Maintaining Your Legal Status - Bechtel International Center ...

Welcome to Stanford! 

Fall 2013

Updating Your SEVIS(US) Address 

1. Log in to Axess at http://axess.stanford.edu 

2. Enter the emergency contact information before proceeding to the next step 

3. Click on the Student Center tab at the top of the page 

4. Click “Add a new address” 

5. Enter your FULL dorm address (see example below) 

This address can NOT be 

departmental address

Updating Your SEVIS(US) Address 

5. Click SEVIS (US) and save 

Note: Make sure that your “Mail” address is a US address so that you may receive refunds and important mailings from Stanford.

Agenda 

Introduction to Bechtel International Center (also known as 

the I-Center) 

Review of important immigration documents 

Maintaining your immigration status as an international 

student 

Travel & U.S. Re-Entry – Student Visa Renewal 

Academic Life 

Settling in at Stanford

Bechtel International Center 

General office hours on the 2 nd floor of the I-Center 

Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(Summer Schedule through Aug. 30) 

Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(Starting September 3) Note: Sept. 2nd is Labor Day / holiday 

Walk-in advising is available on (Starting September 3): 

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 

10:00 am to 4:00 pm 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

General e-mail: internationalstudents@stanford.edu 

Please do not send repeated e-mails. Your e-mail will be answered shortly. 

Note: Please include your SEVIS ID# in any communication with our office. 

Website: http://icenter.stanford.edu 

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BechtelInternationalCenter 

Interesting fact: The original Bechtel building has stood on this site since 1919

I-Center Responsibilities 

The I-Center is the University office responsible for Immigration 

reporting and compliance such as: 

Full-time Enrollment 

Reduced Course Load 

Leave of Absence 

Extension 

Change / Add Academic Program 

Transferring Out 

Employment 

Change of Visa Status

Student Services at the I-Center 

Orientation programs for new international students. 

Check out the schedule at http://icenter.stanford.edu/students/new/ 

orientation.html 

Advising (Walk-in and E-mail) on regulatory matters, as well as enrollment, 

employment, travel and personal issues (We will contact you @ your 

stanford.edu address. Please check that your primary email address is correct 

in Axess). 

Workshops on federal regulations affecting international students, including 

employment, and tax information (we are not tax advisors and cannot advise on 

taxes) 

Newsletter (International Student Update) concerning important news and 

events. 

Social Programs for you and your family. 

All the information about our services can be found on the I-Center website 

http://icenter.stanford.edu/index.html.

I-Center Activities 

Social and cultural events 

The I-Center hosts many social and non-academic 

events throughout the year such as: 

The International Festival 

Salsa classes and parties 

International movie series 

Potluck dinners 

Holiday celebrations 

Everyone is welcome to attend these events


Programs for spouses/partners/families 

We invite you and your family member(s) to join us 

for ongoing programs and activities through the 

year  

We offer dance and language classes, cooking 

lessons and musical evenings. 

We invite guest speakers to address current local 

and international affairs, and host a coffee hour 

every Friday for spouses/partners and families.


Subscribe to the I-Center social list: 

http://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/icenter-social 

Look for the section marked 

“Subscribing to icenter-social” and fill in the boxes. 

Look at our calendar of events: 

http://icenter.stanford.edu/events/calendar.html

International Students at Stanford 

Over 3500 international students from 124 different 

countries 

Every year over 1000 new international students arrive to 

Stanford 

Departments with the largest international student 

enrollment: 

1. Electrical Engineering 

2. Business 

3. Management Science & Engineering 

Countries with the largest number of students enrolled at 

Stanford: 

1. China 

2. India 

3. South Korea

Your Immigration Documents

Keep your Immigration Documents Safe & Dry! 

Immigration documents include: 

Passport 

I-20 / DS-2019 

I-94 arrival/departure record *should be printed by student after entry to 

U.S. by going to: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html 

Visa stamp (except Canadian citizens) 

For safekeeping: 

☞ Make photocopies of your documents and keep the copies and originals in a safe place 

or 

Scan your documents and keep electronic copies 

The passport pages that have your passport number, picture, personal information, 

and visa stamp 

Front page of your I-94 arrival/departure record form 

All pages of your current and any previous I-20s or DS-2019s

I-94 Automation 

Once you have entered the U.S., and as soon as you have internet 

access, we strongly encourage you to download and print your I-94 

at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94 to verify that the information on the 

record is correct. 

Remember to print a new I-94 record after each time you exit and return 

to the US. 

Keep the most current printed I-94 with your passport for your own 

records. 

You can find more information about the I-94 automation process at our website ( 

http://icenter/students/current/Electronic_I94.html) as well as CBP website 

(http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/i94_rollout.xml)

Check Your Immigration Documents 

F-1 Students: 

As of April 2013 the immigration service is 

no longer issuing I-94 cards (unless doing 

a land crossing) or stamping the I-20 or I-94 

card “F-1” and “D/S”. Note: Your passport 

should be stamped “F-1” and “D/S” .


J-1 Students: 

As of April 2013 the immigration service is no 

longer issuing I-94 cards (unless doing a land 

crossing) or stamping the DS-2019 or I-94 card 

“J-1” and “D/S”. Note: Your passport should 

be stamped “J-1” and “D/S” .


The visa is used only for entering the U.S. If it expires while 

you’re here, you do not need to renew your visa. However, if 

you depart the U.S., your visa must be valid for re-entry. 

Visa Type 

Number of entries allowed: 

• ”S” = single entry 

• “M” = multiple entries

Maintaining 

legal status is 

YOUR 

responsibility

Maintaining legal status is YOUR responsibility 

There are many U.S. laws and Stanford policies that affect 

international students. 

The majority of international students have no problems with 

immigration regulations. 

You must maintain your international student status while at 

Stanford. It is what is expected of you by the U.S. government and 

there are consequences for not maintaining status. 

It is not the responsibility of the I-Center to enforce immigration laws. 

But federal laws require the I-Center to inform the Department of 

Homeland Security of your status and changes to this status. 

Remember to contact an I-Center advisor whenever you have 

questions about your status (do not seek advice from your “friend”).


Maintain a valid passport at all times. 

Maintain a full course-load of study during the academic year. 

Report any address changes within 10 days in Axess. 

Do not work (off-campus) without employment authorization from the 

I-Center or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). 

F-1 students can work on-campus without authorization 

Do not work more than 20 hours a week when school is in session. 

Report any changes listed on the I-20 to I-Center advisor (e.g. name, 

program, citizenship country, source of funding changes, etc.) 

File for timely extension of I-20/DS-2019 if needed. 

J-1 visa holders MUST maintain health insurance for themselves 

and their J dependents.


What is a full course of study? 

8 units for graduate students – unless the department requires a 

higher number of units 

12 units for undergraduates 

3 consecutive quarters of every academic year 

Do I need to be enrolled full-time during summer quarter? 

Full-time summer enrollment is not required by the Federal 

Government 

UNLESS 

You intend to take fall/spring/winter quarter as vacation 

Your first quarter at Stanford is in the summer quarter.


What are the Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment? 

Final quarter 

Illness certified by a medical doctor (and approved by 

Stanford) 

Students must request and obtain approval from an 

I-Center advisor and their department for the reduced course 

load prior to dropping below the full course of study. 

Do NOT take less than a full course of study without 

contacting an I-Center advisor or you will violate your 

status.


Employment: Follow All Employment Rules! 

1. Do not work any more than 20 hours a week during the 

regular academic year. 

2. Apply for work authorization (if applicable) prior to working in 

exchange for compensation / remuneration 

On-campus employment 

F-1 No - No work authorization required (e.g. - library, RA/TA) 

J-1 Yes - Work authorization required from I-Center 

Off-campus employment 

F-1 Yes - Work authorization required from I-Center or USCIS 

J-1 Yes - Work authorization required from I-Center (or J-1 

sponsor who issued DS-2019)


All off-campus employment requires some process of 

authorization (by I-Center or USCIS). 

F-1 students 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 

Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

J-1 students 

Academic Training (AT) 

Do NOT accept off-campus employment without official permission. Know the 

regulations about off-campus work AND always ask advisors at the I-Center before 

accepting any off-campus employment. 

The I-Center offers regular off-campus employment workshops. Workshop 

schedule can be found at: http://icenter.stanford.edu/events/imm_workshops.html 

You MUST attend one of these workshops and carefully read the I-Center website 

before applying for off-campus employment. 

Working without employment authorization is a violation of your status!


What change of information am I required to report 

to the I-Center? 

Name 

Citizenship 

Address (update in Axess within 10 days after the change) 

Degree Level 

Major 

Graduation date 

Dependent (not children born in the U.S.) 

Change of Status (H1, Permanent residency,…) 

School (Transfer Out) 

Source of Funding 

Stolen or lost travel documents 

To comply with federal law, Stanford has to report all changes and 

violations to the federal government


Remember to contact the I-Center if you 

have any questions about enrollment, visa, 

employment, and travel. 

Someone else’s situation may seem to be the 

same as yours, but each case is different and 

should be advised individually. 

Check the I-Center website for latest 

information and advising hours.

Travel & U.S. Re-Entry 

Visa Renewal


What documents do I need to come back to the 

U.S.? 

