Students need three documents in order to enter the U.S. to study at Stanford:

1. a valid passport,

2. a certificate of eligibility for an F-1 or J-1 visa, and

3. an F-1 or J-1 visa stamp

(students from Canada do not need the visa stamp, but we do suggest entering with a passport and, of course, the I-20).

The F-1 and J-1 visas are the only types of student visas used at Stanford University. The I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa) or the DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa) will be used to obtain either the F-1 visa stamp or the J-1 visa stamp at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence.

I-20's for new graduate students and students returning from a leave of absence are issued by the Graduate Admissions Support Section, and subsequent I-20's are issued by the Bechtel International Center. DS-2019's are processed by the Bechtel International Center at the request of the Graduate Admissions Support Section (Old Union, Room 136).

F-1 visa holders may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the date indicated in section 5 of the I-20. J-1 visa holders may enter up to 30 days before the date indicated in section 3 of the DS-2019.  We do not recommend that you to enter on a tourist visa and then attempt to change status within the U.S. The immigration bureau may not approve this change of status (especially if they knew that you would be attending school in the near future). The request for changing status could take 2-3+ months, and you will not be allowed to work on-campus until the approval is granted. You will also jeopardize your ability to work off-campus the summer of your first year as a student.

WARNING: Do NOT enter the U.S. under the WT visa waiver program, since it will be impossible for you to change to a student visa, or any other visa within the United States.

The following will help you decide which type of visa is most appropriate to your needs.

COMPARISONS BETWEEN F AND J VISA TYPES

A. ON-Campus Employment BEFORE Graduation

F-1 AND J-1 Visa Holders
On-campus employment is permitted for registered full-time foreign students for no more than twenty hours per week during the regular academic year. (A 50% RA/TA is already considered to be working 20hrs. per week) Full- time on-campus work is allowed during summer vacation and during breaks between quarters.

• F-1 students do not require authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (USCIS) or from the Bechtel International Center (I- Center) for work on campus.
• J-1 students must first obtain approval in writing from your Responsible Officer (sponsor); in many cases, that will be the Bechtel International Center.

B. OFF-Campus Employment BEFORE Graduation

1. F-1 Visa Holders
F-1 visa holders have several possibilities for pre-graduation off-campus employment authorization:

a. Optional Practical Training
Students in valid F-1 status receive 12 months of Optional Practical Training, which may be used before or after graduation. Most students save it for use after graduation. Optional Practical Training requires that the student receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS.
Students must first apply to the foreign student advisor at the I-Center, who proposes the practical training on the student's I-20. The student then requests an EAD from the USCIS.
Part-time employment (20 or fewer hours per week) under Optional Practical Training is deducted from the student's remaining Optional Practical Training at a half-time rate (i.e., if you work part time for four months before you graduate, you will have ten months of Optional Practical Training remaining). Full-time Curricular Practical Training (see below) is also deducted from Optional Practical Training only if you participate for twelve months or more.
Students must have been in valid F-1 visa status for at least 9 months before applying for Optional Practical Training.

b. Curricular Practical Training
This is defined as off-campus employment which is undertaken as part of a student's academic program.Students must have been in valid F-1 (D/S) status for the academic year (9 months) before applying for Curricular Practical Training. Students must sign up for a Curricular Practical Training course which meets the requirements of the Immigration & Naturalization Service, and apply for authorization from the Bechtel International Center. Part-time (i.e., 20 hours or less per week) Curricular Practical Training is not deducted from Optional Practical Training. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in full-time Curricular Practical Training but if you participate for twelve months or more, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training.

c. Internship with an International Organization.
This work authorization may be granted if the employment is based with a recognized international organization (i.e. Organization of American States, African Development Fund, The World Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction & Development). Students are required to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS before beginning employment.

d Economic Necessity
Under very rare circumstances, limited employment authorization may also be given to F-1 students who can demonstrate that they have been placed under severe financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control which arose after their arrival in the United States. This type of employment is authorized by the USCIS.

Note: Employment under Optional Practical Training, Curricular Practical Training, and the International Internship employment must be related to the student's academic field of study.

