Resources

International Student Affairs Forms

Employment Forms

• F-1 Curricular Practical Training Request Instructions
• F-1 CPT Academic Advisor Approval Form
• F-1 Optional Practical Training Request Instructions
• F-1 OPT Academic Advisor Approval Form
• STEM OPT Request Instructions
• OPT Filing: How to Fill in the I-765

Immigration Services Forms

• Program Extension Approval Form
• Reduced Course Load Approval Form

E-Forms

Please access the E-Forms by going to internationalforms.hofstra.edu

Use the link above to access the following services:

• Change of Phone Number/U.S. Address
• Letter Requests (Good Standing & Social Security) 
• Travel Signature Request
• Update I-20 for Change of Major
• F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request
• F-1 Program Extension Request 
• F-1 Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request 
• F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request for the OPT I-20
• F-1 STEM OPT Extension Request for the STEM OPT extension I-20
• F-1 Post-Completion OPT Employment Update I-20 Request
• F-1 STEM OPT Employment Update I-20 Request

Employment Resources and Programs

Employment is always a popular topic for international students – from working on campus to looking for off-campus internship opportunities and exploring ways to gain experience after graduation. International students are not allowed to engage in work or unpaid practical experiences off campus unless they have received the appropriate work authorization. For more information about how to obtain work authorization, please attend one of our workshops or make an appointment to speak to a member of our staff.

• Employment Workshops
  International Student Affairs offers workshops every semester to answer your questions and help you gain experiences that will enhance your resume but also maintain your lawful presence as an international student.

• Working On Campus
  International students are eligible to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and up to 30 hours per week during the university breaks. Please note that Academic English program students are not allowed to work on campus.

• Applying for a Social Security Number
  International students who are authorized to work in the U.S. and have a job offer may apply for a Social Security number (SSN).

• Filing Taxes
  All international students are required to file taxes, regardless of whether they earned income in the U.S.

• F-1 Curricular Practical Training
  F-1 international students may be authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) after completing one academic year. International students must receive a new I-20 with CPT authorization from International Student Affairs in order to begin hours for an internship, student teaching, externship, volunteer or any other practical experience off campus.

• F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Employment
  F-1 international students may be authorized to work off campus for 12 months before or after graduation through Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students must apply for OPT and gain approval from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before beginning employment. The USCIS processing time for OPT applications is 3 - 5 months.

• F-1 Severe Economic Hardship
  Severe Economic Hardship Employment is an off-campus work authorization for F-1 students who are experiencing serious financial difficulties caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.

Passport Requirements

F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors are required to have a valid passport at all times while studying in the United States. The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019. When traveling, F-1 and J-1 students must have a passport that is valid for 6 months into the future in order to enter (or re-enter) the U.S.

According to the United States Immigration and Nationality Act:

(i) Every nonimmigrant alien who applies for admission to, or an extension of stay in, the United States, must establish that he or she is admissible to the United States, or that any ground of inadmissibility has been waived under section 212(d)(3) of the Act. Upon application for admission, the alien must present a valid passport and valid visa unless either or both documents have been waived. A nonimmigrant alien's admission to the United States is conditioned on compliance with any inspection requirement in §235.1(d) or of this chapter. The passport of an alien applying for admission must be valid for a minimum of six months from the expiration date of the contemplated period of stay, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, and the alien must agree to abide by the terms and conditions of his or her admission. An alien applying for extension of stay must present a passport only if requested to do so by the Department of Homeland Security. The passport of an alien applying for extension of stay must be valid at the time of application for extension, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, and the alien must agree to maintain the validity of his or her passport and to abide by all the terms and conditions of his extension.

214.1(a)(3)(i)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials may conduct on-site reviews on the campuses of SEVP-certified schools to determine whether nonimmigrant students on those campuses are complying with regulations, including the requirement that each maintains a valid passport. DHS officers will take appropriate action regarding violations of the regulations by nonimmigrant students.

