INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

INFORMATION SESSION
Touro College & University System
International Student Services, NY
PDSO/ Director: Sun Hee Choi
DSO/ Coordinator: John Martinez
 TOURO COLLEGE
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES
International Student Advisors:
Sun Hee Choi & John Martinez
212-463-0400 x55607 or x55391
sun.choi3@touro.edu or John.Martinez24@touro.edu

320 W 31st St. Rm. 134 & 131, New York, NY 10001 USA
http://www.touro.edu/departments/international-students/
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-5:30pm/ Fri 9-2pm (call first for availability)

International Student handbook:

https://www.touro.edu/media/touro-college/pdf/international/International_Student_Handbook_2018-2019.pdf
 New F1 Students To Do List

Meet with an international student advisor!

Submit a copy of visa, I-94, I-20, and U.S. address for SEVIS
registration.

Start a fulltime program and Pick up your new I-20.

Any changes?
Inform International Student Office within 10 days.
 1. Basics for Maintaining your F1 Student Status:
Full-time Enrollment

• Always maintain full-time status.

Graduate & Professional schools: 9 credits
Undergraduate schools: 12 credits

• Summer registration: Not required for continuing students

• Online/ distance learning course:

Only one online course per semester.
Cannot be the only course in your final semester.
 2. Basics for Maintaining your F1 Student Status:
A Form I-20
• YOUR responsibility to
keep your I-20 current!

• Report any changes or

corrections for personal
and program information.

• Know your I-20’s

expiration date.

• Keep all of your I-20s.

 Other Important Documents:

• Passport & F-1 visa

• I-94
• I-20s
• Financial support documents.

A Passport must be valid all the time.

 F1 Student Visa

• Travel document that allows you to (re)enter the U.S.

• Only be issued by the U.S. Embassy & Consulates.
• May expire during your stay in the U.S. without affecting
your immigration status.
 The I-94, The Arrival and Departure Record
Retrieve information at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-
search
3. Basics for Maintaining your F1 student Status:
Travel
• Valid passport, visa, and I-94
• Valid travel signature on your I-20. The travel signature is
valid for one year.
• Automatic Visa Revalidation allows citizens from certain
countries to travel to Mexico, Canada, or Caribbean
Islands with an expired visa.
 4. Basics for Maintaining your F1 Student Status:
Employment

Valid employment authorization types for F1 students:

1. On-campus employment
2. CPT: Curricular Practical Training
3. OPT: Optional Practical Training
4. Severe Economic Hardship
 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
SEVIS Regulations
8 CFR 214.2 (f)(19)(i)
• An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to
participate in a curricular practical training program that is
an integral part of an established curriculum.

• Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative

work/ study, internship, cooperative education, or other
types of REQUIRED internship that is offered by
sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements
with the school.
 Curricular Practical Training
Employment hours

Employment hours:
• Part time: less than 20 hours per week
• Full time: More than 20 hours per week (e.g. 20.1hr)

• Students who engaged in more than 12 months fulltime

CPT are NOT eligible for OPT.

• Length of CPT = Duration of semester.

 Curricular Practical Training
Work Authorization Docs

• A new I-20 with CPT work authorization.

• Each CPT authorization is valid only for one semester.
• Keep your original I-20s.

• You cannot start working before your CPT is

approved.
 Curricular Practical Training
Eligibility & Required Documents

1. Register an Internship course.

2. Submit required documents to your program & ISO.

• Complete CPT Application
• Affiliation Agreement
• Employment letter.

3. Receive a new I-20 with CPT authorization before

starting work.

