(520) 515-0500
(800) 966-7943

The I-20 Student Visa

Your I-20 form will be sent to you by mail as soon as your admissions file is complete, or you can pick it up at the Douglas Campus International Student Office. Your admissions documents should be completed three months prior to the semester you wish to attend. This deadline is for students who currently reside outside the United States.

Check the website www.state.gov/countries, or call for information about the U.S. Consulate nearest you. It will explain what documents you need to bring with you and how to make an appointment.

Go to your appointment at the U.S. Consulate to receive your F-1 visa.

International Student/INS Regulation Highlights
As an international student, you must maintain full-time student status. The following are some U.S. regulations regarding foreign students at American schools.

F-1 visa students must always be enrolled in at least 12 credits during the fall and spring semester. If there is any reason you will not be taking 12 credits, you must see an international student advisor.
You are permitted to take fewer than 12 credits, but no less than half time, during the final semester of your degree program, but only if you arrange this with the international student advisor before the semester begins.
Occasionally, instructors choose to give students a grade of W instead of a D or F. However, a grade of W does not count toward your 12 credits, so avoid a W if you need credits. CC now reports to the INS the number of units for which international students are registered at both the beginning and end of the semester.
You may need to take fewer than 12 credits due to academic difficulty or illness. This is permitted one time and only for specific reasons. You must have approval from the international student advisor before you may do this.
You may have only one online course count toward your 12 credits.
It is possible to receive a program extension. Apply with the international student advisor before the program end date that appears on your I-20. Delays caused by academic probation or suspensions are not acceptable reasons for program extensions.
If you wish to transfer, you should see your international student advisor, who can help with the application process and provide your next school with the necessary information.
You may work up to 20 hours per week on campus. In case of severe economic hardship, you can apply to the INS for permission to work half time off campus after your first year of study. You must have a good reason, and it may take three to six months to process requests.
You are eligible to work in your area of study for up to 12 months following completion of your program; however, you must apply for this practical training prior to the end date of your I-20. You should apply up to four months early. Students in English language training programs are ineligible for practical training.
You must be certain that the International Student Office knows your current residential address. Let us know immediately if you move. You must notify the INS within 10 days using form AR-11.
F-1 students may not be admitted to the U.S. sooner than 30 days before the start of their course of study. You will be admitted for duration of status (D/S).
You do not need to attend school in the summer to retain your student status.
There are two grace periods: 60 days for those who have completed their course of study and any authorized practical training, and 15 days for those who terminate their course of study before it is complete. All students who complete their course of study must meet the 60-day grace period. The 15-day period is recognized only if the student obtains the authorization of the international student advisor prior to terminating the course of study.

Cochise College
International Student Office
4190 West Highway 80
Douglas, AZ 85607-6190
USA
(520) 417-4038 or (520) 417-4738
Fax: (520) 417-4192
international@cochise.edu

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CC Home Admissions/Registration International Students Admissions Checklist Admissions Application Border Commuter Students English as a Second Language Financial Guarantee Housing I-20 Student Visa Medical Insurance Student Health Records Transfer Notification Travel Information	The I-20 Student Visa Your I-20 form will be sent to you by mail as soon as your admissions file is complete, or you can pick it up at the Douglas Campus International Student Office. Your admissions documents should be completed three months prior to the semester you wish to attend. This deadline is for students who currently reside outside the United States. Check the website www.state.gov/countries, or call for information about the U.S. Consulate nearest you. It will explain what documents you need to bring with you and how to make an appointment. Go to your appointment at the U.S. Consulate to receive your F-1 visa. International Student/INS Regulation Highlights As an international student, you must maintain full-time student status. The following are some U.S. regulations regarding foreign students at American schools. F-1 visa students must always be enrolled in at least 12 credits during the fall and spring semester. If there is any reason you will not be taking 12 credits, you must see an international student advisor. You are permitted to take fewer than 12 credits, but no less than half time, during the final semester of your degree program, but only if you arrange this with the international student advisor before the semester begins. Occasionally, instructors choose to give students a grade of W instead of a D or F. However, a grade of W does not count toward your 12 credits, so avoid a W if you need credits. CC now reports to the INS the number of units for which international students are registered at both the beginning and end of the semester. You may need to take fewer than 12 credits due to academic difficulty or illness. This is permitted one time and only for specific reasons. You must have approval from the international student advisor before you may do this. You may have only one online course count toward your 12 credits. It is possible to receive a program extension. Apply with the international student advisor before the program end date that appears on your I-20. Delays caused by academic probation or suspensions are not acceptable reasons for program extensions. If you wish to transfer, you should see your international student advisor, who can help with the application process and provide your next school with the necessary information. You may work up to 20 hours per week on campus. In case of severe economic hardship, you can apply to the INS for permission to work half time off campus after your first year of study. You must have a good reason, and it may take three to six months to process requests. You are eligible to work in your area of study for up to 12 months following completion of your program; however, you must apply for this practical training prior to the end date of your I-20. You should apply up to four months early. Students in English language training programs are ineligible for practical training. You must be certain that the International Student Office knows your current residential address. Let us know immediately if you move. You must notify the INS within 10 days using form AR-11. F-1 students may not be admitted to the U.S. sooner than 30 days before the start of their course of study. You will be admitted for duration of status (D/S). You do not need to attend school in the summer to retain your student status. There are two grace periods: 60 days for those who have completed their course of study and any authorized practical training, and 15 days for those who terminate their course of study before it is complete. All students who complete their course of study must meet the 60-day grace period. The 15-day period is recognized only if the student obtains the authorization of the international student advisor prior to terminating the course of study. Cochise College International Student Office 4190 West Highway 80 Douglas, AZ 85607-6190 USA (520) 417-4038 or (520) 417-4738 Fax: (520) 417-4192 international@cochise.edu
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