Travel Signature

Traveling Outside of the United States

A travel signature is required if you will be traveling outside of the U.S. The signature is provided by the International Student Affairs staff on the second page of your original I-20 or the first page of your DS-2019. The signature confirms that you are maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status and will be checked by an immigration official when you re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad.

Your I-20 or DS-2019 can be signed if you are eligible and intend to continue your studies at Hofstra, or are on authorized optional practical training after completion of your coursework or studies. It cannot be endorsed if you have completed your program, but have not yet obtained optional practical training employment authorization.

A travel signature is good for one year or until the program completion date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019. For students on post-completion optional practical training, the signature is only valid for six months. If your current travel signature will expire before you return to the U.S., you must request a new travel signature.

To get a travel signature, you must fill in the Travel Signature Request e-form. You can complete the e-form at internationalforms.hofstra.edu. You do not need to make an appointment or have any specific travel planned to get a travel signature.

For more specific information about traveling outside of the U.S., please visit https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel

Traveling Inside the United States

A travel signature is not necessary for travel within the U.S. Students are advised to carry their passport and I-20 or DS-2019 with them as they travel within the U.S., especially if you will be in an area near the northern or southern borders.

Dependents

Please note that under U.S. immigration law, only the legal spouse and minor children of the F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor qualifies as a dependent and is eligible to apply for a dependent visa and dependent immigration status.

F-1 Students

If you wish to bring your spouse or child with you to the U.S. while you complete your studies, you will need to prove that you have adequate financial resources to support them for the entire length of your program. In addition, in order to include them on your I-20, International Student Affairs will need a copy of the passport of your spouse and/or child.  Please be advised that an I-20 cannot be issued if the proper financial documentation is not shown. To determine the expense  for each dependent, please contact International Student Affairs.  Unfortunately, an I-20 listing your dependents does not necessarily mean that your dependents will be granted an F-2 visa by the U.S. consulate or embassy. A U.S. consular officer will determine your dependents' ability to be issued an F-2 visa to enter the U.S. Please plan on purchasing dependent health insurance coverage for each dependent that will be traveling with you.

J-1 Students

You must receive approval from your J-1 program sponsor in order for your spouse and/or child to accompany you to the U.S. If your sponsor approves your request, you need will need to provide proof that you have enough financial resources to cover your dependents. You will also need to purchase dependent health insurance that meets the legal J-1 minimum requirement. It is your program sponsor’s responsibility to create a new Form DS-2019 listing your dependents. Please be advised that issuance of Form DS-2019 with your dependents listed does not guarantee J-2 visa issuance. It is solely up to the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country to decide if they meet U.S. visa issuance criteria.

Denials

If for any reason your dependents are not approved for a F-2 or J-2 visa, please request the reason for the denial in writing. Then contact International Student Affairs as soon as possible. We will try to assist you in any way that we can, however it is the Consul’s decision whether or not to grant a visa. While we can research the situation for you and try to help, there is no guarantee that it will later be approved. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for visa application information.

F-1 Severe Economic Hardship Employment Authorization

Severe Economic Hardship Employment is off-campus authorization for F-1 students who are experiencing serious financial difficulties caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. If authorized, you may get any kind of job, anywhere, and work a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full time during summer vacations and semester breaks.

How Can You Qualify for It?

1. You must have been in F-1 status, at either the undergraduate or graduate level, for one academic year.
2. You must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
3. You must explain how on-campus employment has been either unavailable or insufficient to meet your needs.
4. You must have, and be able to provide, evidence that proves you have financial problems that are caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. Examples of unexpected expenses may be medical or dental bills, illness, death, or business problems where your sponsor lives, currency devaluation, or large tuition increases.

If your financial difficulties are caused by problems your sponsor (the person whose name appears on your I-20 form) is having, that person will have to write a letter indicating what caused the hardship and provide evidence of the circumstances that are affecting your support. Evidence may include newspaper articles, back issues of The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal showing currency devaluation, official school notices, or medical or dental bills.

How Do You Apply?

