Your first immigration responsibility is to report to the Simmons University. At Simmons, you'll do this by connecting with the Center for Global Education and completing the F-1 Student Check-In Form during our Orientation session or emailed to you if you are a returning student.

We will also need to make sure we have updated copies of the following for our files required by SEVIS: 

• I-20

• I-94

• Visa

• Passport 

*Returning? Please complete: F-1 Student (Returning) Check-In Form*

*New? Please complete: New F-1 Student Check-In Form*

Although you might have been admitted to several schools, you must attend Simmons University as it is the school that issued the form I-20 to sponsor your education for your F-1 Visa.

As an F-1 student, you need to make normal progress toward completing your program of study. In order to do this, you are required to be enrolled full-time at Simmons for at least two semesters per calendar year. 

This means you must register for and earn grades each semester in order to maintain your F-1 status in:

1.  At least 12 required credits as an undergraduate student (you cannot take more than one online course per semester)

2.  At least 8 credits as a graduate student (you cannot take more than one online course per semester)

The only exception to this rule is being authorized for Reduced Course Load by the CGE. To be authorized for part-time enrollment, you must meet with an international advisor at the CGE. Students may not drop below full time enrollment prior to consulting with the CGE.

In your final semester, you must be registered for at least one required course and it must be in-person.

If you won't be able to finish your program by the end date on your I-20 for unexpected reasons, request an extension before that date.

*Please email CGE and have your academic advisor complete this form: Program End Date Extension Request*

1. Passport: should always be valid 6 months into the future. 

   • Request a new passport from your home country about 8 months before your current one expires. 

2. I-20: make sure that the date on your I-20 remains valid

2. •  If any of the following changes you need a new I-20: 

     • Major 

     • Academic Program

     • Degree Level 

     • Funding 

     • OPT  

*Complete this form for major change: Major Change SEVIS Update*

2. • See your International Students Advisor at least 30 days before the expiration date. You have only 60 days after this date in which to depart the U.S.

2. • Report any planned trips outside the U.S. to your International Student Advisor in advance, to have the I-20 properly signed with every travel signature every 12 months. 

If your address or contact information changes, update it within 10 days.

*Complete this form for address/contact update: Contact Information SEVIS Update*

You can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and full-time during breaks, but you will need to apply for a Social Security Number first. 

You can't work off-campus unless you get authorization beforehand through:

• • CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

  • OPT (Optional Practical Training)

After you finish your program, you have a 60-day grace period to leave the US or to:

1. • Apply for a change of visa status. 

   • Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

   • Start a new program of study, either at Simmons or another institution. You'll need a new I-20 showing your new program start date before the end of the 60-day grace period. If you're starting a program at another institution, you might be able to transfer your SEVIS record. 

*Complete this form for transfer of SEVIS record: Transfer Out Request*

1. • Leave the US by the end of the 60-day grace period after your program, unless you already have a new I-20 or have applied to change your status. 

   • If your SEVIS record is terminated early, there is no grace period, and you'll have to leave the US immediately.