Valid passport and U.S. Visa Stamp 

Unexpired I-20/DS-2019* 

A travel signature from an I-Center advisor on 

I-20/DS-2019. The signature should be no older 

than 12 months at time of entry (6 months while 

you are on post-completion OPT) 

*If you have multiple I-20/DS-2019s issued to you, the most recently issued 

document is always the valid document to use for travel.


When do I need a travel signature? 

If you plan to travel abroad, even to Canada, you must have your 

I-20/DS-2019 signed for re-entry to the U.S. by an I-Center advisor 

before you leave. 

Travel signatures are generally valid for one calendar year and can 

only be obtained at the I-Center. 

Do NOT travel outside the U.S., even briefly, without the proper 

documents signed for travel.


What is a Travel Signature? 

Stanford University 

Rolando Villalobos Rolando Villalobos 

Rolando Villalobos 

9/24/2012 

Page 3 of the I-20 

9/24/2012 Page 1 of the DS-2019


What about domestic travel? 

Take your original travel documents with you 

when traveling out of the area. 

Domestic travel includes Puerto Rico and 

Hawaii!

Visa Renewal – Be aware! 

An alcohol-related offense can impact future visa 

renewals 

Panel physician evaluation required if visa applicant 

has a single drunk driving arrest or conviction within past 3 years. 

has two or more drunk driving arrests or convictions in any time 

period 

if there is any evidence to suggest an alcohol problem. 

For more information about Student Alcohol Policy, please check the 

website at: http://alcohol.stanford.edu/ 

NOTE: Drinking age in the United States is 21 years old.

Academic Life

Academic Life 

Stanford's Honor Code and Your Status 

The Honor Code at Stanford is a VERY important aspect of 

your academic life. 

The Honor Code is the University's statement on academic 

integrity written by students in 1921. It articulates University 

expectations of students and faculty in establishing and 

maintaining the highest standards in academic work. 

Focuses on: 

- The Academic Standard (Progressing toward the degree, 

Plagiarism, Un-permitted collaboration, Cheating in an exam) 

- The Fundamental Standard (Harassing Speech or Behavior) 

Information on the Honor Code at Stanford can be found at: 

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/vpsa/judicialaffairs/guiding/honorcode.htm

Academic Life 

Violation of the Honor Code can result in suspension 

for the student. 

This can have serious consequences for international 

students. 

Some examples of violations of the Honor Code: 

Plagiarism (copying another student’s work) 

Un-permitted collaboration 

Cheating on an exam

Settling in at 

Stanford

Settling in at Stanford 

Stanford Student ID card 

The Stanford ID Card serves as an identification 

card allowing you to use services for which you 

have privileges, and to enter facilities. 

The Student Service Center is located on the 

2nd Floor of Tresidder Union. 

Hours: Mon - Fri, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.


Social Security Number (SSN) 

Identifies participants in the U.S. Social Security system. 

Official use of the SSN is only for employment and tax purposes. 

Students on fellowships / scholarships (and non employment based funds) 

qualify for an ITIN and not the SSN. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

F-1 Students with either: 

On-campus RA, TA or other salaried campus work 

-OR- 

Off-campus work permission 

J-1 Students 

J-2 Spouses with work permission 

WHO IS INELIGIBLE? 

F-1 students on 

scholarships or fellowships 

F-2 Dependents


Applying for California Driver’s License 

Visit a DMV office (make an appointment for faster 

service - http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ ) 

Pass exam (vision & written) 

Pass a driving test (traffic laws and sign test) 

NOTE: A Social Security number is not needed to apply for 

a California driver's license. However, if you qualify 

for a SSN, you will be expected to include the SSN 

with your application.


Don’t apply too early for an SSN or California 

Driver’s License/ID! 

You must wait until: 

1. After 10 days of your arrival to the U.S., 

2. You attend a Maintaining Legal Status session, 

3. The I-Center validates your SEVIS record (usually 

30 days after your program start date) 

• If you must apply earlier, you can request a more timely 

validation date by completing this webform: 

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/icenter/validation.fb 

If you apply before all 3 steps have been completed, your 

application may be rejected or face significant delays!


Taxes 

All international students are expected to file federal tax 

returns annually (even if you earn no income). 

GLACIER Tax Prep (Complete International Tax Preparation Software) 

is a tax return preparation software program designed exclusively for 

international students, scholars, teachers, researchers, trainees, and 

their dependents who are nonresident aliens to aid in preparing U.S. 

federal income tax forms. 

GLACIER Tax Prep is available on the I-Center website around tax 

time (March / April). Tax workshops also offered around this time. 

Important Note: I-Center does not offer tax advice.

Questions?

Welcome to 

Stanford!!

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