Bramson ORT College
international students


International Students Advisor (ISO)

The International Students Advisor-assists Bramson ORT College’s International students in obtaining and maintaining the U.S., F-1 Visa and Immigration Status, so that they may enter the U.S. for the purpose of studying at the College.

The Office also assists the dependents of Bramson ORT College Students in obtaining and maintaining the F-2 Visa/Immigration Status, so that they may enter and stay in the U.S., along with their spouse or parent(s).

ISO Provides the Bramson ORT College International Students with:

  • Documents, procedures, and advice for obtaining and maintaining F-1
    International Student and Exchange Visitor Visa and Immigration Status.
  • Employment advice and authorization.
  • Travel advice and authorization for entering the U.S.
  • Information and advice regarding U. S. health insurance.
  • Information on available International students scholarships
  • Information on obtaining a Driver's License

HOW TO ENTER THE U.S. LEGALLY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

  • You must have a valid passport.
  • You must have a valid f-1 visa.
  • You must have a valid I-20 from Bramson ORT College.
  • You must have the back of your I-20 signed by your International Student Advisor in order to re-enter the U.S.

ISO Advice - Advice For International Students

  1. ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ADVISORS OFFICE FOR CURRENT AND ACCURATE VISA AND IMMIGRATION INFORMATION, INCLUDING RELEVANT WEB SITES FOR STUDENTS.
  2. Always obtain and maintain a valid passport, I-20 and I-94.
  3. Always bring your passport, I-94 and all I-20s to the international students office when seeking advice. Do not bring photocopies of these documents.
  4. Always check with the international student services office at least two weeks before leaving the U.S., and before seeking employment.
  5. Always register as a full time student and pay your tuition before leaving the U.S. for vacation.
  6. Always obtain written permission from your international student advisor in order to enter/re-enter the U.S. (see back of I-20).
  7. Always notify the Bramson ORT College Registrar’s and International Students Advisor’s office within 10 days of your address change. It is a USCIS (INS) Requirement.
  8. Always be in F-1 immigration status before you register for courses.
  9. Always obtain written permission from your international student advisor in order to enter/re-enter the U.S. (see back of I-20).

ISO Advice- Maintain Your Legal Status

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR LEGAL F-1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IMMIGRATION STATUS AFTER YOU HAVE ARRIVED TO STUDY AT BRAMSON ORT COLLEGE.

  1. Have an F-1 immigration status before registering for courses.
  2. Keep your passport, I-20 and I-94 valid at all times
  3. Keep your F-1 immigration status valid at all times
    • Obtain and maintain a valid Bramson ORT College I-20.
    • Be a full time student
    • Maintain a good grade point average at all times.
    • Do not work illegally.
    • Receive written travel authorization from the international student advisor at least two weeks before you leave the u.s. So that you will be permitted to re-enter the u.s. Following your overseas stay.
    • Enter the u.s. With a valid passport, valid i-20 and a valid F-1 visa.
    • Transfer your I-20 from your previous U.S. Institution to Bramson ORT College before the first day of class.
    • Notify the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and Bramson ORT College International Student Services Office within 10 days, after changing your U.S. Address.

F-1 & F-2 VISAS

  • An international student needs the F-1 Visa to legally enter the U.S. for the purpose of studying in the U.S.
  • The international student’s spouse and children need the F-2 Visa to legally enter the U.S.
  • The F Visa is a U.S. State Department document that can only be obtained at the U.S. Consulate in the student’s home country.

Steps for Obtaining the F-1 or F-2 Visa:

  1. Submit College admissions application.
  2. Submit translated and notarized high school diploma and or records.
  3. Receive notification of College admissions.
  4. Submit Affidavit of Support Form (I-134) to ISSO.
  5. ISO reviews Affidavit of Support and determines financial eligibility for issuance of the I-20. See Pre I-20 Package.
  6. ISO mails I-20 document(s) to student (and dependents).
  7. Student (and dependents) receive I-20, pay SEVIS I-901 fee and make an appointment at the U.S. Consulate.
  8. Student takes passport & SEVIS receipt payment (I-901) to nearest U.S. Consulate to apply for the F-1 or F-2 Visa.

