Message from the ISSO - ASU International - Arizona State University

Message from the ISSO: Fall 2009 for F-1 & J-1 degree-seeking students only
Welcome
We would like to welcome new and continuing students as you begin the Fall 2009 semester! It is of utmost
importance to read allISSO bulletins/messages as these contain important ASU administrative deadlines and SEVIS
information to maintain your F-1/J-1 status.
ISSO Matters
1. The former ISO has a new name – we are now ISSO, International Students and Scholars Office.
2. Our new ISSO location:
International Students and Scholars Office
Tempe Center, Suite 150 http://www.asu.edu/parking/pdf/asu_pts_tempe2008_web.pdf (TMPCT building)
951 S. Mill Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85287-4311
Tel # 480-965-7451
3. If you need any immigration related information or advisement it is highly recommended that you
email ISOeadvisor@asu.edu first before making an appointment. Emails are responded to between 1-3 working
days. You will be advised to meet an ISSO advisor if necessary.
4. The processing time at the ISSO for an I-20 signature, letter of certification, or other routine document is 10-
14 full working days. Other document requests and transactions may require more time. Incomplete documents
will not be processed and will take more time. Please plan accordingly.
We look forward to a successful semester and wish you all a happy Fall semester!
The International Students and Scholars Office
ISOeadvisor@asu.edu
IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION UPDATE FOR Fall 2009 for F-1 & J-1 degree-seeking students only
SEVIS Registration
1. ALL NEW & TRANSFER students must report to the ISSO for SEVIS initial registration processing.
· To facilitate this, students must bring to the ISSO, in person, copies of their validated I-20/DS-
2019, I-94 card, passport pages with name, photo and expiration date, US visa and print-out of the
updated LOCAL and SEVIS addresses from the MyASU website: my.asu.edu.
· DEADLINE to report to the ISSO for SEVIS initial registration is Monday, August 31 st . Failure to
report in a timely manner will result in the loss of your F-1 status and your SEVIS record will be
TERMINATED. Terminated records are subject to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement review
which could result to deportation.
· J-1 students must report to the Alternate Responsible Officer/Responsible Officer who signed
their respective DS-2019 for SEVIS program validation.
2. All CONTINUING students who have maintained full-time status will be automatically registered in SEVIS for
the Fall 2009 semester. There is NO NEED to report to the ISSO for this transaction.
SEVIS registration verifies maintenance of student status. Failure to maintain student status at the time of SEVIS
registration will cause you to be terminated in SEVIS. For complete information about maintaining your visa status,
please refer to p. 2 of your I-20/DS-2019 or visit the ISSO website at http://asu.edu/international/status.html
The International Students and Scholars Office
ISOeadvisor@asu.edu

IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION UPDATE FOR Fall 2009 for F-1 & J-1 degree-seeking students only
ENROLLMENT ADVISORY
Important!
By August 30 th , the published drop-add deadline, students must be enrolled full-time!
· Students not enrolled in a full course of study by this date without prior ISSO authorization or who
withdraw from class/es without contacting the ISSO will be placed on administrative hold to prevent
future registration at ASU and SEVIS record will be TERMINATED for failure to maintain status.
· Terminated records are subject to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement review which could
result to deportation.
1. Full-time is 12 credit hrs for undergraduates/ 9 credit hrs for graduates or 6 credit hrs with an
assistantship (unless the department or college requires more).
2. Student who are in their last semester and not full-time must submit the COMPLETION OF COURSEWORK
FORM signed by faculty and/or advisor no later than Monday, August 31, 2009.
3. Only 3 credit hrs from any online course may be applied towards the full-time requirement each
semester.
4. AUDIT grades are not counted towards full-time enrollment.
5. Undergraduate students who are approved for concurrent enrollment at a community college for Fall
2009 semester must
o Submit proof of community college registration to the ISSO by Monday, August 31, 2009.
o Classes taken at the local community college with concurrent enrollment must start by August 31,
2009 to be counted towards the full-time requirement.
o Late start classes will not be counted towards full-time enrollment.
Let us know if you have any questions.
The International Students and Scholars Office
ISOeadvisor@asu.edu

