Resources for International Students

On June 18, 2025 the State Department announced that moving forward it, “…will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor [visa] applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.” This will include, but is not limited to, a visa applicant’s social media presence.

For more details, please review the State Department’s Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants.

To be eligible for and receive all the benefits that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides to International Students (for example: Practical Training, School Transfer, Change of Nonimmigrant Status) it is necessary to maintain Lawful F-1 Status, while in the United States.

To maintain Lawful F-1 Status you must:

• Keep your passport valid.
• Have a valid Form I-20.
  • Your Form I-20 expires on the Program End Date, found on your Form I-20, or on the date you complete your academic program, whichever comes first.
• Maintain full-time enrollment (aka., “Full Course of Study”) during the fall and spring semesters (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester), with a minimum of 9 credits containing an on-campus component (either fully in-person or hybrid classes).
  • F-1 students are not permitted to count more than three credit hours of online or distance education coursework toward the full course of study requirements. However, F-1 students may enroll in more than three credit hours, of online or distance education coursework after the Full Course of Study requirements have been met.
    For example, if a student enrolls in three classroom-based courses (worth a total of nine credit hours) and one online course (worth three credit hours), the student can enroll in more distance education courses.
• Demonstrate normal progress toward completion of your degree or educational objective.
• Not accept employment of any kind without proper authorization from the Office of Global Initiatives, or if necessary, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Inform the Office of Global Initiatives of any legal changes to your name or any changes to your physical address within ten days of the change. The DSO must always have your current physical address.

What if I need to take a leave of absence from school?
USCIS does not recognize a leave of absence from school for an F-1 student since the main objective of an individual in F-1 Status is to be a student. If you do not enroll as a full-time student during the academic year (Post-Completion Optional Practical Training not withstanding), then you are not engaged in the activity authorized and dictated by your status. This means that while the college can grant a student a leave of absence for academic, medical or other personal reasons, USCIS does not recognize a leave of absence.

What if I need to drop below 12 credits?
To maintain Lawful F-1 Status, you must have the approval of a Designated School Official, from the Office of Global Initiatives, before you reduce your course load below 12 credit hours for any term. The Designated School Official can authorize a Reduced Course Load (RCL), which enables an F-1 Student to drop below a full course of study, taking at least 6 credit hours under the following academic circumstances:

• Initial difficulty with the English language;
• Initial difficulty with reading requirements;
• Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods;
• Improper course placement;
• To complete their course of study within the current term (which means that the student will complete their program of study at the conclusion of the semester and need to complete less than twelve credit hours to do so).

This authorization allows an F-1 Student to maintain lawful F-1 Status if they have dropped below the required 12 credit hours per semester.

Additionally, due to properly documented medical circumstances, a Designated School Official, in the Office of Global Initiatives, can authorize a student to drop below a full course of study, taking at least 6 credit hours (or if necessary for medical reasons, carry no course load).

If due to either academic or medical reasons you are considering reducing your course load to below 12 credit hours (or carrying no course load due to medical reasons) you MUST meet a Designated School Official in the Office of Global Initiatives prior to doing so, to discuss your specific situation, your options, your responsibilities and the required documentation.

Points to Consider

• Within the first thirty (30) days of each semester that you are enrolled at Hudson Valley Community College, you must check-in with the Office of Global Initiatives, so they can indicate that you are present by "Registering" you in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Working without proper authorization is a violation of the F-1 Immigration Regulations.
  • It is important that you consult with the Office of Global Initiatives before you accept an offer of employment or begin to work. If you are eligible, the Office of Global Initiatives will provide you with information on the process of applying for Employment Authorization.
• Make sure you meet eligibility criteria before your SEVIS Record is transferred to another school in the United States.
• A Reduced Course Load for academic reasons can only be authorized once per degree level.
• If you will need more time to complete your program of study, you will need a Program Extension, to lawfully remain in the United States. Contact the Office of Global Initiatives for further information.
• Individuals in F-1 Status are granted permission to stay for the period of time reasonably required to pursue a full course of study in an educational program, plus a 60-day Pre-departure Period (aka, “Grace Period”), in which to depart from the United States, transfer to another Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Approved institution, apply for a Change of Nonimmigrant Status, or apply for Employment Authorization.
• The 60-day Grace Period begins on the Program End Date, found on your Form I-20, or on the date you complete your Post-Completion Optional Practical Training, whichever comes later. After the 60-day Grace Period has ended, if you are still in the United States and have not received a valid Form I-20 from a transfer institution, or have applied for either a Change of Nonimmigrant Status or Employment Authorization (and are awaiting a decision), you will begin to accrue Unlawful Presence.
• If you change your program of study or level of study, you must notify the Office of Global Initiatives, since this information will need to be entered into SEVIS, and a new Form I-20 will need to be issued.
• If you need additional time to complete your current program, you must apply for a Program Extension before the Program End Date listed on your Form I-20.
  • If you believe that you will need a Program Extension, contact the Office of Global Initiatives for further information.

