Immigration Basics

Visas and Passports
How to Obtain a Visa
Transferring From Another University in the United States
Changing Your Academic Level

Immigration Issues
Passport
Visas
I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
I-20 ID
Being "In-Status" with INS
Vacation Periods
Employment
Temporary Departure from the U.S.
Transfer to Another School
Alien Address Reports
Assistance with Immigration Matters

NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Pre-arrival Checklist

MONEY MATTERS
Bank Accounts
Tuition Payment and Fees
Initial Expenses

Frequently Asked Questions
F-1 Visa
I-20 Form
I-94
Admission Number
Social Security number
Driver’s License
Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) Office Location

NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The University welcomes international students and the cultural diversity they bring to campus. With over 100 students from more than 35 countries, WIU is an exciting, global community to enhance the study of business in the international realm.

 Pre-arrival Checklist:

Visa: Allow plenty of time to obtain a student visa at the nearest American Consulate or Embassy (See Immigration Basics.)
Important Documents: Bring driver’s license, academic records, birth certificates (copy), medical records, and proof of medical insurance. Make sure your passport is current and will be valid six months after you arrive in the U.S.
Travel Arrangements: Book flights early to arrive on time for the Orientation (August 24, 2003).
Clothing: Heavy winter clothing is not needed. Dress for class is casual; jeans, shorts and tennis shoes are acceptable.
Money: Make all necessary arrangements for payment or transfer of funds. Your tuition, fees, room and board are due prior to the first day of classes!
Baggage: To ship unaccompanied baggage, find a shipping agent in your country with a corresponding agent in the U.S. Bring the name of the agent or brokerage firm in the U.S. Ship all baggage to Lake Wales, Florida. Insure your baggage for "all risk" coverage. Do not ship valuables. Carry your passport and immigration documents on your person at all times.
Customs: Check at a United States consulate in your home country for a copy of "United States Customs Hints for Visitors." This pamphlet explains customs regulations and could help you avoid unnecessary expense. 
Housing: If you plan to live off campus, plan to arrive in the area a week or two early to look for housing. You will need to stay in a hotel during your search and it is best to reserve a room before arriving. For information on local hotels e-mail request to student_develop@hotmail.com.
 MONEY MATTERS

Bank Accounts

To make transactions easier open a bank account soon after you arrive in the U.S., the local bank is American Bank & Trust of Lake Wales, which is located 300 yards from the WIU campus.  You may then wire money from your bank at home directly to your bank account in the U.S. in a relatively short period of time.  If you plan to wire money to a bank in the U.S. prior to establishing an account with that bank, there may be a service charge.  Be sure the transfer includes your full name, passport number and expected time of arrival.  Identification must be shown to collect money when you arrive. 

Tuition Payment and Fees

All charges for tuition and fees, residence hall rent, and meal plans must be forwarded to the Business Office before the end of formal registration or your classes will be cancelled.  Payments by check, drafts, or wire transfers should be made in U.S. currency and drawn on a U.S. bank.  If a U.S. bank account has not been established, the University also accepts Visa/MasterCard payments as well as Traveler’s Checks.  Keep in mind that it can take 2-4 weeks for bank drafts or checks to clear or for a wire transfer to be confirmed.  Thus, you may wish to separate funds for University and personal expenses if time is short.  Also, students are responsible for any service charge associated with foreign bank transactions incurred by the University.

Initial Expenses

Immediate expenses needed in addition to tuition, fees, room and board include books and school supplies.  Other expenses might include bed and bath linens or kitchen items if you have cooking facilities.  Bed and bath linens are not furnished in on-campus residence halls.  If you are living off campus, expect to pay security and utility deposits in addition to the first month’s rent.

Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get my I-20 signed before I go home for vacation?
Your I-20 can be signed at the Student Development Office.

I want to work on campus. As an international student, am I allowed to do that?
Yes, you are allowed to work on campus during the school year, no more than 20 hours per week. During the summer, you can work up to 40 hours per week.

