International Student Resources

F1 (student) status is given at the Port of Entry (POE) by an immigration official. F1 status is given to those entering the United States who present a valid SEVIS I-20 and F1 visa. Students must also be able to demonstrate a non-immigrant intent and that they plan to engage in full-time study.

F1 status will also be given an expiration date at the POE. Most often, F1 status is given an expiration of “D/S,” which stands for Duration of Status. This designation means that so long as a student remains in status, they may remain in the country.

The immigration status and expiration of that status are assigned by the immigration official at the POE and noted on the I-94 and I-20.

In order to remain in status, students must principally do the following:

•Pursue a “full course of study.” This means that F1 students CANNOT drop below full time (15 units) at any time. PERMISSION TO DROP BELOW FULL TIME CAN ONLY BE GRANTED BY A DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL (DSO) IN THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES (ISS) OFFICE. F1 students may only receive permission to drop below full time ONCE.

•Do not engage in unauthorized employment. F1 student may only work on campus and are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year. PERMISSION TO WORK OFF CAMPUS MUST BE COMPLETED THROUGH ISS PRIOR TO WHEN THE WORK BEGINS.

F1 Students must also:

• Get a signature on page 3 of the I-20 from ISS before traveling outside of the United States (signature is officially “good” for one year, but no older than 6 months is recommended.
• Make normal progress towards completion the course of study, by completing studies before the expiration of the program completion date on I-20
• Properly follow extension of stay procedures if program will not be completed by program completion date on I-20.
• Report to the DSO for Initial Registration in SEVIS
• Abide by grace period rules

F1 students should also maintain all immigration paperwork and documents:

• Passport should always have at least 6 months of validity remaining
• I-20 (3 pages) should be kept with passport and properly endorsed at the post of entry with “F1 D/S”
• I-94 should be stapled into passport and properly endorsed at the Port of entry with “F1 D/S”

Questions about F1 status may be addressed to the International Student Services Office.

J1(student) status is given at the Port of Entry (POE) by an immigration official. J1 status is given to those entering the United States who present a valid SEVIS DS- 2019 and J1 visa. Students must also be able to demonstrate a non-immigrant intent and that they plan to engage in full-time study.

J1 status will also be given an expiration date at the POE. Most often, J1 status is given an expiration of “D/S,” which stands for Duration of Status. This designation means that so long as a student remains in status, they may remain in the country.

The immigration status and expiration of that status are assigned by the immigration official at the POE and noted on the I-94 and DS - 2019.

In order to remain in status, students must principally do the following:

• Pursue a “full course of study.” This means that J1 students CANNOT drop below full time (15 units) at any time. PERMISSION TO DROP BELOW FULL TIME CAN ONLY BE GRANTED BY A DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL (DSO) IN THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES (ISS) OFFICE. F1 students may only receive permission to drop below full time ONCE.
• Do not engage in unauthorized employment. F1 student may only work on campus and are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year. PERMISSION TO WORK OFF CAMPUS MUST BE COMPLETED THROUGH ISS PRIOR TO WHEN THE WORK BEGINS.

J1 Students must also:

• Get a signature on page 3 of the DS 2019 from ISS before traveling outside of the United States (signature is officially “good” for one year, but no older than 6 months is recommended).
• Make normal progress towards completion the course of study, by completing studies before the expiration of the program completion date on DS 2019
• Properly follow extension of stay procedures if program will not be completed by program completion date on DS 2019
• Report to the DSO for Initial Registration in SEVIS
• Abide by grace period rules

DS 2019 students should also maintain all immigration paperwork and documents:

•     Passport should always have at least 6 months of validity remaining
•     DS-2019 (3 pages) should be kept with passport and properly endorsed at the post of entry with “F1 D/S”
•     I-94 should be stapled into passport and properly endorsed at the Port of entry with “F1 D/S”

Questions about F1 status may be addressed to the International Student Services Office.

ISS Information Sheet: How to Get a Driver License.pdf

Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Web Resources:
Obtaining a State ID
Applying for a Driver License

Social Security Administration Web Resources:
Applying for a Social Security Card 
International Students and Social Security Numbers

All immigration related paperwork is mailed via international express mail. Student’s account will be charged for the cost of postage if the package was sent outside of regular office procedures.  Students may request office to express mail packages on their behalf and have the charges applied to their account.

Regular mail sent through the United States Postal Service should be addressed in the following way:

Name of Recipient (if known)
International House
711 East Boldt Way
Appleton, WI 54911-5626

Visitors, deliveries, or express/courier service (UPS, Federal Express, DHL) packages being sent to International House should use the following street address:

Name of Recipient (if known)
International House
739 East Boldt Way
Appleton, WI 54911

Telephone: (920) 832-6509
Fax: (920) 832-7026
Email: internationalhouse@lawrence.edu

International House maintains locked storage areas for international students and students participating in off-campus study. The storage will be open before the beginning and at the end of every term. Please contact International Student Services, for any immediate assistance.

For information about obtaining housing over breaks (including the summer), please contact International Student Services at internationalhouse@lawrence.edu.