PrincetonUniversityA Guide for International Students, 2000-2002
United State Government Regulations
Visas
Students who have been offered admission to the University, and have accepted it, receive a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20A-B or IAP-66 form) from their international student adviser. This document, together with documentary evidence of financial ability to attend Princeton (the Admission Reply and/or a letter from the student's family bank or sponsor), and the student's passport (valid for at least one year beyond the date of a student's projected arrival date), should be submitted to the United States Consul abroad to obtain either the F-1 or J-1 visa. Passport and visa requirements for entry into the United States do not pertain to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants of Canada having a common nationality with Canadians who are entering the United States from the Western Hemisphere. They apply directly to an immigration inspector at a port of entry for admission as an F-1 or J-1 student.
(Note: The visa stamp in your passport allows you to enter the United States. As long as you remain in status, your visa may expire while you are in the United States. Student visas are issued only by U.S. embassies outside the United States.)
F-1 Student Visa. Most students come to the United States on an F-1 student visa. The Certificate of Eligibility for this status is the Form I-20A-B. Upon entering the United States and presenting a passport with a valid F-1 student visa, Form I-20A-B, and documentary evidence of support, a student is issued two documents: (1) the Form I-20 ID (student) copy, which is pages 3 and 4 of Form I-20A-B marked to show the date, place of admission, and the admission number; and (2) the departure portion of the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). The F-1 student is admitted to the United States for "duration of status," noted as "D/S" on both Form I-94 and Form I-20 ID (the student copy). Duration of status means the period during which the student is pursuing a full course of study in any educational program (for example, a bachelor's or a master's degree or a doctoral program) and any periods of authorized practical training, plus sixty days within which to depart from the United States or apply for a change of status.
F-2 Visa: Dependents of Students. The spouse and children of an F-1 visa holder are accorded F-2 status, provided they establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer and the immigration officer at the port of entry that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses and that they intend to leave the United States "upon termination of the status of the principal alien." If the dependents accompany the student to the United States, the Form I-20A-B that the student submits to the consular officer abroad with his or her application for an F-1 visa may be used to request F-2 visas and entry in F-2 status. If dependents follow later to join the student, that student should contact his or her international student adviser for the appropriate document. Graduate students must complete the Certificate of Funding (mailed with the Admission Reply) and provide financial documentation to receive travel documents for their dependents.
J-1 Visa: Exchange Visitors. This visa is issued to sponsored students and research scholars who come to teach, study, conduct research, observe, or receive training in an exchange visitor program designated by the United States Secretary of State. The Certificate of Eligibility for this status is the Form IAP-66; students must complete the reverse of page 1 before submitting it to the consul. At the port of entry to the United States, the student should present a valid passport with a valid J-1 visa, Form IAP-66, and documentary evidence of support. The student is then issued two documents: the Form IAP-66 and the Form I-94. The Form IAP-66 (page 3, the pink copy of the Form IAP-66) will be marked with the date and place of admission, the admission number, and "D/S." The Form I-94 (departure portion of the Arrival/Departure Record) will have the admission number on the upper left-hand corner and will be marked "D/S." The student will be admitted to the United States for "D/S" (Duration of Status). Duration of Status is the period during which the student is pursuing a full course of study in any educational program (for example, a bachelor's or a master's degree or a doctoral program) and any periods of academic training, plus 30 days within which to depart from the United States or apply for a change of status. Nationals of some countries studying certain fields or any J-1 student receiving United States or home government funding are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement if they acquire J-status. The two-year rule usually requires such students to return home upon completion of their degree program and after 18 to 36 months of academic training. Students should consult the United States Consul for more complete up-to-date information.
J-2 Visa: Dependents of Exchange Visitors. The spouse and children of a J-1 visa holder may be issued a Certificate of Eligibility (Form IAP-66 with attachment), provided there is proof of sufficient financial support (including the required health insurance) for them to live while in the United States. The dependents of a J-1 visa holder are accorded J-2 status, provided they establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer and the immigration officer at the port of entry that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses and that they intend to leave the United States "upon termination of the status of the principal alien." If the dependents travel to the United States with the student, the student should inform the J-1 responsible officer who will prepare the appropriate attachment. The student should present the Form IAP-66 to the consular officer abroad with their passport, their dependent's passport, and application for a J-1 visa and also request a J-2 visa and entry in J-2 status. If the dependents travel to the United States without the student, the student should notify the J-1 responsible officer so that a separate Form IAP-66 and attachment may be issued.
