[Intl-stu] Office of International Programs: Important Updates for F-1 Students

Mon Oct 31 08:01:24 CDT 2022

Good afternoon International Lions,

The Office of International Programs (OIP) have important updates for all our F-1 students in preparation for the upcoming Spring semester 2023. Please read all the information and instructions below as this information may apply to you.

Spring Course Enrollment Deadline

The Spring 2023 registration opens October 31, 2022, for masters/doctoral students and November 7-9 for undergraduates’ – all international students must be fully enrolled by the

registration deadline: spring last day to add without instructor & dean approval is January 20th, 2023.  When completing your enrollment, please review our full course of study instructions<https://inside.tamuc.edu/campusLife/campusServices/internationalStudentServices/documents/Full_Course_of_Study_Requirement.pdf> so you are compliance with your F-1 status at all times.

SEVIS Spring Registration and F-1 Status Termination

OIP will reporting our student enrollment between (16 February -18 March). At this time, if you are improperly enrolled for the fall semester and have not given a valid reason for not being enrolled improperly, your SEVIS record will be terminated, and you will be required to return home. Please read the Reduced course load section for further information.

Reduced Course Load

Students are eligible for reduced course load for the following circumstances: F-1 students are required to maintain full time student status every semester they are studying in the United States. Undergraduate are expected to complete 12 semester hours and graduates are expected complete 9 semester hours during Fall and Spring Semester. (Summer classes are optional unless your first semester at A&M Commerce. If Summer is your first semester, then you must complete 6 hours (i.e., full time for summer).

1.For valid academic difficulties (allowed only in one semester during an entire degree program).

2.Medical excuse (allowed for a maximum of 1 year during an entire degree program)

3.Final Semester (does not require special authorization; if you fail to graduate, you may need to apply for reinstatement).

4. Dissertation ( Select final semester and in the form note down that you are in Dissertation, provide class section number)

If the above circumstances apply to you and are less than full time<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/Reduced-Course-Load> please fill in the Reduced Course Load (RCL) form<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/Reduced-Course-Load>.

Program Extension

Students who are expecting to complete their degree program later than stated in their I-20 MUST apply for a program extension 45 days prior to their I-20 expiration date. Failure to do this may impact your F-1 status that may require you to leave the country as you will be “out of status”. Click here to apply for Program Extension<https://idp.https/dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/Program-Extension-Request>.

Address Update

If you have updated your personal address with OIP since your arrival at TAMUC or have changed living arrangements during the summer, please fill out this address update form<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/Address-Update-Request>.

Also, please make sure to update your address in MYLEO portal<https://idp.tamuc.edu/idp/profile/cas/login?execution=e2s1>.

International Student Health Insurance

According to the Texas A&M University System regulation, international students on F-1 Visa’s are required to hold insurance that meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements as well as provides repatriation and medical evacuation. International Students are defined as students who are not United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States. International Students are REQUIRED to maintain approved health insurance coverage continuously while enrolled and attending a Texas A&M System institution, unless the student provides proof of coverage that meets the Texas A&M University Systems waiver requirements.

If you do not have this charge in your student accounts by February 1st, please contact intlinsurance at tamuc.edu<mailto:intlinsurance at tamuc.edu> . Please note: All insurance cards will be sent digitally.

Spring Insurance:

All international students will be enrolled in health insurance for fall and spring term. The coverage for fall will start on January 1, 2023, thru August 31, 2023. You may apply for a waiver, ALL WAIVERS must be submitted during this period December 09, 2022, to February 01, 2023.

To submit a waiver, click here   https://tamuc.myahpcare.com/

Traveling?

Travel plans: If you are travelling outside the United States, please be ensured of the travel requirements for the respective country. The International Travel is currently unpredictable.

Here is the link for requesting a travel signature I-20:  travel signature<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/OIP-Student?_ga=2.214452439.1161533756.1632749386-1709939391.1631908158>.

