Processes & Procedures for International Students
Table of Contents
International Students (Visa Types: F-1, J-1)
International students enter the U.S. as non-immigrants for the purpose of pursuing academic or educational objectives. They enter on F-1 Student Visas or on J-1 Exchange Visitor Visas in the student category. Their immediate dependents arrive as F-2s or J-2s, respectively. Previously, an international student may have entered the U.S. on a Tourist Visa (B-1/B-2), and subsequently changed status to F-1 or J-1 after arrival. However, this scenario is no longer an option. Under no circumstances should the student enter on a Tourist Visa (B-1/B-2) or Waiver Tourist (WT) status, or Waiver Business (WB) status on the Visa Waiver Program.
Invitation
The invitation procedure for international students at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions begins after international students have applied for admission to the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Nursing, or the School of Medicine, and have been accepted to degree- granting programs within one of these schools.
Once prospective international students have been accepted, the Admissions Office or the academic departments (depending on the school) send specific visa application forms to the international students to complete (e.g., Request for Certification for Non-Immigrant F-1 Student Status, Request for Certification for J-1 Exchange Visitor Status, or the Bloomberg School of Public Health Visa Application Information Form). These forms are returned to the academic departments or to the Admissions Office with financial verification and then forwarded to the Office of International Student, Faculty, and Staff Services (OIS). Many of the forms are available on this web site by clicking HERE.
The OIS reviews the requests and, provided documentation is in order, issues the appropriate visa documents (I-20 for F-1 students; DS-2019 for J-1 students). The OIS sends these visa documents overseas to international students. Supplemental information is included to inform international students about consular processing and U.S. health insurance obligations.
The international students present these documents to a U.S. Consulate or Embassy in the home country to obtain the appropriate visa stamps to enter the U.S.
NOTE: Financial verification is extremely important and must be in order before visa documents will be issued. The financial verification should be in U.S. dollars and written in English.
NOTE: In order for the OIS to send visa documents in a secure manner using an express delivery service with a tracking system, departments must provide FedEx account number on all request forms forwarded to the OIS.
Arrival
When international students arrive at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, they must check in with the OIS located on the 1st Floor of Reed Hall, 1620 McElderry Street. During check in, the OIS reviews the international students' visa documents and provides a brief orientation, discussing legal responsibilities while in the U.S.
International students in the Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) participate in specific orientation sessions designed for them during the Bloomberg School of Public Health summer and fall orientations. Time is set aside during these orientation sessions for international students to meet with staff from the OIS to discuss legal issues and other concerns.
Extenstions
The I-20 and DS-2019 student visa documents contain expiration dates.DS-2019IAP-66, the student must visit the OIS to apply for an extension of visa status. The extension process is not difficult, but it must be completed in full before the documents expire.
Severe penalties exist for international students who do not extend their documents in a timely manner.
Whenever possible, departments and divisions should help international students track the expiration dates of their visa documents. International students frequently forget to extend their documents, and any assistance departments or divisions could render in reminding them would protect the students and the institution from severe penalties.
Changes in Program
International students wishing to change academic programs must notify the OIS at least fifteen (15) days in advance of securing the change so that amendments may be made to the visa documents. If a department or division becomes aware of an international student who is changing programs, please refer the student to the OIS immediately. This referral also applies for changes in financial support.
Employment Issues
International students in F-1 status may work on campus up to a total of 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during vacation or break times. No special permission or written authorization other than the I-20 is required for this type of employment.
International students in J-1 status may also work on campus as long as one of the following is true:
- (1) The employment is on campus in association with a fellowship, scholarship, or assistantship; or
- (2) The employment occurs on the premises of the educational institution the student is authorized to attend.
J-1 students must obtain written permission from the OIS prior to beginning on campus employment.
No international student may work off campus (internship or otherwise) unless permission is granted by the OIS or by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service/Department of Homeland Security. If a department or division knows of an international student who wishes to work off-campus, refer the international student to the OIS immediately. Students who work off campus without proper authorization are considered out of status and could be subject to severe penalties, including deportation.
Issues of dependent employment must be addressed individually by the OIS.
For information on payroll procedures and tax issues related to international students, simply click on the appropriate link.
