Regulations

Travel Outside the United States

Obtaining A New I-20 Signature For Travel

If you are traveling outside of the U.S. you will need to make sure your documents are up to date. The travel signature space on the back of your I-20 should be signed by an International Student Advisor within six months of the date you will be returning to the U.S.

1. Login to isslink.uark.edu and complete a Travel Signature Request from the F-1 Student Services tab.
2. An International Student Advisor will email you a new I-20 with their travel signature within approximately 7-10 business days. Print all three pages and sign new I-20. You do not need your travel I-20 for leaving the U.S., only for returning.

Student Visa Validity

When entering the U.S. your F-1 or F-2 visa must be valid. If your visa has expired and you are traveling outside the U.S. you must visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and apply for a new student visa. If you are traveling to another country that is not your home country you can contact the U.S. Embassy in that country to inquire about renewing your visa in that country. It is up to each embassy whether or not they will allow you to apply for a student visa, so you will need to check with the embassy you are applying to before you leave the U.S.

If your student visa has expired you can travel to Canada, Mexico, or an approved adjacent island to the U.S., for less than thirty days and re-enter using your expired student visa. This exception is referred to as automatic revalidation and you can find more information on that process at the U.S. Department of State's website.

Documents Needed For Travel

When traveling it is important to keep the following documents with you:

Required Documents:

• Signed I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students) with travel signature
• Valid passport (should be valid at least 6 months beyond date of entry to U.S.)
• Valid visa stamp
• If on OPT: Valid EAD card and proof of employment

Recommended Documents:

• Current proof of financial support (assistantship/scholarship letter, bank statements etc.)
• Proof of full-time enrollment (transcripts, class lists, etc.)
• Proof of recent tuition payment
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt (can be reprinted at Department of Homeland Security - Form I-901)
  
  

Returning to the U.S.

Upon return, be sure to check your new I-94 here. If you obtained a new visa or passport, upload a copy to ISSLink.

Maintaining Status

Documents Required for Status

The following immigration documents are an important part of maintaining your F-1 status. Original documents should be carried with you at all times if you are outside Fayetteville; if you are in Fayetteville, you should at least carry copies of your documents.

Passport: Record of your legal citizenship which must be valid at all times while in the United States. When entering the U.S. from abroad, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future. Please contact your country's embassy or consulate for information about renewing your passport.

Visa: Allows you to request permission to enter the U.S. and must be presented at the port of entry. Your visa may expire while you are in the U.S., but it must be valid in order to re-enter from abroad (exceptions may include Mexico, Canada and some Caribbean Islands--see the Automatic Revalidation rule)

I-20: Legal document stating educational institution, personal and degree information. Your I-20 must be valid for as long as you participate in an academic program. The information on the I-20 should be checked regularly to ensure accuracy. Please schedule an appointment with an ISS advisor if you need to update your I-20.

I-94: The I-94 is a record of your entry into the U.S. to show that you entered under the correct immigration status. Each time you enter the U.S. you will receive a new stamp in your passport showing the day you entered the country and the mark "F-1, D/S." Your I-94 record can be found and printed at http://www.cbp.gov/i94.

SEVIS Fee Receipt (I-901): Paper or electronic receipt for the SEVIS registration payment. May be required for future visa interviews and it is recommended you carry it with you during international travel. Visit FMJFee.com for more information.

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Enrollment Requirements

As an F-1 student, you are required to be enrolled full time each fall and spring term.

Fall/Spring Minimum Enrollment Requirements

• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours
• Graduate students without a 50% (20 hours per week) graduate assistantship must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours
• Graduate students with a 50% (20 hours per week) graduate assistantship must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours

Only online course up to three credit hours can count towards the minimum enrollment requirements.

Summer Minimum Enrollment Requirements

• Immigration does not require summer term enrollment unless the first academic term begins in summer. Also, graduate assistants may be required to be enrolled during the summer if enrollment is a requirement of the assistantship by the Graduate School.

Reduced Enrollment

There are certain cases where you can be approved to be enrolled less than full time. A Reduced Enrollment Form found at isslink.uark.edu must be submitted for approval to ISS before the drop/add deadline in order to participate in Reduced Enrollment. The following scenarios may qualify for Reduced Enrollment:

• Medical condition prohibiting you from participating in a full course of study (requires approval from a Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), or Licensed Clinical Psychologist (L.C.P.))
• Students in their final semester and need fewer than the minimum requirements to graduate
• Graduate students who have completed all coursework requirements and only have thesis, dissertation or equivalent remaining to complete the degree requirements
• Concurrent enrollment at another university (must provide proof of enrollment)
• Difficulties with the English language or American teaching methods during the first semester
  
  

Academic Suspension

A student on limited enrollment due to university academic suspension must still maintain full-time enrollment by immigration regulations. Students on academic suspension are encouraged to meet with an ISS advisor to discuss their options to maintain status. Options include adding concurrent enrollment credit from another SEVP approved institution or transferring to another SEVP institution. Enrollment in the University of Arkansas Global Campus for additional hours is no longer approved. Failure to maintain full-time enrollment may result in a loss of status.

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Extending the Program

To extend the program end date of your I-20 you must have your program extended before the expiration date. If you do not extend your program by the expiration date and have not completed your academic program, you would then be out of status.

To extend your program you must login to isslink.uark.edu and select I-20 Program Extension Application from the F-1 Student Services tab. After submitting the application, the academic advisor you listed will need to verify when you will complete your program and list the reason for the extension. An ISS advisor will then send the updated I-20 to your email to print and sign.

Regaining Status

As an F-1 student you must comply with all rules and regulations regarding your status. If you violate your status this could lead to your SEVIS record being terminated, as ISS is required by immigration regulations to notify Homeland Security if we know that a student has lost or violated their F-1 immigration status. There are two ways to regain status: either through travel or through reinstatement.

