[Intl-stu] IMPORTANT VISA ALERT MESSAGE FOR SPRING 2023

Wed Jan 4 14:19:14 CST 2023

Good afternoon International Lions,

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

Spring Course Enrollment Deadline

All International students must be fully enrolled for the Spring semester by January 17, 2023.

Registration deadline: Spring Last Day to Add without Instructor & Dean Approval is January 20, 2023. Schedule for TAMUC 2022-2023 Academic Calendar is attached to this email.

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 to SEVP between (February 2 - February 10, 2023). At this time, if you are improperly enrolled for the spring 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 at a later date 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://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 Visas 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 September 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 spring 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 9, 2023, to February 1, 2023.

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

If you do not submit a waiver, OR if you fail to take any action and/or if you missed the waiver deadline to be approved, you will be automatically enrolled in the System Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through AHP, and the charge will be applied to your student account.

If you do not have the health insurance charge in your student bill after the first day of class, please email intlinsurance at tamuc.edu<mailto:intlinsurance at tamuc.edu> . Note that OIP will not waive off any charges for insurance unless approved by AHP. If you have not been charged by the first date of class, or there are missed insurance charges for any semester, OIP will add the insurance charge towards the end of the semester or the beginning of the next. Students are liable to pay their health insurance fee, once again OIP will not remove the charge for any students if the charge is added at a later date, there will be no exception made.

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 deadline to apply for graduation is Monday, January 17 and close on Friday, March 10. Students must apply for graduation regardless of their final test scores. If you do not apply for graduation within the deadline, and you fail to graduate, you may need to apply for reinstatement.
  *   Invite your immediate family to attend graduation ceremony: Please submit your request here<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/Graduation-Invitation-Letter>.
  *   Optional Practical Training (OPT) (Apply OPT 90 days prior to Graduation. 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. OIP will soon send dates for the sessions. The sessions last may last for 1 hour & 30 minutes and will be conducted via Zoom. We look forward to seeing to then.

            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<file:///Users/risalpri/Downloads/5972abb3-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.

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

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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