2. J-1 Visa Holders

Off-campus employment (Academic Training) prior to graduation is available to J-1 visa holders. Curricular Practical Training as outlined above is NOT available to J-1 visa holders. As noted in the regulations, Academic Training may be authorized for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time...is approved by [both] the academic dean or advisor and ....the responsible officer. (If Stanford University is your sponsor, please submit your documents to the responsible officer (Foreign student advisor) at the Bechtel International Center).

Academic training is flexible in its format and offers a variety of employment situations to supplement your academic program in the United States. As long as you stay within the stipulated time limits, it lets you work part-time while classes are in session and full-time, during vacation periods. Academic Training may not exceed the period of full course of study or 18 months, whichever is shorter. Any Academic Training approved before completion of your program will be deducted from your total remaining time of Academic Training.

To qualify for Academic Training you must first obtain approval in writing from your sponsor (Responsible Officer); in many cases that will be the Bechtel International Center. After your proposed employment has been evaluated in terms of your program of study and your individual circumstances, it is then decided whether it would be appropriate or not. If Stanford University is not your sponsor (i.e. USIA/Fulbright, LASPAU), please contact your J-1 Responsible Officer concerning your possibilities of employment. [Under rare circumstances, limited employment authorization may be given to J-1 students who can demonstrate that they have been placed under severe financial hardship due to circumstances beyond their control which arose after their arrival in the United States. Ignorance of the J-1 visa regulations regarding off-campus work permission does NOT constitute severe financial hardship.]

C. Off-Campus Employment AFTER Graduation

1. F-1 Visa Holders

As previously mentioned, the majority of students use most or all of their 12 months of Optional Practical Training after they graduate, in the form of Post-Completion Practical Training. Post-Completion Practical Training is limited to 12 months and may not be extended. When students apply for this work authorization, they extend their F-1 status in the United States. As discussed in section B.1.a-b, pre-completion Optional Practical Training and full-time Curricular Practical Training (if you participate for 12 months or longer) are deducted from the 12 month total. Post- Completion Practical Training must be related to the student's field of academic study. Post-Completion Practical Training requires an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which is issued by the USCIS. Students apply first to the foreign student advisor at the I-Center, who proposes practical training on the student's I-20, and then to the USCIS, which issues the EAD .The time frame for first year students to apply to the immigration bureau for Post-Completion Practical training is no earlier than 90 days prior to the date of graduation. Immigration regulations also state that your request must be received by the Cal. Service Center no later than the date of completion of your degree. Students do NOT need to have a job offer in order to qualify for Post-Completion Practical Training. Note: Sixty days reflects the period of time F-1 students are still in status before departing from the United States.

2. J-1 Visa Holders

For Academic Training during and after completion of a program the limit is 18 months which includes all Academic Training, whether before or after completion of studies, and the training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study. The student must submit a written offer of appropriate employment to the International Center within 30 days after the date of graduation, or lose eligibility for Academic Training. If you are under Stanford University's sponsorship, the foreign student advisor at the I-Center may authorize a maximum of 18 months of Academic Practical Training.

D. Employment of Dependents (F-2 and J-2 visa holders)

1. F-1 Visa Holders

F-2 visa holders (dependents of F-1 visa holders) are not permitted to work in the United States under any circumstances whatsoever.

2. J-1 Visa Holders

J-2 visa holders (dependents of J-1 visa holders) may apply to the USCIS for employment authorization provided that they can demonstrate that their earnings are not needed to support the J-1 visa holder. J-2 visa holders do not need a job offer in order to apply for the Employment Authorization Document.

OTHER INFORMATION TO CONSIDER
*WARNING: If you are a non-immigrant currently residing in the U.S. with an H-1b, L-1, G-1, B-2 or other visa and will be attending Stanford, you are strongly encouraged to change your visa status to F-1 or J-1 before beginning attendance at Stanford. If you start the procedure for a change of status (i.e. from H-1B to F-1) during the first quarter of enrollment you will not qualify for off-campus employment during the summer . Current USCIS regulations stipulate that a student must be in F-1 visa status for one academic year (nine months) prior to being employed off-campus. Although USCIS regulations allow students to enroll pending approval of their change of status, all employment (on and off-campus) is strictly prohibited.

