U.S. Immigration Regulations & Procedures For Students in the United States
Special Registration
- Special registration is now conducted at ports-of-entry (airports). You are no longer required to report to local immigration offices annually, unless specifically advised to do so by immigration authorities.
- You are no longer required to file form AR11 (address change form). Instead, you must report your change of address to your International Program Office within 5 days of that change. The International Officer will then update your address in SEVIS.
Entering the United States
- The special registration process at the port-of-entry remains the same. You will be fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed under oath. Your documentation must be valid and current (passport and I-20 form). The Immigration Officer will stamp both copies of your I-20 and return page 3 to you.
- A continuing student whose visa has expired must apply for a new visa at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait after exiting the U.S.
- If you are transferring schools and you are entering with an I-20 for the new school, be sure that you have completed the transfer procedures for the new school and that your transfer to the new school has been recorded in SEVIS.
Departing the United States
- Students subject to special registration must depart the U.S. via Special Ports of Departure (POD). If you fail to do so, you may be banned from entering the U.S.
- You must report to an Immigration Officer at the airport to register your departure from the U.S.
- Arrive early since it is sometimes difficult to locate immigration authorities.
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the new electronic database is now fully operational. This system allows universities to maintain correct information on students including academic and enrollment status and addresses. The data is available to all U.S. immigration officers and U.S. embassies throughout the world.
Schools are required to report to the BCIS (formerly, INS) the following information on international students:
- Failure of the student to maintain status or complete the degree program.
- Change of the student’s or dependent’s U.S. address or legal name.
- Students who have graduated early or prior to the program end date.
- Disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of conviction of a crime.
- Students who either fail to register or drop below full course of study each term.
- The start date of the students’ next semester.
- Any other information requested by SEVIS to the Designated School Office (DSO – usually an assigned person in the International School Office) with regards to a student’s current status.
Students are required to pay a SEVIS fee of $200.00.
Student Compliance with U.S. Immigration
- You are not allowed to arrive in the U.S. earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date as indicated on the I-20.
- You are required to attend, for at least one term, the school listed on the I-20 used to enter the U.S.
- Register with the International Student Office of your school when you arrive on campus for the first time. It is a good idea to check with the International Student Adviser at least once per term to make sure you are in compliance with BCIS rules.
- All students are required to report to the International Student Office any change in U.S. and/or home country address within 5 days of that change.
- You must maintain fulltime enrollment. This is defined as follows:
- 12 credits per term for undergraduate students.
- 9 credits per term for Master’s students without university assistantships.
- 6 credits per term for Master’s students with university assistantships.
- 9 credits per term for Doctoral students without university assistantships.
- 3 credits per term for Doctoral students with university assistantships.
- You may be less than full-time ONLY ONE SEMESTER per degree program due to academic difficulty or improper course placement. In this event, you must be enrolled for at least one class and you must have the permission of the DSO for the under-enrollment.
- You must have a valid passport at all times while in the U.S.
- You must have a valid I-20 that reflects your correct name (as it appears in your passport), birth date, level of educational program, and major.
- You must not overstay the program end date on the I-20. If you are not completing within the date specified, you must seek an extension of stay through the International Student Office of the university.
- You are permitted to work on campus up to 20 hours per week and full-time during vacation periods. You cannot exceed these hours without permission.
- Besides the rules of the Cultural Division, BCIS permits you to count only one on-line course per term as part of the full-time course requirement.
- F-2 dependents are not allowed to enroll in degree programs. They must apply for a change of status to F-1 and wait for the change of status to be granted before beginning classes. F-2’s may participate in recreational courses that do not count towards a degree.
- When transferring schools, you must provide your current school with proof of admission to the new school. Your current school will enter a release date into SEVIS. This is usually the last day of the current academic term at your home school. You are allowed to change your mind up until therelease date. Once the release date has passed, you will be issued a new I-20 by the new school, completing the transfer process.
- When transferring schools, you may not exceed a period of 5 months between the final day of enrollment at the last school and the start date of the new school.
- If you withdraw from, or are asked to leave the university, you must depart the U.S. immediately.
Actions That Will Result in Your Being Out-Of-Status
- Remaining in the U.S. after withdrawing from school or being dismissed or suspended. In these circumstances, you must depart the U.S. immediately.
- Failing to report to your university by the date indicated on your I-20.
- Failing to report to the International Student Office of your university within 10 days of your I-20’s reporting date if you are enrolling at the university for the first time.
- Unexcused absences from classes, particularly in Intensive English Programs.
