. government regulations. The only authorized interpretation of immigration regulations pertaining to your student immigration status at the Graduate Center is from an International Student Counselor in the Office of International Students at the Graduate Center.

[Student Handbook 07-08; pp. 27-29]