*While USCIS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in non-immigrant status, working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. You should therefore consult with your foreign student advisor before taking up any employment. It is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations which apply to your student visa. Staff at the Bechtel International Center can advise you regarding your responsibilities. If you fail to comply with your responsibilities, you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to students on non-immigrant visas.

*An F-1 student is admitted to the United States for "duration of status," noted as D/S on both Form 1-94 (arrival/departure record) and Form 1-20 ID. Duration of status means the period during which the student is pursuing a full course of study, followed by the period of practical training after graduation, plus 60 days to prepare for departure from the U.S., or the period up to the date indicated for "completion of studies" in section #5 of the I-20, whichever comes first. If the student is still pursuing a full course of study but will not be able to graduate by the date indicated for "completion of studies," he or she must apply for a "program extension" at the Bechtel I-Center before that date.

*If a J-1 student is not able to graduate before the expiration date in section #3 of the DS-2019, he or she must apply through his or her sponsor for a program extension before the expiration date. *The Immigration & Naturalization Service (USCIS) does NOT allow students (under the same visa sponsor) to change visa types (from F-1 to J-1 or J-1 to F-1) within the United States. Most unmarried Stanford students enter the United States on the F-1 visa.

*Students that are sponsored by the USIA (i.e. Fulbright Scholarships) must enter the United States on a J-1 visa.

*Prospective J-1 students who are substantially financed by personal or family income may not enter the United States under the J-1 visa program. For the purpose of issuing the DS-2019, Stanford University has designated that support of over 50% by personal or family income (including bank loans or loans from friends) would disqualify a student from the issuance of an DS-2019. NOTE: Company funding is permitted for issuance of the J-1 visa as long as personal or family funding does NOT exceed 50% of the total yearly budget for each year the student attends school. For example, a student admitted to a 2 year Master's degree program that show 100% company funding for the first year and 100% persoan/family funding for the second year does NOT qualify for the J-1 visa.

*Students on J-1 visas might have a 2 year home country residency requirement. This requirement stipulates under Section 212(e) of the Immigration Naturalization Act that certain J-1 visa participants are required to reside "at least 2 years in the countries of their nationalities or their last residences after leaving the United States." Contact your local embassy to see if this rule applies to you. It is extremely difficult to obtain a waiver of this requirement.

*J-1 Insurance requirement As an Exchange Visitor in the United States, under a rule effective September 1, 1994, you must carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2 dependents for the full duration of your J program. Government regulations stipulate that if, after that date, you willfully fail to carry health insurance for yourself and your dependents, your J-1 sponsor must terminate your program, and report the termination to the United States Information Agency (USIA) in Washington. The reason for the requirement„and the need for health insurance It is dangerous to be in the United States without adequate health insurance. Although in many countries the government bears the expense of health care for its citizens, and sometimes even for visitors, individuals and families in the United States are responsible for these costs themselves. Since a single day of hospitalization and medical treatment can cost thousands of dollars, many hospitals and doctors refuse to treat uninsured patients except in life-threatening emergencies. Most Americans rely on insurance, and you should do the same. Insurance gives you access to better and more timely health care, and provides the only protection against the enormous costs of health care in this country.

Requesting a Visa Document:
NOTE: Roughly 90% of international students at Stanford are on the F-1 visa, and not all students automatically qualify for the J-1 visa. Frequently, J-1 students are funded by their home country government or by a "50%" Stanford Research/Teaching Assistantship or Fellowship.

To receive a Certificate of Eligibility for an F-1 or J-1 visa, the following are required:

1. Response to Offer of Admission indicating intention to enroll at Stanford.

2. Verification of adequate funding for at least nine months of graduate study. *Note: F-1 students may show 9 months (an academic year) worth of funding, but J-1 students will be required to show funding for all of the period of stay at the time of application. So if you period of study will be 4 years, then you must show 4 years worth of funding.

. If you have an award from Stanford or from another source, you must provide verification of support for any difference between your award and the estimated budget. Personal funds must be verified by a bank statement or letter of support from another scholarship source.

