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<p class=MsoNormal>If you are traveling outside the U.S. during the semester
break please remember the following about your immigration documents:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>Your <b><i><span style='background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>I-20 must have a travel signature on the last page of the
I-20 signed/dated within 12 months</span></i></b> of the date you plan to
re-enter the U.S. A signature is not required each time you depart and is
valid for 12 months beyond the date of the signature. An email will be
sent soon on how to request a signature. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>If your <b><i><span style='background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>visa has expired</span></i></b> then you will need to
renew your visa before you may re-enter the U.S. For more information
visit the Department of State <a
href="http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html">website</a> or
Immigration and Customs Enforcement <a
href="http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm">website</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>Your <b><i><span style='background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>passport must be valid for at least six (6) months</span></i></b>
from the date you re-enter the U.S.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>Your <b><i><span style='background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>I-94 must be turned in at your point of departure</span></i></b>
(ex…airport) and you will be issued a new I-94 when you re-enter the
U.S. If you fail to turn in your IO-94 before you depart the U.S. please
contact the ISSO. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>The <b><i><span style='background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>Department of State website recommends F-1 students</span></i></b>
be prepared to provide proof of financial support (bank and sponsor statement)
and an unofficial transcript. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Please note that <b><i><span style='background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>some academic departments are no longer granting
permission</span></i></b> for international students to arrive after the start
of the semester and miss class(s). If you plan to arrive after the start
of the spring semester (January 17) and will miss class(s) then you need to
discuss your late arrival with your instructor(s) and request a letter granting
permission for the late arrival. For a sample letter click <a
href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/forms.asp">here</a>. If
you chose to arrive after the start of the spring semester without permission you’re
your instructors this may result in academic penalties which may jeopardize
your visa status. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Also, there has been <b><i><span style='background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>an increase in phone calls from the port of entries</span></i></b>
around the U.S. attempting to confirm the status of A&M students arriving
late for the semester. In some cases the student(s) have been detained by
port of entry officials until their status can be confirmed. The ISSO
strongly recommends that students arrive back in Commerce prior to the start of
the spring 2011 semester to avoid any difficulties with their courses and with
port of entry. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>John Mark Jones, Director<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>International Student Services<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Texas A&M University-Commerce<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>PO Box 3011<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Commerce TX 75429<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(P) 903-886-5097<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(F) 903-468-3200<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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