International Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Framingham State University!  

As soon as you confirm your attendance with a deposit, we will be sending you information about your enrollment at Framingham. It will contain your I-20, information on applying for your visa, orientation, health insurance requirements, and more.

The Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad is open all year, so please be in touch with us if you have questions during the coming months.

You should begin to familiarize yourself with F-1 regulations and processes. The following links should be helpful for you while you are studying in the United States:

Study in the States
Immigration forms and fees
U.S. Department of State: visa information
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas
 

Glossary: Immigration Terminology
 

Immigration regulations can often appear very complicated, involving unfamiliar terms or concepts. To help you understand the essential rules and regulations which govern your status, the following glossary of terms may be useful.

Completion Date:

A student's completion date refers to the date the student completes the requirements for his or her degree program; i.e., it is the date the student finishes the last class, turns in a required thesis or dissertation, or otherwise meets the requirements for the degree. It is not the date of graduation, which may follow the completion date by weeks if not months. F-1 student have 30 days to remain in the U.S. beyond completion of studies to either prepare for departure or begin any authorized practical training.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

The U.S. government department responsible for most areas of national security, including all areas related to foreign visitors in the U.S. Foreign students come into contact with DHS at the ports of entry to the United States, through the SEVIS database, and when applying for non-immigrant benefits, e.g., employment authorization.

Designated School Official (DSO):

A Designated School Official (DSO) is an employee or agent of an educational institution who has been authorized to verify information about and certify documents for F-1 students.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD):

The laminated card issued by the DHS as proof of valid employment authorization for F-1 students. The EAD indicates the begin and end dates of employment and the type of work permission authorized.

F-1:

Most international students at FSU are under this immigration classification, which means they have been admitted to the U.S. for the purpose of full-time study, have demonstrated financial resources for the entire academic program, and have a permanent residence abroad which they have no intention of abandoning.

F-2:

The dependent spouse and unmarried minor children of an F-1 student have this immigration classification. F-2 dependents are not permitted to work in the United States under any circumstances. F-2 dependents are also prohibited from full-time study at the post-secondary level.

I-20:

This document is issued by the ISS/SA for individuals abroad to obtain an F-1 visa or to apply for or to maintain F-1 status if they are already in the U.S. The I-20 contains a unique identification number, which is for the student's record in the SEVIS database. The I-20 serves as a primary record of a student's immigration-related actions, such as program extensions and transfers. A student should keep all I-20s ever issued to compile a comprehensive history of F-1 status.

I-94: 

An I-94 is a form denoting the Arrival-Departure Record of particular foreigners used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Your I-94 is an electronic record of your arrival into the US. You can see your I-94 here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home. It is the I-94 and not the visa stamp that controls how long someone may remain in the U.S. legally.

I-539:

The I-539 is the application for a change of status within the United States. It is also used to regain legal F-1 status in certain situations, in connection with an application known as reinstatement.

I-765:

The I-765 is an application for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (see above).

Immigrant:

An immigrant is a foreign national who intends to establish a permanent residence in the United States. Permanent residency is granted when an immigrant visa is issued or a foreign national undergoes a successful "adjustment of status" application.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):

The bureau within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for the SEVIS database, and intelligence and investigations related to non-immigrants in the U.S.

Non-immigrant:

A non-immigrant is a person who is in the United States temporarily to pursue a specific activity or purpose (e.g., study, travel, business). Most non-immigrants, including all F-1 students and their dependents, must have an established residence abroad to which they intend to return. There are over fifty classifications of non-immigrants, each defined according to the primary purpose of stay in the U.S.

Passport:

The passport is a formal permit to travel abroad and return to the issuing country. With few exceptions, it is issued by one's country of citizenship. All individuals in F status are required to have a valid passport at all times. It is your responsibility to extend or replace your passport when it expires. Information on renewing your passport is available from your country's consulate in New York City or Boston, or embassy in Washington, D.C.

Status:

Upon entry to the United States, all individuals are classified based on the documents and reasons they present at the port of entry. Most international students at FSU are in F-1 status. Individuals who do not comply with the regulations governing a given classification are "out of status" and therefore ineligible for certain benefits such as employment.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):

The bureau within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for adjudication of applications for benefits filed by nonimmigrants.

Visa:

The stamp in a passport serves as an application to enter a given country. In this case the U.S. Visa stamps can only be obtained overseas at U.S. consulates and embassies. The visa does not indicate how long someone can remain in the U.S.

Taxes

International students and scholars are often surprised to learn they have tax filing obligations while they are present in the United States — even if they did not work in the prior year. Tax filing does not necessarily mean that taxes must be paid. Tax filing is a legal requirement. Please note: The ISS/SA cannot advise on tax issues. Keep copies of all tax forms you file each year.

All those who are in F-1 and F-2 status must file tax forms with the U.S. government, even if they did not work in the United States. Even an F-2 dependent, who is never allowed to work in the U.S., must still file a tax form.

In some cases, an individual in F-1 status will receive a refund. And in some cases, an individual in F-1 status will have to pay more taxes to the U.S. government.

The first concepts to understand are: resident vs. non-resident alien (for tax purposes) and Substantial Presence Test (SPT). Whether you are considered a resident or non-resident for tax purposes will determine what tax forms you file with the U.S. government. Those who have F status but are resident tax aliens should seek information and advice from tax professionals such as those who advise U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents (Green card holders).