Regaining status through travel requires you to apply for a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number, pay the SEVIS fee again, and possibly obtain a new F-1 visa stamp (if your previous visa has expired or been cancelled). Once you leave the U.S. and re-enter successfully using the new I-20, you would be in a new period of valid F-1 status. You would lose time accrued in F-1 status previously, which means that you would need to be in F-1 status for a full academic year to qualify for Curricular Practical Training and/or Optional Practical Training.

In some circumstances, if your SEVIS record has been terminated for violating status you may also try to obtain F-1 status again by filing a reinstatement application with USCIS. Reinstatement is a formal request to re-open a SEVIS record and place someone who is out of status back in status. A fee is required to apply for reinstatement and there is no guarantee that the application will be approved. Reinstatement can sometimes take a year or more to be adjudicated and you cannot engage in employment while the application is pending. For more information on reinstatement please schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor.

On-Campus Employment

Students maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status are eligible for on-campus employment. Below is an overview of eligibility:

Students: F-1 students may work on-campus without special work authorization; however, J-1 students must obtain permission from the Responsible Officer of their Exchange Visitor Program (the person who signed their DS-2019) prior to working on campus. J-1 students must present a letter from their Responsible Officer to Human Resources as proof of their employment authorization prior to beginning work.

Dependents: F-2 dependents are not allowed to work under any circumstances. J-2 dependents may apply for work permission through the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) under limited circumstances. Please speak with an advisor at International Students & Scholars for more information.

Semester Employment: Employment may not exceed 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters (there is no limit to on-campus employment during summer, winter and spring official school breaks). Students with 20-hour per week graduate assistantships (also known as a 50% appointment) are not eligible for additional on-campus employment during the Fall and Spring semesters. Weeks are defined by University of Arkansas pay periods, which begin on Sunday and end on Saturday.

School Break Employment: On-campus employment is employment by the university (including Chartwell's and other campus restaurants). There is no weekly limit to on-campus employment hours during school breaks; however, if you are working for multiple departments on campus, you should notify all your supervisors. Failure to do so may result in one of your hiring departments being obligated to pay you "overtime" pay if you exceed 40 hours in a given week. For employment with an organization or entity outside of the university system (even if your work is physically performed on the campus), you MUST obtain prior work authorization from ISS and/or the immigration service (USCIS) before beginning work.

Paperwork: All required paperwork (I-9, W-4, University of Arkansas drug & alcohol policy) must be completed through the Payroll Office in the Administration Building, Room 222. You must also apply for a Social Security card, if you do not already have one. Note: Employees of Chartwell's or other companies with permanent locations on campus considered to be "on campus" employers must complete paperwork as instructed by that company's human resources representatives.

Paying Taxes: In general, F-1 students who have been in the United States for 5 years or less are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A. or Medicare/OASDI) tax; however, federal, state, and local income taxes should be deducted from your paychecks. International students are NOT EXEMPT from these taxes.

Please note that even if you are not working and have no U.S. income, you are still required to file a U.S. tax return for each year that you are here (even if you were not present for the entire year). You can find information and assistance regarding tax reporting through Human Resources.

Filing Federal Taxes

ALL non-residents for tax purposes who were in the United States in the previous year MUST file a federal tax return, whether or not you have U.S. source income. The university provides GLACIER tax prep software to complete your Federal tax return each year as long as you are a Nonresident for tax purposes. You should NOT use any other program or company to complete your tax return. University of Arkansas and UADA employees can find their W-2 forms are available in Workday. Students who are not employed by the University of Arkansas (such as Chartwells, Barnes and Nobles, or an off campus internship or OPT), but who need to file a tax return should contact Nonresident Tax Coordinator NRATax@uark.edu for the access code. GLACIER also provides free workshops to help you complete federal tax returns and to answer your questions. The University of Arkansas provides access to this software for no charge to the university community.

Filing State Taxes

Non-residents who have received income from any Arkansas source must file an Arkansas income tax return. Find instructions for filing in the Arkansas Income Tax Guide. You may use tax filing software Sprintax for a fee, or use a filing website of their choice (find more options in the tax guide). Please send questions to Nonresident Tax Coordinator at NRAtax@uark.edu.

Tips for Finding a Job On-Campus:

1. Visit the Human Resources website
2. Speak with faculty, staff and friends about job opportunities
3. Or contact the offices below for possible opportunities:
   • Arkansas Union: 575-2196
   • Campus Dining Services: 575-3232
   • Chemistry Library: 575-2028
   • Computing Services: 575-2901
   • Education Library: 575-5444
   • Engineering Match Center: 575-6010
   • Experimental Farms: 575-2252
   • Fine Arts Library: 575-4708
   • HPER: 575-2842
   • Library Worker Math Tutoring: 575-3351
   • Men's Athletics: 575-6533
   • Mullins Library: 575-4101
   • Parking and Transit: 575-3500
   • Physics Library: 575-2505
   • Razorback Patrol: 575-2222
   • Residence Life: 575-3951
   • SOAR Centers: 575-7290
   • Student Support Services: 575-3546
   • Telecommunications Center: 575-5346
   • Telephone Operator: 575-2000
   • Union Book Store: 575-2155
   • Upward Bound: 575-3553
   • Veterans Upward Bound: 575-2821
   • Women's Athletics: 575-4959

Economic Hardship

Economic Hardship Work Authorization permits off-campus employment that is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond the student’s control that arose after obtaining F-1 status.

Eligibility

Students who meet the following requirements may be eligible for Economic Hardship Work Authorization:

• Student must have been in good standing as an F-1 student for at least one full academic year (two semesters) and is carrying a full course of study at the time of filing the application; and,
• Student must prove the off-campus employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond his/her control that arose after obtaining F-1 status.
  
  

Application Process

To apply for Economic Hardship Work Authorization, please prepare the following documents along with the I-765 application

• Type a letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, requesting employment authorization (see suggestions below)
• Obtain two passport style photos.
• Prepare a Personal Budget Sheet (see model below)·
• Prepare a check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" for the correct fee.
• Provide independent documentation to support your severe economic hardship.
• Include photocopies of the following immigration documents: current I-20, passport expiration page, and I-94.
  
