International Students

F-1 Students

The following information is available for F-1 Students: TRANSFERS FOR F-1 STUDENTS

If you wish to transfer to another school notify the Office of International Education of your intent to transfer. We will enter your transfer request into SEVIS. Once you have been accepted and receive a Form I-20, you should report to the Office of International Education, at the new school, immediately of beginning attendance.

PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR F-1 STUDENTS

Practical training is available to F-1 students as
  • Curricular Practical Training prior to completion of studies, and
  • Optional Practical Training.
To be eligible for practical training permission in either case, an F-1 student must have completed at least one year of study in the United States.

Curricular Practical Training

 Eligibility
Curricular practical training consists of two types:
  1. Non-credit training programs that are a required part of an established curriculum (i.e. clinical training required for a Master's Degree).
  2. For-credit training programs which are an integral, but not required, part of an established curriculum (listed in a course catalogue).
Procedures
An F-1 student wanting authorization for curricular practical training prior to graduation must make a request to the Foreign Student Advisor in the OIE. You will need:
  1. A letter of recommendation from your department chair or academic advisor.
  2. Form from Career Services stating your internship.
The student's record in SEVIS will be updated as being authorized for curricular practical training.  Only with an endorsed I-20 I-D copy can you legally undertake practical training employment.

Employment for 20 hours or less per week while the student is simultaneously enrolled in classes is considered part-time curricular practical training. Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training. Students who receive 12 months or more of full-time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion practical training. If you work less than 12 months in curricular practical training, you can still do 12 months of post-completion practical training.

Optional Practical Training

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) has combined pre-completion and post-completion practical training into one 12-month period of optional practical training.  Part-time optional practical training, 20 hours per week or less, shall be deducted from the available optional practical training at one-half the full rate.  Curricular practical training remains a separate category of practical training.

An F-1 student may apply to the BCIS for authorization of optional practical training directly related to the student's major area of study in the following cases:
  1. During the student’s annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session if the student is currently enrolled and intends to register for the next term;
  2. While school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed 20 hours a week;
  3. After completion of course requirements (but before completion of a course of study), excluding a thesis or the equivalent, if the student is in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program;
  4. After completion of the course of study.
All students pursuing optional practical training must apply to BCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Employment Authorization Document
Authorization of optional practical training can be granted for a maximum of 12 months. In order to obtain the EAD, a student must mail to BCIS:
  1. A completed Form I-765.
  2. The Form I-20 ID with the Foreign Student Advisor's recommendation.
  3. A $120 (03/31/03) fee made payable to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  4. Two passport size photos taken on white background with right side of face and right ear facing camera - print your name on the back of the photos with a pencil.
  5. Copies of identity pages (with picture) from the passport and the I-94.
Remember, you MUST apply for optional practical training BEFORE graduation

For further information/questions, you can contact Diane Sasaki at 608-785-8921 or sasaki.dian@uwlax.edu.
PROGRAM EXTENSION FOR F-1 STUDENTS

Duration of Status

You have been admitted to the U.S. for "duration of status," which is defined as:
  1. The time during which you are pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward completing that course plus;
  2. The time you may be working in authorized "practical training" after you complete studies (if you qualify and are so authorized) plus;
  3. 60 days to depart the country.
The BCIS grants duration of status to F-1 students by entering the notation "D/S" in the upper right corners of both Form I-20 and Form I-94.

Limitations on Duration of Status

The "completion of studies" date in item #5 on the most recent Form I-20 you were issued is the date by which the BCIS expects you to complete requirements for your current program. If you are unable to complete your program of study by that date, consult with your international student advisor at least 30 days before reaching the I-20 completion date. If you are eligible for an extension of your time limit, your advisor will assist you to comply with extension requirements.

Eligibility Requirements for Program Extension

You may apply for an extension of your study program if:
  1. You have not yet exceeded the time limitation placed upon your study by the expected completion of studies date in item #5 on your I-20 and
  2. You have continuously maintained lawful F-1 status and
  3. The delay in completing program requirements has been caused by compelling academic reasons (such as changes of major field or research topics, or unexpected research problems), or compelling and documented medical reasons. Delays in completing program requirements which are caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for extension of a program of study.
If your completion of studies date has expired or if you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for program extension, you may need to apply for "reinstatement" to lawful F-1 status. In this case, immediate consultation with your international student advisor is necessary.

Application Deadline for Extension of a Study Program

You must apply for an extension within the 30-day period before the completion date on your I-20. You should contact the staff in your international student services office at least 30 days before your I-20 completion date so that you will have sufficient time to prepare your application. If your completion date has already passed, please contact the staff of that office immediately.

Application Procedures
  1. Memorandum or letter from your academic advisor.
    International Student Extension form.     Your international student advisor will request that you have your academic advisor sign a program extension. This form is available in the Office of International Education.
  2. Form I-20. You will be given a new I-20, which you have to sign. You must keep this new document and all previous I-20 forms you have been issued, and submit them to an immigration officer when you travel outside the U.S. or apply for any future immigration benefits.
Failure to Comply with Program Extension Regulations

It is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations which apply to F-1 students, including the extension of study program regulations discussed above. The staff in your international student services office will assist you to do this. If your I-20 completion of studies date will soon expire or if it has expired, you are urged to immediately contact your international student advisor. If you fail to comply with your responsibilities, you may not be eligible to continue (or to apply for) benefits provided to F-1 students. For example, you may not be eligible to continue any type of employment (even on-campus employment though a scholarship, fellowship or assistantship) or to apply for school transfer, practical training or other F-1 benefits. In some situations, you may be subject to deportation.

For further information/questions, you can contact Diane Sasaki at 608-785-8921 or sasaki.dian@uwlax.edu.

Office of International Education
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
116 Graff Main Hall
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601 USA 
Telephone: 608-785-8016 Fax: 608-785-8923 E-Mail: uwlworld@uwlax.edu