Getting Started
You can apply to an NU program through the Undergraduate Admissions and Graduate Admissions pages. After your admission and deposit, the Brennan Center can help you with your immigration documents.
An I-20 is a form to obtain F-1 student visa status. All international students must apply to the Brennan Center for an I-20. You’ll need this document to apply for a visa and enter the US. International students must apply for an F-1 student visa or consulate once you have the NU I-20. Canadian citizens obtain their F-1 status not from a US embassy or consulate, but from US Customs and Border Protection at a Port of Entry. Canadian permanent residents need to apply at a US embassy or consulate. Canadians attending as a border commuter on a part-time basis should contact the Brennan Center for details.
Once you’ve paid your enrollment deposit and completed all admissions processes, you will receive a link to apply for the initial I-20.
- A student may transfer to another U.S. college or institution and request their SEVIS records be transferred to that school.
- A transfer of your SEVIS record can take place at the same degree level (bachelor’s at your current school to a bachelor’s degree at Niagara University), or when you are changing levels (bachelor’s degree at your current institution to a master’s degree at Niagara University).
- A student has 60 days from the completion of a program to request a transfer of their SEVIS record to another U.S. school.
- Students who have fallen out of status are ineligible for transfer, they must either apply for reinstatement from USCIS or depart and re-enter the U.S. with an initial I-20 for a new program.
- Students wishing to transfer should notify the DSO of the date they wish to transfer and the name of the new school.
- Complete the Transfer I-20 Request Form to obtain NU’s SEVIS school code and benefits to transferring your SEVIS record.
- If your current institution requires the contact for a Niagara University adviser, they can use Assistant Director Sarina Beccari’s contact information located on the Transfer I-20 Request Form
- A visa is an entry document you must apply for at a US consulate or embassy. This can be done only outside the US. You need an unexpired visa to enter the US.
- Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain an entry visa but are still required to apply for and obtain an I-20. Canadians obtain F-1 visa status at the US border.
- The Brennan Center will send you your I-20 electronically by email. You will need to print and sign your I-20 which you will need for a your visa appointment at a US embassy or consulate and for entering the US.
- Canadian Citizens don’t have a visa appointment but obtain F-1 status at the border.
The SEVIS fee is mandatory for all international students. If you have an I-20 you must pay the fee which is called the I-901 fee. The fee is for maintaining the US government Student and Exchange VIsitor System (SEVP) which oversees the SEVIS system for creating your I-20.
- New students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date on the I-20.
- Current students can enter the U.S. with an unexpired I-20 with a valid travel signature. The signature on page two must be signed every semester by the Brennan Center. To get a travel signature contact International Relations or bring your most recent I-94 entry record to the Brennan Center staff.
- All students will need:
- Unexpired passport valid at least 5 months into the future
- Unexpired F-1 visa (Canadians are exempt and obtain F-1 at the border)
- Unexpired I-20
- I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt (Recommended)
- EAD card if you’re on Post-OPT
- Employer work contract, job offer letter, or proof of payment if you’re on Post-OPT
- You do not need a travel signature to exit the US
After you arrive on-campus, visit the Brennan Center. Bring your passport, I-20, I-94 entry record and complete a check in-form in the office. Do this each semester.
Each US state has its own Department of Motor Vehicles which issues identification cards. A NY State ID is a government-issued card available to residents. It is proof of identity and can be used for daily activities.
All international students regardless of work, must file US taxes each year. You can register with GLACIER Tax Prep to help you navigate the complex US tax system.
Niagara University requires all students to live in residence halls for the first two years.
Visas and Travel
The visa expiration document for F students does not indicate how long you can stay inside the US. The Duration of Status or “D/S” means you may remain in the US until the end of your academic program or OPT. The length of your visa is based on agreements between your country and the US. The agreement states the time and number if entries you’re allowed. Only the vice consul visa officer has discretion on your application.
After you receive your I-20 and pay your I-901 SEVIS fee, you can complete the DS-160 visa application. Canadians do not require an entry visa but still need to apply for the I-20 and pay the I-901 fee. International students need to schedule an interview at a US consulate or embassy. You can’t replace or renew your visa in the US. You should prepare your documents and attend your visa interview. Once you receive your new visa you can enter the US 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 as a new student.