International Students, mark your calendars for two upcoming events!
· Coalition of International Students (CIS) Fall 2009 Welcome Party
Friday, September 11 th , 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Student Services Lawn (outside Student Services
Building and west of the MU)
· Social Security Card Center Campus Outreach
Thursday, September 17 th , 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Tempe Center, Suite 150, Rm. 154
Please see below for details of each event.
v Coalition of International Students Fall 2009 Welcome Party
Please join the Coalition of International Students (CIS) in welcoming our new international students -
FREE FOOD, FUN AND PRIZES!!! Any questions please email CIS at cis.asu2002@gmail.com or
visitcis.asu2002.googlepages.com
v Social Security Card Center Campus Outreach
Representatives from the Social Security Administration Card Center will be on campus to process
Social Security Number applications for International Students. A Social Security Number (SSN) is issued
if you meet the following requirements only: you have obtained a job on-campus, applied for a Social
Security letter from ISSO and have not already applied for SSN.
You will need the following documents to apply for SSN- applications with incomplete documents will
not be processed!
§ Original and photocopy: I-20 or DS-2019 form, I-94 form, Passport
§ Original only: Social Security letter (for F-1 -obtained from ISSO/J-1 obtained from program
sponsor), Employer letter or paystub, Completed SSA form (obtained from ISSO)
If you are planning to attend this event, please reply to isoeadvisor@asu.edu
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU TRAVEL for F-1/J-1 degree-seeking students
I. When traveling within the U.S. outside the local area, you may be asked by an officer of the U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement to show your immigration documents. Be sure you have your documents with you; keep
them in a safe place so as not to misplace them or have them stolen from your car.
II. If you are traveling outside the US and/or planning to renew your expired student visa, please make sure you
have all the necessary information prior to your departure to facilitate a seamless re-entry back into the US. Check
the ISSOwebsite below for details.
http://ovpge.asu.edu/CGES/Int_Students_and_Scholars_Office/Int_Students_Resources/Travel_Reminders
The International Students and Scholars Office
ISOeadvisor@asu.edu

End of SEMESTER REMINDERS for Fall 2009
Greetings from the ISSO!
As we approach the end of the Fall 2009 Semester, the staff of the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
wishes you success in your finals and other academic endeavors. For additional resources to support your success
as you prepare for finals, go to the ASU Learning Support Services website http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/lss
Below are important reminders:
· To ensure you receive updated immigration information from the ISSO please check your ASU email account
periodically. You will be receiving email bulletin/s from the ISSO regarding immigration reminders and updates and
it is important that you to read the information carefully so you can plan accordingly.
· The ISSO will be open during the winter vacation. We will be closed during the Christmas holiday (December
24 th and 25 th ), New Year’s Day (January 1 st ), and Martin Luther King Jr Day (January 18 th ).
· The processing time at the ISSO for any document/form/signature request is 10-14 full working days. Other
requests may take more time.
· If you send an email to ISOeadvisor@asu.edu you will get a response within 3 working days. Please plan
accordingly.
· Practice safety this winter; the ASU Police Crime Prevention Section offers general safety tips on their
website: http://uabf.asu.edu/police_safetytips
We appreciate your attendance at Arizona State University and consider it a privilege to have worked with you. If
you are completing your studies and moving on from ASU, we congratulate you on your achievements. To the
continuing students, congratulations for the successful completion of this semester – we look forward to your
return in the Spring 2010 semester!
Please be cautious in your travels and have a safe and enjoyable winter break!
The International Students and Scholars Office
ISOeadvisor@asu.edu