- Dropping below full-time course load without prior authorization.
- Having an expired passport.
- Working without a valid working permit.
- Failure to report change of address or name to the International Program Office of your university within 5 days.
- Being convicted of a crime.
- Remaining in the U.S. longer than 60 days after completing your program.
- If you have a medical condition interrupting your studies, you must present a medical excuse to your International Student Office. Depending on your medical condition, you may be allowed to reduce your course load or if the condition is very serious to withdraw from the school. You are allowed an aggregate of 12 months for the entire program of study where a reduced course load or absence from school is permitted. Students must gain BCIS permission through their International Office for each term they are ill and seeking medical withdrawal or reduced course load.
Remember
Out-of-status means that you have violated the terms of your “F” or “J” (student) visa. Your school s required to report to the BCIS all students who are out of status.
You are reminded that the regulations outlined above represent U.S. Law. As stated in the U.S. Federal Registry, non-compliance with these regulations may result in prosecution and/or deportation from the United States.
Immigration regulations are subject to change. We will attempt to inform you of any changes through this website. You must also check for changes at the immigration website at http://uscis.gov (link is external).
Note that this report covers BCIS regulations. You are reminded that you are also subject to regulations of your particular Kuwait scholarship program.
HOW TO TUTORIALS
How to register a Student as Advisor
How to edit/manage Student personal details as advisor
How to approved an offer
How to approved to whom it may concern letter request
How to change student status to complete and add new commission to the Academic History
Add Certificates as student
How to add offer to the academic history as advisor
How to register in KSIMS as Student
How to finish the registration as student
How to apply for Initiate Monthly Allowance
How to apply for a Master Admission as Students
How to Change of Major as student
How to add bank details by student with studying status
How to apply for an offer as student
ABOUT THE ADVISOR
How do I know who my advisor is?
When the Cultural Office receives a list of all accepted students, an academic advisor will contact you to advise on your application to the university/college. Therefore, it is important that you upload all your documents and academic certificates on both Dayrah https://www.mohe.edu.kw/dayrah/ and the Kuwait Cultural Office’s system dc.kcous.org. You should also ensure that you add a valid email and telephone number so your advisor can reach you easily.
What is the best way to contact my advisor?
The best way to contact your advisor is by email. Your email will be dealt with and replied to within a maximum of two working days. Always remember to write your name and your civil ID number in the email, to avoid any delay and confusion.
When should I contact my advisor?
Your advisor is highly qualified and well trained and able to provide you with the best advice possible on your academic related issues including progress. You can contact your advisor if you would like to ask or discuss anything related to your studies. You also should contact him/her to keep him/her updated about any change in your academic situation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Health Insurance
Why haven't I received my ID cards?
Health insurance ID cards are issued by the insurance company- CIGNA (United States) or Green Shield (Canada). It can take three to four weeks to receive your ID cards from the insurance company. If you have provided all of your registration documents to your advisor more than four weeks ago, please contact the health office (HEALTH OFFIC CONTACT LINK (link is external))
How do I add dependents to the health coverage?
To add a newborn baby to the health coverage, please provide your advisor with the hospital birth letter which shows the parents’ and the baby’s name as well as the baby’s date of birth. If you have recently been married, please provide a copy of your marriage certificate and your spouse’s embassy registration documents including the photo page of the passport, entry documents (visa, I-94 and I-20 in the United States and a study permit and/or temporary resident visa in Canada.)
To pay for medical/dental treatment for me or one of my covered dependents?
You may contact the health office for help in submitting a claim form for reimbursement of that expense. (HEALTH OFFICE CONTACT LINK (link is external))
What is a health insurance waiver, and do I have to do it?
A health insurance waiver is a document that you must submit to your university in order to waive the coverage of the university health plan.; Your scholarship provides you with comprehensive health care benefits and will not cover the university health insurance costs.;If you do not fill out the waiver, you will be responsible for the fees charged to your student account for the insurance. Any questions about the waiver form itself or any problems that you have with the health waiver with your school should be directed to the health office (HEALTH OFFICE CONTACT LINK (link is external))
I am having a problem with my insurance coverage or I don’t understand my insurance benefits
Please direct these questions concerning coverage and benefits to the Kuwait Health Office (HEALTH OFFICE CONTACT LINK (link is external))
Travel
When am I eligible for an annual ticket?
You are eligible for the first annual ticket after the first year of scholarship. You become elegibile for each annual ticket on the anniversary of your scholarship start date. Annual tickets cannot be issued if you have less than six months of scholarship time left or will graduate within six months.