  

Sample Letter

Paragraph 1

State your purpose for coming to the United States, when you arrived, who was financially supporting you at that time, what is your major and degree, and when you plan to complete your studies.

Paragraph 2

State how the unforeseen financial circumstances have created a severe economic hardship for you. You must have independent documentation (not merely online reports or news articles) to support your statements; for example: tax statements from your sponsor, monthly expenditures compared to monthly income of your sponsor, bank statements, and notarized letter from sponsor. Also, state how you have already attempted to resolve this financial deficit through employment opportunities on campus and why this has not been sufficient.

Paragraph 3

State that you will continue to carry a full course of study even after acceptance of employment. Also, state what you plan to do with your degree in your country of residence if you are permitted to complete your course of study.

Paragraph 4

Close the letter, thanking the officer for considering your application, and SIGN the letter.

Sample Budget Sheet

Current Expenses (12 months)	Current Income (12 months)
Tuition and Fees: $	Financial Sponsor: $
Room and Board (itemize): $	Personal Savings: $
Books and Equipment: $	Other Income: $
Other expenses (itemize): $
TOTAL: $	TOTAL: $

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students. It must be directly related to the major area of study and students must receive academic credit for the work experience.

As noted in federal regulations, "Curricular practical training 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 the school."

We understand this to mean that CPT may be:

• Alternative work/study, OR,
• Internship, OR,
• Cooperative Education, OR,
• Any required internship or practicum
  
  

Therefore, our institutional policy for CPT is that the student must receive academic credit for the work they perform through:

• Enrollment in an internship course, OR,
• Enrollment in a CO-OP (Cooperative Education) course, OR,
• Enrollment in a course which requires a work/volunteer component, OR,
• Credit for hours worked when the program requires such hours of ALL students (for example, Hospitality Management) but does not enroll them in a course to grant the credit
  
  

Note for Ph.D. students: In Ph.D. programs, doctoral candidates may substitute up to 3 hours of approved graduate-level internship, capstone or COOP to meet the 18 hour doctoral dissertation requirement with prior approval of the student's advisor, dissertation committee, and department/program head/chair/director.

CPT Steps

1. Obtain a job offer.
2. Complete the online CPT Application (and Engineering Co-Op Online Form if an Engineering student).
3. Academic Advisor verifies employment is related to your major program and determines the appropriate course credit.
4. Enroll in the course related to CPT employment.
5. Schedule an appointment with an F-1 advisor at ISS to receive a CPT I-20 in order to begin CPT employment.
   CPT Employment Verification Form
   CPT Online Application

Engineering Students Only

Please visit the College of Engineering Co-Op webpage and contact Caleb Hatz for assistance or further information. Once the online application is processed by the College of Engineering and you are enrolled in the CO-OP course, please schedule an appointment with an F-1 advisor to submit your completed CPT application for review by ISS. CPT approval will not be finalized - and you may NOT begin employment - until you have a new I-20 with the CPT authorization printed on the second page which you can show to your employer as proof of your employment authorization.

CPT Start and End Dates

Every student's situation is different, and several factors are considered regarding when CPT may begin and end. Please contact an International Student Advisor on live chat for specific guidance concerning CPT dates.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit available to students in F-1 status so that they can gain practical experience in their major field of study. International Students and Scholars assists students with the OPT application process; however, the final authorization is processed by USCIS.

View the most recent OPT and STEM OPT Seminar Recordings on our YouTube channel.

ISS assists students with the OPT application process; however, the final authorization is processed by USCIS. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that a completed application is submitted in a timely manner to USCIS. We recommend applying 90 days prior to the completion date of all academic requirements as USCIS processing can take up to 90 days or more. You cannot begin working on OPT until USCIS approval is received and you have a valid EAD (employment authorization document) card in hand.

Student Eligibility

Students who have valid F-1 status and who have attended an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary on a full-time basis for at least one academic year may be authorized up to 12 months of OPT per program level. Students must not have used more than 12 months of full-time CPT. Students must apply no earlier than 90 days earlier than or 60 days later than their degree completion date.

OPT Hours & Limitations

• Employment on OPT must be directly related to the major area of study and correspond with the most recent educational level as listed on the student’s I-20.
• Students may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during the 12 months of standard post-completion OPT. Working and/or volunteering for less than 20 hours per week counts as unemployment.
• Post-completion OPT start date must be within 60 days following academic program completion (not necessarily date of graduation). The academic program completion date should be determined prior to applying for OPT.
  
  

OPT Application Process

1. APPLY
   Log in to ISSLink to access the Standard OPT Application
2. COMPLETE THE ONLINE FORM
   list your academic advisor’s information
3. GATHER DOCUMENTS:
   • Check or money order for current application fee (check this on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security site)
   • Two U.S. style passport photos, taken within the last 30 days
   • Passport
   • I-94 (found at cbp.gov/i94)
   • Current I-20
   After you have submitted all the necessary e-forms and supporting documentation in ISSLink, you must contact the ISS office to schedule an OPT appointment with a Foreign Student Advisor. After you meet with the ISS advisor and receive your new I-20 recommending OPT, you will then be responsible for completing the application and sending to to USCIS (or submitting it to USCIS online).

24-Month STEM Extension for OPT

If you’ve completed your initial 12-month OPT, and your program was in a qualified STEM field, you can apply for an additional 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to your program of study. Below are the requirements:

• You must have completed a degree at bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level in a field designated by Homeland Security as a STEM program (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics). See ISS website or the STEM OPT Hub for details.
• You must be engaged in an approved period of standard post-completion OPT;
• You must be employed by an employer who is enrolled in the Homeland Security "E-Verify" program.
• Your employer must agree to notify your DSO (ISS advisor) within 48 hours if you cease employment prior to the end date of your OPT authorization card.