INFORMATION FOR GRADUATING F-1 STUDENTS
1. Students completing their program this Fall 2009 who want to apply for the Optional Practical
Training (OPT) benefit must apply/have applied 100 days prior to their employment start date to get the full
12 months of OPT. You may also apply within the 60 th day after completion date, however, the 12-month
OPT is not guaranteed in this case. You may end up with 10 months of OPT. Plan accordingly.
Deadline to submit OPT application to the ISSO is 3 weeks prior to the 60 th day after completion date.
Failure to meet the deadlines will result in, without exception, the loss of your OPT benefit.
2. Students who do not complete their program as previously reported on the Completion of
Coursework Form, OPT/CPT application, or any other document must report to the ISSO prior to the
completion date for appropriate advisement. Failure to do so will cause loss of F-1 status and
consequently, loss of the OPT benefit.
3. Upon completion of studies, F-1 students must be in one of the following situations:
· Engaged in OPT, have a pending OPT application or plan to apply for OPT in a timely manner.
· Admitted to a new program at ASU or another institution. If you intend to enter another degree
program here at ASU, to request for a new I-20 reflecting the new program from the ISSO. If you will
transfer to another US institution, you must contact the ISSO for SEVIS transfer process information.
· Applied for change to another immigration status. If you have received a Notice of Action from
USCIS regarding a change of your immigration status, please contact the ISSO immediately to get your
record updated in SEVIS.
IMPORTANT! If NOT in any of the above situations, students must depart the USA within 60 days from your
completion date.
Further Important Notes for Graduating F-1 students
· After completion of studies, you are not allowed to continue to work on campus as a student. Any
student employment after degree completion is considered unauthorized and will jeopardize your
immigration status.
· Graduating students are advised to keep their immigration documents indefinitely. After you leave
the University, the ISSOkeeps your file for a limited period only and will not be able to assist with requests
for documents or verification of student status after files have been destroyed.
The International Students and Scholars Office
ISOeadvisor@asu.edu

SEVIS COMPLIANCE Information for CONTINUING F-1 STUDENTS
1. F-1 students who are getting close to the expiration date listed on their I-20 (listed on page 1 in item
#5 as “complete studies not later than...”) must file a request for an extension at the ISSO within the 60
days before the I-20 end date and no later than 10 working days BEFORE your immigration document
expires. Failure to do so will cause loss of F-1 status.
2. Students who did not complete as previously reported on the Completion of Coursework Form,
OPT/CPT application or any other document must report to the ISSO prior to the completion date for
appropriate advisement. Failure to do so will cause loss of F-1 status and consequently, loss of the OPT
benefit.
3. Must maintain full-time status at all times. Keep in mind:
· Only 3 online/distance learning credit hours can be counted towards full-time enrollment
requirement. *If you will be part-time in your last semester and plan to take online/distance learning
credit hours please email the ISSO atISOeadvisor@asu.edu for advisement as restrictions may apply.
· AUDIT GRADES are not counted towards the full-time requirement.
· Enrollment for “late start” courses to meet the full-time requirement must be done within the
published drop/add period and no later than January 24, 2010. Failure to comply will cause you to be
terminated in SEVIS.
4. January 7, 2010 - final day to request PERMISSION from the ISSO to concurrently enroll at a local
community college in the Spring 2010 semester.
5. January 22, 2010 - final day to submit immigration approved exception to full course of study
documents to ISSO (i.e. PROOF of concurrent enrollment, Completion of Coursework form for final
semester, medical etc.)
6. January 25, 2010 - date that SEVIS record will be terminated for students not full time as of January
24—published late registration & drop/add deadline. No exceptions!
7. Students who have made any change to their academic programs, (i.e. switched degree options,
major change, change of education level, etc) must report the change to the ISSO as soon as possible for
immigration advisement. Please note: A new I-20 may need to be issued to reflect your new program
information.
8. Anytime you move, update address information through the My ASU website (my.asu.edu) within 10
days. Use your home in Tempe/Phoenix area as your LOCAL address and your home country residence as
SEVIS address. Do not list PO boxes. Failure to do so will cause loss of student status.
Important Note: The processing time at the ISSO for any document/form/signature request is 10-14 full working
days. Other requests may take more time so please plan accordingly.
Let us know if you have any questions.
The International Students and Scholars Office
ISOeadvisor@asu.edu