How do I request my annual ticket?
Complete the request “Tikect allowance” in the KCOUS.org application and the accountant staff will send you the ticket amount.
Financial Benefits
What financial benefits does my scholarship provide?
Please direct these questions concerning coverage and benefits to the Kuwait Health Office (HEALTH OFFICE CONTACT LINK (link is external))
Most KU scholarship holders are entitled to the following:
- Tuition and Mandatory Fees
- Application Fees
- TOEFL/IELTS Exam
- Monthly Stipend
- Social Allowance
- Book Allowance
- Child tuition-
- Spouse tuition (first bachelor’s or 1 academic year of ESL ONLY)
- Computer Allowance
- Conference
- Annual Ticket Allowance
- Final Ticket Allowance
- Final Shipping Allowance
- Thesis /Dissertation Expenses
- Moving Expense from Masters to PhD
Will you pay for my child's school tuition?
Yes, if your child is three to eighteen years old and enrolled in either a formal child care center or school. The current limit, effective academic year 2014/15, on child tuition payments is 3500 KD per academic year. To receive reimbursement you must submit a receipt from the school, on school letterhead, which shows the dates of attendance, your child’s name, description of charges and the amount charged. Only mandatory fees required of all students for attendance can be paid.You must also submit either your bank statement or the canceled check along with your receipt.
When do I receive my monthly stipend?
Stipends are paid one month in advance on or close to the 15th of each month. For example, January’s stipend is disbursed on December 15 and February’s stipend on January 15, etc. Therefore during your final month of scholarship or in your study location you will not receive a stipend deposit as it will have been paid in advance on the 15th of the previous month.
I want to attend a conference, do I get financial support?
Yes, KU scholarships provides you with a budget to help meet the cost of attending conferences throughout the course of your entire scholarship. This amount is not renewable. Approval for attending a conference must be received IN ADVANCE of attending the conference in order to be eligible for reimbursement. E-mail your advisor for details.
There is a hold on my university account and I can’t register for classes.
Check to make sure that your student account has no library fines, parking tickets, or other non-mandatory tuition or fee charges on it. If there are no individual charges, please contact your embassy advisor for assistance.
Graduation
What do I do if I'm graduating soon?
When you are ready to graduate you will need to provide your Embassy advisor with a completion letter which states the date on which you met all the requirements of your degree and your final degree transcripts which indicate the “Degree Conferred” date. Final transcripts may not be immediately available. Prior to your departure to Kuwait, please order two copies of the final transcripts to e sent to your Embassy advisor. A copy of the order form should be emailed by you to your Embassy advisor. Transcripts issued to students cannot be accepted and/or authenticated by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait.Please note that the completion letter should be written only once you have met the requirements and should not state that “you will complete.” This letter is typically issued by your department or the graduate school. You will need to send copies of your thesis /dissertation directly to Kuwait University. Please do not send copies of these to your Embassy advisor. You may request your final ticket allowance once you provide your Embassy advisor with your completion letter. Your final ticket allowance cannot be issued if you received an annual ticket allowance within six months. You are entitled to a final shipping allowance and will need to submit your receipt and bank statement for that purchase once you have shipped your belongings.
General
I am renting an apartment and need proof of my income what do I do?
Email your advisor requesting a “Salary Letter.” This letter will confirm your status as a student under the embassy sponsorship and as well provide information about stipend and salary. This letter is usually meets the requirements. for apartment leasing, car rental/purchase and various large item purchases necessary during your scholarship.
My school keeps billing me for tuition, what do I do?
Very often, the school will send you a financial statement. Please note that a financial statement is not a bill, but a document providing you with the information on the financial cost of your tuition and fees. However, it can also be the case that your college or university may not have an updated letter of financial support on file and is therefore applying the tuition and fee charges directly to your student account. Please inform your advisor so that we can communicate with the university to resolve the issue.
How do I renew my passport?
To renew your passport and find more information see the (link to Embassy in Canada (link is external) ) (link to Embassy in DC (link is external)l) You will need to complete a form and submit it to the Kuwait Consular Services-Citizen’s Affairs office with the required documents/fees. If necessary, the Kuwait University office can provide you a verification letter confirming that you are in the US/Canada as a sponsored/scholarship student. Please email your advisor if you need this letter.
How do I update my phone/email/mailing address with the Embassy/Insurance Company?
Please change the contact detail in KCOUS.org application, as soon as possible, if any of your contact information changes.
USEFUL LINKS