Visa and Immigration
Immigration Documents
International students and scholars should have the following valid immigration documents.
Passport
Passports must always be valid for at least six months into the future. Passports may be renewed through a country’s consulate or embassy in the U.S. or in the home country, depending on the country’s policy.
Form I-20
This is the Certificate of Eligibility for an F-1 visa or student status. It is issued by Rollins College after acceptance and upon submitting financial documentation showing ability to pay for estimated education and living expenses. The I-20 is necessary to obtain an F-1 student visa at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in student’s home country. It is required for entry to the U.S.
Form DS-2019
This is the Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Exchange Visitors (both students and visiting scholars) issued to exchange students, students with government or school financial support, and visiting professors, researchers and short-term scholars coming to Rollins.
Visa
This is one’s permission to enter the U.S. It is issued at a U.S. embassy or consulate. A valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 must be presented to apply for a student visa. Students with an I-20 apply for F-1 visas and students with a DS-2019 apply for J-1 visas. The visa is placed on an available passport page.
A visa does not determine the length of allowed stay in the U.S. It is an entry permit and only needs to be valid at time of entry to the U.S. The length of allowed stay in the U.S. is determined by program of study dates only, as indicated on the Form I-20 or DS-2019 and Form I-94.
Form I-94
This is the record of travel in and out of the U.S. recorded by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It includes an admission/departure number, immigration status (F-1, J-1, etc.), date of entry, and length of time the status is valid. A notation of “D/S” means the status is valid for “duration of status”. It should be checked online at each entry to the U.S. to ensure it is the correct status. It is required as proof of status for F-1 or J-1 benefits applications, employment verification, and other official purposes.
F-1 & J-1 Regulations
Students are responsible for observing the regulations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The following responsibilities apply to international students in the U.S. with F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status for study at Rollins College:
1. Full-time Enrollment
Students must take a full course load every required term of their program. Full-time undergraduate study is 12 credits; graduate is 9 credits; and doctorate is 6 credits.
2. Keep Documents Valid
Passports and Forms I-20 or DS-2019 must be always valid. Passports should be valid at least six months into the future.
3. Check-in with OISS
International students must check-in with OISS at International Student Orientation.
4. Transferring U.S. schools, Academic Programs, and Program Extensions
Students transferring schools within the U.S. to Rollins, changing to another academic program within Rollins, or extending their program must follow DHS procedures in a timely manner. Immigration documents, Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, must be issued for the new school or program within the first two weeks of the new program start date. Students’ current status must be active to be eligible for a transfer, change of academic level or program extension. Students transferring from another U.S. institution to Rollins College may need the Rollins' SEVIS School Code, which is MIA214F00225000.
5. Employment Authorization
Students with F-1 visa status are permitted to work on campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during summer vacation breaks. J-1 students require approval for on-campus employment. Off-campus employment requires prior authorization.
6. Health Insurance
Students in F-1 or J-1 status are automatically enrolled in the Rollins health insurance program. Students may request a waiver for consideration if they have comparable insurance. Spouses and children with J-2 visa status are required by immigration law to have insurance coverage. Coverage for F-2 spouses and children is highly recommended.
Health Insurance and Health Care7. Change of Address
Changes of address must be reported within ten days of the change using the Student & Family Data Form in MyRollins. Immigration regulations require that OISS always has your most current local U.S. address and home country address. OISS will report changes to the government through the SEVIS system.
8. Admission for “Duration of Status”
"D/S" is defined as:
• Time enrolled in a full course of study (as shown on Form I-20 or DS-2019) and making normal progress toward completion of your program
• Time engaged in authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training after completion of studies, or
• Grace period of 30 days (J-1) or 60 days (F-1) to transfer schools, change immigration status, or depart U.S.
9. Health Insurance for J-1 Visa Status
Students or scholars holding J-1 status are required by law to have health insurance that meets the Department of State’s requirements.
Immigration Status Violations
Violations of immigration regulations may include the following that could result in loss of benefits of your status in the U.S., including eligibility to work:
- Passport expires.Not attending school that issued Form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Not following procedures for transferring schools or changing educational levels.
- Dropping below full-time in a required semester without prior permission.
- Not attending school during a required semester.
- Working off campus without proper authorization.
- Working on or off campus for more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Not extending Form I-20 or DS-2019 before program end date.