F-1 students may apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) as soon as they begin their studies at Hudson Valley Community College, if they are in Lawful F-1 Status, enrolled full-time, and have secured on-campus employment. Please note that your College Identification Number (e.g., H00XXXXXX) is not a Social Security Number. The only way to obtain a Social Security Number is to formally apply for one.

To apply for a Social Security Number, you must apply at a Social Security Administration Office. Prior to visiting the Social Security Administration Office, you must meet with the Office of Global Initiatives, so that they can provide you with a letter to facilitate your application. When you go to apply, you will need to bring with you the following items:

1. Your current valid passport
2. Your current Form I-20
3. Your current Printed Form I-94, which can be downloaded from the CBP I-94 website.
4. A letter from a Designated School Official, from the Office of Global Initiatives, indicating that you are in Lawful F-1 Status, enrolled full-time, and authorized for on-campus employment.
5. A letter from your employer that proves that you have secured on-campus employment and indicates the nature of the employment that you will be engaged in.

More detailed information about applying for a Social Security Number, is available from the Social Security Administration. Additionally, you can use the Social Security Office Locator to find a Social Security Administration Office near you.

An ITIN is a number used for tax processing, available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents. It is important to note that the ITIN is only used for federal income tax purposes.

• The issuance of an ITIN does not entitle the recipient to Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
• The issuance of an ITIN does not indicate or suggest anything regarding the individual's immigration status.
• The issuance of an ITIN does not authorize the individual to work in the U.S.
• When completing the federal income tax return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040NR, 1040NR EZ), the individual will enter their ITIN in the space for the SSN.

Who is eligible for an ITIN?
Only individuals who cannot obtain a Social Security Number are eligible for an ITIN. The ITIN is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number "9", and is formatted like a Social Security Number (###-##-###). Any temporary IRS number that was previously assigned is no longer valid.

How do I know if I need an ITIN?
If you must file a U.S. tax return or you are listed on a tax return as a spouse or a dependent and you do not have, and cannot obtain a valid Social Security Number, you must apply for an ITIN.

• Include your ITIN on the tax return to ensure prompt processing and receipt of any refund.
• Each person listed on the federal income tax return must have a valid SSN or an ITIN.
• If a federal income tax return requesting a refund is filed without a Social Security Number or ITIN for the primary filer and spouse, the refund will be delayed until they obtain the identification number.
• If a dependent SSN/ITIN is missing, the exemptions will be denied and refunds will be adjusted accordingly.
• If you were previously issued a temporary IRS Number, you must now apply for an ITIN.

How do I apply for an ITIN?
To obtain an ITIN, you must complete an IRS Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

• You may complete and sign an IRS Form W-7 for a minor dependent. However, other dependents and spouses must complete and sign their own Forms W-7.
• The Form W-7 requires documentation substantiating foreign/alien status and true identity for each individual.
• If you, your spouse and/or dependents need an ITIN, you may submit a separate IRS Form W-7 for each person and documentation at the same time.
• See the IRS Instructions for Form W-7 for more information.

Is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) valid for work purposes?
No. An ITIN is not valid for work purposes. An ITIN is only used for federal income tax purposes. Alien individuals who are legally admitted to the U.S. as permanent residents, or in another immigration status for which employment authorization can be granted, are eligible for Social Security Numbers. Individuals who are eligible for a Social Security Number are not eligible for an ITIN.

For additional information on Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, please refer to IRS Publication 1915: Understanding Your IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (PDF).

• Download and print your current Form I-94.
• Keep your passport, Form I-20, Form I-94, and all other important documents in a safe place.
• Make a photocopy of all materials that you send to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and set up a file for all your USCIS-related paperwork.
• Never send cash through the mail. Use a personal check, money order, or bank check. Money orders can be obtained at any United States Post Office.
• All checks or money orders sent to USCIS should be stapled to the appropriate documents.
• It is recommended that all materials sent to USCIS through the U.S. Postal Service be mailed using Certified Mail with Return Receipt requested; the necessary mailing materials are available at any United States Post Office.
• Make certain that you inform the Office of Global Initiatives of any legal changes to your name or any changes to your physical address within 10 days of the change.
• It is suggested that you provide the Office of Global Initiatives with photocopies of all materials that are sent to USCIS.
• All college rules, regulations and policies apply to international students the same way they apply to all other students. International students also must abide by rules, regulations and policies set forth by USCIS and other federal agencies.
• It is important to understand that college rules, regulations and policies may at times not align with rules, regulations and policies set forth by USCIS and other federal agencies. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you are knowledgeable about the requirements to maintain Lawful F-1 Status.