All Visa Holders. The Form I-94 should be kept attached to the student's passport at all times, since it indicates the purpose of the student's admission and the length of time for which his or her stay is authorized. Students should also always have with them their Form I-20 ID (student copy) or Form IAP-66 (pink copy), particularly when they travel-even within the United States-since this is their personal identification and carries their computerized "Admission Number."
Whenever a student plans to leave the United States, he or she must consult with their international student adviser and either obtain new documents or have the current ones endorsed. Students should allow at least five working days between the time of the request and the time they plan to leave Princeton. Without these documents, a student may not be allowed to return to the United States. Students should also remember that for reentry they must have a valid visa, a passport valid for at least six months, and proof of financial support from the school, their family, or both. Similarly, in order to maintain their student status, their passport must be kept valid at all times for at least six months (which means they will have to apply for an extension of their passport at least six months before the expiration date). More detailed information concerning maintenance of F-1 or J-1 status is available at orientation.
Transfer Students
F-1 Status. Students coming directly to Princeton from another United States educational institution (for instance, the student will not travel outside the United States prior to attending Princeton) must inform the international student adviser at their current institution regarding their intent to transfer. Graduate students must obtain a letter certifying their full-time student status and expected termination date to present to Dean Montero, along with a valid passport, I-20 ID, and completed page 1 of the I-20A-B issued by Princeton. This must be done within 15 days after enrollment in order to complete the transfer notification process with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Although undergraduates follow a similar procedure, a certification letter is not necessary.
J-1 Status. In general, an exchange visitor may transfer from one program sponsor to Princeton University sponsorship if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the objective for which the J-1 student was admitted into the United States. Graduate students coming directly to Princeton from another educational institution must obtain the endorsement of their current sponsor in Part III of the Form IAP-66 from Princeton University before they apply for transfer and extension of stay.
Employment
Employment is defined as any type of work performed or service provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food, or any other benefit. If a student does not receive any pay or other benefit for work performed, this activity is not defined as "employment" but is considered to be "volunteer work."
F-1 Status. Different requirements exist for each type of F-1 employment, but those requirements are not discussed in this guide. For example, a fundamental eligibility requirement for all types of employment is that a student must be in and must continuously maintain lawful F-1 status. Maintaining eligibility for most types of F-1 employment means that a student must limit his or her work to no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students should not assume that they are eligible to work without first contacting their international student adviser.
Categories of F-1 Student Employment
On-campus Employment "Incident to Status." Work on campus is usually permissible if it meets certain requirements. INS regulations state that this employment is automatically authorized for any student in lawful F-1 status. Students should check with their international student adviser for school requirements and procedures governing the authorization of on-campus employment.
Type 1: Employment by Princeton. On-campus work performed is usually acceptable, whether it is employment in a student's academic department, the library, the computer center, or the housing office. Work required by a scholarship, a fellowship, or an assistantship is also acceptable. Graduate students should note, however, that employment (other than an assistantship) is considered incompatible with full-time graduate studies. If students and their departments judge that part-time employment is both manageable and necessary, the student may be employed on campus.
Type 2: Other Employment on Princeton Premises. Work performed on Princeton's grounds or premises for an outside contractor or firm is considered to be on-campus employment as long as the employer provides direct services to students.
Type 3: Work Off Campus that Qualifies as On-campus Employment. Some types of employment off-campus are defined by the INS as "on-campus employment." There must be an official (contractual) relationship between Princeton and the off-campus employer, the work must be associated with Princeton's curriculum or related to a graduate-level research project, and the employment must be an important part of the student's program of study.
Internship with an International Organization. For students maintaining lawful F-1 status, they may obtain INS permission to engage in an internship by a "recognized" international organization, such as the United Nations and the World Bank. Students must maintain their F-1 student status while employed by such an organization.
Curricular Practical Training. Some work experiences that are an important part of a student's study program may be considered "curricular practical training." These experiences may include alternate work/study programs, internships, cooperative education programs, and practicum experiences. The training must be listed in the school's course catalog with the assigned number of credits and the name of the faculty member teaching the course. Any student who works for one year or more in full-time curricular practical training is not eligible for practical training after completing his or her studies.
Optional Practical Training. Students may be eligible to be employed in a job that is directly related to their major field of study for one year before and/or after they complete a study program. Such employment may take place at any location in the United States.
While INS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for a student to be employed during their time in F-1 status, working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of their status; it is a student's responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations that apply to F-1 students. Students should, therefore, consult with their international student adviser before taking up any employment. If a student fails to comply with their responsibilities, they may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students.
