ISS FAQs

New students may enter the U.S up to 30-days before the start of their program. The date will be listed on page 1 of your I-20. Transfer students are typically allowed to enter and exit, as necessary.

All international students must have health insurance and are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students may waive out of SHIP with an approved ACA Compliant plan that is based in the U.S.

International students must enroll full-time each Fall and Spring semester to comply with F-1 of J-1 visa regulations. Exceptions to this are only available in very limited situations and MUST be approved in advance by the DSO International students that wish to apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) must contact their DSO. The RCL must be approved before you drop any courses. Dropping below full-time without approval is immediate grounds for termination of your SEVIS record.

If you are graduating and the Program End Date matches your graduation date, there is no further action to take. Talk to your DSO immediately if you need a program extension. Program extensions must be requested and approved before the current program end date on the I-20.

Yes! You may take more than the 12-credit hour minimum for undergraduates and 6-credit hour minimum for graduates. Note: Once you’ve complied with F-1 visa requirements, additional courses may be in any modality.

Current students may take courses during the summer. There is no minimum or maximum amount. Students wishing to start their program of study at Queens in the summer must maintain a full-time schedule with only one online course.

US student visa regulations may prohibit an F-1 student athlete from receiving NIL compensation while in the US. We strongly recommend our international athletes not enter into any NIL agreements or profit from their NIL while in the US without the guidance from International Student Services, as doing so could potentially violate US immigration law. Student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, or school officials who have questions may write to the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program at SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.

This is a case-by-case, sport-by-sport situation. Students need to be in close communication with their coaches, DSO, and the Athletic Compliance Director to ensure that they remain in status during the summer.

If you have a problem at your worksite, you should speak with the Internship & Career Programs office and the Pulliam Center for International Education. In extenuating circumstances, an employer change may be approved, but any change will require a new CPT application and approval of employer, work dates and hours. If authorization is granted, a new I-20 will be created and must be in your possession before any work begins.

An F-1 student who is approved for a period of CPT while school is in session is required to remain enrolled on a full-time basis during the course for employment. This does not apply to those students who perform full-time CPT during the summer break or during school holidays.

Yes, you can always exit the U.S. Before traveling outside the U.S., we always recommend that you reach out to your DSO. Re-entering the U.S. may require further documentation and a new travel signature on your I-20. Students with an expired visa will need to apply for a new F-1 visa after exiting the U.S. Once you are issued a new F-1 visa, you will then be able to re-enter the U.S.

Your F-1 visa may expire while you are in the U.S. and obtaining your degree. If you wish to exit the U.S., you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa in order to re-enter the U.S. and continue your studies.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue an updated Entry/Departure Record Form I-94 on a Notice of Action Form I-797, to those who applied for and received an extension of stay, change of status, or requested replacement of the original I-94 issued by CBP. USCIS issued I-94 documents are not entered into the CBP online I-94 database, which is why your USCIS issued I-94 cannot be found and viewed.

You can use the USCIS issued Entry/Departure Record Form I-94 on the Notice of Action Form I-797 as evidence of your current legal status in the United States.

Visit the USCIS website for help and questions.

Contact the DSO for information on how to apply for a Program Extension.

Yes, you may travel while you are on OPT. Your F-1 visa must be current, not expired and you must maintain a valid passport. You must obtain a new travel signature every 6 months.

Yes! International students are eligible to apply for a driver’s license. Contact your DSO, or visit The Official North Carolina DMV Website for more information.

TPS does not affect your F-1 visa status. Registration for TPS does not prevent you from applying for or maintaining a nonimmigrant status, such as F-1 academic student. Even if TPS is not extended, it has no bearing on F-1 status and the individual can continue to remain in F-1 status if he or she remains eligible for F-1 status. Please review the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Webinar Questions and Answers.

If you experience severe economic hardship because of unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, you may request employment authorization to work off-campus, if you meet certain regulatory requirements. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9). Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment (through no fault of your own);
• Substantial fluctuations in currency value or exchange rate;
• Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs;
• Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support;
• Medical bills; and
• Other substantial and unexpected expenses.

To apply, you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with a copy of your Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and any other supporting materials to USCIS.