Visa - A visa is the actual stamp in your passport by a US consulate or embassy. It will indicate the number of times you may enter the US and an expiration date. A visa does not need to remain valid once you are in the US, but must be valid (in the proper classification and for Wittenberg) if you leave the US and wish to return. Think of it as your entry ticket.

Status/Permission to stay (F or J)- This indicates your legal permission to remain in the US. This must be valid. If you have a visa marked D/S (duration of stay), this means that you are in status as long as you are a full time student and observe all other regulations.

To remain in status you must:

 

• Have a passport valid for 6 months past your intended stay in the US.
• Be a full-time student during the regular academic year (12 credits per semester).
• You must notify the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services Department (INS) and the Office of International Education within 10 days of any address changes while you are in the US.
• Keep your I-20 at all times during your study.
• Keep your I-94 at all times. This will be collected from you when you leave the US.
• Make sure The Office of International Education has a copy of your forms and any changes that are made.