F-2 Dependents. Immigration regulations prohibit all employment for F-2 dependents (spouses and children of F-1 students).
J-1 status. The program sponsor has authority to authorize employment, within limits defined by the regulations, for those holding exchange-visitor status.
Categories of J-1 Student Employment
On-campus Assistantship or Fellowship. A student enrolled in a full course of study may be employed on campus pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, a fellowship, or an assistantship if the employment is both on campus and is related to the student's course of study.
Part-time On- or Off-campus Employment (20 hours or less per week). A student may be authorized to accept part-time employment not related to the program of study if the following conditions are met: (l) such employment is required by an urgent financial need that has arisen since the student acquired exchange-visitor status; (2) it does not cause the participant to reduce preparation and studies below the full-time level; and (3) it has the written approval of the sponsor and is signed by the responsible officer.
The dates and conditions of authorized employment should be stated in the form of a letter from the responsible officer to the exchange-visitor student.
Vacation Employment. During periods of school vacation, responsible officers may authorize full-time employment for exchange-visitor students, provided such employment meets the criteria stated above for part-time employment.
Academic Training. An exchange-visitor student may be authorized for a period of 18 up to 36 months of employment for academic training directly related to the program of study while the student is enrolled in school or after completion of the program. Such a period of academic training can be authorized by the responsible officer provided: (l) the student is primarily in the United States to study rather than engage in academic training; (2) the student is in good academic standing; (3) the training is directly related to the academic program; and (4) the training is authorized in writing by the responsible officer of the exchange-visitor program involved.
J-2 Dependents. Employment authorization may be granted by INS to J-2 dependents, provided the income for such employment is not needed for the support of the J-1 principal participant.
Maintenance of F-1/J-1 Student Status
To maintain F-1/J-1 student status, students must:
1. Have a passport that is kept valid at all times, unless exempt from the passport requirement;
2. Attend the school they were authorized to attend;
3. Pursue a full course of study (i.e., are enrolled or have processed an extension of stay with the Graduate School Office of Student Affairs);
4. Have a valid form I-20 ID or a valid pink copy of the form IAP-66 (apply for extensions of program before the expiration date on the current I-20 or IAP-66);
5. Follow transfer procedures to attend another school;
6. Follow procedures to continue from one educational level to another at the same school;
7. Limit employment both on campus and off to a total of 20 hours per week (includes assistant in instruction and research appointments) while school is in session (September through June); and
8. Refrain from off-campus employment without authorization.Social Security Number/Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
All students are required to apply for a Social Security number for fellowship and assistantship payment purposes. Application forms (SS-5) are available at registration; they must be presented, along with the student's passport and Forms I-94, I-20ID, or IAP-66 to the Social Security representative. In general, students who have been in the United States less than five years on the F-1 or J-1 status are exempt from paying Social Security tax (see "Social Security/FICA Coverage of Foreign Students and Visitors," which is available from any Social Security office). Under the following circumstances, however, F-1 students remain exempt from FICA withholdings, regardless of the amount of time spent in the United States. These cases include services performed (1) by a full-time enrolled student for Princeton; (2) for state and local governments, unless an agreement with the federal government is involved; (3) for a foreign government; and (4) for an international organization.
If you are not eligible to receive a social security number, you must get an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). To apply for an ITIN, file Form W-7 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Income Tax
During registration, all students are required to fill out a W-4 form for United States income tax purposes. Students should use their local Princeton address and not their home address; otherwise, important mail may be delayed for long periods of time.
Scholarship and fellowship awards that exceed the amount of tuition and the amount spent on course-required books, fees, supplies, and equipment are considered to be taxable income. Therefore, graduate fellowship maintenance allowances and prizes are subject to federal tax and withholding. Payment received for teaching and performing research (assistantship awards) is also considered to be taxable income. However, taxable payments made to international students on F-1 and J-1 visas may be exempt from U.S. taxes under an international tax treaty. (See IRS publications 515, Withholding on Non-resident Aliens and Foreign Corporations; and 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.) Matriculating international graduate students are advised at orientation of potential treaty eligibility.
During the month of January all persons employed by the University, including students, receive W-2 statements showing their taxable earnings for the year and the amount withheld by the University. International students also receive Form 1042S. Students and their dependents are required to file an Income Tax Return by April 15. If the amount of taxes withheld has been greater than required, the student will receive a refund; if less, the student will have to pay additional tax. Detailed information regarding these tax matters is provided to students in March.
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