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International Student Services Office

The International Student Services Office (ISSO), a department within JWU Global, coordinates special orientation sessions for new international students. It also offers nonlegal advice on matters relating to immigration and visas, and information on cultural adaptation and university services. Over the course of the year, many seminars are conducted to familiarize students with issues such as immigration, taxes, culture and employment.

International students must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the US Department of Homeland Security. The 10 rules that international students are personally responsible for upholding are as follows:

  1. Students must attend the school for which they are authorized. Make sure to use the Johnson & Wales University I-20 to enter the United States.
  2. Students must keep their passport and I-20 valid at all times. I-20s must be reissued when any information on them changes (e.g., name, major, sponsor, etc.).
  3. Students must carry a full course of study every term from September to May (undergraduate students: minimum of 12.0 quarter credit hours; graduate students: minimum of 9.0 quarter credit hours).
  4. When continuing from one educational level to another within Johnson & Wales University (i.e., associate to bachelor’s, or bachelor’s to master’s), students will need a new I-20 issued for the next degree level.
  5. On-campus employment must be limited to a total of 20 hours per week while school is in session.
  6. Off-campus employment may only be granted after applying to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through ISSO. Students may not work off campus without authorization from USCIS.
  7. All trips outside the United States require a signature on a student's I-20 from one of ISSO's Designated School Officials (DSO) to re-enter the United States. Travel signatures require updating each term.
  8. Students should be aware of the expiration date on their I-20. Remember: If necessary, I-20s can be extended.
  9. Students must report a change of residence to ISSO and USCIS within 10 days of the change.
  10. Everyone, whether employed during the previous year or not, must file a tax form by April 15 for each year in the United States. To assist students, the university has established a relationship with a firm that specializes in foreign nationals' US tax matters. Note: Please note the limitations in the firm's terms of use. JWU assumes no liability for students' use of this service and cannot provide students with tax advice. If preferred, students may use a firm or tax preparer of their own choice. For such advice, students should contact the IRS or a professional tax preparer.

Refer to the ISSO webpage for further information.

Questions concerning these regulations or any other international student issue may be directed to our international student advisors: