Required Documents

Entry to the United States requires a valid passport, an I-20/DS-2019, and a valid United States F-1 or J-1 visa stamp. Upon entry to the U.S., your I-94 record will be created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Passport

If you have not done so already, you should apply for a passport from your home country. A valid passport is required for all persons wishing to enter the United States. Passports should be valid at least six months into the future.

Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019)

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the opportunity for F-1 students to apply knowledge gained in their degree program to off-campus work. All work during OPT must be directly related to your level and field of study. OPT is recommended by the International Programs Office (IPO) and authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Normal processing time for this authorization is 60 to 90 days.

Airport Pick-up

After you receive your visa, make your travel arrangements for Youngstown, Ohio. It is most efficient to arrive directly, or by connecting flight, at one of the following airports: Akron, Cleveland or Pittsburgh. Greyhound bus service is also available directly to Youngstown, visit greyhound.com for more information. There are also private transportation providers.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the opportunity for F-1 students to apply knowledge gained in their degree program to off-campus work. All work during OPT must be directly related to your level and field of study. OPT is recommended by IPO and authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Normal processing time for this authorization is 60 to 90 days.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization that allows F-1 students to participate in paid off-campus academic internships during their degree program. The purpose of CPT is academic, not just for employment purposes and the internship must be an integral or required part of a student’s degree program. The IPO authorizes CPT, and you must receive authorization (in the form of new CPT I-20) BEFORE you may begin working.

Student Employment

Employment options for international students are limited but available. In most cases, F-1 and J-1 students must obtain specific employment authorization from IPO (and in certain instances U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), particularly when pursuing off-campus work.

You must obtain permission before beginning employment, even if it is for purposes of fulfilling an internship requirement.

International Travel

F-1 and J-1 international students must plan for international travel by first reviewing their visa documents. If traveling to a country that is not your home country, you need to confirm if an entry visa is required for you to enter that country. This will depend on your country of citizenship. You must contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit for detailed information on what you need to do to apply for an entry visa, should you need one.

Students in F-1/J-1 status with an I-20/DS-2019 issued by Youngstown State University, who wish to begin a program at another U.S. school, must request an electronic transfer of their SEVIS record from the International Programs Office (IPO).

Documents Required to Transfer a SEVIS Record

IPO requires the following documents to transfer a SEVIS record:

If you are unable to complete your program of study by the estimated completion date on your I-20/DS-2019 form, you must request and receive a new document from the International Programs Office (IPO) prior to the expiration of your current document. Failure to comply with deadlines may result in the loss of legal F-1 or J-1 student status. Contact IPO with questions.