| Frequently Asked Questions from International Students at Berklee
Immigration
What should I do if I'm planning to travel outside the United States?
Bring your passport, I-94, and most recently-issued I-20 to the Counseling & Advising Center (CA&C)—at least one week before you travel—to request a travel signature (revalidation) for page 3 of your I-20. Although the I-20 indicates that a signature is valid for one year, it's advisable to request a new one if it will be six months or older on the day you plan to re-enter the U.S. And don't forget to check your F-1 visa stamp in your passport. If you lost it or if it's expired/due to expire before your scheduled return date, you will need to replace/renew it (see below).
My visa has expired or was lost. How do I get a new one?
Visa renewals—or replacements, in the case of a lost/stolen passport—are issued solely by US embassies and consulates abroad; therefore, it is neither possible nor necessary to renew/replace a visa while you are in the US. An expired or lost visa does NOT affect your legal status in the US; your status is linked to the validity of your passport, I-94, and I-20. If however you leave the country, you will need to renew/replace your visa before returning to the US.
To apply, you will need an I-20, financial documents (a bank letter in English) verifying access to funds sufficient to meet your expenses in the US, and enrollment verification, e.g. a transcript or course schedule. You should likewise be prepared to demonstrate "ties" to your home country, e.g. family, future employment, property ownership, etc. Check the website of the US embassy/consulate in your home country for additional instructions/procedures, as these sometimes vary slightly depending on location.
What should I do if my I-20, passport, I-94 card or visa is stolen or lost?
Lost/stolen I-20 - request a replacement at the C&AC. You'll need your I-94 and new financial documents (contact the C&AC for specific amounts required). Allow one week for processing.
Lost/stolen passport - contact your country's embassy or consulate in the US to report the loss of your passport and apply for a replacement. Contact information is available at the C&AC or at www.embassy.org.
Lost/stolen I-94 card - apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for a replacement. The application (Form I-102) is available online www.uscis.gov or from the C&AC. Contact the C&AC for assistance.
Lost/stolen visa - follow same procedure as outlined in previous question regarding visa renewal.
My passport is about to expire. How do I renew it?
Contact your embassy or consulate in the US for assistance. A listing of embassies in the US is available at www.embassy.org and in the C&AC.
Employment
Can I work off-campus?
Yes, PROVIDED you have off-campus employment authorization either from the Department of Homeland Security or the C&AC. In both instances you will be issued verification documents. Please refer to our Employment Options handout for more information on employment options available to students in valid F-1 visa status. Working off-campus without employment authorization is a serious violation of the F-1 regulations and jeopardizes your stay in the US.
How do I get a social security number (SSN)?
A student in valid F-1 status may apply for a SSN if s/he is employed on-campus or is authorized to work off-campus by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the C&AC (see previous question). Applicants without employment authorization will be denied a SSN. For on-campus employment, you will need to request an employment verification letter from the Scholarships & Student Employment Office to submit with your SSN application. The letter must be signed and stamped by a DSO in the C&AC prior to submitting it to the SSA. Students authorized for off-campus employment by the C&AC may apply with their I-20, I-94, and passport; in addition, students with employment authorization from the DHS must have an Employment Authorization Card.
SSN applications (Form SS-5) are available at the Student Employment Office or from the Social Security Administration (SSA) web site (www.ssa.gov). Complete applications may be submitted in person to any office of the SSA. Proof of identity and your I-20 are also required. In Boston, the SSA office is located in the Thomas P. O'Neill Federal Building, 10 Causeway St., (North Station T stop on Green Line). It may take between 1-6 months to get a SSN from the Social Security Administration. NOTE: A social security card is issued for tax identification purposes only. It is NOT employment verification; therefore, having a card DOES NOT in itself entitle you to work in the US!
I know I have to enroll full-time. Is signing up for at least 12 credits good enough or do I actually need to complete 12 credits to maintain my F-1 status?
In general, you must enroll for and complete at least 12 credits (of required classes) per semester to maintain valid F-1 status.
I'm on Post-Completion OPT and my I-20 is expired. Do I need a new one?
No. The Employment Authorization Card extends the validity of the I-20.
Must I leave the US immediately after my Post Completion OPT Employment Authorization Card (EAC) expires? What if I want to stay for a while to travel around the country before going home?
No, you are permitted to stay an extra 60 days (grace period). You cannot, however, work during your grace period. If you would like to stay beyond 60 days for tourism purposes, you can apply to change your status to B-2 Visitor. For assistance, please consult with an international student advisor in the C&AC prior to the expiration of your EAC.
Is it okay for me to get a non-music-related job while I'm on OPT? What if it's only part-time or temporary until I find a music-related job?
No. Employment must be in the professional music industry. You are permitted to have as many music-related jobs as you can want while on OPT, unless you are authorized only for part-time OPT, in which case your employment is restricted to 20 hours per week.
I want to do an unpaid internship. Since it's unpaid and my teacher said it would be good for me, I can just do it, right?
No. You must apply for, and be granted, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) by the C&AC before you can begin an internship program; therefore, you are strongly advised to meet with an International Student Advisor in the C&AC well in advance of your proposed start date. The advisor will assist you with all the paperwork that's required to authorize your CPT. Be aware that beginning an internship prior to having authorization on your SEVIS I-20 is a violation of your F-1 visa status and jeopardizes your stay in the US.
Other
How do I get a driver's license or state ID?
You can apply for a license or an ID at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. In Boston, the RMV is located at 630 Washington St. For additional locations, visit www.mass.gov/rmv. To apply, you will need all of the following: passport and Form I-94; a Social Security Card (or refusal letter—see below); a utility bill (electric, water, phone, etc.) to verify your address; and to verify your signature, either a bank-cancelled check or a foreign driver's license. Cancelled checks—or copies on the monthly statement from your bank—are those checks which have been returned to you by your bank after they were processed/paid.
Applicants ineligible for a social security number are customarily issued a refusal letter when they submit their application; however, it may be necessary for you to request it. You will be denied a social security number when you submit an application without employment authorization—see "How do I get a SSN?" above for details
Do I have to file an Income Tax Return and pay taxes to the US government?
International students, regardless of whether they worked, must submit to the Internal Revenue Service an appropriate tax return (form) every year. The C&AC emails important tax information to all currently enrolled and OPT students each year at least two months prior to the filing deadline. Please note that C&AC staff is unable to answer specific questions regarding your taxes. Depending on whether your home country has a tax treaty with the US, your income may not be subject to taxation.
[  Print-friendly Version ]
| 