Will I need a Social Security number to work on campus?
Yes, you will need to come to the Student Development Office to get a letter from the International Student Coordinator to obtain a Social Security card.

Do international students have to file taxes?
The following information will give you a basic understanding of your responsibilities and tell you how to get more information. Do not construe the information presented here as individual tax advice. Federal income tax obligations of students of F, J, or M status:

·         Everyone in the United States, regardless of immigration status, is responsible each year for submitting a complete and accurate income tax statement to the International Revenue Service (IRS), an agency of the U.S. Treasury Department. Americans call the process "filing a tax return." Foreign students, regardless of whether they work or earn income while in the United States, must file an appropriate return each year. In many countries, the government assesses and collects from individuals the tax they owe. In the United States, however, it is each individual's personal responsibility to meet his or her tax obligation; the government will not do it for you, but it will penalize you if you do not do it yourself. You are responsible first of all for helping your employer estimate how much your income would be "withheld" (or deducted) from your wages. In your annual tax return, you must reconcile your account with the government to verify that you paid the right amount over the course of the year. If you paid too much, you may claim a refund, which will be paid promptly unless the government disagrees with your calculations. You must file a tax return even if you did not have income from a U.S. source, just to keep the government records straight.

What is the F-1 Visa?

The F-1 Visa is a student visa issued to persons who will be full-time students seeking a degree or certificate in an approved school or university. Your F-1 Visa is issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate in or near your country and is on one of the pages of your passport with your picture, personal information, and school on it.  It is like a ticket to enter the United States.

Some visas allow only one entry, while others allow "multiple" entries. Each visa has an expiration date. For example, if your visa is for multiple entry and valid until 2006, you may travel in and out of the U.S. as many times as you wish between now and 2006 with a valid passport, and endorsed I-20.

If you do not leave the U.S., it is not necessary to renew your visa.  In fact, as long as you remain otherwise in status, your visa may expire while you are in the U.S. The only time you need a valid visa is when you wish to leave and re-enter the U.S.  Visas are only issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S., preferably in your home country, as you may have difficulties getting one in a "third country."

If you are an incoming student, call the nearest embassy or consulate for an up-to-date list of documentation you need to apply for the F-1 Visa.

If you are a continuing student and plan to renew your visa when you return home over break, you will need to notify the Dean of Student Development so they may make the necessary authorizations in the State Department's computer system.

What is the I-20 Form?

Your I-20 is the 8 ½ x 11 white sheet of paper issued by the WIU Admission Office indicating you are attending (or planning to attend) WIU. It is like a pass to stay in the United States while studying. You need your I-20 to obtain your F-1 visa.

Upon your initial entry into the U.S., the Immigration Officer will retain the I-20. The Immigration Officer should write your admission number on both forms, as well as "F-1-D/S" when you enter the U.S. "F-1-D/S" (Duration of Status) indicates that you are an F-1 student who may remain in the U.S. as long as you are a full-time student, have a valid passport, and are otherwise in status. The duration of status period is defined as that during which you are pursuing a full course of study, plus any periods of practical training, plus 60 days within which to depart from the U.S.

Important Note: If your Form I-20ID does not indicate "F-1-D/S" you should immediately contact the Student Development Office upon your arrival at WIU.

If you appear at the U.S. port of entry in good faith without a properly completed Form I-20 or a properly endorsed Form I-20ID, but otherwise appear eligible for admission as an F-1 student, INS could possibly decide to admit you for a period of 30 days with Form I-515 (Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor).  Plan to go to the local INS office within 30 days of your arrival to the U.S., and present your properly completed Form I-20 or properly endorsed Form I-20ID, your passport, and I-94 so you will be granted permission to stay for the duration of your status. If you don’t comply with this regulation you will be considered as having "overstayed" your period of authorized stay in the U.S., and may become subject to certain penalties.

