SEVIS/Immigration

Maintaining Full Time Status

Undergraduate students are required to enroll in 12 units per semester.  Graduate students are required to enroll in 8 units per semester or 6 units per quarter.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

Reduced Course Load form must be submitted one week prior to (add/drop) deadline.  If you plan to withdraw from a class later in the semester, you should discuss this with a CIA advisor and then provide a RCL after withdrawing from the class.

On Campus Employment for F-1 Students

F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus.  F-2 dependents are not authorized to work either on campus or off campus.  Please request an on-campus work letter from CIA prior to working.

Travel I-20

Please submit an I-20/DS2019 Request Form if you plan to travel outside of the U.S.

Address Changes

Please report all address changes to CIA within 10 days of your move.  CIA will enter the information into SEVIS as required by law.

The CSUCI Dolphin email is the official communications channel for all CSUCI communications.  You are expected to check your CSUCI email account frequently.

Reinstatement to F-1 Student Status

An F-1 student is considered to be out of status, and must apply for reinstatement to F-1 student status, if he or she has:

• Not maintained full-time enrollment and progress toward his/her degree during each academic term
• Used another school’s Form I-20 to enter the United States and did not register at that school for a full academic term before transferring to CSUCI
• Not completed the transfer procedure according to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations within 14 days of beginning attendance at CSUCI
• Not applied for a program change within ten days after the start of a new program level or
• Not kept their passport valid at all times

If you are an F-1 student who needs to request a reinstatement to F-1 student status, you must make an appointment with a CIA advisor.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional practical training (OPT) is the opportunity for students in F-1 status to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus.  OPT can be used before or after graduation for a period of up to 12 months full time.

• Authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Student needs to be in F-1 status one academic year to apply
• Need Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students where the employment is considered to be a mandatory or important part of the curriculum or academic program.

This employment may be an internship, cooperative education job, a practicum, or another work experience that is either required for a degree or for which academic credit is awarded.