During your studies at YSU, you may want to invite members of your family to visit. Your family member must apply for the appropriate visa status to enter the U.S.
The spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) of the F-1 student may apply for F-2 immigration status.
The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport is a document that allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission to enter the United States. You should apply for the visa at a U.S. consulate in your home country, unless circumstances or travel plans make this impossible. It may be possible to apply for a visa at a U.S.
The STEM OPT extension allows some students with designated science, technology, engineering, or math degrees to apply to extend their post-completion OPT authorization. Students with STEM degrees and currently in their 12-month OPT period should review the eligibility requirements, application timeline, and instructions below.
Students and exchange visitors entering the United States for the first time under their respective nonimmigrant visa classification may only be admitted up to 30-days prior to the program start date listed on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. However, a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port-of-entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs Border Protection (CBP) immigration officer to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.
Entry to the United States requires a valid passport, an I-20/DS-2019, and a valid United States F-1 or J-1 visa stamp. Upon entry to the U.S., your I-94 record will be created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Passport
If you have not done so already, you should apply for a passport from your home country. A valid passport is required for all persons wishing to enter the United States. Passports should be valid at least six months into the future.
Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the opportunity for F-1 students to apply knowledge gained in their degree program to off-campus work. All work during OPT must be directly related to your level and field of study. OPT is recommended by the International Programs Office (IPO) and authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Normal processing time for this authorization is 60 to 90 days.
Meet the 2019 Orientation Leaders! This group of current international students are looking forward to meeting new students and helping you to get settled in Youngstown and on campus! Please contact any of the Orientation Leaders with any questions you may have. They are eager to help!
Undergraduate Student - Physics - Nepal
After you receive your visa, make your travel arrangements for Youngstown, Ohio. It is most efficient to arrive directly, or by connecting flight, at one of the following airports: Akron, Cleveland or Pittsburgh. Greyhound bus service is also available directly to Youngstown, visit greyhound.com for more information. There are also private transportation providers.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the opportunity for F-1 students to apply knowledge gained in their degree program to off-campus work. All work during OPT must be directly related to your level and field of study. OPT is recommended by IPO and authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Normal processing time for this authorization is 60 to 90 days.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization that allows F-1 students to participate in paid off-campus academic internships during their degree program. The purpose of CPT is academic, not just for employment purposes and the internship must be an integral or required part of a student’s degree program. The IPO authorizes CPT, and you must receive authorization (in the form of new CPT I-20) BEFORE you may begin working.
Portal