APU Study Away & International Students

Navigating Immigration Documents

1. Program Options - Each program offers different courses. 

   1. Current Semester Program Options

   2. Current GO Term Program Options

2. Apply - Complete the application for your program. See “How to Apply” here. Some students prefer to consult with International Student Services (ISS) prior to applying to make sure the program is an option for them. 

3. Immigration Services Approval Form - Complete the International Student Services Approval Form. Make an appointment with ISS for the required signature. It is important to understand your student visa and immigration status while on a Study Away program. In order to study away, you are required to make an appointment with an ISS Immigration Services Representative after you submit your Study Away Application. During your appointment, you will complete an “International Student Services Approval Form.” 

4. ISS Appointment - During your appointment, you will review the following Immigration Checklist:

• I-20: Valid on the day of return back to the U.S.and contains accurate information about your study in the United States (i.e. your major and minor are updated).

• Passport - Valid for at least 6 months from the day of return back to the U.S.

• U.S. Visa - Valid on the day of return back to the U.S.

• I-94 - You have retrieved and have a copy of your current I-94.

  • Note - Once you leave and re-enter the U.S., you will get a new I-94 and will not be able to retrieve your previous I-94.

• Duration of travel - Ensure that you will not be outside of the U.S. for 5 months or more.

  • Note - If you are flying back to your home country after the Study Away semester and thus will be out of the U.S. for 5 months or more, you cannot come back with the same I-20 and SEVIS number. 

*You cannot be fully accepted into an APU Study Away Program without a complete “Immigration Services Approval Form.” Immigration documents can vary depending on one’s country of origin and situation. Therefore, do not assume that the process will be the same for everyone.  

5. Review APU Policies & Procedures - In order to study away, confirm that you meet the following APU requirements for international students: 

• Credits - You must take a minimum of 12 credits during a Study Away Semester program

• Online Course - You may take no more than 3 credits of online course work during your semester program if you are only taking the minimum full-time credits.

• Leave of Absence (LOA) - Taking a LOA from APU has different immigration implications. If you are exploring a Leave of Absence in order to participate in a Study Away Semester Program, you must state that during your “Immigration Services Approval Form” appointment with ISS to see if this will or will not work for you.

6. Determine any Program Location Visa Needs - The Study Away Office is dedicated to help you safely and legally enter and exit your Study Away location. You may need a visa for the Study Away location you intend to travel to. A couple of factors influence this including (1) your passport country and (2) duration of your stay. The Study Away office is responsible to:

• Notify you if a program location visa is required

• Provide instructions on how to complete the visa application process for that location

• Provide the appropriate, supporting documentation to complete the visa application process.

7. Complete any Program Location Visa Needs - Once prepared with the above documents, it is the student’s responsibility to pay for and submit the visa application independent from the Study Away office. The student is also required to submit a copy of the final processed visa to studyaway@apu.edu as soon as the visa is acquired.

8. Complete Pre-Program Work - Work with the CCEL/Study Away office to ensure that you have completed all of the above requirements so that all items needed are guaranteed to be in place before departure. 

• I-20 - Your I-20 is signed by a an ISS Immigration Services representative 

• Visa - You have acquired a visa covering the dates of your stay in your study away location.

* F1 and J1 mostly

* US Resident or not 

* Best by junior year

* OPT

* Considerations: length of time out of the country , no option with any NON-APU Programs, 

* Department of Homeland Security, Study in the States Resource: Study Abroad for F-1 Students

Contacts 

International Services

Location - Building 29 (East Campus)

Phone - (626) 812-3055

Email - issimmigrationsvcs@apu.edu

Student Services Center 

Location - Building 29 (East Campus)

Phone - 626-815-2020

Email - ssc@apu.edu, Schedule appointments via email

Study Away Office (CCEL, Community Engaged Learning)

Location - Building 22 (East Campus)

Phone - 626-857-2440

Email - studyaway@apu.edu