The 90-day unemployment limit increases to 150 days on the STEM extension. Students must submit validation reports to ISS through ISSLink every 6 months after the start date of STEM OPT. Reports submitted at 12 months and 24 months must also include a self-evaluation completed by the student and signed by their employer.

24-Month STEM Extension for OPT Application Process

1. APPLY
   Log in to ISSLink to access the application.
2. SCHEDULE
   Call the ISS office to make a STEM OPT appointment with an advisor.
3. UPLOAD 1-20
   ISS will email you a new STEM OPT extension I-20. Print, sign and upload to ISSLink.
4. SUBMIT APPLICATION
   Submit application to USCIS. You will receive detailed instructions during your appointment with ISS.

Timelines

Pre-Completion

Pre-Completion OPT can be used prior to the completion of your academic program. Pre-completion may only be granted for part-time employment during the fall and spring semesters and full-time during summer break. Any pre-completion OPT days used will be deducted from the 12 months of standard post-completion OPT you can receive after completing your program. The standard post-completion OPT application is also used for pre-completion OPT. If you have questions regarding pre-completion OPT, contact an International Student Advisor.

While On OPT

Report OPT

F-1 students on an approved period of OPT are required to report changes to personal and employment information to the ISS Office within 10 days of any change. It is the student's responsibility to provide ISS with the required information so we can update SEVIS. To report a change in your information, and this is your first year on OPT, log in to ISSLink and submit a OPT Report Employment, E-Form. Once you submit this form you have completed your reporting requirement for the change in your information. A Foreign Student Advisor will update the information within our required reporting period and will email you once your report is processed. Please allow 30 days for the report to be processed by an advisor. If you have questions about filling out the form please contact a Foreign Student Advisor.

Studying While on OPT

While on OPT you can enroll in courses part-time only at the degree level you have completed. If you begin classes at a higher degree level you must end OPT and receive a new I-20 to start a new degree program.

International Travel

Travel on OPT can be risky as workers at U.S. Embassies and at ports of entry will know about F-1 status, but may not know as much about how OPT works under F-1 status. While on OPT, you must travel with the following documents to be allowed re‐entry:

• Valid Passport
• Valid F-1 visa
• I-20 signed for travel within the past six months
• Valid EAD Card
• Letter from your employer stating that you will return to the U.S. to resume employment on your OPT

Travel during Cap Gap is not allowed. Travel while your OPT application is pending is allowed, but very risky and not advised (especially after academic completion). If you travel while your OPT is pending, you must travel with a valid passport, valid visa, I-20 signed for travel, and your OPT receipt notice. Important: If your OPT is approved while you are out of the country, you will need your EAD and employment letter in order to re-enter the U.S.

Driver's License

During OPT students are still eligible to apply for or renew their Arkansas driver's license. Once OPT begins you will need your EAD card in addition to your other immigration documents. Please be advised that if you move to another state, they may or may not be able to transfer your driver's license. Your SEVIS record will remain with the University of Arkansas throughout your OPT period. Another state may or may not be able to verify your status during this time.

Insurance

Students on OPT can still qualify for the same student insurance they had with the University of Arkansas. Student health insurance can be purchased through the Pat Walker Health Center for time spent on OPT. Students can also purchase their own insurance through another provider or enroll in insurance provided by an employer during OPT.

Grace period after OPT/STEM OPT

If you have maintained valid F-1 status and have complied with all OPT requirements, once the OPT authorization ends you have a 60-day grace period during which you may apply for a change of status, obtain a new I-20 for a new academic program, or depart the United States. If you accrue more than 90 days of unemployment you do not receive the 60 grace-period and must leave the country as soon as possible after accruing 90 days of unemployment.

Post Completion

One of the most popular training opportunities for F-1 students is post-completion optional practical training (OPT), which grants participants up to 12 months of employment authorization for the on-the-job training that relates to their degree.

Unemployment

While on STEM OPT you are granted an additional 60 days of unemployment. Any unemployment days remaining from the post-completion OPT will be added to your STEM OPT period. The total allotment of unemployment days for post-completion and STEM OPT combined is 150 days.

Dependents — Spouse and Children

Adding a Dependent

To add a dependent to your SEVIS record and obtain an F-2 I-20 for your dependent you must login to isslink.uark.edu and submit the online dependent request form. For each dependent you would like to add you must show:

• Dependent's passport data page
• Marriage certificate in English or with a notarized English translation (only for adding spouses as dependents)
• Birth certificate in English or with a notarized English translation (only for adding children as dependents)
• $6,420 per dependent. Funding can be shown with a bank statement issued within the past 6 months. The bank statement must be in English and can be in U.S. or foreign currency. Bank accounts must be in liquid funds such as a checking or savings account. If you are using an account that is not in your name you must provide a statement from the account holder verifying you have permission to use their funds.

Once you have submitted the online form, please allow 5 to 10 business days to obtain the dependent I-20.

Employment

Dependents of an F-1 student are not allowed to be employed. An F-2 dependent would need to change to another immigration status that allows employment.

Studying in the USA

An F-2 dependent can study part-time at a college in the U.S. If the dependent is studying at an undergraduate level they are limited at a maximum of eleven hours per semester. At the graduate level dependents may take up to a maximum of eight hours per semester. Dependents are allowed to enroll in primary and secondary schools (K-12).

Insurance and Healthcare

It is strongly recommended that F-2 dependents have health insurance. Health insurance can be purchased through the F-1 student's policy. Please visit the Pat Walker Health Center for more information on how to buy additional health insurance coverage.

Leaving the University of Arkansas

Leaving the USA After Completion

For immigration purposes your I-20 completion date is the date you complete the requirements for your major program. Once you complete the requirements for your degree, you have a 60 day grace period to remain in the U.S. If you are planning to leave the U.S. after you complete your program and are not applying for Optional Practical Training or moving on to a new program, you must leave the U.S. by the 60th day of your grace period. Once you leave during your grace period, you lose the remaining days of the grace period and can only come back into the U.S. with a new SEVIS record or with another visa status.

