International Student Rules/Regulations/Procedures

Most University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) international students have either F-1 (student) visas or J-1 (student exchange visitor) visas. Refer to the visa list for a list of other common visa types for UMB students

F-1 STUDENT VISAS While in the United States, you must follow certain rules and regulations to maintain legal status.  The Office of International Services (OIS) can answer questions about your status in the U.S. and clarify U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) regulations.

Course Load Requirements - All international students on F-1 visas must pursue a full-time course of study while in the U.S.  The regulations define a full course of study for undergraduate and professional school students as at least 12 credits per semester. Students working on a Master's or PhD degree must be registered for at least 48 units. Under certain circumstances students are permitted to register for less than full-time. These special circumstances include: the Winter and Summer terms, a documented severe medical problem, valid academic reasons, students who need less than a full-time load to complete their program of study, graduate students who have completed formal course-work, and students engaged in full-time practical training. For questions concerning eligibility, contact the OIS.

Check-in and Orientation - All International Students must check-in at their department and with the OIS.

Listed below are important points pertaining to F-1 visas. For more information, or if you will be attending UMB while on some other type of visa, contact the OIS.

Important Documents, Terms and Procedures

Visa - A visa is your permission to apply for entry into the U.S.  As long as the student stays in the U.S., it does not matter if the visa has expired. There are several kinds of visa (e.g., F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2). The visa type of your dependents is usually linked to the type of visa you have.

F-1 visa - The visa status given to an international applicant who wishes to enter the U.S. temporarily and solely for the purpose of study.

I-20 - The Certificate of Eligibility for non-immigrant student status is commonly referred to as the I-20. Students must sign the bottom of page 1 of the I-20. On the initial entry to the U.S., the immigration official date stamps the I-20 form.

I-94 (Arrival/Departure record) - The small white card issued by the U. S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) upon entry to the U.S.  It is normally stapled in your passport on the page opposite your visa. The form I-94 is your permit to stay in the U.S..

Admission Number - Upon admission to the U.S., the immigration officer issues each student a unique 11 digit admission number. This number is intended to keep track of the student's arrivals, departures, field of study, permission to work, and other matters. The admission number is found on the I-94.

Duration of Status (D/S) - An F-1 student's permission to stay is defined as "Duration of Status". It appears on the I-94 as D/S and relates to the expected date of program completion (see item #5 on your I-20). Students must file for an extension of program at least one month before this date. If you need an extension, contact the OIS.

Transfer - If students are transferring from another school in the U.S., they must make an appointment with the OIS within 15 days after the start of the term to complete the transfer process.

Traveling Abroad and Re-entry - Students planning to leave the U.S. and then re-enter in their student status need a valid passport, a valid visa stamp from a U.S. consulate or embassy (unless visiting Canada or Mexico for a period of less than 30 days), and an I-20 with the OIS' signature on page 4 (less than 6 months old at time of re-entry). Students should always be prepared to verify their finances.  If the visa in your passport has expired, contact the OIS at least one month prior to departing the U.S.  You will need to get a new visa before re-entering the U.S. If you are traveling to another country that is not your home country, you may need a visa to enter that country. You should contact the country's embassy in Washington D.C. for entry visa requirements well in advance of your visit.

Student Employment - Students may not work on or off campus without prior approval from the OIS.