Immigration Regulations Workshop/Continuation Luncheon

Immigration Regulations Workshop/Continuation Luncheon-  This will be held on Wednesday, November 2nd, 12:20-1:45 at LEAD.  The following items will be discussed in detail:

Vacation Policy
 Students in F-1 status may be authorized by the Center’s two Designated School Officials (Daniel or Andrea) to commence a break in study of one session’s duration.  This is how it works:

· An F-1 student is eligible for a vacation after being consecutively enrolled for four sessions. 
· The student must inform Andrea (Departing/Transfer-Out/Vacation issues) by Fourth Week Monday. 
· The student must sign a Departure Form (gold form found on the wall outside of LTC).
· A student must pay a “vacation deposit” to formalize his or her intent to resume studies in the session immediately following the vacation period.
· The student is expected to resume studies immediately following the break in study and must be at the Center on First Week Tuesday.  If not, the student is subject to having their SEVIS record shortened to their last day of study at the Center.  A DSO must shorten the SEVIS record of a student who fails to enroll for the session immediately following his or her approved break in study to the last date of enrollment.

Please note that students that have successfully completed level 112 are not eligible for vacation. 

Temp absent policy
 Students wanting to leave the US must provide:
·  Daniel a copy of their plane ticket
·  complete a departure form and a temporary absent form with Gary. 
It is the responsibility of the student to have enough time on their I-20 allowing their return to the US.  Students with expiring I-20s will need to submit updated financial certification (bank statements and letters of affidavits or Financial Guarantee Letters) before the temporary absence is granted.

Transfers to non-ELS schools:
For transfers to non-ELS schools, the following must occur:
·  Receive from the student or receiving school written confirmation of the student’s acceptance. Acceptable confirmation includes a copy of the acceptance letter or an email from the receiving school confirming acceptance of the student.
·  Transfer the student’s SEVIS record out to the receiving school. The transfer release date should be the session completion date, or the date of the expected transfer if earlier than the end of the session.