If you are completing your program and leaving the U.S., you will need to submit a Graduation Notice form. To submit this form, login to isslink.uark.edu and select Graduation Notice from F-1 Student services. When you submit this form your SEVIS record will be shortened to reflect your completion date and will complete 60 days after that date.

Leaving the USA Before Completion

If you are leaving the U.S. and not completing your degree, you will need to consult with an International Student Advisor by scheduling an appointment. Generally, the best option for your SEVISrecord is to request that the record be closed by using Authorized Early Withdrawal. Authorized Early Withdrawal will cleanly terminate your SEVIS record without any prejudice. When your record is closed for Authorized Early Withdrawal you must then depart the U.S. within 15 days. If you want to return to the U.S. as an F-1 student again, you would need to reapply for a new I-20 on a new SEVIS record, repay the $200 SEVIS I-901 fee, and generally obtain a new F-1 visa corresponding to the new I-20's SEVIS number.

To request Authorized Early Withdrawal you will need to login to isslink.uark.edu and select Departure-Transfer Notice under F-1 Student Services. Choose the option "I am leaving the United States WITHOUT completing my degree/program requirements," select "I Am A F-1 Student Requesting Permission For Early Withdrawal," indicate the date you are departing the U.S. and submit the form. When the Authorized Early Withdrawal is processed, you will receive an email indicating that your SEVIS record has been closed and you will receive two letters explaining the withdrawal.

Exchange Visitor Categories

Exchange Visitors participate in the Exchange Visitor Program within a particular Exchange Visitor category. The University of Arkansas has obtained specific authorization from the Department of State to invite people to participate in any of the following activity categories, through the designation process. Each activity category has specific, detailed requirements. The exchange visitor categories authorized for the University of Arkansas in the SEVIS system are:

• Student Non-degree: A student not pursuing a degree. A student in this category cannot change categories to become a degree-seeking student.
• Student Bachelors: A student pursuing a bachelor's degree.
• Student Masters: A student pursuing a master's degree.
• Student Doctorate: A student pursuing a doctoral degree.
• Student Intern: A student currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree (either undergraduate or graduate level) at a postsecondary academic institution outside the United States, whose internship at the University of Arkansas will fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution. Student Interns MUST return to the home (foreign) institution and complete the degree program there following the internship with the University of Arkansas.
• Research Scholar: An individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project.
• Short-Term Scholar: A professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the University of Arkansas on a short-term visit (maximum of six months) for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills.
• Professor: An individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting.
• Specialist: An expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to the University of Arkansas for observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills.

Category	Minimum Length of Program	Maximum Length of Program
Non-degree	3 weeks	2 years
Bachelors	3 weeks	N/A
Masters	3 weeks	N/A
Doctorate	3 weeks	N/A
Student Intern	3 weeks	1 year
Research Scholar	3 weeks	5 years
Short-Term Scholar	N/A	6 months
Professor	3 weeks	5 years
Specialist	3 weeks	1 year

 

University of Arkansas Handling of Exchange Visitor Applications

1. Non-degree and degree-seeking student categories: These applications must be processed through the Office of Graduate and International Admissions. Please adhere to the deadlines published by this office.
2. Student Intern: Complete the Request form in ISS link. Complete the required e-forms and upload supporting documents directly in isslink.uark.edu. ISS will complete the Internship Placement Plan and forward to the Student Intern and the hosting supervisor for authorizing signatures. Once ISS has received the signed Internship Placement Plan, ISS will create visa documents and email the visa documents directly to the Student Intern. Please plan for the process to take at least 30 days.
3. Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor, and Specialist categories: Complete the Exchange Visitor Request process via ISSLink. Once all the required steps have been completed in ISSLink and all required supporting documents received, ISS will review the request and create the necessary visa documents if the visitor qualifies. ISS will email the visa documents directly to the visitor. Please allow 10 business days for processing of the visa documents once ALL request forms and supporting documentation have been received by ISS. Please note that the Department of State restricts repeat participation in the Exchange Visitor program for the Research Scholar and Professor categories. Although repeat participation is not limited for the Short-Term Scholar category, ISS requires at least a 30 day gap between repeat Short Term Scholar program participation and different program objectives in each of the short term visits.

Insurance Requirement

Exchange Visitors are REQUIRED by federal regulation to maintain satisfactory medical insurance for themselves and any accompanying dependents for the duration of their program at the University of Arkansas. The medical insurance must meet ALL the following minimum requirements as established by the U.S. Department of State:

• Medical benefits of AT LEAST $100,000 per accident or illness with:
  • A deductible not greater than $500 per accident or illness
  • A copayment not greater than 25%
  • A waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable by current industry standards
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of AT LEAST $25,000
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor and/or dependents to the home country in the amount of AT LEAST $50,000
• The policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard and Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A" or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above, a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A-“ or above, a Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above, or such other rating service as the Department of State may from time to time specify.

NOTE: The University of Arkansas requires Exchange Visitors under our sponsorship (and their dependents) to have satisfactory insurance coverage which becomes effective no later than the day they arrive in the United States. They must maintain satisfactory insurance coverage through the day they depart the United States or otherwise end J-1 status. Any J-1 scholar who fails to submit proof of satisfactory insurance coverage to ISS by the date of their mandatory J-1 Scholar Orientation will be required to purchase coverage through the University of Arkansas policy IMMEDIATELY.

English Proficiency Requirement

Exchange Visitor program sponsors are required by federal regulation to ensure that each exchange visitor participating in their program "possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis." English proficiency must be documented in one or more of the following ways before the University of Arkansas will issue visa documents to a prospective exchange visitor:

• Copy of scores from a recognized English language test (such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc.);
• Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school;
• Documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in person or by videoconferencing (i.e. Zoom, Teams, etc.), or by telephone IF videoconferencing is not a viable option

English Language Interview Assessment

Please click the link above to download the required interview assessment forms if you will be using the interview method to document your prospective visitor's English proficiency. Two interviewers must participate in the interview and each interviewer must complete an assessment sheet.

