FAQs

Frequently asked questions

(updated 09/05/2023)

New Students

I received a scanned or electronic copy of my I-20. Don’t I need the original in order to apply for my visa?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published updated policy guidance which allows schools to continue to electronically sign and transmit the Form I-20 to F-1 students and their dependents. You can use the electronic copy to apply for the F-1 visa and to enter the U.S.

Make sure to print out the document and sign with your signature at the bottom of Page One.

Can I defer my enrollment to a future term?

If you have questions regarding deferral of your program please contact the TC Office of Admission directly for further guidance.

You can reach them at admission@tc.columbia.edu

Transfer Students

I am an incoming student with questions about the F-1/J-1 transfer process. Are transfer students eligible for the Form I-20/DS-20?

F-1 Transfer Students who are currently in the U.S. in F-1 status, can obtain a Form I-20 and transfer their SEVIS record to TC.

If you are currently here in the U.S. in J-1 status, please contact an international advisor at the OISS for further information regarding your eligibility for a J-1 transfer.

More information regarding this process can be found on the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) website under Visa Basics.

I am currently in the U.S. in F-1 status and I am transferring my SEVIS record to TC. Am I required to enroll full-time?

Students who are currently in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status must enroll full-time during the Fall and Spring academic term in order to maintain legal status. If you are transferring your SEVIS record to Teachers College, you will be required to enroll in a minimum of 9 points during the academic term.

Please refer to Continuing Students for more information regarding enrollment requirements.

I am transferring my SEVIS record to TC, but my visa is expired. Do I have to leave the U.S. and get a new visa?

It is not necessary for you to exit the U.S. if your visa is expired. Simply be sure to transfer your SEVIS record to TC within 60 days of completion of your program or end of post-completion OPT. As long as your SEVIS record is active and you are enrolled full-time every required term, you can legally remain in the U.S. A new visa is only needed if you choose to exit the U.S. and it can only be issued at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

Continuing Students

Can I enroll for less than full-time during the academic term and still maintain my F-1 status?

Continuing students are expected to enroll full-time (9 points or more) in the Fall, if they wish to keep their SEVIS record active and their status valid. If you choose to take a Personal Leave of Absence (LOA) in the Fall or if you choose to enroll for less than full-time without prior reduced course load authorization, we are required to terminate your SEVIS record.

Students wishing to take a personal LOA should contact the Office of the Registrar for guidance. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the full-time enrollment requirements outlined on the OISS website.

I am an F-1 student. I finished my program and I am not applying for post-completion OPT. How can I stay legally in the U.S.?

If you have completed all requirements for your program, you have a 60-day grace period during which you can:

1) apply for OPT,

2) apply for a change of status to another nonimmigrant classification,

3) be admitted to another program, or

4) exit the U.S.

If you choose to change status to B1/B2, we recommend that you consult an attorney.

I am a J-1 student. I finished my program. What are my options after graduation?

If you have completed all requirements for your program, you have a 30-day grace period during which you can:

1) apply for academic training,

2) be admitted to another program, or

3) exit the U.S.

More information regarding academic training can be found here.

Am I allowed to take a leave of absence and finish my studies in Spring 2024?

If you chose to take a personal leave of absence (LOA) in the Fall 2023 term, for example, we would be required to terminate your SEVIS record and you would be required to exit the U.S. or change your status to another nonimmigrant classification. Note, you will also need to work with the Office of the Registrar regarding your leave of absence (LOA) request.

When you are ready to resume your in-person studies at Teachers College for the Spring 2024 term, you can apply for a new I-20 or DS-2019 to reenter the U.S..

International Travel

I am a continuing F-1 student planning to travel outside the U.S.. How can I obtain a travel signature on my I-20?

To obtain a travel signature, you must complete the Travel Request eForm via TC-Compass. We will then reprint your form I-20, sign it, and email it to you.

We will email you the digital version of the Form I-20.

I am a continuing J-1 student planning on traveling outside of the U.S. Can I travel with the Form DS-2019 that was emailed to me?

The U.S. Department of State is allowing schools to electronically transmit digitally signed Form DS-2019s. Make sure to check that you have obtained a digitally signed DS-2019 including a travel signature from the OISS.

If you have plans to travel outside of the U.S. with the intent to resume your studies as a J-1 student, you must complete the Travel Signature Request for DS-2019 eForm via TC-Compass.

I am an F-1 student, left the U.S. and forgot to obtain a travel signature. What should I do next?

To obtain a travel signature, you must complete the Travel Request eForm via TC-Compass. We will then reprint your form I-20, sign it, and email it to you.

I am a J-1 student, left the U.S. and forgot to obtain a travel signature. What should I do next?

To obtain a travel signature, complete the Travel Signature Request for DS-2019 eForm via TC-Compass and we will email you the DS-2019.

Employment

I am currently outside of the US. Can I apply for post-completion OPT while in my home country?

Under current guidance from the USCIS, you must be physically present in the U.S. in order to apply for OPT. If you are currently in your home country, you must return to the U.S. prior to filing your OPT I-765 application with USCIS.

My post completion OPT was approved, but I have not been able to find employment and I am approaching the 90 days of unemployment. What are my options?

We know that it might be difficult for international students to find employment. If you are on your approved initial post-completion OPT period, volunteer activities can be considered as employment by the USCIS, provided the activity is in your field of studies. Be sure to document any volunteer activities that you may engage in, as you may have to provide that documentation to the USCIS.