Frequently Asked Questions

The Form I-20 is a three-page document issued by a U.S. school to prove that you have been accepted and have met all admission requirements for your program and are eligible for "F-1" student immigration status.  It also indicates how long you may remain in the United States based on your program of study. It may be re-issued over the course of a program for travel or work authorization purposes.

The Form DS-2019 is issued by a U.S. school to prove that you have been accepted and have met all admission requirements for your program and are eligible for "J-1" student immigration status.  It also indicates how long you may remain in the United States based on your program of study. It may be re-issued over the course of a program for travel or work authorization purposes..

An entry visa is placed in your passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate (outside the U.S.).  An F-1 entry visa is required to ENTER the U.S. in F-1 student status (unless you are from Canada or Bermuda). The entry visa stamp may expire while you are inside the U.S.  You will only need a new visa if you leave the U.S. after it expires and you wish to return. 

The I-94 is your official arrival/departure record. It indicates what date you arrived in the U.S.  It also indicates how you were admitted into the U.S. (for example, as an F-1 student). It will also include an expiration date - which for F-1/J-1 students/scholars and their dependents, this should be “D/S”, which means “Duration of Status.” This notation refers to the date you complete your studies or the end date on your Form I-20/Form DS-2019 (whichever is earlier) plus any grace period you may be eligible. 

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a Department of Homeland Security electronic monitoring system for international students. It requires schools to report certain information on each student. F-1 and J-1 students (and any dependents) are assigned a SEVIS ID, which can be found on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

Students must always use their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 to enter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status. If you find an error on your I-94 record showing tourist status contact ISSS at isss@babson.edu immediately.

• Attend only the college/university listed on your Form I-20(F-1)/ Form DS-2019 (J-1)
• Complete check-in: new international students (including students transferring in, pursuing a second degree at Babson or who returning from a leave of absence) must complete the new international student check-in. (Babson credentials required)
• Report a change of address/residence within 10 days of starting a program or after a change occurs using the Immigration Address Reporting Form. (Babson credentials required) 
• Maintain a valid passport at all times and ensure your U.S. immigration documents are in order before re-entry to the U.S., including having a valid travel signature.
• Receive the appropriate employment authorization before engaging in any employment while in the U.S.
• Maintain adequate health insurance and documentation (J-1 & J-2 dependent requirement)
• Follow transfer from Babson procedures
• Apply for program extension prior to the end date on your Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1) if unable to complete your studies by this date

Visit our Maintain Student Status webpage for full information.

Visit www.babson.edu/issstravel for information about what is needed to return to the U.S. in valid status and how to obtain travel signatures.

You must meet with an international student advisor prior to starting classes at the new university. If Babson is unaware of your transfer then your new school will not be able to issue you a transfer Form I-20. Learn more about the process to transfer your immigration record from Babson.

Only one course contributing to a full course of study for immigration purposes (as defined above) can be online. Students with only one course remaining in their final semester must be enrolled in an in-person course.

Review additional details on the Maintaining Student Status webpage.

Any time you leave campus it is recommended that you have all of your original documents. Although uncommon, you may be asked to show your documents by a government official. ISSS highly recommends applying for a legal form of U.S. identification - i.e. state ID, liquor ID, Driver's License. Having digital copies on your phone/laptop is also recommended. 

On-Campus: All F-1 students who are in valid F-1 status are allowed to work up to 20 hours/week on campus. No official work permission is required. You may work full-time on-campus during official college breaks.

Off-Campus: Authorization is required for off-campus employment. Off-campus employment must be related to your field of study, and can only take place after one academic year of full time studies.

Review full details around U.S. Employment options and considerations for international students.

A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique identification number assigned by the United States federal government to monitor and tax wages earned by employees in the U.S. It does not grant employment authorization.

F-1 students are eligible to apply for a (SSN) if they are authorized for employment (CPT, OPT) or have an on-campus employment. More information can be found about Social Security numbers here.

Obtaining a Driver's License can be a personal choice depending on a student's situation. It can be a lengthy process and a lot of documentation is required. View more information on our Driving in the U.S. page. 

Yes! All F-1 visa holders who have been in the U.S. for less than 5 years are Nonresidents for tax purposes and must file the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8843. Those who have had U.S. source income must also file Form 1040NR or 1040NREZ and some may have to file a Massachusetts State tax form as well.

 The Glavin Office staff CANNOT advise you on tax issues but we have made some tax resources available to current students.