Missouri Driver's License Process : Students may drive on an international driver's license for the duration of their stay; however, each state has different requirements, and students may be stopped at any time (particularly in the case of traffic violations). Students may obtain a Missouri drivers license. Please note that when you apply for a Missouri driver's license, your international license becomes invalid.
Student Overseas Travel : F-1 students have multiple entry visas, which allow them to travel abroad during school breaks, holidays, for emergencies, or other approved circumstances.
Prior to your travel date, advice the student affairs office of your travel schedule, complete a student pre-travel questionnaire (download at www.midwest.edu), give overseas contact information, and reason for travel. Required travel documents are I-20 with current student affairs officer’s signature, I-94, passport, visa, and student identification card.
Obtaining Social Security Numbers : Many students have the impression that they need a Social Security Number to function in the U.S.; therefore, they attempt to find creative ways of obtaining one. The only students that are eligible for a Social Security Number are: those who work on campus and participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), are invited to do an Optional Practical Training (OPT), or obtain an economic hardship work permit. Students should see their international advisor before applying for a Missouri Driver’s License.
The advisor will provide a letter to the Social Security Administration advising them that you are not eligible for a Social Security Number.
Students must give this letter to the Missouri License Bureau.
If students are eligible for on-campus work, a CPT, an OPT, or economic hardship work permit, they may apply for a Social Security Number.
All training programs (internships) must be required as part of a degree program, may not be conducted prior to one academic year of study, and approved by an academic advisor.
The administrative office has internship application forms.
When on-campus work or internships, are approved, the student affairs office will give the student a letter to be given to the Social Security Administration.
Off Campus Work : Under no circumstances may a student be employed off campus without special permission from the International Student Affairs Office and the U.S. Department of Labor.
All forms of service for which payment is received (including reduced rent, babysitting, etc.) are considered employment. Receiving an honorarium for speaking at a church is also compensation. Please obtain approval from the International Student Affairs Office to ensure your in compliance with legal limits. If a student suffers a severe economic hardship after one academic year, he or she may apply for an economic hardship work permit. Applicants must meet with their advisor to discuss the hardship circumstances. After an application has been sent to the U.S. Department of Labor, and after a work permit card has been issued (an EAD), the student may apply for a Social Security Number. See www.midwest.edu
for the student affairs link.
Reimbursement for Christian Ministry Service : Often, churches and similar non-profit ministries like to give financial compensation in exchange for ministry help. F-1 students should discuss this process with their student advisor. Offering is acceptable only if it is a special event in the church, and is not an "honorarium" given in exchange for regular, consistent ministry services. Students should, in every public speaking engagement, include a presentation of future ministry in their own country and the special needs of that country.
On-Campus Work : Except for on-campus employment or authorized off-campus employment, it is illegal for F-1 students or F-2 dependents to provide any kind of service (work) with the expectation of reduced rent or some other nonmonetary gain.
Practical Training : After students have maintained F-1 visa status for no less than nine consecutive months (one academic school year), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations allow them to obtain employment in areas related to their field of study through "Practical Training." There are two kinds of Practical Training; Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training.
Curricular Practical Training : Only students pursuing a degree are allowed practical training.
After students have maintained F-1 visa status for no less than nine consecutive months (one academic school year), U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations allow them to obtain employment in areas related to their field of study through Curricular Practical Training. F-1 students have the option of using Curricular Practical Training only before completion of their studies. Special non-degree students (e.g., English as a Second Language) do not qualify for any practical training. Students who have been in legal F-1 status for at least one academic school year may work for up to 40 hours per week during the annual vacations and no more than 20 hours (part-time) while school is in session. The training must be: A required component of the students degree curriculum, a professor must evaluate the proposed internship, and academic credit under a specific course number must be given.
Optional Practical Training : As part of the academic program, students are allowed to apply for Optional Practical Training. This program allows students to work full-time for one year in their field of study after graduation.
Students must discuss an OPT with both an academic advisor and a student affairs advisor at least six months prior to graduation. An application must be made to USCIS on Form I-765 with the required application fee and other important documents. After an application is approved, the students will receive an EAD card (work permit) by mail. A copy of this card, and an OPT commitment form must be signed.
If a school or department within the University desires to hire students through the OPT program, the student's academic department head must submit an Optional Practical Training Candidate Request Form to the international student affairs office.
OPT participants must follow the above address change rules during their time in this program. The above Social Security Number process may be followed after receiving an EAD card.
Leave of Absence : F-1 students may request approval for sick leave or a reduced course load in the event of a verifiable illness or medical condition. In order to authorize a sick leave or reduced course load based upon a medical condition, the student must provide medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist, to the international student advisor to substantiate the illness or medical condition. The student must provide current medical documentation and the international student advisor must reauthorize the drop below full course of study each new term, session, or semester.
If a student requires a medical leave of absence, which will require them to completely withdraw from school or receive medical care outside of the U.S. for a period longer than five months, the student's F-1 status must be reinstated.
Depending on the length of time outside of the U.S., the student may be required to reapply.
Maintaining Your Status : It is important to maintain legal immigration status while in the U.S., and to have the necessary documents to enter the U.S. as the laws are stricter than before.
This information can be confusing; therefore, we suggest that you refer to the information on the following web sites. If you need further information, a student advisor can help you.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) : http://www.uscis.gov
AR-11 Change of Address Form : http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/ar-11htm
AR-11SR Change of Address Special Registration Form : http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/ar-11sr.htm
Temporary Visitors : http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/tempbenefits/index.htm#anchor428672
Department of State (DOS) : http://www.state.gov/
Foreign Consular Offices in the U.S. : http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/ris/fco/
U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide : http://travel.state.gov/links.html |
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