FAQs

A visa is a travel document issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate that generally allows you to request entry into the United States in a particular immigration category. Your Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 exchange visitors) documents your eligibility for that student or exchange visitor program.

A visa and an immigration document serve different purposes. An expired visa does not necessarily mean that your current stay in the United States is unlawful, but you generally need a valid visa to return after international travel if one is required for your circumstances.

Not necessarily. A visa's expiration date generally determines when it can be used to request entry into the United States, not how long you may remain after being admitted. Your ability to remain in the country depends on your immigration status and whether you continue to meet its requirements, not your visa expiration date. However, your visa must be valid in order for you to re-enter the United States.

If you plan to travel internationally while your visa is expired, contact International Advising to review your documents and re-entry requirements before making travel plans.

Keep any documentation provided by the consular officer and contact International Advising as soon as possible to let them know. We can help you understand how the denial may affect your plans to attend Union and identify appropriate next steps. Do not attend another visa appointment before you communicate with the International Advising Office. Reapplying for a visa does not guarantee approval.

If you defer enrollment, decide to attend another institution, or otherwise change your plans, notify International Advising as soon as possible. We can advise you on any necessary updates to your immigration documents and SEVIS record and/or terminate it as well as notify the College you will not be joining us.

Before traveling, confirm that you have the documents required for your individual circumstances. For an F-1 or J-1 student returning to the United States, these generally include:

• A valid passport that meets U.S. re-entry requirements
• A valid, unexpired F-1 or J-1 visa, if required for re-entry (except for Canadian citizens, who do not need a visa)
• A current Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (needed for re-entry)
• Any visa or entry documents required by the country you are visiting
• Any additional documents required for your specific circumstances, such as employment authorization documentation (EAD Card) if you are participating in OPT/STEM OPT

You may also wish to carry evidence of your current enrollment and financial support.

Review the International Advising travel guidance and consult our office before departure if you have questions. Admission to the United States is ultimately determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

A travel signature confirms that your designated school official (PDSO/DSO) or responsible officer (RO/ARO) has endorsed your immigration document for travel. For continuing F-1 students, a travel signature is generally valid for 12 months, and for J-1 students, every 6 months. You cannot re-enter the U.S. without a valid travel signature.

Request your travel signature from International Advising well before your departure. Do not wait until the last minute: processing may take time, and we cannot guarantee that an urgent request will be completed before your planned departure, especially on weekends or when the office is closed. It is your responsibility as the student to remember to obtain a travel signature -- we will not track you down.

Contact International Advising as soon as possible. Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to issue a signature electronically. However, electronic processing is not guaranteed to be immediate. Never assume that you can travel and return without the required endorsement. Contact our office as soon as possible so we can advise you on your options.

Contact International Advising before making travel plans. International travel while an immigration application is pending can affect your application and/or your ability to return to the United States. The consequences depend on the type of application and your individual circumstances. Do not book travel or depart the United States until you have discussed your situation with International Advising.

International travel during the academic term impacts your ability to attend classes and maintain your immigration status. F-1 students are expected to maintain a full course of study and comply with all applicable attendance and enrollment requirements. If an emergency or other unavoidable circumstance requires you to travel during the term, contact International Advising and your academic adviser as soon as possible.

International students are expected to be on campus and participate in their coursework from the beginning of the term through their final examinations. International Advising cannot grant permission to arrive late or leave early on behalf of your professors. Customs Officers have the dates of the start of your term until the end of the term, when your break begins, and you may encounter increased scrutiny at the border if you are intentionally traveling during the term.

If an emergency or unavoidable circumstance affects your travel plans, contact International Advising and your professors as soon as possible. Decisions about missed coursework and make-up work are generally at the discretion of the faculty, subject to applicable College policies. Do not assume that you may miss classes or exams simply because you have booked travel.

If you are in the United States:

• Contact your country's embassy or consulate for guidance if your passport has been lost or stolen.
• Notify International Advising so we can help you understand any immigration-related next steps.
• Follow the relevant instructions for replacing your documents.

If you are outside the United States:

• Contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is lost or stolen.
• Notify International Advising as soon as possible.
• Before attempting to return to the United States, confirm what replacement documents or other steps you need to complete in order to re-enter.

The International Advising Office maintains a google drive folder for each international student at Union with secure electronic copies of your immigration documents. However, copies (electronic or otherwise) do not replace original documents and cannot be used as substitutes when originals are required for international travel or entry into the United States. Always keep your travel documents in a safe and secure location.

