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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. You must attend the school for which you are authorized; make sure to use the Form I-20 or DS-2019 Johnson & Wales University provided to you to enter the United States.
  2. Students must keep their passport and I-20 or DS-2019 valid at all times. I-20s or DS-2019s must be reissued when any information on them changes (e.g., name, major, sponsor).
  3. Be aware of the expiration date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Remember, if necessary, you can extend your Form I-20 or DS-2019 no later than 30 days before it expires. You should always know your program end date by checking your most recent Form I-20 or DS-2019. 
  4. F-1 and J-1 students must carry a full-time course of study every semester from September to May. Failure to maintain full-time status will result in the loss of your F-1 or J-1 status. This means as follows: 
    Undergraduates must take
    — A minimum of four 3.0 semester credit hour courses each semester (i.e., 12 credits each semester)
    — Nine credits of face-to-face instruction per semester; you may take any credits above that online
    Graduates must take
    — A minimum of three 3.0 semester credit hour courses per semester (i.e., 9 credits each semester)
    — Six credits of face-to-face instruction are required per semester; you may take any credits above that online
    If there is only one class remaining in your last semester, it may NOT be online.
    If summer is your last semester, you have to maintain full-time status or complete a Reduce Course Load Form approved by your academic counselor.
  5. On-campus employment must be limited to a total of 20 hours per week while school is in session.
  6. Off-campus employment (Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, STEM OPT Extension or Academic Training) may only be granted after you apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through JWU Global-ISSO.
  7. Check your travel documents to be certain they are in order before leaving the United States. All trips outside the United States require a signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 from a Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) to re-enter the United States. Signatures require updating every semester.
  8. Report a change of residence to JWU Global-ISSO and USCIS no later than 10 days of the change through your jwuLink.
  9. Whether you have worked the previous year or not, you must file your taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on or before April 15 of each year you reside in the United States. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the terms of your immigration status during your stay in the United States.
  10. Violations of immigration regulations could jeopardize your F-1 or J-1 status and ability to stay lawfully in the U.S.

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: