Continuing International Students

Maintaining Your Immigration Status

• Maintaining F-1 Status: International students are admitted to the U.S. with an F-1 nonimmigrant visa status for the sole purpose of being a full-time student.  As an F-1 student, you are responsible for maintaining your legal immigration status while in the United States. The International Center is here to help you comply with all immigration and employment regulations; however, it is ultimately up to you to make sure you stay "in status" throughout your time at Springfield College, and while you are in the United States. 
• To remain in status, an F-1 or J-1 student must:
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student (at least 12 credits per semester for undergraduates, or at least 9 credits for graduate students) or receive prior authorization from the International Center to drop below full-time enrollment.
  • Note: only one online or e-engaged course can be counted towards the fulltime enrollment requirement. Students can only enroll in more that one online or e-engaged course if it is above the minimum number of required credits. In-person and blended courses count towards the fulltime enrollment requirement.
  • Hold a valid I-20 or DS-2019, i.e. attend the school you are authorized to attend
  • Maintain a valid passport
  • Contact the International Center if there is a change in your major, graduation date, or source of financial support
  • Limit on-campus work to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. (You may work on campus full-time during breaks and in the summer.)
  • NEVER WORK OFF CAMPUS without prior authorization from the International Center or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  • Notify the International Center of any change of address within ten days of moving.
  • Notify the International Center promptly upon the completion of your program, the termination of your program of study, or if you plan to transfer to another U.S. educational institution.
• If as an F-1 student you remain outside the United States for more than five months without being enrolled full-time in a Springfield College semester abroad program or because you take a leave of absence for a semester, you will need a new I-20 to reenter the United States, and your time in F-1 student status will begin again upon reentry. You will have to study full-time for another two semesters before you become eligible to apply for curricular or optional practical training.
• Students who fall out of status by violating the terms of the F-1 or J-1 visa must apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for reinstatement to valid F-1 or J-1 visa status. The International Center can provide valuable assistance in such cases.

Working/Interning in the United States

As an F-1 student, your primary purpose in the United States is to be a full-time student. We realize, however, that service work, internships, and paid work may play an important role in your time here. There are very specific rules and regulations surrounding employment for anyone holding a visa in the United States. It is very important to follow those rules and contact the International Center if anything is unclear. Unauthorized work will result in the immediate termination of your visa.

• On-campus Employment:
  • F-1 students are permitted to have a campus job as a benefit of their visa status.
  • Work hour limitations: F-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time (40 hours per week) during semester breaks and summer vacation.
    • Note: Resident Assistant positions count as 5 hours of work per week during the semester for international students.
  • F-1 students are not eligible for federally funded work study positions. 
  • Students can use the “Student Employment” section of PrideNET to search for open positions.
  • Once you have an offer of employment, you must apply for a Social Security Number and complete all payroll paperwork BEFORE beginning work.
• Off-campus Employment or Internship:
  • F-1 students are only allowed to work off-campus with special permission and the work must be associated with your major. Off-campus employment is any type of job, work or service performed in exchange for money, tuition, training, room, board, books, supplies, or any other form of remuneration. Any off-campus work or internship requires prior Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WORKING/INTERNING IN THE UNITED STATES

Volunteering

Springfield College values service to the community and volunteering in the local community is a great way for international students to expand their understanding of their host environment and the U.S. It’s important, however, that F-1 and J-1 students have a clear understanding of the regulations pertaining to volunteering versus an unpaid internship. Just because an activity isn’t paid, doesn’t mean it meets the definition of volunteering. Because of the consequences of unauthorized employment, we advise all F-1 and J-1 students to make an appointment with the International Center BEFORE making plans to begin a volunteer activity and to review the following definitions outlining some of the differences between volunteering vs. interning:

Volunteer refers to “an individual who performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered,” according to the Department of Labor. F-1 and J-1 students are allowed to engage in volunteer work as long as it meets this criteria. For example, F-1 and J-1 students would be permitted to volunteer at a local homeless shelter, charitable food pantry or senior center.

The Department of Labor also notes that, “an individual shall not be considered a volunteer if the individual is otherwise employed by the same public agency to perform the same type of services as those for which the individual proposes to volunteer.”

Unpaid internships, on the other hand, do not usually qualify as a “volunteer” activity. Internships, both paid and unpaid, are primarily offered by the private sector and related to the intern’s major field of study. Therefore, F-1 and J-1 students are advised to apply for work authorization before engaging in unpaid internships.

Taxes

• Regardless of whether you work or earn any income in the United States, tax regulations likely require you to file a tax return each spring with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  

• If you were in the U.S. during the previous year as an international student or scholar, you are likely expected to file a Form 8843 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In addition, if you received income from a U.S. source, you are also expected to file Form 1040NR along with Form 8843.

• From January through March you will receive important tax documents about the prior calendar year. Make sure to store these in a safe place. 

• The deadline for filing your tax return is typically April 15. Unless you had no US income and are only filing IRS Form 8843, then the deadline is typically June 15.

