Office of International Programs

IMPORTANT: All types of employment authorization require permission of International Student and Scholar  Services and Outreach. Engaging in unauthorized employment is a violation of your student visa and can result in the termination of your visa.

J-1 Students:

For J-1 students, the primary types of employment authorizations include:

IMPORTANT: All types of employment authorization require permission of International Student and Scholar  Services and Outreach. Engaging in unauthorized employment is a violation of your student visa and can result in the termination of your visa.

F-1 Students:

For F-1 students, types of employment authorization include:

"Employment" is any work performed or services provided (including self-employment) in exchange for money or other benefits or compensation (i.e. free room and board in exchange for babysitting or a free meal in exchange for volunteering).

International students in F or J status are eligible to transfer their immigration records in SEVIS to a new U.S. school. This is a separate process from the academic transfer and involves sending the new U.S. school your active SEVIS F or J record.

If you change your physical address, you must inform ISSSO within ten days. Failure to do so is violation of your visa status. To report a change of address, please update it in Appalnet self service.  

You must apply for an extension of your program prior to the expiration date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 if you cannot complete your program by that date. Requests for extensions should be submitted prior to the expiration date of the Form I-20 or DS-2019 so the extension process can be completed prior to the expiration date on the document F-1 or J-1. 

Students must obtain a new Form I-20 before changing their academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Bachelor's to Master's level) or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Chemical Engineering to Physics). International students must receive a new I-20 or DS-2019 from ISSSO before beginning the new program/degree level. To request a new I-20 or DS-2019 because of changes to your academic program, complete and submit a request online (Link Coming Soon)

International students may work no more than 20 hours per week on-campus while school is in session. These 20 hours include the work you do for your assistantship if you have one. You are not permitted to work off-campus without receiving prior authorization. If you have any questions about employment as an international student not covered on this website please contact an ISSSO advisor.

You must complete your degree requirements within the normally allowed time-frame as indicated on your immigration form (I-20 or DS-2019). If you would like to request more time to complete your degree or academic program, please complete and submit a request online. 

International students at Appalachian must be enrolled in 12 credit hours for undergraduate students or 9 credit hours for graduate students to be considered full time. You are not allowed to drop below full course of study without prior authorization from an ISSSO and only under very limited circumstances. You will need to request permission to drop below full-time status by completing and submitting request online.