{"id":320,"date":"2023-09-20T19:23:11","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T23:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/studyabroad\/?page_id=320"},"modified":"2025-06-12T12:09:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T16:09:40","slug":"iss-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.queens.edu\/studyabroad\/iss-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"ISS FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Compliance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n \n When can I enter the U.S.?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n Am I required to have health insurance?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n How do I apply for a reduced course load?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n My I-20 is about to expire. What can I do?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n Can I take more than the full-time amount of credit hours?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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Yes! You may take more than the 12-credit hour minimum for undergraduates and 6-credit hour minimum for graduates. Note: Once you\u2019ve complied with F-1 visa requirements, additional courses may be in any modality.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n <\/component>\n\n\n

Academics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n \n Can I take courses in the summer?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n <\/component>\n\n\n

Athletics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n \n Can I get paid for the use of images taken while participating in my sport, here at Queens?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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\u00a0SEVP@ice.dhs.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n Can I practice over the summer?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n <\/component>\n\n\n

Employment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n \n Can I change employers while I\u2019m on CPT (Curricular Practical Training)?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n Does CPT affect the number of hours in which I need to enroll?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n <\/component>\n\n\n

Travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n \n Can I travel outside of the U.S.?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n What happens if my visa expires?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n What should I do if my I-94 cannot be found?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Visit the USCIS website<\/a> for help and questions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n I am traveling on a JBIP, but my I-20 program end date is coming up. What should I do?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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Contact the DSO for information on how to apply for a Program Extension.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n While on OPT, can I travel in and out of the country?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n <\/component>\n\n\n

Other<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n \n Can I apply for a Driver\u2019s License?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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Yes! International students are eligible to apply for a driver\u2019s license. Contact your DSO, or visit The Official North Carolina DMV Website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n I am approved for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). How does that affect my F-1 visa status?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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) webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n

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\n \n I had an unforeseen issue happen and need work authorization to work off-campus. Is this possible?\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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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\u00a08 CFR 214.2(f)(9)<\/a>. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n