Electronic and paper copies are useful for your records and can help you replace lost documents. However, a copy is generally not accepted in place of an original passport or other document required for international travel. Before departure, check which original documents you must carry and keep them secure in your carry-on luggage.

F-1 students may generally work in qualifying on-campus positions, subject to applicable immigration requirements and restrictions. Other requirements may apply depending on your immigration status and circumstances.

You may read more about on-campus, off-campus, and unauthorized work here. Contact International Advising if you are unsure whether a particular job is permitted.

Working on campus while maintaining your F-1 status generally does not affect your eligibility for on-campus employment. However, working may affect your scholarship or financial aid, depending on the specific award and its requirements. For questions about how employment may affect your scholarship or financial aid, contact Financial Aid. For questions about whether you are authorized to work under your F-1 status, contact International Advising.

Off-campus employment and internships are subject to specific immigration requirements. Depending on the opportunity, you may need authorization before beginning work. You may read more about on-campus, off-campus, and unauthorized work here.

Do not begin an internship, paid position, or other off-campus employment until you have confirmed that it is permitted and obtained any required authorization. Contact International Advising well in advance to discuss your options.

F-1 undergraduate students at Union are generally required to maintain a full course of study, which normally means at least three courses per term under Union's requirements.

Dropping below a full course load without the required authorization can jeopardize your immigration status. More information can be found here. If you are considering withdrawing from a course, taking a leave of absence, or reducing your course load, contact International Advising before making changes to your enrollment.

Always speak with International Advising before dropping a course. In certain circumstances, an authorized reduced course load (RCL) may be possible, but you must receive the required authorization before reducing your course load. More information can be found here. Do not assume that your academic adviser's approval alone satisfies immigration requirements.

A leave of absence, early graduation, or change to your expected program completion date can affect your immigration status and eligibility to remain in the United States. More information can be found here.

Contact International Advising as early as possible before finalizing your plans. We can explain the immigration implications and coordinate with the appropriate College offices when needed.

Most international students who are nonresident aliens for tax purposes must file Form 8843 even if they did not work and had no U.S. income. If you received income during the tax year, you will likely have additional filing obligations. International Advising will send out information around taxes via email during Winter Term.

Yes. You may prepare your own tax forms if you understand the requirements that apply to you. However, International Advising strongly recommends taking advantage of the tax preparation resources and appointments offered to international students in Winter and Spring Term. U.S. tax rules can be extremely complicated, especially for students who are nonresident aliens for tax purposes. Use resources designed for international students, seek qualified tax assistance, or connect with International Advising if you are unsure how to proceed.

The cost depends on the tax preparation service, the forms you need, and the tax year. Fees and available services may change each year. Review the current information provided by International Advising and the tax preparation service before beginning. Do not assume that all services or optional features are free, and keep in mind paying for the tax service is different than paying your taxes.

A tax treaty is an agreement between the United States and another country that may reduce or exempt certain types of income from U.S. taxation when specific conditions are met.

Eligibility depends on the treaty, your country of tax residence, the type of income, and other requirements. Not every student qualifies for treaty benefits.

For background information, see Sprintax's explanation of tax treaties. For questions about your individual eligibility, consult a qualified tax professional or the tax preparation resources recommended by International Advising.

Contact Sprintax customer support if you used Sprintax and need help understanding how to correct a mistake. You may need to file an amended return, depending on what was submitted and the nature of the error. If you are unsure what to do, seek qualified tax guidance before submitting additional forms and/or contact the International Advising Office. We can help you navigate available resources but cannot provide individualized tax or legal advice.

You may still be able to submit a late return or form. File as soon as possible and review the applicable IRS instructions. Late filing can have consequences, including potential penalties or interest, depending on your circumstances. If you are unsure which forms you need or how to correct the omission, connect with our office.

If you owe taxes, review your tax account and payment options with the IRS and arrange payment as soon as possible. Depending on your circumstances, penalties and interest may apply and the longer you wait to pay the more you may owe!

Do not ignore the letter. If you think it may be spam, verify with International Advising. Read it carefully and note any deadlines or requested actions. Bring a copy to an appointment with International Advising if you would like help identifying the appropriate next steps or tax resources. International Advising can help you navigate available resources but cannot provide individualized tax or legal advice.

Not usually. Preparing your forms in Sprintax does not typically mean that your tax filing is complete.

Depending on your forms and circumstances, you may need to print and mail documents to the IRS, submit additional documentation, or pay any taxes owed (which is NOT done through Sprintax). Follow the filing and payment instructions provided with your completed forms and keep copies of everything for your records.