Legal Issues

Get Legal Status

Apply to a school, which is authorized under US Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
Get accepted to SVSU. (This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.)
Get a form issued by SVSU known as I-20 (240kB)‌ or DS-2019.
Pay $200 SEVIS Fees. SEVIS I-901 fee is required of each student or exchange visitor.
Apply for Visa.

1) Have a valid passport

2) Attend a SEVIS authorized school
3) Arrive at SVSU for the start of classes and SEVIS registration
4) Carry a full course of study

12 credits for undergraduates
9 credits for graduates
Any credits below this require approval from the Office of International Programs
Attend class
Participate in class
Finish homework and study for tests
Remain in and pass each class

5) Obey state & federal laws

6) Adhere to regulations of employment

Part-time on campus, maximum 20 hours per week while classes are in session
Circular Practical Training (CPT), as part of an established curriculum and is directly related to your major; internships and CO-OP Programs are CPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) for 12 months after graduation
OPT extension, of 17 months with a new application, for those in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields

7) Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 up-to-date

Verify your address is accurate each semester in Cardinal Direct. Update to current address, if necessary, in Cardinal Direct or with the Registrar's Office within 10 days of moving.
If you plan to leave the US, including to Canada or Mexico, obtain an appropriate signature on your I-20 or a "letter of good standing" from the Office of International Programs.
Keep your major current, as it is on your I-20. If you change majors, be sure to complete at "Degree Program Change" form found in OIP. They will update it with SEVIS.
Keep your graduation date current, as it is on your I-20. If you change projected graduation date, be sure to complete at "Degree Program Change" form found in OIP. They will update it with SEVIS.