MAINTAINING THE F1 VISA IMMIGRATION STATUS

Steps for Maintaining the F-1 Visa/Immigration Status:

  1. Have an F-1 Immigration Status before beginning your program.
  2. Check in with ISO to verify your F-1 Status at the beginning and end of each semester.
  3. Keep your passport, I-94 and I-20 and I-94 valid at all times.
  4. Keep your F-1 Immigration Status valid at all times by:
    • Obtaining and maintaining a valid Bramson ORT College I-20.
    • Be a full time student when enrolled at Bramson ORT College. Part time status may be authorized due to certain Academic reasons or medical condition.
      Request part time due to academic reasons.
      Request part time due to medical condition.
    • As a student, maintain a good grade point average at all times (C average or better for Associate degree students)
    • Do not work illegally.
    • Receive written travel authorization from the International Students Advisor and the U.S., so that you will be permitted to re-enter the U.S. following your overseas stay.
    • Enter the U.S with a valid passport, valid I-20 and valid F-1 visa.
    • Have your previous U.S. institution release your SEVIS I-20 to the Bramson ORT College International. (Ask the Bramson ORT College-ISO Advisor about this. F's, also see SEVIS I-20 Release Form.
    • Notify Bramson ORT College International Students Advisor’s Office within 5-7 days, after changing your U.S. address.

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD/NUMBER

In order to obtain a Social Security Card/Number, International Students must take the following documents to the Social Security Office listed below:

  • Original passport
  • F-1 or J-1 Visa • Original I-94
  • I-20 with INS-DSO’s signatory approval (See Int’l Student Advisor)
    * International students must place themselves on a list available at Registrar’s
  • Letter from Int’l Student Services Office with EIN # -Employment • Identification Number (See Int’l Student Advisor)
  • Letter of job offer from employer
  • Employment authorization letter (for F-1’s)

FOR ADDITIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION CALL: 1-800-772-1213 OR VISIT www.socialsecurity.gov

Take all documents above to the: SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS, NY

Please note, all of this is applicable after students have completed six months at Bramson ORT College.

Employment

HOW TO WORK LEGALLY UNDER THE F-1 IMMIGRATION STATUS

All international students must be in valid F-1 immigration status for 9 months in order to be eligible to work. Students will need to receive written permission or a recommendation from the Bramson ORT College International Student Advisor before engaging in any kind of work.

EMPLOYMENT FOR STUDENTS IN F-1 STATUS

This section provides an overview of the types of employment authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for students in F-1 Status. SEE CAUTION, ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & CATEGORIES OF F-1 EMPLOYMENT BELOW

CAUTION: Working without authorization is a serious immigration violation. USCIS regulations provide the F-1 student with a variety of employment possibilities. It is important and beneficial for the F-1 student to know in advance the different ways that he or she can legally work. Employment guidelines and advice can be obtained at the Bramson ORT College, International Students Advisor’s Office.

ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Employment under F-1 regulations requires the student to maintain legal F-1 Status. Legal F-1 Status means you must do the following:

  1. Have a valid passport.
  2. have an I-20 from the school currently attending
  3. follow procedures for releasing SEVIS I-20 from previous U.S. institution to current school.
  4. carry a full course of study. You must be registered as an undergraduate for 12 credits or as a graduate for 9 credits during each semester. If you drop below this number at any time during the semester you are not maintaining lawful F-1 status. If you are not registered for courses during any semester you are not maintaining lawful F-1 status.
  5. refrain from working without employment authorization.

Other requirements exist for each type of F-1 employment. After reviewing, the categories of F-1 employment below, ask an International Student Advisor about specific requirements for each category or pick-up detailed information at ISO.

DEFINITION OF “EMPLOYMENT” “Employment” is any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. If you receive no pay or other benefit for work performed, this activity is not defined as “employment” but is considered to be “volunteer work”.

Categories of F-1 Employment

 
 
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