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Immigration and Work Authorization Information

What is USCIS?
USCIS is the office of Citizenship & Immigration Service, the new name for the Immigration & Naturalization Service which falls under the US Department of Homeland Security.

What is SEVIS?
SEVIS is the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service's newly created Student & Exchange Visitor Information System, also known as the "student tracking system". All non-immigrant students, faculty and research scholars studying, doing research or teaching at Tufts on either an F-1 or J-1 visa status are required to be entered into the SEVIS system by the Tufts International Center

What is an I-20 Form or DS 2019 Form?
A Form I-20 or DS 2019 is a U.S. legal document, that Tufts International Center has entered your information into the SEVIS tracking system and then produced the visa document for your use. The visa document entitled you to seek a corresponding F-1 or J-1 visa stamp from the U.S. consulate/embassy in your home country. The Form I-20 and Form DS 2019 proves to the officials that the student has demonstrated that s/he has not only been accepted to Tufts University to study, but that the bearer has shown that s/he possesses the requisite funding necessary to both study and live in the U.S. Once the student shows the newly issued Form I-20 or Form DS 2019 to the officials at the port of entry, the student is then allowed to enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student. This visa document governs your ability to legally stay in the U.S.

Expiration of I-20 Form or DS 2019 Form:
While there are several important sections of the Form I-20 and the Form DS 2019, one of the more significant parts of this form is SECTION 5 on the Form I-20 and SECTION 3 on the Form DS 2019. This part of the form indicates when the form expires. Please remember that if you should finish your program BEFORE the specific end date or if you will not finish your program before the specific end date, you should come to the International Center prior to the end date to discuss what you should do next. If you come after the end date, Tufts International Center will NOT be able to assist you with an extension of stay.

If there is any "significant change" in your graduation date, your funding, your major, or your type of degree (i.e. Masters vs. PhD.), please remember to speak with the International Center, before you finalize any of these changes. Again, if you tell us about the changes after the end date on your visa document, we will not be able to assist you.

What is a Visa?
A visa allows a student to seek entry in to the United States. (Students possessing a Form I-20 or Form DS 2-19 have the corresponding F-1 or J-1 visa) The visa is usually issued in the home country. On occasion, a visa can be obtained in a "third country" (i.e. a country that is NOT the home country; and NOT the U.S.), but it is recommended that a student obtain a visa in the home country.

The visa is like a key to a house. The key is necessary to enter the house, just as a visa is necessary to enter the U. S. Once inside the house (or the U.S.), though, the relevance of the key diminishes. Indeed, the only time the key is needed again, is when one exits and needs to return to the house. Similarly, a visa is not used again, until the next time a student leaves the U.S. and needs to re-enter the country. Therefore, a student can allow his/her visa to expire as long as the student remains in the U.S. and maintains his/her legal status. If a student leaves the U.S., s/he must be sure that the visa is valid for re-entry purposes. If the visa has expired, the student needs to go back to the U.S. embassy/consulate in his/her home country and request a new F-1 visa.

What is an I-94 card?
This card records the entry and departure of a non-immigrant in to the United States. This card is completed on the plane by the individual. It is stamped at the port of entry by the Immigration Official to record when, in what status and on what date an individual enters the U.S. This card should be stapled in to the passport and surrendered upon departing the U.S.

If this card is lost, it should be replaced. There is a $320 replacement fee. Students should consult the International Center regarding replacement of the card.

Full-time Status/Good Academic Standing:
All students are required to maintain full time status and good academic standing while studying at Tufts University.

• "Full time" is defined as either taking 3 credits or taking 2 credits and a full time Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship (graduate students only) per semester.
• "Good Academic Standing" means that you are passing all of your classes.

Signature of Your Form I-20 and DS 2019 for Travel Purposes:
When you travel, you need to be sure that your Form I-20 or DS 2019 has a current signature on it - i.e. that it has been signed within the last six months and that the signature will still be current within the last six months for the date when you return to the U.S.

A signature on the form indicates that you are a continuing student who is enrolled on a full-time basis and that you are in good academic standing.

Please note: Your Form I-20 and DS 2019 needs to be signed by a staff person at the International Center. Please allow one week for the form to be signed, since we will have to verify your full-time status and we cannot sign the form while you wait.

Travel to Canada:
Just as when you travel to any other country, when you travel to Canada, you must be sure your Form I-20 has been signed within the last six months by a staff member at the International Center.

Be sure to check with the International Center to see if you are required to obtain a Canadian visa before visiting Canada. Please plan at least 3 weeks in advance of your trip, to be sure you can be issued a Canadian visa in a timely fashion.

You should also check the International Center's website for additional information about traveling to Canada. Instructions for obtaining Canadian visas are available at the International Center. Learn more >>

Work Eligibility at Tufts:
Learn about work eligibility at Tufts >>