Immigration

Advice

Agape’s Associate Director and General Director are available to advise students with F-1 student visas on the rules related to this type of visa. We also can assist any student who wants to learn about the process of changing their visa status to an F-1 student visa. All students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility to remain in the United States. Those students who do not have an F-1 student visa should contact the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding any questions they may have. The official USCIS website may be found at http://uscis.gov and the toll-free USCIS customer service phone number is 1-800-375-5283.

Work

Generally, F-1 students are not allowed to work in the United States while on a student visa.

Break from Studies

USCIS allows students to take a break from studies after a full academic year. In the Agape program, this means students may take a (nine-week) session break after completing four consecutive nine-week sessions.

Leaving the USA and Returning

Any F-1 student who plans to leave the United States for a short period and then return to Agape should inform his local director beforehand. Agape will update the student’s I-20 form so that the student may reenter the United States.

Completion of Studies at Agape and Grace Periods

F-1 students who complete their course of studies at Agape (after studying four consecutive sessions; or after the completion date listed on the student’s I-20, if the student’s intended length of study was less than four consecutive sessions and it was stated so on the student’s application form) generally have 60 days in order to depart the U.S., transfer to another institution, or file for change of status.

F-1 students who have been authorized by an International Student Official (e.g., the Associate Director) to withdraw from classes have 15 days to depart the U.S.

F-1 students who withdraw from their course of study without obtaining prior approval from an International Student Official (e.g., the Associate Director) are not eligible for any grace period.