• Please note that The International Center does not serve as a tax consultant and cannot advise you on individual tax questions. The following resources may be helpful:

  • IRS | Nonresident Aliens

  • Sprintax | Tax guide for international students on f-1 visa

Healthcare

• The Health Center is available to graduate and undergraduate students who need to see someone about a health-related question, concern, prescriptions, or illness. Most services are free. Patient visits are available by appointment Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• The Counseling Center offers free, professional, and confidential counseling services to undergraduate and graduate students. 
• In accordance with Massachusetts law, all international students are automatically enrolled in the Springfield College Student Health Insurance Plan and will receive a health insurance card. Students are responsible for understanding their insurance plan and the terms of coverage. Even with health insurance, doctor visits, medical treatment, and medication in the U.S. are not free.

Travel

• The International Center does not provide transportation for travel other than pickups upon initial arrival.
• Make sure that you have the required re-entry documents when traveling outside of the U.S.  It is good practice to obtain a new travel signature on your I-20 (F visas) or DS-2019 (J visas) from the International Center before departing the U.S.
• Review the Department of Homeland Security's page on "Traveling as an International Student” for helpful travel tips.
• Common Entry or Exit Issues:
  • Traveling to your home country on an expired passport: Most airlines will not carry a traveler who doesn’t have a valid passport. If your passport is expired or going to expire within 6 months, it is recommended that you contact the nearest consulate for your home country for renewal instructions.
  • Expired entry visa: Each time you enter the United States, your entry visa must be valid. If your visa expires while you are here, you do not need to leave. An expired entry visa simply means you must renew it the next time you exit the country. Just make sure you keep your I-20 up-to-date and maintain your F-1 status.
  • Outdated signature: If you forget to get a new signature, contact the International Center as soon as you can. If there is time, we may be able to send you a new I-20 where you are. If not, you’ll need to pass through Customs & Border Protection without complete documentation. It is important to enter as an F-1 student no matter what—do not enter on a tourist visa!
    • When you arrive, explain to the officer that you do not have the appropriate paperwork. Your SEVIS record will always verify your student status. You will likely be passed into Secondary/Deferred Inspections, where an officer can review your record electronically. You should be issued an I-515A, which gives you 30 days of temporary admission. During that 30 day window, you’ll need to secure your proper documentation and send it to Immigrations & Customs Enforcement. At that time, they will extend your status to D/S, Duration of Status.
  • Entry without an I-20: If you forget your I-20, contact the International Center as soon as possible. If there is time, we can send you a new I-20 where you are. If not, you’ll need to pass through Customs & Border Protection without complete documentation. It is important to enter as an F-1 student no matter what—do not enter on a tourist visa!
    • When you arrive, explain to the officer that you do not have the appropriate paperwork. Your SEVIS record will always verify your student status. You will likely be passed into Secondary/Deferred Inspections, where an officer can review your record electronically. You should be issued an I-515A, which gives you 30 days of temporary admission. During that 30 day window, you’ll need to secure your proper documentation and send it to Immigrations & Customs Enforcement. At that time, they will extend your status to D/S, Duration of Status.

Massachusetts Driver's License

• If you are on a student visa and plan to drive in the United States, you may apply for a Massachusetts driver's license. To obtain an application, visit your nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office or download one from RMV’s website.
• You will be required to present your valid passport, immigration documentation (i.e. I-20, I-94, etc.), and proof of residence in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts such as utility bill, or bank statement, and a letter from the IC verifying your enrollment, name and address. For more information about required documentation, visit the RMV's Passenger (Class D) Driver's Licenses page.
• You must pass a written test, an eye screening, and a road test in order to receive a license. There is a fee of $50.
• You must have a valid Social Security number to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license. If you do not have a valid Social Security number, you must obtain a written denial notice from the Social Security Administration explaining why you can't obtain a Social Security number. To obtain this letter, please contact the International Center.

Accessibility and Accommodations

• Any individual with a disability or disabling condition is entitled to reasonable and appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services that provide equal educational opportunities or access to the workplace with reasonable accommodations. There is a centralized process to initiate an accommodation request or report a concern through Accessibility and Accommodation Services.
• Academic Accommodations
  • The Academic Success Center’s Disability & Accessibility Services (DAS) is the College’s designated office for determining eligibility and facilitating student access in academic settings.
• Non-academic Accommodations
  • Non-academic (i.e. housing, dining, transportation, etc.) accommodation requests are managed by the Office of Non-discrimination Initiatives (ONDI).
• Test Proctoring Arrangements for English Language Learners (ELL) Students
  • To assist students as they transition into an English language academic environment, the International Center offers extended time for course exams in an alternative location, pending approval of the course instructor and space availability. Please contact the International Center for more information.

Summer Storage

• When you return to your home country temporarily, you might want to store your belongings for the following semester so you don’t have too much luggage going home. There are a few storage facilities nearby. It might help to get together with friends to share a storage unit.
• If you need help moving your things, you can use a moving service, such as Sitterly Movers, 270 Liberty St in Springfield, (413) 737-2641, www.sitterlymovers.com
• Whatever company you choose for moving or storage, be sure to find out the pricing for the size you would need and for the amount of time you would be renting the storage unit.