Exchange Visitor Welcome Brochure

Please click the link above to access a copy of the welcome brochure published by the Department of State for exchange visitors.

Sample Invitation Letter

Please click the link above to download an example invitation letter in MS Word format which you may edit to suit your needs.

Note: This invitation letter does NOT replace your offer letter if you will be hiring the prospective visitor as a University of Arkansas employee. If your visitor will be an employee, please provide him/her with BOTH the formal letter of offer and a departmental invitation letter following this example.

Visas

Information missing from site.

Travel Outside of the United States

If you will be traveling outside the United States during your J-1 program, you must be sure to have a valid travel endorsement (signature) on your DS-2019 for your return to the U.S. in J-1 status. If it has been more than six months since your DS-2019 was signed for travel, we recommend that you obtain a new travel signature.

If the University Of Arkansas is Your J-1 Program Sponsor:

• If this is your first time to travel outside the United States after arriving to the University of Arkansas, you must have a travel consultation appointment with a J-1 advisor at International Students and Scholars to obtain a travel signature on your DS-2019. Please schedule an appointment with an advisor at least one to two weeks before the date you plan to leave Fayetteville. You must complete a J-1 Travel Request Form through ISSLink prior to meeting with the advisor.
• If you have traveled outside the United States previously after arriving to the University of Arkansas, and you have already met with a J-1 advisor for a travel consultation appointment, you may drop off your DS-2019 for a travel signature. You must complete a J-1 Travel Request Form through ISSLink prior to bringing your DS-2019 to the International Students and Scholars office to be signed. Please allow AT LEAST THREE BUSINESS DAYS for your DS-2019 to be signed and returned to you after you have completed the travel form and submitted your DS-2019 at ISS.

If You Have A Different J-1 Program Sponsor:

You must contact your J-1 program sponsor directly to request a travel signature for your DS-2019, and follow their instructions for how to obtain the signature. Please be sure to contact your program sponsor well in advance of your travel, since you will probably have to mail your DS-2019 to them and wait for it to be processed and returned before you travel.

Travel And Dependents

If you have dependents accompanying you in J-2 status, they will also need travel signatures on their DS-2019s for their return to the United States.

• If your dependents will leave the United States but will NOT return, you must notify ISS (or your J-1 program sponsor) so that your immigration record may be updated accordingly. J-1 program sponsors are required to notify Homeland Security if J-2 dependents permanently depart the United States prior to the departure of the J-1.
• Because your J-2 dependents' immigration status is based on your J-1 status, your J-2 dependents may not remain in the United States for "any significant period of time" while you are outside the United States. From the NAFSA Advisor's Manual:
  • "Since the dependent's stay in the United States is valid only while the J-1 participant maintains status here, it is not legitimate for the dependent to remain in the United States while the J-1 exchange visitor is absent from the country for any significant period of time. This period is not specified in the regulations. Circumstances such as continued enrollment for students or continued employment for scholars during the period of absence should be taken into account."

Maintaining Status

J1 Status Documents

During your time in J-1 status in the United States, you must maintain the following documents as evidence of your J-1 status:

• Valid Passport - your passport must remain valid all the time that you are in the United States. The general rule is that you should keep it valid at least six months into the future at all times. If your passport is within six months of expiry and you will not be traveling home within that time, please contact your country's embassy or consulate in the United States to request guidance on how to extend your passport in the U.S. Any time you receive a new or extended passport, you will need to provide International Students and Scholars with a copy.
• Form DS-2019 - this is the document you were issued by your J-1 program sponsor, which indicates the details of your program including your site of activity, the start and end dates of your program, etc. If you have dependents accompanying you in J-2 status, they must each have a Form DS-2019 as well. The DS-2019 must not be allowed to expire before the end of your J-1 program.
• I-94 - this is the record issued to you when you enter the United States, and which you may retrieve by going to www.cbp.gov/i94. Any time you make a new entry to the United States, please retrieve this record and provide a copy to International Students and Scholars. If you are ever given an I-94 record for J-1 status which does NOT say "D/S" or "duration of status," you must contact ISS for assistance immediately.
• Visa - this is the stamp in your passport which allows you to request entry to the United States in J-1 status. NOTE: Unlike the other documents in this list, your visa stamp may expire while you are in the United States. An expired visa stamp is NOT a violation of status. It merely means that you must obtain a new visa stamp the next time you exit the United States, if you wish to return to the U.S. in that same status category.
  
  

Insurance And Healthcare For J-2 Dependents

We certainly hope that your dependents do not become sick or injured while they are here; however, if it happens, you must be well-prepared with adequate medical insurance and a basic understanding of the U.S. health care system.

J-1 Program Extension

If you will not be able to complete your J-1 program by the end date listed on your DS-2019, you must request an extension of your J-1 program. The 30-day J-1 "grace period" is NOT to be used as time to complete your program activities. This is for use AFTER your program activities are completed, to allow you time to prepare to depart the United States.

If The University Of Arkansas Is Your J-1 Program Sponsor:

To request a program extension, you will need to prepare the following documentation:

• A letter from your supervisor/host faculty at the University of Arkansas, indicating why you need additional time, how much additional time is requested, and what your program activities will be during the requested extension period. The letter should be addressed to International Students and Scholars.
• Proof of adequate financial support for yourself and any dependents who are accompanying you for the period of the requested extension. If you are employed by the University of Arkansas, this may be included in your supervisor's letter.
• Proof of satisfactory medical insurance coverage for yourself and any dependents who are accompanying you for the period of the requested extension.

Once you have prepared the necessary documentation, please schedule an appointment with a J-1 scholar advisor at International Students and Scholars to submit your request.

If You Are Under A Different J-1 Program Sponsor:

You must contact your J-1 program sponsor and follow their instructions for requesting a program extension. Once you have received the extension, please notify International Students and Scholars so that we may update our records accordingly. If you are employed by the University of Arkansas, you must also notify Human Resources of your extension so that they may update your employment eligibility.

