Living In and Leaving the U.S.

Contents

Change of Address
Employment
Leaving the U.S.
Reinstatement
Spouses and Children
Taxes
Traveling Abroad

Change of Address

You are required to inform the Office of the Registrar and the Office of International Students and Scholars of any change in your local address within 10 days of such change. Failure to notify OISS of change in address is considered a violation of immigration law. Change of Address forms are available at the Office of International Students and Scholars. (back to contents)

Employment

Off-campus Employment

You are not allowed to accept off-campus employment ( Optional Practical Training, Curricular Practical Training for F-1 students and  and Academic Training fror J-1 students)  without proper authorization from the Office of International Students and Scholars and/or the US Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS). If you work without permission, you will violate your immigration status and be subject to removal from the United States. Detailed information and application forms are available at the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Generally, international students are not permitted to work off-campus until they have successfully completed 1 year of academic study. An exception to that rule applies to graduate students who are required to participate in off-campus internships and research as part of their program or degree requirements.

Students who are completing their degree requirements and wish to pursue optional practical training upon program completion should request employment authorization 90 days before the completion of degree requirements. Any application for optional practical training submitted to USCIS after the completion of the program or degree requirements will not be approved.

For detailed information regarding Optional practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) please contact our office. (back to contents)

On–campus Employment

You are permitted to work on-campus part time (no more than 20 hours per week for all employment, this includes 1 or multiple jobs on campus or a combination of on- and off-campus employment) during the academic semester. You can work full time during vacations.

Once you have completed all degree requirements, you are not eligible for on-campus employment. If your I-20 has expired or if you continue to work on campus after completion of all degree requirements without obtaining employment authorization from the USCIS, you will be in violation of your immigration status. (back to contents)

Social Security Numbers

Students who secure on-campus employment may request Office of International Students and Scholars for documentation required to apply for social security numbers. (back to contents)

Leaving the U.S.

Once you complete your program of study, you are given a 60-day period  ( 30 days for students on J-1 visas) to depart from the United States without violating immigration rules.

If you terminate your course of study with the permission and approval from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) prior to program completion, you are given 15 days to depart from the United States.

If you do not obtain prior permission to terminate your studies from the Office of International Students and Scholars, you are not eligible for a grace period to depart the country and must leave immediately. (back to contents)

Reinstatement

Reinstatement is a procedure by which a student who falls out of status by violating student status regulations may apply to the USCIS to regain this status.

The process is complicated and in order to qualify, a person must file an application for reinstatement with USCIS within 5 months of committing a violation. For further and detailed information regarding reinstatement, please contact the Office of International Students and Scholars. (back to contents)

Spouses and Children

Spouses who are in the United States in F-2 status are not permitted to engage in full time study. They may only engage in study that USCIS defines as “vocational or recreational in nature”.

If a spouse intends to pursue full time educational program, he or she must apply to USCIS for a change to F-1 status.

Minor children in F-2 status may study full time but only in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through 12th grade). If they intend to pursue post-secondary education, they must apply for F-1 visa status.

Holders of F-2 visas are not allowed to work in the United States. (back to contents)

Taxes

You are required to file an annual income tax form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), even if you do not owe any taxes.

If you work in the United States, you are also required to file certain income tax forms before April 15 of any calendar year for work performed in the previous calendar year. Updated tax forms will be available from the Office of International Students and Scholars after February 15 of any calendar year.

Graduate students who are receiving fellowships/assistantships should familiarize themselves with the information provided by NYU-Poly’s Human Resources Office. (back to contents)

Travel Abroad

To travel abroad, you will need an approval from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). If you travel during the semester, you will also need an approval from your academic department. Processing of your request will take 5 working days, so please plan accordingly.

Before you leave, make certain that your F-1or J-1 visa and your passport are valid. If your visa is not valid, you will not be allowed to return to the United States.

Whenever you travel you should carry updated transcripts, registration, and information about the source and the level of your financial support. Immigration officials may ask you for this updated information when you return from a visit abroad. (back to contents)