Please first review this page, then contact the international office with all questions about your visa, and with any changes to your status.

All changes in contact information (U.S. address, U.S. phone, foreign address, foreign phone, personal email) must be made in SEVIS within 10 days of the change. 

Maintaining Status

As an international student, you are responsible for maintaining your own visa status. You must be sure to adhere to all federal guidelines. This is your responsibility.

Registering for Courses

If you are an undergraduate student, you must enroll in 12 or more credits each semester. If you are a graduate student, you must enroll in 9 or more credits each term.  And as a doctorate student, you must enroll in 6 or more credits each term. 

Online Courses

As an international student, you are restricted to 1 online course within your minimum number of hours. For example, if you are an undergraduate you must take 9 credits in person hours, minimum, then the last 3 can be online if you choose. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization which allows F1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study prior to graduation. Both paid and unpaid work requires prior authorization. According to immigration regulations, the work performed must be directly related to the student's major field of study and considered either required or integral to their academic program. Student must be enrolled in the required course for the duration of the work experience.

To get authorization:

Download these files attached below, fill them out and enroll in the required course.

Send these 3 things to ask for authorization:

1. CPT Acknowledgment Form
2. CPT Authorization Request Form
3. Screenshot/Schedule/Proof that you are enrolled in the internship course

If you are completing a degree at Judson University and have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year, you may apply for OPT. You can apply no sooner that 90 days before and no later than 60 days after your program end date. OPT gives you permission to look for employment and work in your major field of studies for one year after your graduation.

Applying for OPT costs $410 and must be done in SEVIS with the help of the International Office. If you are interested in OPT, you are invited to attend an OPT workshop offered at the beginning of each academic semester.

If need to travel out of the United States while you are a student, you will need a travel validation signature on your Form I-20. Each travel signature is valid for 12 months. If a new signature is needed, contact the International Office. 

Review and compile the documents on the travel checklist, attached below, before departing the USA.

Andrea Sinnaeve

International Programs Director, PDSO
Office: 847-628-1546
andrea.sinnaeve@judsonu.edu