International Student Services is the first place to go for accurate information on policies and procedures concerning international students. Your friends and roommates are not trained to analyze and make recommendations concerning your individual situation. It is always recommended that you come to International Student Services any time you have questions about maintaining your F-1 status. We also encourage any international students finding it difficult to adjust to life in the United States to consult our office for assistance.
Important information about spring 2023 is listed below. Please use the menu bar on the left to navigate to other topics.
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I-20 Travel Signature
Note: The information below applies to continuing students and alumni on OPT. The Undergraduate Admissions page has I-20 and travel information for accepted and entering international students
How do I request a new I-20 with an updated travel signature?
Check Your Travel Signature Expiration Date
Before requesting a new I-20 with an updated travel signature, make sure you have your most recent I-20 and check the travel signature on page 2:
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Continuing students: you need a new I-20 with an updated travel signature if the signature will be more than one year (12 months) old on the date of your return to the U.S.
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Alumni on OPT: you need a new I-20 with an updated travel signature if the signature will be more than six months old on the date of your return to the U.S.
How to Request an I-20 Travel Signature
Complete the I-20 Travel Signature Request form below. Once your request is approved, ISS will scan and email your new, signed I-20 to your Berklee email address within 10 business days. You must print out the I-20, sign it, and use the physical copy to enter the U.S.—a digital copy on your phone or other device is not acceptable for travel purposes. We will email you if we need more information before we can approve your request.
Request an I-20 travel signature (login required)
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Spring 2023 Information for International Students
Remote Course Enrollment Limits
For College and Conservatory Students
F-1 regulations limit the number of remote courses that both full- and part-time F-1 students can take each semester. Before you finalize your course registration for spring, find out how many remote courses you may take.
Part-Time Enrollment
For Berklee College of Music Students
During the spring semester, you may qualify for part time based on one of the following reasons:
- It is your final semester with fewer than 12 credits remaining (with no prerequisite sequences) to complete your graduation requirements.
- You are eligible for a vacation semester and you have fewer than 24 credits remaining (including a prerequisite sequence).
- For a documented illness or medical/psychological condition.
Deadline: The deadline to request part time for the spring will be posted on the Important Dates and Deadlines page.
How to request part-time: complete the Part-Time Status Request Form for International Students (login required).
About your degree audit: sometimes a student's degree audit does not accurately reflect their completed coursework. You must get your degree audit updated if these inaccuracies affect your eligibility for part-time enrollment.
- How to fix a previously-completed grade of Incomplete: contact the specific course department to have your instructor or chair submit your grade to the Registrar’s Office.
- If you have transfer credits to submit: review the Transfer Credit Process on the Registrar’s Office website.
- Missing/incorrect major-specific courses or approved specified electives: contact the chair of your major department.
- Any other missing or incorrect courses: contact the Graduation Specialist.
For Boston Conservatory at Berklee Students
Contact the registrar if you have questions about part-time enrollment.
Vacation Semester
For Berklee College of Music Students
You are eligible for a vacation semester in spring 2023 if you were enrolled full time in fall 2022. If you take spring 2023 as your vacation semester, you must enroll full time in both summer and fall 2023 in order to maintain your F-1 status. Read more about vacation semester (login required).
For Boston Conservatory at Berklee Students
Contact the registrar if you have questions about vacation semester options.
Check-In and Orientation
Online Check-In
All entering, returning, and continuing College and Conservatory students must check in online by the deadline, posted on the Important Dates and Deadlines page.
Additional Check-In Requirements for Entering and Returning Students
Entering and returning College/Conservatory students must submit additional information via the forms on the Entering and Returning International Student Check-In Requirements page (login required).
You can submit the F-1 Student Regulations Agreement and F-1 Visa Information forms before you arrive to the U.S. However, you must wait until you have arrived to the U.S. before submitting the Port of Entry Information Form.
International Student Orientation
Information about orientation will be provided to students by New Student and Family Programs. Please check their page for information and updates.
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Other Helpful Links
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