Announcements

End of the Fall 2022 Semester Reminders

Please review important End of the Semester Reminders below regarding:

Immigration Documents (Expiring, starting a new program, or dismissal)
Travel (Short-term OR leaving the U.S. and not returning)
Work (On-Campus during break, AT, and OPT)

ISS will have different hours of operation the week of December 19-23. The University of Kansas (including the ISS office) will be closed December 24, 2022, to January 2, 2023. We will re-open Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

You have limited time to submit a request and receive approval from ISS regarding travel, employment, extension requests, and academic issues. The deadline for approval of any request will be December 23.

Immigration Documents

Is your I-20 or DS-2019 expiring?

Apply for an extension BEFORE the expiration date on your I-20 or DS-2019 if you have not finished your program. Failure to extend your I-20 or DS-2019 is a violation of legal status. Submit the appropriate extension request in iHawk AND follow ISS instructions to get the extension processed by December 23, 2022.

Are you starting a new program at KU?

F-1 students beginning a new degree next semester at KU must get a new I-20 within 60 days of finishing their current program. J-1 students need a new DS-2019 before their current one expires, or within 30 days of finishing their current program – whichever date is earlier.

Do you plan to transfer to a new school?

F-1 and J-1 students wanting to continue or begin a new degree at another school must have their SEVIS record electronically transferred to the new school. This process can be completed only after you are admitted to the new school. Transfers cannot be approved later than 60 days after the program completion date (for F 1 students) and later than 30 days after the program completion date (for J-1 students). Please submit a transfer out request in iHawk, in the “Leaving KU” task.

Have you been dismissed from your program?

If you are in F-1 status and are being dismissed from KU for academic reasons, you have 21 days from the date of your dismissal to be admitted and transfer your SEVIS record to another institution OR be admitted to another program at KU. You should complete the appropriate form in iHawk to request the transfer out, and meet with an ISS advisor during drop-in advising hours.

Travel

Are you traveling internationally over Winter Break?

Please read about documents needed while traveling and for re-entry. F-1 students can request an electronic travel signature through iHawk under Student Services. Electronic travel signatures will be ready in 5 business days. You can also bring your I-20 or your DS-2019* to ISS for a physical travel signature. Your document will be ready for pick up after 2 business days.

*Students with a DS-2019 issued by a sponsor other than KU will need to obtain the signature from their program sponsor noted in section #2 of the DS-2019.

Are you leaving the U.S. and not returning?

If you will graduate this semester and will leave the U.S., please submit the “Leaving KU” e-form in iHawk. Students are allowed a grace period to depart the U.S. following completion of studies at KU - officially May 31 for Spring, August 1 for Summer, or December 31 for Fall graduates. Non-degree students will need to check their DS-2019 form for their specific end date.

If planning to leave the U.S. without graduating, students should complete the “Leaving KU” (Withdrawing from/Leaving KU Before Finishing Program) e-form through iHawk.

Work

On-Campus Work

According to immigration laws, F-1 students (and J-1 students with written authorization) are allowed to work full-time on campus when school is not in session (December 24-January 16). KU will allow students to work 8 hours each day of the break, not to exceed 40 hours for the work week.

J-1 Academic Training

If you are graduating this semester, you must submit a request for Academic Training in iHawk and receive approval within 30 days of the end date of the DS-2019 form.

F-1 Optional Practical Training

If you are graduating this semester, then you must request an OPT I-20 and submit I-765 application to USCIS within 60 days of your program completion date. In most cases, the completion date is December 31, 2022 for Fall graduates.

If you have questions, please contact iss@ku.edu or call 785-864-3617.

Volunteers Needed for International Connections Program

International Support Services is looking for KU faculty and staff members to volunteer to participate in its new initiative: the International Connections Program. This program pairs an international student with a faculty or staff member with the purpose of building relationships and fostering cultural exchange. Participating faculty and staff members will have the opportunity to learn about a new culture while providing a welcoming environment and support to a KU international student.

The International Connections Program pairs an international student with a KU faculty or staff member for the purpose of building relationships and fostering cultural exchange. Participating faculty and staff members will have the opportunity to learn about a new culture while providing a welcoming environment and support to a KU international student. How often you meet and what you do is up to you and your matched student! Some examples include inviting your student to a home cooked meal with your family, celebrating special occasions and holidays together, and participating in any other events that would enhance the student’s experience and comprehension of U.S. culture.

Through the program, we hope international students become immersed in American culture and, in return, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about a culture different from their own all while forming an international friendship.

You can find more information about the International Connections Program here or if you would like to sign up, you can find the Faculty/Staff Application form here.

If you any questions or concerns about the program, please feel free to contact Josh Smith at joshsmith@ku.edu.