On-Campus Employment

Employment as a J-1 Scholar for the University of Arkansas

If your hosting department at the University of Arkansas will be paying you during your visit here and your DS-2019 lists "Funds from this sponsor" in the sources of funding section, then you may work on campus at the University of Arkansas as related to your program activities. If this applies to you, your hosting department will need to arrange for you to meet with Human Resources upon your arrival to campus in order to complete processes required for U.S. tax and employment eligibility verification purposes. Depending on the type of position you have been offered, your department may also need to reserve a time for you to attend the University's New Employee Orientation. Please consult your hosting department to verify whether this is required for you.

Employment Offered After You Arrive

If you are offered employment on campus after your arrival to the University of Arkansas, and your DS-2019 does NOT list "Funds from this sponsor" in the sources of funding section, you must consult a scholar advisor at the International Students and Scholars office BEFORE beginning any employment on campus. You will need to provide your ISS advisor with a letter from your prospective hiring department which indicates the start and end dates of your proposed employment, your job duties, your rate of pay, and the number of hours per week you will be expected to work. Upon approval of your request for on-campus employment, your ISS advisor will provide you with a letter authorizing the employment and an updated DS-2019 reflecting the additional funds from on-campus employment. You must provide these to Human Resources as proof of your eligibility to begin working on campus. PLEASE NOTE: On-campus employment for J-1 scholars is only granted when incidental to your J-1 program activities - that is, only when directly related to your study/research/collaboration in your J-1 program. You may not be granted on-campus employment authorization for non-related activities (such as working in the campus bookstore, in the dining services, etc.)

J2 Dependents — Spouse and Children

Bringing Dependents To Accompany You In The United States

While you are in J-1 status in the United States, your dependents may accompany you in J-2 status. Following is general information regarding how you may bring them to the United States.

Who Is A "Dependent"?

For immigration purposes, someone may only be considered your "dependent" if they are your spouse (including a same-gender spouse) or your unmarried child (including stepchildren or adopted children) under the age of 21. Parents, siblings, nieces/nephews/cousins/etc. cannot be issued visa documents as your J-2 dependents, unless you have been granted legal parental (or similar) rights over them by the appropriate court and/or government authority in your country (you must document proof of these rights). If you are bringing a child to the United States as a J-2 dependent, you are responsible for ensuring that you have any and all necessary permissions from your home country to remove the child from that country.

How Do I Obtain Visa Documents For My Dependents?

To obtain Forms DS-2019 for your dependents, you must provide International Students and Scholars with the following documents (if your J-1 program sponsor is not the University of Arkansas, you must consult your J-1 program sponsor for instructions):

• A copy of each dependent's passport identification page (the page of the passport including photo, full legal name, date of birth, etc.)
• For a spouse: A copy of the marriage certificate, including English translation if certificate not originally issued in English
• For each child: A copy of the birth certificate or documentation showing legal custody and parental/similar relationship to the child
• Proof of adequate financial support for yourself and any dependents accompanying you (consult your ISS advisor to verify the current minimum funding amounts required)

How Do My Dependents Obtain Visas?

Once your dependents have been issued the appropriate Forms DS-2019, they must apply for J-2 visa stamps at a U.S. consulate. They must pay the appropriate visa application fees and submit all documentation required by the U.S. consulate for the application. Unlike you, however, they are not required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.

For an overview of the visa application process and general requirements, please see the U.S. Visas website.

Employment for Dependents

While your J-2 dependents are in the United States, they may apply for employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), if they wish. Such employment cannot be used to financially support the J-1 Exchange Visitor.

To apply for the J-2 employment authorization card, your J-2 dependent will need to prepare the following items:

• A Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization available at the (USCIS website)
• A check, cashier's check, or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" (do not abbreviate - write out the full name). Please check the USCIS website for current fee amount.
• Two passport-style photos of the J2 applicant, taken within 30 days of filing your application. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched. The passport-style photos must be 2" by 2". The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1" to 1 3/8" from top to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8' to 1 3/8" from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious order of which you are a member. Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and Alien Receipt Number on the back of the photo.
• A photocopy of the J-2 dependent's passport identification page
• A photocopy of the J-2 dependent's visa stamp and passport entry inspection stamp
• A photocopy of the J-2 dependent's I-94 record
• A photocopy of the J-2 dependent's Form DS-2019
• A photocopyof the J-1 exchange visitor's passport identification page
• A photocopy of the J-1 exchange visitor's visa stamp and passport entry inspection stamp
• A photocopy of the J-1 exchange visitor's I-94 record
• A photocopy of the J-1 exchange visitor's Form DS-2019
• A photocopy of the marriage certificate or birth certificate showing the relationship of the J-1 and J-2 (including English translation if not originally issued in English)
• Documentation showing that the J-1 exchange visitor has adequate funding to support both himself/herself as well as any accompanying J-2 dependents
• A letter to USCIS (this may be addressed "Dear Officer,") from the J-2 dependent, explaining the reasons why the J-2 wishes to obtain employment authorization. Examples of valid reasons might be to practice English, to interact with Americans, to maintain/further a skill or profession already learned at home, or to pay for an extra activity for the family such as music lessons or a vacation. Again, the J-2 must show that his/her employment is not needed to support the J-1 financially and will not be used for that purpose. You must include the statement "The funds gained from this employment will not be used to provide basic financial support of the J-1 exchange visitor."

Can Someone Assist Me With This Application?

Yes - although the program sponsor does not recommend J-2 employment or does not need to submit the application for J-2 employment authorization, your scholar advisor at International Students and Scholars will be glad to review your application materials for accuracy before you submit them to USCIS for processing, if you wish. Please schedule an appointment with the advisor if you wish to have your application reviewed.

What Happens After The Application Is Sent To USCIS?