PLEASE NOTE: We will begin processing Certificates of Eligibility for visas in early June for the following Autumn Quarter. It is very important that you allow sufficient time for the preparation and mailing of the I-20 or the DS-2019. (i.e. be careful about making flight arrangements to travel to the U.S. without having your F or J (certificate of eligibility) visa document in order.) These forms will NOT be sent by express mail, courier service or FAX. Initial I-20's are issued by the Graduate Admissions Support Section. DS-2019's are issued by the Bechtel International Center at the request of the Graduate Admissions Support Section. Visa documents will be mailed pending completion of requirements. Students attending Stanford's Summer English Program or Stanford's Summer Session prior to the start of the academic year MUST inform the Graduate Admissions Support Section of these intentions in order to facilitate the issuance of one I-20 or DS-2019 that will reflect the total period of study.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER STUDENTS
Under new federal regulations, if you plan to transfer to Stanford University from another U.S. school, you must notify your "current school" of your intent to transfer to Stanford University. Upon receipt of request, a Designated School Official (DSO) at your previous school will update your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) (... that is, if you are already in the SEVIS data base) as a "transfer out" and indicate Stanford University as the school you will now be attending, and enter a release date.

Note: Although you may be applying to multiple new schools, the DSO may indicate only one transfer school in SEVIS. Also, your transfer release date will be the end of the current term or session, unless you can document a need for an earlier release date. If you currently hold a SEVIS based document from your previous school, the Graduate Admissions Office at Stanford will not be able to issue you a new SEVIS form I-20 until after the transfer release date. Once you have obtained a "transfer I-20" from Stanford, please come by the I-Center for further assistance. Please bring your Stanford issued I-20, your passport, I-94 card (arrival departure record card), a brief letter from your DSO at your previous school stating that "to the best of my knowledge the student named above maintained F-1 status while attending school," and a photocopy of your previous I-20 to the I-Center (Information Desk, second floor lobby) to initiate the rest of the visa sponsorship procedure within 15 days of registering at Stanford (usually the first week of school). WARNING: All who fail to do this transfer procedure will fall out of legal immigrant status.

Arrival at Stanford

San Francisco Airport
If you arrive at the San Francisco Airport, a shuttle service called the Airport Connection will take you directly to the Stanford campus. They operate hourly during the day and early evening. For information and reservations, call (650) 401-8300, or toll free (within the U.S.) at 1-888-876-1777. You can also dial 7-0901 on an airport white courtesy phone for pick-up locations. The trip to Stanford takes approximately 35 minutes but fairs could vary depending on your arrival. (6am-10pm 58.00 dollars plus tip / later hours could cost 10 dollars more... after 12 midnight 30 dollars more...) The Airport Connection's web is: www.airportconnection.com

The Sam Trans Bus ((800) 660-4287) also offers transportation from the San Francisco Airport to Palo Alto. The "KX" bus leaves the airport every half hour between 5:53 a.m. until 11:08 on weekdays. (You may want to see: www.samtrans.com for more information.) Be sure to take a bus going to Palo Alto, not San Francisco. Exact change ($1.25) is required. The ride takes about one hour, and the closest destination is the Stanford Shopping Center. From the shopping center, you can take a taxi a short distance to campus (during regular business hours).

San Jose Airport
If you arrive at the San Jose Airport, the Airport Connection (see phone numbers listed above) will take you to the Stanford campus. The trip takes about 25 minutes, but is more expensive than arriving at SFO. (The cost is 78.00 dollars plus tip!) There is no direct bus service from the San Jose Airport to the Stanford campus.

We recommend that you not arrive at Stanford after 9:00 p.m., as it is difficult to find a hotel late in the evening. One of the least expensive hotels near the San Francisco Airport is the Travelodge Inn ($69, phone 650-583-9600 / www.travelodge.com). The hotel provides free transportation to and from the airport. You can also phone different hotels from the baggage areas.
If you still have questions regarding your visa status, please contact the Bechtel International Center, P.O.Box 20227, Stanford, CA 94309, USA. FAX (650) 725-0886, e-mail: internationalstudents@STANFORD.EDU Please note that the International Center cannot return international faxes or phone calls.