Required Documents for International Travel:

  *   Valid passport
  *   Un expired F-1 visa
  *   Travel I-20 with DSO signature on it. (Second page) Must be valid 6 months from the date signed by the DSO)

Please note that you may not be able to enter the U.S. without a COVID vaccination unless you are exempt. For more information check out CDC<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html> webpage.

Graduating Spring 2023?

  *   Click here to apply for Graduation<https://inside.tamuc.edu/admissions/registrar/graduation/graduationSteps.aspx>. The graduation application will open the first two weeks of classes.
  *   Optional Practical Training (OPT) / STEM OPT (Apply OPT 90 days prior to Graduation, Apply STEM prior to the expiration of your OPT): Attend our workshops to learn about OPT/STEM extension. Join us for these sessions as this will be informative on learning the rules and regulation with work authorization as a F-1 Student. Sign up for our upcoming workshops today bit.ly/workintltamuc<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__bit.ly_workintltamuc&d=DwMFaQ&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=ZkF9QkSPFewvQZeLf4saE3Ma8Tw7Io1zfdAPtW-W1iM&m=AJRTNqpopcILbEnEXQHWIU9vF5LQunYQHSqbll6f5dA&s=s-d7sTzlE-R7J66QuvLYRzx38Zo8B8WzpyT7489-cqQ&e=>. The sessions last may last for 1 hour & 30 minutes and will be conducted via Zoom.
  *   Invite your immediate family to attend graduation ceremony: Please submit your request here<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/Graduation-Invitation-Letter>.

Sign up for our upcoming workshops today bit.ly/workintltamuc<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__bit.ly_workintltamuc&d=DwMFaQ&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=ZkF9QkSPFewvQZeLf4saE3Ma8Tw7Io1zfdAPtW-W1iM&m=AJRTNqpopcILbEnEXQHWIU9vF5LQunYQHSqbll6f5dA&s=s-d7sTzlE-R7J66QuvLYRzx38Zo8B8WzpyT7489-cqQ&e=>. The sessions last may last for 1 hour & 30 minutes and will be conducted via Zoom.

If you plan not to participate on OPT: Please respond to this email to update us on your status.

Are You Transferring to Another School ?

  *   If you are transferring to another school fill out the transfer out form<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/OIP-Student> and upload your acceptance letter.

Did You Depart the U.S.?

  *   If you departed the U.S. provide a copy of your departing flight itinerary, your visa, and immigration record will be terminated for NON- NEGATIVE reason. This will allow to apply for future visas to reenter the U.S.

·         If You do NOT Depart the U.S., your visa and immigration record may be terminated. This will leave a permanent negative mark on your U.S. immigration history and may result in a denial of any future entry to the U.S. or future benefits allotted to F-1 visa holders.

Click here<https://inside.tamuc.edu/campuslife/CampusServices/internationalStudentServices/documents/LeaveofAbsence.pdf> to learn about how to process to leave of absence. Please fill out the OIP leave of absence form<https://inside.tamuc.edu/campuslife/campusServices/internationalstudentservices/documents/LeaveofAbsenceF16Revision.pdf> our OIP record and email us your departure information. Email this information to intl.stu at tamuc.edu<mailto:intl.stu at tamuc.edu>.

In Need of Immediate Action

  *   If you have applied with USCIS for another visa status or have been admitted to another university, please communicate with our office, and provide documentation to our office by to February 1, 2023, avoid a negative termination.

Register for our Upcoming Events
Attached is a list of our events specifically for our international students for International Educational Week 2022. Your support and attendance are appreciated!

The Office of International Programs is here to assist you in your journey to success. If you have any questions or concerns, please email intl.stu at tamuc.edu<mailto:intl.stu at tamuc.edu>

Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

P: 903.886.5097

Twitter<https://twitter.com/intltamuc>  |  Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/intltamuc/>  |  LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/intl-tamuc-96546a214/>

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