All new F-1 and J-1 students are required to attend the orientation program and complete the online check-in requirement within 30-days of the program start date. 

Your SEVIS record must be activated within 30-days of the program start date of your first semester at SVA. Failure to report may result in the termination of your visa status.

All F-1 and J-1 students are required by law to enroll in a full course of study (Register Full-Time). At SVA, this means registering for a minimum of 12 credits every semester. A reduced course load must be authorized by your academic advisor and ISO before you drop below 12 credits.

All F-1 and J-1 students are required by law to notify the ISO within 10 days of a change of address.

To report your new address, log in to Terra Dotta at iso.sva.edu and go to the Dashboard tab. Click the following requests to update your address information:

• Non-US Address Change/Update (home address abroad)
• US Address Change/Update (U.S. address)

Information listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 form must be kept current at all times, such as your program end date and field of study. If any of this information changes, you must notify the ISO immediately. Most importantly, if you cannot finish your program by the end date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 form, you must have it extended before the program end date.

Unauthorized employment is a violation of status, so this rule must be observed carefully. F-1 students may work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters and full-time during vacations.

Students may also engage in internships after receiving approval for Internship for Credit through Career Development and being authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) by the ISO.

Optional Practical Training (OPT), must be authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before you start working.

You are required to have your I-20 or DS-2019 form endorsed within the past 12 months in order to re-enter the U.S. upon traveling abroad.

To request a travel signature on your I-20, log in to Terra Dotta at iso.sva.edu and go to the Dashboard tab. Click “Reprint I-20 and Travel Signature” and submit the request.

I-20s will be provided electronically. You will be notified by email once your I-20 has been issued. If your travel and re-entry to the U.S. is urgent, please contact ISO for an expedited request.

F-1 students have a 60-day grace period after completing the program. J-1 exchange visitors have a 30-day grace period after completing the program. You must leave the U.S. or transfer to another school by the end of your grace period. The grace period for an authorized early withdrawal or leave of absence is 15 days. *There is no grace period if you violate your visa status. Overstaying your visa status is illegal.

Carry your travel documents (passport with the Form I-20 or DS-2019) with you when traveling inside or outside the U.S. Your passport must be valid for the next six months at any given time. When you are not traveling, have your government-issued ID or proof of nonimmigrant status (Form I-20 or DS-2019 with your latest I-94 record) readily accessible in case you need to show it. While it may not be practical to carry your original documents with you every day, please know that U.S. law requires anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to carry proof of status at all times. Have a copy available on your phone, for example.