PROSPECTIVE
CURRENT
SCHOLARSHIPS
INCOMING
OUTGOING
FULBRIGHT
INTENSIVE
ENGLISH
SHORT
TERM PROGRAMS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MEET
THE STAFF
CONTACT US
SITE MAP
IQ (FRIDAY PARTIES)
SATURDAY EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL WEEK
PHOTO GALLERY
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is it “safe” for me to go home at Christmas?
A. If you have a valid visa that will not expire before your return, you will have no problem returning in time for classes in January. However, you may be subject to Special Registration upon your re-entry, so leave at least four hours between connecting flights.
Q. What if my visa is expired or will expire before I return?
A. The process to get a visa takes much longer now. Factors
that will delay the processing include any previous trips to Iran, Iraq,
Syria, Sudan, or Libya; any police record in the United States, including
unpaid parking tickets; any problems with the FBI; or having a name similar
to people who’ve had problems with any of those agencies. In addition,
you will need to fill out additional forms to apply for the visa. Those
forms are available at the Joyner House. Although regulations only require
these special forms for males between the ages of 16 and 45, many embassies
are requiring ALL applicants to fill them out. Suggestion: fill them out
for everyone in your family ahead of time to speed up the process.
It is possible your visa will not be processed in time to return for classes
in January. You should evaluate this risk in advance. Classes begin January
13, 2003. The last day to add classes is January 21, 2003. The last day
to drop classes is January 27, 2003.
Q. What is Special Registration and am I subject to it?
A. Special Registration involves being fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed at the Port of Entry upon arrival in the United States. After you’ve become subject to this, you then must go to a specific INS office for another interview 30 days after your arrival, and again annually after that as long as you stay in the U.S. You must use only designated airports for departures and arrivals once you’re assigned to Special Registration. Denver is one of the designated airports.
Although only citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, and Libya are mandatory subjects to Special Registration, it is left to the discretion of each individual INS agent at each border to assign anyone to it. Reasons they might choose: Any previous visit to one of the five countries previously listed; being a citizen of one of the 21 other countries that are expected to be added to the list in the near future, including Saudi Arabia; or the INS agent believes you look suspicious. The agent does not have to justify why they choose you for Special Registration. They might choose you even though you’re traveling with your spouse and children. Generally speaking, as long as you are courteous, they will be courteous.
Q. What is SEVIS?
A. SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a database that will help the INS and the Department of State keep better track of visitors. This program was started prior to Sept. 11, 2001, but Congress mandated full implementation by January 30, 2003. Eventually all of the Ports of Entry will be connected to this system. Please see the SEVIS handout.
Q. How does SEVIS affect me?
A. In order to continue enrolling international students, every university in the United States must reapply to the INS and become certified. Part of this process involves being audited by the INS for complete and correct documentation of international students, accreditation, financial stability, and other issues.
After January 30, all students will need to be enrolled in SEVIS. You will be contacted for an appointment to come in and verify all of your current information for entry into this database.
Each school will be required to report changes within a certain time frame for each student, including address, change of major, extension of time, and mistakes, such as under-enrollment.