It is your responsibility to periodically get your I-20 endorsed (signed) by your International Student Advisor to certify that you are in status and fulfilling your obligations as a student. By INS regulations you are required to get the signature yearly, however we strongly recommend you get it every 6 months if you are planning to travel outside the US.

What is the I-94?

The I-94 is the departure portion of the form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) you fill out before your arrival to the U.S. At your port of entry into the U.S. the Immigration Officer will write your U.S. admission number on your I-94, along with a stamp indicating your place of entry, the date you are admitted until, and your status as an F-1 student. The Immigration Officer should write "F-1-D/S" (Duration of Status) on your I-94. Each time you leave the US you will be asked to return the I-94 at your port of departure (except for travel of less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, and most Caribbean Islands.)

*Important Note: If your Form I-94 does not indicate "F-1-D/S" or is green in color, you should immediately contact the Student Development Office upon your arrival at WIU.

What is the Admission Number?

The U.S. admission number is a unique number the Immigration Officer will assign you at the U.S. port of entry. The officer will write this number upon your initial entry into the U.S. on your I-20 form as well as on your I-94. The admission number is intended to be your lifelong identifying number for study in F-1 status.

What is a Social Security number? Do I need one?

A Social Security number serves as the major identification number for U.S. citizens, permanent residents and legal non-immigrants in the U.S.  As an international student in F-1 status, you only need one if you will be engaging in employment.  Even though there is no law prohibiting international students from getting a Social Security number at any time, you will be refused a number without a letter from Dean of Student Development stating that you are eligible for work.

How do I get a Social Security number?

You can get a number fairly easily if you have an on-campus job or off-campus work authorization. You need to go to the Winter Haven Social Security office where you will need to complete an application form and present your passport, WIU I-20 Form, and I-94. In addition, you will need a letter from the dean of Student Development verifying your status and eligibility for employment.  It usually takes about two months for you to get your number.

Where and how do I get a Driver’s License?

The best place to find out detailed information on where and how to get a driver’s license is directly from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) web page. There is a local office at 343 West Central Ave, Lake Wales, FL, (863) 678-4160

The events of September 11, 2001 have drastically changed the procedure for international students to obtain a Florida Driver's License.  What was previously a routine process has now become fairly complicated.  Many internationals have been denied a Florida Driver's License in the recent past because they did not have the newly required documentation.  According to the Orlando INS office as well as the Driver’s License location, all applicants should take the following with them:

a valid passport

I-94 Departure Record (indicating F-1 D/S)

current I-20 with a notation by the DSO that the student is maintaining both immigration and academic status

The State of Florida is now only issuing the license for the duration of your status shown on your I-20, but not for more than six years.

When you get to the DMV office, you will fill out some forms, show the above documents and proof of identity (check DMV web page for acceptable forms of proof of identity) take a written or computer test, take a road test, pass the vision test, and pay a fee. Call the nearest DMV to ask if you need an appointment. In order to pass the written or computer test, you will need to know all the U.S. safety and traffic laws and the road signs. You can find this information in the Driving Manual, which you can pick up at your local DMV office.

If you don’t need a driver’s license, you also have the option to get a Florida I.D. card for identification purposes.  It is easier than getting a driver’s license and you don’t need to take any tests. Of course, you cannot use your I.D. card for driving purposes. To obtain a card, you need to go to a DMV office, fill out some papers, show some proof of identification, and pay a fee. It would be advisable to take with you the same documents necessary to obtain a Driver's License.  Check the DMV web site for more information on I.D. cards.

Where is the Orlando Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) Office?

 The Orlando INS Office is a Sub Office of the Miami District. They are located at 9403 Trade port Drive, Orlando, FL 32827. The office is near the Orlando International Airport, in the Airside Commerce Park. The office hours are 8 AM through 4 PM. We strongly recommend you get there early, even before 8 AM, as there is usually a long line and you may have to wait several hours before your number is called. Numbers are given out until 1 PM.