Once the J-2 employment authorization is submitted to USCIS, the J-2 applicant must wait for approval to be issued before beginning any employment. This processing period may take approximately 90 days (possibly longer). While waiting for the approval, the J-2 may look for jobs, submit applications and resumes, and participate in job interviews; however, he/she MUST NOT BEGIN WORKING until the employment authorization document (EAD card) has been received and can be presented to the employer for inspection (note that employment is only permitted during the dates specified on the EAD card).

What Else Do I Need To Know?

Before sending the application to USCIS, be sure to make a complete copy of the application for your records. Once the employment authorization is granted, it may be used to work in any job, and there is no restriction on the number of hours that may be worked. The employment authorization is generally valid for up to one year, and may be renewed up to the program end date on the DS-2019 (note that each application requires a fee and the usual processing time of approximately 90 days, so apply for renewals well in advance if planning to continue employment). Traveling outside the United States while an employment authorization application is pending is not recommended, as there is a chance the application could be denied if the applicant is not physically present in the United States.

J-2 Dependents And Studying In The United States

Your dependents may study while they are in the United States in J-2 status. Primary and secondary public education is free in the United States, and in the state of Arkansas, children between the ages of 5 and 17 are required by law to attend school, with very few exceptions. PLease see the Arkansas Compulsory Education Laws

If you have children who will attend public primary or secondary school in Fayetteville, you can find more information visit the Fayetteville School District site.

J-2 dependents are also permitted to enroll in post-secondary (college/university) classes without restrictions. In addition to the University of Arkansas , there are several higher education institutions in Northwest Arkansas, such as:

• Northwest Arkansas Community College
• John Brown University

In addition, J-2 dependents may enroll in "avocational or recreational" classes, such as English courses, etc. Some of the area organizations which our scholars and their families have found helpful include:

• Ozark Literacy Council (low cost or free English classes)
• Fayetteville Adult & Community Education Center (low cost or free classes in English and other subjects)

J1 Student Intern

Qualifications for the Student Intern Category

To be considered appropriate for the J-1 Student Intern category, the following criteria must be met:

• The student intern must be currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited postsecondary institution outside the United States;
• The student intern must be in good academic standing at the home institution;
• The University of Arkansas must have accepted the student intern into an internship program administered in and by a University department (not an outside employer or entity);
• The internship must be full-time, that is, at least 32 hours per week, and may not exceed twelve months;
• The internship must consist of work-based learning and not serve to fill a labor need;
• The internship cannot involve any of the following:
  • unskilled or casual labor,
  • child care or elder care,
  • aviation, clinical positions or
  • engaging in any form of patient care or contact;
• The internship must expose the student to American techniques, methodologies, and technology, and must not duplicate the student’s prior experiences;
• A concluding evaluation (as well as a midpoint evaluation if internship exceeds six months), to be signed by the student intern and the immediate supervisor at the University of Arkansas, must be kept on record by ISS for three years following completion of the internship;
• The proposed internship at the University of Arkansas must fulfill the educational objectives for the student intern’s current degree program at the home institution;
• The student intern must have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day to day basis in the internship environment at the University of Arkansas;
• The student intern must have sufficient finances to support him/herself and any accompanying dependents for the entire internship period in the United States, including housing and living expenses;
• The student intern must be in the United States primarily to engage in an internship program, rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer;
• The student intern must return to the home institution after completion of the internship at the University of Arkansas and complete the degree program at the home institution outside the United States.
  
  

Student Intern Request Process

The process of inviting a J-1 non-immigrant student intern to the University of Arkansas must be coordinated by the hosting department at the university. Please review the following instructions carefully. All the required preparatory steps should be completed and documentation submitted to International Students and Scholars (ISS) using issLink. Prior to the issuance of visa documents to the prospective student intern, the following e-forms and uploaded documents must be received and processed by ISS:;

• Department Contact Information
• Program Information, which must be completed by the hosting department;
• Student Intern Data, which provides information necessary to establish records in UAConnect and SEVIS (the Homeland Security database) for the intern;
• Internship Objectives, which must be completed and signed by the host supervisor at the University of Arkansas;
• Medical Insurance, through the duration of the internship, which meets U.S. Department of State minimum requirements
• Financial Information, in amounts sufficient to meet all anticipated expenses for the duration of the internship, including funds for any dependents who may be accompanying the intern;
• English Language Ability Information, which must be verified by the host supervisor at the University of Arkansas;
• Culture Exchange, which must be completed by the Host supervisor at the University of Arkansas to verify the cultural experiences the Student Intern will have opportunity to experience during the internship;
• Hosting Department Verification Form, which must be completed by the Host Supervisor at the University of Arkansas and signed by the Host Supervisor and the Head/Chair of the host department.
• Home Institution Verification Form, which must be completed by the student intern’s Academic Dean or Academic Advisor at the home institution outside the United States;
• Document uploads for:
• Immigration and Identity Documents (copies of passport identity page and any prior U.S. visas/visa documents for student intern and any accompanying dependents);
• Resume/CV for the intern, showing academic and professional experience, including names and dates of any academic degrees already completed and anticipated completion dates of any academic programs currently in progress.
• Proof of financial support, showing adequate financial support for the entire internship period.
  
  

Information You Need To Complete The Request Forms

In order to complete all the information required of the hosting department, you will need the following items:

• Your department’s invitation letter to the prospective visitor.
• Your prospective visitor’s full name (preferably from their passport).
• Your prospective visitor’s date-of-birth.
• Your prospective visitor’s email address.
• The source and amount of your prospective visitor’s financial support/funding.
• Proof of your prospective visitor’s English proficiency.
• Faculty at the University of Arkansas wishing to host a J-1 exchange visitor in their department must verify an applicant’s English language proficiency through at least one of the following means:
  
  • A recognized English language test (i.e. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
  • Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school
  • A documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option
  • If conducting an interview to assess English proficiency for a prospective J-1 exchange visitor, departments must complete an assessment report and submit the completed report to International Students and Scholars as part of the J-1 request (a minimum of two interviewers are required; each interviewer must complete an assessment sheet).