Information Sessions
Each semester ND’s Immigration Services Office offers a variety of Information Sessions on topics that are important to our international students. The Information Sessions are announced in the monthly newsletters, weekly email messages, and on the Immigration Services bulletin board. If, for any reason, you are not receiving the monthly newsletters or weekly email messages from Immigration Services it is important that you notify us immediately. If you have any questions about the sessions, please feel free to contact Immigration Services at (574) 631-5243.
Maintaining Lawful F-1 Status
When an F-1 student signs the I-20 document, the student is verifying that he/she has read and understands the terms and conditions of the F-1 status. Maintaining lawful F-1 status is the sole responsibility of the F-1 student. During this session, Immigration Services will discuss the various rules and responsibilities that F-1 students must follow in order to maintain their lawful F-1 status. Students who fall out of lawful F-1 status (even by mistake) are not permitted to engage in any type of employment and may be subject to deportation. All F-1 students should attend this session at least once.
Employment Options for F-1 Students
The five F-1 student options which are discussed at this session include: On-campus Employment, Optional Practical Training, Curricular Practical Training, Severe Economic Hardship Employment, and Employment with International Organizations. Working in the U.S. without proper authorization is a serious violation of the F-1 status, which can lead to deportation, so if you are even considering employment, you should plan to attend this session.
F-1 Optional Practical Training Session (mandatory for all OPT applicants)
OPT is explained, the entire OPT application process is discussed, and the OPT applications are distributed at this session. Because the OPT process is quite complicated, and because the F-1 student rules and responsibilities change while on OPT, all F-1 students are required to attend an OPT session before the Immigration Services Office can process their application.
F-1 Curricular Practical Training Session (mandatory for all CPT applicants)
CPT is explained, the entire CPT application process is discussed, and the CPT applications are distributed at this session. Because the CPT process is complicated, all F-1 students are required to attend a CPT Session before the Immigration Services Office can process the CPT application.
Maintaining Lawful J-1 Status
When a J-1 student signs the DS-2019 document, the student is verifying that he/she has read and understands the terms and conditions of the J-1 status. Maintaining lawful J-1 status is the sole responsibility of the J-1 student. During this session, the Immigration Services Office will discuss the various rules and responsibilities that J-1 students must follow in order to maintain their lawful J-1 status. Students who fall out of lawful J-1 status (even by mistake) are not permitted to engage in any type of employment and may be subject to deportation. All J-1 students should attend this session at least once.
Employment Options for J-1 Students and J-2 Dependents
The three J-1/J-2 employment options which are discussed at this session include: Student Employment, Academic Training, and J-2 Employment. Working in the U.S. without proper authorization is a serious violation of the J-1 and J-2 status, which can lead to deportation, so if you or your J-2 spouse are even considering employment, you should plan to attend this session.
J-1 Academic Training (mandatory for all Academic Training applicants with ND issued DS-2019 forms)
Academic Training is explained, the application process discussed, and the application packets are distributed. Because the Academic Training process is a complicated one, all J-1 students (with ND issued DS-2019 forms) are required to attend an Academic Training session before the Immigration Services Office can process their application.