Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Reentry For F-1 Nonimmigrants Traveling Outside The United States For Five Months or Less

2.A. What are the basic requirements for an F-1 to reenter the United States after traveling abroad on pleasure or personal business?

  • A SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by your DSO
  • You have been out of the United States for less than five months
  • A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry or, if you are from one of the countries listed below, a passport that is current through the date of entry
  • A valid, current visa or you traveled to contiguous country or adjacent island for less than thirty days
  • Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses

Bringing your most recent I-94, Departure Card, will facilitate your reentry, if reentering through a land POE. If you are flying, the airline will collect your I-94 prior to departure and you will complete a new one upon reentry.

If you are from a visa exempt country, you do not need a passport or visa to reenter the United States from the western hemisphere.


2.B. What if I have an expired passport or one that will expire in less than six months?

You must renew your passport before reentering the United States. In most cases, to enter the United States, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date you enter or reenter.

However, some countries have an agreement with the United States that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration.

Try to keep your passport current at all times. You need to determine your country’s requirements for renewing passports as well as the time it will take. Many countries will allow you to renew your passport while in the United States. The other alternative is to renew your passport when you return home for a visit.

You may want to delay leaving the United States until you have renewed your passport. You will not be able to reenter the United States without a valid passport.

If your expired passport has a valid visa, you can still use it if you kept the old passport. Present the old passport, along with the new passport when you reenter the country.


2.C. What if my F-1 student visa has expired?

You can stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status. However, if you are returning home or traveling to a country where automatic revalidation does not apply, you must have a valid visa to return to the United States.

Ensure that you have all the documentation you need for your visa application and allow sufficient time for processing a new visa. The documentation you may need for a new visa includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • A SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by your DSO and your original Form I-20 (see your DSO before you travel)
  • Original evidence showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses
  • Evidence showing your intention to return to your home country upon program completion, including evidence of compelling social and economic ties to your home country
  • If you have applied for or had optional practical training (OPT) approved, bring a copy of your Form I-20 endorsed for OPT and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if one has been issued

The Department of State recommends that you apply for a visa in your home country. For more information about visa applications visit the Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/.

You can apply in a third country for a visa, but you will not be able to return to the United States until your visa has been issued. In some cases, this could take several weeks if a background check is required. If your visa is denied, you will not be able to return to the United States. Be sure to check the Department of State website for specific information pertaining to each consulate.

If you have an expired visa and a terminated record, we strongly advise that you do not travel outside the United States until your SEVIS record shows that you are in active status. If you do travel, you may not be able to renew your visa or return to the United States.


2.D. As a continuing student, will I need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee if I travel outside the United States?

No. See the I-901 FAQ for detailed information on the SEVIS I-901 fee.


2.E. I wish to travel to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands (other than Cuba) adjacent to the United States. Can I return if my visa is expired?

Yes, in most cases. You can usually revalidate an expired visa automatically when returning from a visit of less than thirty days to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands adjacent to the United States (other than Cuba) provided that you have a valid SEVIS Form I-20 and a valid unexpired Form I-94. This process is known as automatic visa revalidation.

However, if you meet any one of following criteria, you will not be able to automatically revalidate your visa.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Document List for I-20 (Initial Applicant)

1. I-20 Application (including foreign and US address) - school forms
2. Admission Application - school forms
3. Copies of Passport, Visa and I-94 (including dependent/s if any)
4. Certificate of Deposit Balance or Proof of Financial Ability
(Latest Bank Account Statement/s: Personal or Sponsor - at least $15,000)
5. Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) signed by the sponsor
6. Certificate of Graduation/Diploma and Transcript
7. 1 photo (passport size)
8. $600 for I-20 documentation, admission and SEVIS
(Make your check payable to Life University)
9. Copy of ID card (i.e.; state ID/CA D, if any)
10. Essay 9Regarding your personal interests, experience, strengths, and goals. Include the reason why you choose Life University.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Schedule of Classes for Winter 2011

BBA Courses:

Mon. 9am-1pm -ACC106 Managerial Accounting- Carlos Salinas- Gardena
Tues. 9am-1pm -BUS415 Org'l. Theory & Dev't.- Lorin Leone- Gardena
Wed. 9am-1pm -CIS300 Managing Info Systems- Aditya Vyas- Gardena

Tues. 6pm-10pm -ACC102 Accounting II- Haksu Han- K.Town
Wed. 6pm-10pm -BUS210 Human Resource Mgt.- Kevin Woo-K.Town
Thurs. 6pm-10pm - CIS 300 Managing Info Systems- Aditya Vyas-K.Town
Fri. 6pm-10pm -ACC 106 Managerial Accounting- Carlos Salinas-K.Town

MBA Courses:

Mon. 9am-1pm -BA630 Managerial Accounting- Carlos Salinas- Gardena
Tues. 9am-1pm -BA642 Org'l. Behavior- Lorin Leone- Gardena
Wed. 9am-1pm -MIS710 Software Concepts- Aditya Vyas- Gardena

Mon. 6pm-10pm -TAX102 Individual Income Tax- Haksu Han- K.Town
Tues. 6pm-10pm -ACC102 Accounting II- Haksu Han- K.Town
Wed. 6pm-10pm -BUS210 Human Resource Mgt.- Kevin Woo-K.Town
Thurs. 6pm-10pm - CIS 300 Managing Info Systems- Aditya Vyas-K.Town
Fri. 6pm-10pm -ACC 106 Managerial Accounting- Carlos Salinas-K.Town
*TAX 102 is only for students preparing for Income Tax Certificate.

MBA On-line Courses:

www.lifeuniv.net BA672 International Financial Mgt.
www.lifeuniv.net BA675 International Bus. & Decision Making
www.lifeuniv.net BA682 Management Information Systems
www.lifeuniv.net BA685 Bus. Entrepreneurship & New Venture
www.lifeuniv.net BA720 Business Plan
www.lifeuniv.net BA730 Advanced E-Commerce

DBA Courses:

Wed. 9am-1pm MGMT940 Executive Leadership- Sam Ryu-Gardena
Fri. 9am-1pm MGMT900 Corporate Social Responsibility- Sam Ryu-Gardena

Dates to Remember:

*Early Birds Registration (No Registration Fee) From Now-Dec. 31-
*Registration Fee ($50) - Jan. 3 to Jan 7
*First Day of Classes - Jan. 10
*Last Day to add for late registration - Jan. 14
*Last Day to Drop Classes - Jan. 28
*Last Day of Classes - March 18
*Final examinations - March 21 to March 25
*End of Winter Qtr. 2011 - March 25

Academic Holidays:

Martin Luther King's Day - Jan. 17
President's Day - Feb. 21