- A travel signature is a signature from the Brennan Center on page two of your I-20. You need a travel signature each semester for entry to the U.S. This applies to alumni working on Post-OPT.
- NU requires a check-in each semester to obtain a travel signature for current students.
- Alumni can request a travel signature by emailing their I-94 record to international relations office.
Always keep an unexpired passport for at least six (6) months into the future. Contact your consulate in New York or embassy in Washington DC to learn how to renew your passport. Keep your expired passport for your records.
You will need an unexpired passport, unexpired visa (Canadians are exempt), unexpired I-20 with valid travel signature signed every semester, SEVIS I-901 fee and recommended class schedule or academic certification.
NU does not recommend traveling internationally while your Post-OPT is still pending after your program end date. If you’re approved for OPT, you will need an unexpired passport, unexpired visa (Canadians are exempt), unexpired I-20 with valid travel signature signed every six (6) months, SEVIS I-901 fee, Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) and proof of employment.
Make sure you have updated documents to re-enter the U.S. and you have the correct visa for the country in which you’ll study.
- An I-94 is a document issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that records the arrival and departure of non-citizens in the United States. It shows the status in which you enter.
- Check your electronic I-94 entry record each time you enter the U.S. to ensure you enter in F-1 student status and not in a tourist status (B-1)
Sevis
The SEVIS program is an Internet-based system that provides schools and the United States government with access to accurate and current information on nonimmigrant foreign students, exchange visitors, and their dependents.
- Report your arrival using the NU report form at the Brennan Center. Check in every semester with the staff by email or in-person.
- Don’t work without authorization. The only kind of work that doesn’t require an application or written authorization is on-campus employment up to 20 hours per week. Working without prior authorization is considered a serious violation of your immigration status.
- Keep your passport unexpired for at least 6 months into the future. Carry your immigration documents when you travel. Check your I-94 entry record each time you enter the US to check you were admitted as a student under the student F-1 visa for “D/S” or duration of status.
- While studying in the US, you must keep your I-20 up-to-date. Report to the Brennan Center: – Apply for an extension before your I-20 end date if you need more time to finish your program. – Tell the staff if you’re completing your program earlier than the end date on your I-20 for the Center to update your I-20. You will have new deadlines tied to your new end date. – Get a travel signature on page two of your I-20 each semester. – Request a transfer of your SEVIS record to another school if you’ll study at another institution. – Tell the staff if you’ll begin a new program at NU to get a new I-20. – Tell the staff if you leave NY before finishing your program. – Tell the staff if you’re changing to another status (TN, permanent resident “green card” holder).
- You can only take one online class per semester towards your minimum number of credits required for full-time enrollment. For example if your program states 12 credits is the minimum, then you can only take one 3 credit course. If you want to take an additional online class for a 15-credit course load, it is permitted because it is beyond the minimum required for full-time. If you only have one class to complete your program in your final semester, you can’t take it online.
- Update your US address each time you move within 10 days by contacting International Relations.
- Leave the US before your 60 day grace period expires. If you finish your program and if you’re done working on Post-OPT, you have time to prepare for departure.
- Don’t apply for or accept federal, state or local US government Public Benefits When you applied for the I-20 and visa, you showed you had proof of funding to support yourself in the US. Accepting taxpayer funded public benefits can jeopardize your status and future visa applications.
Academic Changes
If you’re going to attend another school next semester, the Brennan Center must release your SEVIS record to your new school. You must choose a date for your SEVIS record to be released. Your next institution can’t issue a transfer I-20 until your SEVIS record has been released from NU.
To begin the process, kindly complete the Transfer-Out form making sure to follow all instructions.
All international students must enroll full-time each semester. A reduced course load (RCL) is permission by the Brennan Center to register below full-time. The only time you can be less than full-time is during the last semester of a degree program in order to complete your requirements. If you have academic difficulties or a temporary illness or medical/mental health difficulties kindly email the Brennan Center to see what your next steps should be.
If you’re thinking about a leave of absence (LOA) or withdrawing from NU, please speak with the Brennan Center as soon as possible to know how this action will impact your immigration status and employment eligibility. If you’ve been suspended, contact the Brennan Center to see how this affects your immigration status.