If you think that you qualify for employment authorization under the Severe Economic Hardship Rule, make an appointment with a member of the International Student Affairs staff to discuss your situation. Bring any documentation that you have to prove how your financial situation is being affected by the economic crisis. At your meeting you will receive a Severe Economic Hardship Employment Application to fill out and return to us.

We will then review your application to make sure that you qualify. If we agree that you do, we will recommend that USCIS authorize your employment and return your application to you to send to USCIS for processing of your work permit.

How Long Does it Take?

After you mail your application to USCIS, you should expect that it will take about two to three months for your EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to be processed.

How Long Will You Be Able to Work?

USCIS will grant your employment authorization for a one-year period. It can be renewed annually up to your expected date of completion of studies. Your employment authorization is automatically terminated if you fail to maintain F-1 student status. You cannot work until you physically receive your employment authorization card and cannot begin working until the start date indicated on that card.

I-20 Form

The I-20 form is an official government document which certifies that a person is eligible to be an F-1 non-immigrant student at Hofstra. This form is not automatically generated for non-immigrants. It is created when students are accepted to a full-time program and show that they have enough financial resources to cover at least one year of study.

After a student is accepted to Hofstra, the Office of Admission will request the necessary information for creating their I-20 form. The student will need to complete Hofstra's I-20 application form and submit it with financial documents and a copy of their unexpired passport to the appropriate Admission Office. If the student is currently studying in the U.S. with an I-20 from another school, they may need to transfer their SEVIS record to Hofstra.

Once a student submits all the required documents to the Office of Admission, their documents will be sent to International Student Affairs (ISA) for review. ISA will contact the student if any additional documents are required. ISA will issue the I-20 form once the documents meet the requirements. If you have already been accepted to Hofstra and need to check on the status of your I-20 form, you may contact the Admissions Office at (516) 463-6700.

The I-20 form will then be sent to the student in order to be used to apply for an F-1 visa at a United States Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Students should follow the instructions that will be emailed to them with their I-20 to pay the SEVIS fee and apply for the F-1 visa.

After receiving an I-20 form, the student should check if all the information on it is correct before signing the I-20, and only sign the I-20 for the school that they will be attending in the United States. Signing the I-20 means that the student understands all the rules and regulations that they will have to follow once they are in the Unites States. Students should carefully read the regulations listed on the back of the I-20 before signing it. Once a student obtains an F-1 visa, they are only allowed to enter the U.S. within 30 days prior to the start date that is listed on their I-20.

International Student Pre-arrival Checklist

Immigration Documents

• Ensure your passport is valid in order to enter the U.S.
• Apply to Hofstra for your I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students). With the I-20 or DS-2019 from Hofstra University, apply for your student visa.
• Make copies of your I-20 or DS-2019, visa and passport prior to departure.
• Hand-carry all original immigration documents with you on the flight (not in your checked luggage), and put copies in a separate secure place.
• Read through the helpful immigration information in regard to traveling to the U.S. on a F-1 or J-1 visa.

Travel

• Schedule your travel plans in order to attend the International Student Orientation, which is held the week before classes begin. Hofstra's Office of Residence Life will email information regarding move-in procedures to the Hofstra email of all new students who have confirmed on-campus housing.
• Make the appropriate arrangements for transportation from the airport when you arrive in the United States. If you are taking a bus or train from the airport, be sure that you have directions to Hofstra.
• Pack enough money and clothes for the week of orientation. In addition, if you are staying on campus, bring sheets and a blanket. During International Student Orientation you will be taken to local stores and have the chance to purchase items for your room or any additional clothing that you might need.
• Bring music, art, videos, photo albums, recipes and clothing from your home country to share with others!

Housing

• Determine whether you would like to live on campus or off campus. International students who live on campus acclimate faster to the U.S. and overall have a smoother transition into Hofstra student life. There are many benefits that come from living on campus.
• If you would like to live on campus, apply for a space in the residence halls and pay the housing deposit.
• If you would like to live off campus, read through these helpful tips about living off campus.
• Sign up for a dining plan. All undergraduate students living on campus must sign up for a dining plan.