4. Submit a new application every semester.

 Curricular Practical Training
CPT Application Form
Download it from https://www.touro.edu/departments/international-
students/forms--resources/
Curricular Practical Training CPT Form
 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Key Points
• Maximum of 12 months per education level
• May eligible to extend it under STEM OPT extension
• Must work in a field of your study.
• Require one academic year of study prior to OPT.
• Receive EAD (Employment Authorization Document) from
the USCIS upon approval.
 Optional Practical Training
Pre vs. Post OPT

Pre-Completion OPT Post-Completion OPT

May apply while pursuing a May apply between 90 days

degree before the program completion
and 60 days after the completion
date

Will be deducted from 12 month 12 months per education level

OPT period (cannot apply for a lower degree
level)

20 hours per week during Full time

semesters
40 hours/wk during vacation Maximum 3 month
unemployment period
 Optional Practical Training
OPT Application and Filing instructions
https://www.touro.edu/departments/international-students/forms--resources/
 Optional Practical Training
Application procedure
1. Apply for graduation (*For Post completion OPT)

2. Complete and send a OPT DSO Recommendation Form & F1

Student Responsibility Form to International Student Office (ISO)

3. Contact the ISO for

A new I-20 with OPT recommendation
Your I-765 application review

5. Mail your I-765 application and OPT package to the USCIS-

Keep a tracking number!
 Optional Practical Training
Prepare I-765 application package for USCIS

I-765 Employment Authorization Application Form:

https://www.uscis.gov/i-765

G-1145

$410 Filing fee

New OPT I-20 and all previous I-20s

Copies of Passport, F1 visa, I-94 (and Previous EAD cards)

Two passport format photos

 Optional Practical Training
Student Responsibilities

1. Only work in your major field of study during authorized

OPT dates.
2. Must start working and report the employment within 90
days from official OPT start date.
3. Report all employment information to ISO during OPT.
4. Obtain a travel signature before travel- *Valid for 6 mos
5. OPT will be auto terminated when you transfer out to
another school or receive a I-20 for a new degree
program.
 5. Basics for Maintaining your F1 Student Status:
Grace Period

• After completing your program of study or OPT

60 Day Grace Period

Options for F1 students:

1. Apply for a new program/ I-20 at Touro College
2. Request to transfer to another institution in the U.S.
3. Apply for OPT
4. Apply for change of status
OR
5. Return to your home country
 Social Security Number
Eligibility:
• Valid work authorization (On-campus job, CPT, or OPT)
• A job offer

Application Process:
• Required Docs: Passport, F1 visa, I-94, proof of work
authorization and a job offer letter.
• www.socialsecurity.gov
 Drivers License or Non-driver ID card

Eligibility:
Proof of address and identity:
Need 6 points. Your passport, visa, and I-20 are 3 points.
More information at http://nydmv.state.ny.us
 F-2 Dependents

• Student’s spouse and children (under 21).

• May study part time in the U.S.

Required documents for F2 I-20:

• A copy of passport
• Additional financial support documents
• Proof of relationship (Marriage certificate & birth
certificate)
 International Student Activities & Global Classroom
https://www.onetoworld.org/International-Students/Program-Calendar.aspx
Medical Insurance and Housing Options

Medical Insurance
• Compass Benefits Group
http://www.compassbenefits.com/
• International Student Insurance Plans
http://internationalstudentinsurance.com
• International Student Organization
http://isoa.org
• Study USA-Health Care
https://my.travelinsure.com/studyusa/

Housing in New York City (contact your program

director for tips on finding a roommate share, and
james.shafer@touro.edu to reserve a student
single for arrival for 7 to 28 days at a local YMCA)
 Safety in New York City
New York City is one of the safest cities in the USA
Some quick safety tips for any large city:
• Plan ahead and know where you are going; avoid deserted streets at
night; consider a taxi, Uber, or Lyft late at night and confirm before
you go out that your ride share app is working

• Don’t carry your wallet or phone in a back pocket or loose in a bag or

purse; avoid taking out valuables on the subway and avoid setting
your bag or belongings next to you (put these on your lap or at your
feet), and take your backpack off your back

• Keep copies of your passport, visa, and I-20 and other key
documents separate from the originals (and scan them and keep
them in a password protected area on the cloud)

• Call 911 in an emergency, or 311 for NYC information

• More safety tips are here:

https://www.nyctourist.com/nycinfo_safety.htm
 Contact us at
212-463-0400 (x55607 or x55391)
sun.choi3@touro.edu
John.Martinez24@touro.edu
Read the International Student Handbook: https://www.touro.edu/media/touro-
college/pdf/international/International_Student_Handbook_2018-2019.pdf