SEVIS stands for Student Exchange Visitor Information System. If you are holding an I-20 as  a student on an F-1 visa, your information is in this system. Please verify all your information on your I-20.  If there is any discrepancy, please contact OISS to ensure your information in the SEVIS  database is accurate and updated. 

When the Form I-20 is issued to you, this is the information that is recorded in the SEVIS: 

•  Your SEVIS ID number 

•  Your program start and end dates 

•  Your intended program of study 

•  Your funding sources 

•  Cost of attendance for 12 months 

•  Other personal information (including first and last name, country of citizenship, DOB, etc.) 

The Curriculum Practical Training is an employment opportunity for students with an F-1 visa. This training could be an integral part of an academic program. It may come in the form of an internship,  practicum, or any work experience that could be instrumental in enhancing your subject of study. 

To qualify for an SSN, you must have on-campus employment or an authorized off-campus internship. OISS must verify your eligibility before you start your SSN application. 

Learn more: Obtaining a Social Security Number

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment opportunity given by the US government to international students. OPT allows you to practice what you’ve learned in the classroom in a real-world, off-campus setting. Once you complete your studies, you can participate in up to 12 months of OPT. For STEM majors, the employment authorization can be extended if you are granted employer sponsorship. The OPT application is adjudicated by the US Citizenship and  Immigration Service (USCIS). 

It takes between 90 -120 days to obtain the OPT authorization. It is advised you apply for Optional Practical Training at the earliest possible date within the allowable time frame. 

When you complete your studies and obtain a job, your employer can sponsor your H-1B visa. Then, you can start applying for a change of status from your F-1 visa to H1-B visa.  

After the program ends, you will have 60 days before departing the US. 

There are strict work restrictions for those with an F-1 visa. Students with F-1 visas are generally allowed to work on the campus of the university at which they study for up to 20 hours per week. Alternatively, there are two training programs that F-1 holders can get permission to work under: CPT and OPT. 

See here for more details. 

International students will be allowed to work on campus as long as there are positions  available within Eastern University. You may search the Handshake Portal for on-campus jobs. International students are not eligible for federal work study. 

You can stay in the US on an F-1 visa after graduation if you obtain an OPT extension. The post-completion OPT allows recent graduates to work in the US for up to 12 months on an F-1 visa.

You can remain in the U.S. after your visa expires as long as: 

• Your passport is valid. 

• Your I-20 is valid. 

• You are a continuing full-time student (or for students on post-completion OPT and following the OPT rules). 

Renewing your F-1 visa requires you to repeat the same process you went through when your F-1 visa was initially issued. Typically, the US Embassy issues the F-1 visa for the duration of the academic program a student is participating in. For example, if your program takes 1 year to complete, the embassy will most likely issue you a visa for 1 year. 

An F-1 visa is for non-immigrant students to complete academic courses in the United States. An F-2 visa is given to  any dependents of an individual who holds an F-1 visa, including a spouse or any minor children.

To be eligible for an F-2 visa, you must: 

• Be the spouse of an approved F-1 visa holder

• Be the unmarried child under 21 years old of an approved F-1 visa holder 

• The F-1 visa holder must have the financial means to support the family during your stay in the US. 

Yes. You may travel outside the US. When you return to the US after an absence of no more than five months, you must have a valid F-1 visa.  Please contact OISS to have your I-20 signed before leaving the US. 

Yes, you should bring your I-20 to OISS and have a DSO sign the “Travel Endorsement”. 

The availability of visa appointments will vary based on your location. You can keep checking with your local embassy for updates about its operating procedures. 

If you have dependents, such as a spouse or unmarried children under 21 years old, they are  allowed to come to the US if you obtain an F-2 visa for them. 

Yes, it is highly recommended for students to have health insurance coverage while studying  in the US. Many insurance companies specifically provide insurance coverage for  international students such as ISI, ISO, Compass, Visit International  Health InsuranceBetins, and iNEXT.

In PA, if you do not have an SSN, you should obtain a letter from SSA to confirm your  ineligibility for an SSN. You then can apply for your driver license.  

You will also need a physician’s examination and signature on Form DL-180.