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AAcademic Training (AT): Work, training, or experience related to a J-1 student's filed of study. See also, Academic Training (AT) Fact Sheet
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CChange of Status: Application process by which a non-immigrant changes their of visa category from one to another. See Change of Status Fact Sheet Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Required internship or practicum that is an integral part of an established curriculum of an F-1 student. See also, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Fact Sheet
DDepartment of State: (DOS) Responsible for issuing visas, security clearances, verifying requirements for nonimmigrant student status, designates exchange visitor program sponsors, and creates and administers federal regulations and policies. Dependent: A spouse or unmarried, minor (under age 21). See also, Dependent Application Designated School Official: (DSO) The International Student Adviser authorized to issue and sign I-20s. The DSO is a regularly employed member of the school administration who ensures institutional and individual compliance with the law by learning, interpreting, and applying laws and government policies pertaining to F-1 students. Only a DSO may issue and sign the I-20 and create or update SEVIS records. (DSOs are in ISSS) DS-2019: White, two-page document issued by certified J-1 program sponsor to individuals for U.S. entry in J-1 status as exchange visitors. Separate DS-2019 issued for each dependent (J-2).
EAn alien coming temporarily to the United States as a participant in a program approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, or receiving training. See, J-1 Scholar Information; Exchange Visitor Application
FF-1 Visa Category: F-1 students are non-immigrants pursuing a full course of study towards a specific educational or professional objective at an academic institution in the U.S., as designated by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once the educational or professional objectives have been attained, the U.S. government expects the F-1 student to return to his or her residence abroad.
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II-20: White, three-page document issued by educational institution to individuals for U.S. entry in F-1 status for purpose of studying. Separate I-20 issued for each dependent (F-2). I-94 Card (Arrival/Departure Record): Small, white card issued prior to entering U.S. Immigration officer stamps I-94 to reflect date, place of entry, status granted, and length of stay permitted. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN): See Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
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MMaintaining Status: Abiding by immigration regulations as pertains to your visa category.
NNational Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS): The requirement of certain temporary foreign visitors of eighteen countries to register with immigration when entering and exiting the U.S.
OOptional Practical Training (OPT): Temporary employment for experience directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. See Optional Practical Training (OPT) Fact Sheet
PPassport: Document issued by home country for travel. Non-U.S. citizens must have valid passport to enter U.S., with a few exceptions. Port of Entry (POE): Place where you enter U.S. and are processed by an immigration official. Professor: An individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited educational institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institutions. Program Sponsor: Are legal entities that applied for and received designation from the Department of State to conduct exchange visitor programs, are enrolled in SEVIS, and directly offer the “program” in which the EV participates or places the EV in an appropriate program. IIE, Fulbright, AMIDEAST, OSI students receive primary advice and services directly from the sponsors.
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RReinstatement: A F-1 student who has failed to maintain status may be reinstated to lawful status at the discretion of immigration. See F-1 Reinstatement Fact Sheet Research Scholar: An individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions. Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO): The International Student/Scholar Adviser authorized to issue and sign DS-2019s. The RO/ARO is a regularly employed member of the school administration who ensures institutional and individual compliance with the law by learning, interpreting, and applying laws and government policies pertaining to J-1 students and their dependents. Only an RO/ARO may issue and sign the DS-2019 and create or update SEVIS records. (ROs and AROs are in ISSS)
SShort-Term Scholar: A professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the U.S. on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions. Student & Exchange Visitor Information System: (SEVIS) Database established by Immigration to receive, store, and process student and dependent data submitted by schools. See also SEVIS Fee Information Specialist: An individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to the United States for observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills.
TTransfer: "School transfer" is used by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) to describe the process by which an international student leaves one U.S. institution (before or after completion of studies) and begins attendance at another U.S. institution. School transfer, in this situation, does not refer to the transfer of academic credits or records between institutions. See Student Transfer Fact Sheet Two Year Home Residency Requirement: 212(e) J-1 exchange visitors subject to 212(e) must return to home country for an aggregate of two years upon completion of studies. See also, Waiver of Two-Year Home Residency Requirement 212(e).
UUnited States Citizenship & Immigration Services: (USCIS) Responsible for most applications and adjudications for non-immigrants. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement: (ICE) Responsible for immigration investigations, detention, removal, intelligence, and SEVIS. United States Customs and Border Protection: (CBP) Responsible for immigration inspections at U.S. ports of entry, for the Border Patrol, and for the Customs Service.
VVisa: Stamped or affixed entry sticker in passport for U.S. entry in the immigration status specified on visa. See also Visa Questions Volunteerism: Advertised volunteer service position. Cannot receive any compensation.
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International Student & Scholar Services | Vanderbilt University | Office of the Dean of Students
Student Life Center | 310 25th Avenue South, Suite 103 | Nashville, TN 37240 | U.S.A.
Telephone: 615-322-2753 | Fax: 615-343-7799 | E-mail: isss@vanderbilt.edu
Information provided on the ISSS website is developed for Vanderbilt University. Some information is general; other information is specific to Vanderbilt. Information contained herein should not be used as the sole source of information for making decisions that affect one's legal status in the U.S. or one's right to study, teach, conduct research, or work.