Financial

• Pay for your tuition and fees by the designated deadlines. Hofstra offers multiple ways for you to pay your bill.
• Budget at least $500 per semester for textbooks.
• Obtain a debit/credit card for immediate expenses while in the United States. Do not bring traveler’s checks. It is not advisable to carry or display large amounts of cash in public places.
• Bring enough U.S. dollars to cover your shopping and food expenses for the first 3 - 5 days after your arrival. We suggest bringing at least $300, but you may require more funds depending on your lifestyle and initial costs.

Health Care

• Complete your Student Medical Record. All students are required to submit their Medical Record via the Medicat app in their Hofstra Portal before they begin classes. Documentation of your vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella are mandatory, in addition to a response to the meningitis information request. If you have any additional health-related questions, please email SHS@hofstra.edu.
• Visit your eye doctor and get an extra pair of glasses, visit your dentist, and visit your medical doctor for a check-up.
• Gain prescription medication for chronic medical conditions.
• Read over the Hofstra University International Student Health Insurance Policy.

Academic

• Register for classes. Your academic advisor will contact you to register for classes.
• All official copies of transcripts and documents associated with transfer credit should be sent to the appropriate admissions office.
• Most international students are required to take the English Language Placement Assessment before the semester begins so you can be placed into an appropriate writing or English language course, if needed. Please check your Hofstra email for more information on when the ELP assessment will take place.
• Fully-admitted graduate international students should contact their departments for information about their pre-arrival academic needs.
• The Center for University Advising will contact all fully admitted undergraduates to start the advising and course registration process in the months before you begin your program. They will contact you via email to schedule an appointment with you. Some majors will require an online math assessment. If you are required to take a math assessment they will send you information and directions for the assessment. Assessments should be completed prior to the scheduled advising meeting.

We are looking forward to your arrival! Please let us know if you have any additional questions by emailing us at international@hofstra.edu.

Arrival in the United States

Knowing what to expect and being well prepared will make entering the U.S. an easy process. If you are arriving by air, you will receive the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) on the airplane for you to complete prior to arrival. Individuals arriving at a land border crossing will be given CBP Form 6059B in the inspection office. If you are traveling with other immediate family members, then you can complete one form for your entire family.

When you arrive, you must have all your immigration papers with you. If you are a dual citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, you will only need to show your U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card ("green card"). If you are a citizen of another country, you must show the immigration officer these documents:

• A valid passport
• I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students)
• Visa from a U.S. Consulate
• Letter of acceptance to Hofstra
• Documentation proving your financial resources

After your arrival, CBP will electronically issue you an Arrival-Departure Record (CBP Form I-94), which you can access and download at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home. We recommend you check your I-94 after each arrival into the U.S. to confirm the information is correct. The I-94 record should correctly display your name as it appears in your passport, the type of student visa you used to enter (F-1 or J-1), and list "D/S" in the 'Admit Until Date' field. If your I-94 record has any errors, please contact ISA immediately so we can guide you on how to get it corrected. Please note the immigration inspector may not stamp the date of your arrival in your passport, as the practice of physical stamping is being phased out and replaced by the electronically issued Form I-94.

If you encounter any problems while you are being inspected by Immigration, please contact International Student Affairs at +1-516-463-6796 on Monday - Friday from 9 am - 5 pm. Outside of these hours, please contact Public Safety at +1-516-463-6606. Your Form I-20 or DS-2019, visa and passport are all critical immigration documents, and it is your responsibility to keep them in a safe place.

Helpful Hints

• Do not pack your Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or your DS-2019 (for J-1 students) in your checked baggage. You should pack all of your immigration documents, financial support and admission letter in your carry-on luggage. You should also make copies and keep them in a separate location.
• After you arrive in the U.S., you should check your I-94 electronic admission number and travel record to make sure you were admitted in the correct class (F-1 or J-1) with an admit date of D/S (duration of status). If any of the information on your I-94 record is incorrect, please inform International Student Affairs immediately.
• Only use the Form I-20 or DS-2019 for the school you plan to attend.
• The Form I-20 or DS-2019 is a very important document.  Do not lose it and do not let it expire.
• Do not enter the U.S. on a visitor's visa or a visa waiver if your intention is to begin your program of study during the trip.