If you’re finishing your program you could remain in the US to prepare for departure for 60 days after your I-20 end date on a ‘grace period’. The grace period is not for international travel or employment. Contact the Brennan Center if you want to apply for Post-OPT to work in the US after your degree, if you want to transfer your SEVIS record to another school, or if you’ve been accepted to a new NU program.
Student visa rules require you to register full-time each semester and to make normal satisfactory progress towards your degree. Needing more time is an exception and needs documentation of extraordinary circumstances. Contact the Brennan Center for the reasons for an extension, when you must apply to the Brennan Center and what documents you need to provide.
If you’re moving from one program at NU to another NU program, you must apply for a new I-20. The new I-20 will extend your F ‘duration of status’ which is time you’re allowed to stay in the US as a student.
If you need an updated I-20 contact the Brennan Center with the new program information, spelling or name change, proof of new citizenship or employment information on Post-OPT.
Employment
- A Social Security Number (SSN) is for tax purposes. The SSN is used by employers and employees for reporting taxes. It’s a unique number assigned to you for life by the Social Security Administration.
- International students must have authorized employment to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). To do so, students need a letter from their Designated School Official (DSO) for their SSA appointment. After submitting the necessary form and Employment Letter, the DSO will provide the required letter.
If you’re receiving money from NU for work you will need to apply for a SSN and provide your SSN to NU to get on payroll. If you’re receiving a scholarship or grant, you may be eligible for an Individual Taxpayer ID or ITIN from the Internal Revenue Service.
On-campus employment is possible after you’ve checked in and reported your arrival to the Brennan Center. On-campus work is employment done for Niagara University, paid by NU and is ‘incident to your status’ as an F-1 student. There are limits to the number of hours you can work and you may not be eligible for ‘work-study’ jobs.
Curricular Practical Training or CPT is work authorization from the Brennan Center that allows an internship for all students in a program or is for an internship required for an elective course that counts towards your degree completion. The elective CPT course must be listed in the bulletin and designated specifically for practical training. You must earn credit similar to other elective classes counting towards your degree. Your internship must be in your academic area, commensurate at your level (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral). Once you’ve obtained academic approval, you may request the CPT I-20 from the Brennan Center by completing this form.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an optional employment benefit for F-1 students allowing you to work off-campus to gain practical experience in your field of study.
Immigration regulations consider employment to be any type of work performed or services provided, in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, lodging or any other benefit. The US and New York State have strict rules about what constitutes an unpaid internship that doesn’t violate labor laws. If you will receive any type of compensation, or if the position doesn’t meet US labor laws or New York state laws, you must obtain authorization like CPT or OPT.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit for F-1 students allowing you to work off-campus to gain practical experience in your field of study for up to 12 months. Post-OPT allows you to remain in the US after graduation to work for a US employer in order to apply the knowledge and skills you learned at NU to get professional experience. Post-OPT extends your F-1 student visa status though you’re no longer a current enrolled NU student.
STEM OPT is Optional Practical Training for those students who completed a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics field. Your degree program must be on an approved US government list. The STEM OPT extension allows you to work in the US for a US employer for 24 months. The day the STEM starts is after the day your Post-OPT EAD ends.
The following changes on Post-OPT need to be reported to the Brennan Center within 10 days after: the start and end date of any employment, if you move US addresses, the name and address of any employer, if you choose not to work on Post-OPT and leave the US, if you change to another immigration status in the US.
You may be eligible for a cap-gap I-20 if your employer is sponsoring you for the H-1B employment based visa. The cap-gap means the time after your Post-OPT ends and before the October 1 start of your H-1B petition.
If you’re a full-time student in F-1 status and have been offered an internship by a recognized international organization such as the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank you may apply for off-campus work authorization. Your employer must be listed on the US government designated international organizations. You must maintain full-time registration and make normal progress towards your degree while simultaneously working for the organization. This time does not count against your 12 months of OPT.
Your tax status (resident or non-resident) is separate from your immigration status and based on your physical presence in the US over time. International students have special ‘nonresident alien’ NRA tax considerations that GLACIER can help with. Even if you had no US income, non residents must file the form 8843. There Are other forms to file with the Internal Revenue Service for wages, fellowships or other income.