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Frequently Asked Questions FAQs I've gotten married/had a baby. What should I do? Congratulations! If your spouse is not a US citizen or here on his/her own visa, you will need to request a dependent I20/DS2019. If your spouse is currently in the US on his or her own visa, they will need to process a change of status form as well. If your child is a US citizen, they will not need a DS 2019 or I20 as they are ineligible for visas. Otherwise you will have to request a dependent DS2019/I20 for your child. For any other situation, please make an appointment to see a CISS advisor. Back to Top Can I work if I don't have my EAD card? No. You must have your card and you can only work through the dates indicated on the EAD card. Back to Top But my OPT card isn't in. What can I do? If it has been MORE then 90 days after the date indicated on your receipt notice, please contact CISS. Remember, once you mail your card in to USCIS, CISS has no control over the processing of the card. Back to Top What if I'm not getting paid? Even if you are not getting paid, you must have permission first. This is because if the company where you work does decided to pay you or offer any reimbursement and you have not been approved, you will not be able to accept these funds. Back to Top How do I get a Social Security number? Please refer to the page on Social Security numbers here. If you are an F1, you must have a job offer before you are eligible for a Social Security number. Back to Top Can I work and where? All F and J can work on campus; however, you are limited to 20 hours per week during the school year. For F1 students, you MUST have permission from CISS before any work off campus, even if you are not getting paid. Typically, while you are taking classes you would apply for CPT, and after you complete your degree you would apply for OPT. There are some students that would apply for OPT before they complete their studies. (need information for J's working off campus) Back to Top Am I in status? - Did you check in with CISS when you arrived in the US? - Do you have a valid passport? - Are you taking full course of study? - Are you not working off campus with out permission? - Are you not working more than 20 hours a week during school? - Did you notify CISS when you changed your address? - If you are a J, are you meeting all insurance requirements? If you answered “yes†to all these questions, then you should be in status. If you need clarification or think you maybe out of status, please make an appointment with the student advisor as soon as possible. Back to Top Can I extend my I20? Yes. You will need a signed letter from your advisor stating the reason for the extension as well as your new expected date of graduation. Please note you MUST change the date BEFORE your I20 expires. Back to Top Can I extend my DS2019? It depends. If you are an exchange student, you cannot extend. You will have to apply for full time admission. If you are sponsored, you should first contact the organization that is sponsoring you. If they will not be able to continue the sponsorship, you should contact a CISS advisor to see what other steps can be taken. If you are a J1 student sponsored by Tulane, then you will need to fill out the DS2019 extension request form. Back to Top What if my funding changed or I'm just doing my dissertation? Please have your advisor or department send a letter to CISS detailing the change in your financial information. Please remember that you will have to show proof of financial support that matches the numbers on your I20 when you apply for a visa. Back to Top How far in advance should I request a document? You should request a document at least a week in advance. While our turn over time is normally quicker, this will insure that you receive your document in time. DO NOT WAIT until the day or the day before you travel to request documents. If you do so, your document may not be prepared before you leave. Back to Top I want to add a dependent but I'm already in the US. What should I do? Please fill out the document request form and the invitation form. Make sure all information is the same as it appears on your dependent's passport. Please note you will have to show you have finical support for your dependent before a new I20/DS2019 is issued. Currently, you will have to show $8000 USD for a spouse and $3000 USD per child. Back to Top Someone is coming to visit me. Can CISS help this person get a visa? CISS can only issue immigration documents to students or employees of Tulane and their dependents. However, we can write letters of support for your family members that would like to visit you on a tourist visa. We can only write these letters for family members and the student or scholar would be responsible for picking up and sending the letter to their visitor. Back to Top Can I study abroad if I'm an international student? Yes you can. Please contact the Center for International Studies for program information, and be sure to speak with an advisor at CISS before you start your program to insure that you will not be out of status during your time aboard. Back to Top
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