Form I-515A

If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry without all of your required documents or with unsigned or missing information, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may deny your entry into the U.S.. As an alternative, the officer may issue you a Form I-515A, which allows you temporary entry into the United States for 30 days. If you receive a Form I-515A, the first thing you should do is come to the International Student Affairs office with all your immigration documentation. We will work with you to make sure you have everything in order and help you submit your paperwork to SEVP to convert your 30 day entry limit to duration of status (D/S).

• Learn more about Form I-515A
• View detailed U.S. government information about entering the U.S.

Information for Canadian Students

An entry visa is not required for Canadian citizens, but you must make sure to receive the Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) and pay the SEVIS fee before entering the U.S. Upon entry, passport, Form I-20 or DS-2019, proof of financial support for at least one year, admission letter, and receipt of the SEVIS fee payment must be presented to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. It is important to present these documents in order to enter the country as a student and not a tourist (see below).

Can I enter the U.S. as a tourist?

Important! Do not enter the United States (U.S.) with a B-2 Visitor's Visa to begin your program of study! Wait for your Form I-20 or DS-2019, apply for the visa, and come into the U.S. on your F-1 or J-1 status. U.S. federal law prohibits visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) to engage in study. While you may qualify to apply for a change of status to F-1 if already inside the U.S, there is no guarantee that your application will be approved. International Student Affairs will not help with the change of status process for those who have a B-1/B-2 status.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor B visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. While citizens of these countries are permitted to visit the U.S. without applying for a visa, visits to the U.S. are limited to 90 days. A change of status is not permitted for individuals admitted on the VWP.

Can I study on my current immigration status?

Please contact International Student Affairs at +1-516-463-6796 or international{at}hofstra.edu if you have questions about studying on your current immigration status and want to explore your options.

Entrance Immigration Check-In

New International Students

All new international students are required to complete an entrance immigration check-in and attend International Student Orientation. Accepted students will receive an email with instructions on how to check-in. All new international students must complete entrance immigration check-in immediately after arriving in the U.S. and no later than the program start date listed on their Form I-20. You will only be considered as having reported to Hofstra after completing the entrance immigration check-in e-form and uploading the proper documentation. If you have any questions about the check-in process, please contact International Student Affairs at  international{at}hofstra.edu.

Returning International Students

Continuing students are not required to complete an entrance immigration check-in each semester. However, whenever you travel outside the U.S., please take a moment to review your immigration documents:

1. Is your passport still valid for 6 months beyond your program end date? If not, take steps to have it renewed with your consulate.
2. Is the student visa in your passport still valid? If not, the next time you travel outside the U.S. you will need to make sure that you leave enough time to process a renewal prior to your return.
3. Is the information on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 still correct? Has your major changed? Is your program end date still accurate? Has your funding changed significantly? If yes, your document requires an update.
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Does your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (accessible at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home) show F-1 and D/S or J-1 and D/S? If a date (as opposed to D/S) is listed, you may have been admitted as a tourist or you received a Form I-515 and were only admitted to the U.S. for 30 days. This could have happened if you did not correctly present your student visa and immigration documents. The Form I-515 would be issued if you forgot to have your I-20/DS-2019 document signed before arriving in the U.S. or if you forgot to bring your I-20/DS-2019 while traveling. Any student with a Form I-515 and/or a date written on their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record must contact the ISA office immediately to receive instructions on how to have this corrected.
5. We are happy to check your documents for you. Please feel free to stop by during regular office hours.

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS! Every time you move to a new address (or arrive here for the first time), you MUST update your current mailing address through the Hofstra Portal and notify our office. Please fill in the 'Change of Phone/Address' e-form at internationalforms.hofstra.edu to inform ISA of any address change. Failure to maintain your current contact information and address with ISA is a status violation per immigration regulations.

Visit the International Student Orientation webpage