Frequently Asked Questions
At Peabody
General Questions
Do I have to attend orientation?
Yes. The New International Student Orientation is mandatory, and all international students on F-1 visas are required to attend. At orientation, you will receive information about required documentation and federal regulations on your immigration status, as well as have an opportunity to meet our ISA advisor and staff and other international students.
Yes. The New International Student Orientation is mandatory, and all international students on F-1 visas are required to attend. At orientation, you will receive information about required documentation and federal regulations on your immigration status, as well as have an opportunity to meet our ISA advisor and staff and other international students.
Do I need to carry medical insurance through the university?
Yes. All international students residing in the U.S. are required to carry the Johns Hopkins University Student Health Plan.
Yes. All international students residing in the U.S. are required to carry the Johns Hopkins University Student Health Plan.
If you are on campus and want to see the advisor without previously scheduling a time, we have an open-door policy. If the door to the ISA office is open, the advisor is available. However, to schedule an appointment, email isapeabody@jhu.edu or call 410-234-4537. No appointment is necessary if you need a signature on your I-20 before you travel.
To maintain your lawful F-1 status in the U.S. you are required to enroll full-time. However, a reduced course load is permitted with very specific circumstances. If you need to request reduced enrollment, you must speak with the ISA Advisor and fill out the Reduced Enrollment Form found under Forms.
Can I work full-time on-campus?
You can work up to 20 hours per week on the Peabody campus. You may work in more than one place on campus, but the total hours cannot exceed a maximum of 20 hours per week between employers. Obtain authorization from an ISA advisor for employment. Detailed steps for students seeking on-campus employment can be found here.
You can work up to 20 hours per week on the Peabody campus. You may work in more than one place on campus, but the total hours cannot exceed a maximum of 20 hours per week between employers. Obtain authorization from an ISA advisor for employment. Detailed steps for students seeking on-campus employment can be found here.
Employment
Contains general guidelines on employment for nonimmigrant students. Off-campus employment must be approved by the Department of Homeland Security on a case-by-case basis. Students on non-immigrant F and J visas MUST ALWAYS consult the International Student Adviser (DSO) BEFORE seeking off-campus employment.
Contains general guidelines on employment for nonimmigrant students. Off-campus employment must be approved by the Department of Homeland Security on a case-by-case basis. Students on non-immigrant F and J visas MUST ALWAYS consult the International Student Adviser (DSO) BEFORE seeking off-campus employment.
What should I do if I am out of status?
If you are out of status you must schedule an appointment to meet with the ISA advisor immediately to review your options in returning to status.
If you are out of status you must schedule an appointment to meet with the ISA advisor immediately to review your options in returning to status.
Information regarding the additional period of time that students are allowed to remain in the U.S. upon completion of the course of study/training can be found here: International Student Grace Period.
How do I get a Social Security number?
International students employed by Peabody offices must apply for a U.S. Social Security number before they begin to work if they do not have a current number. The 822 number assigned by the University to your ISIS account is not a legal number for employment purposes.
International students employed by Peabody offices must apply for a U.S. Social Security number before they begin to work if they do not have a current number. The 822 number assigned by the University to your ISIS account is not a legal number for employment purposes.
To apply:
1.Get a letter of employment from your hiring department
2.Get a second letter of employment eligibility from the ISA advisor.
3.Complete Application Form http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
4. Take letters, application, passport, and I-20 to Social Security Office at:
1010 Park Avenue, Suite 200 (behind Meyerhoff Symphony Hall)
Baltimore, MD 21201
1-800-772-1213
Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00am–4:00pm (except Federal holidays)
When you apply for the SSN, you will receive a receipt of application. Please bring this receipt to the HR/Payroll Services Office. You will usually receive your Social Security card within two weeks. When you receive the card, please bring to HR/Payroll Services so that your University records can be updated.
What happens if my visa/I-20 expires?
Your visa is your entry document used to enter the U.S. If it expires in the U.S. and you are continuing to maintain F-1 status, there is no need for concern. However, if you plan to leave the U.S., you will need a valid visa for re-entry back in to the U.S. Visas are issued at U.S. embassies/consulates abroad. Check with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country regarding visa renewal requirements Students must obtain a new I-20 for visa renewal from the ISA Office. You are considered to be out of status with the Department of Homeland Security if your I-20 expires. It is YOUR responsibility to maintain your lawful status in the U.S. If it has expired, schedule an appointment to meet with an ISA advisor immediately to discuss how to get back in status.
Your visa is your entry document used to enter the U.S. If it expires in the U.S. and you are continuing to maintain F-1 status, there is no need for concern. However, if you plan to leave the U.S., you will need a valid visa for re-entry back in to the U.S. Visas are issued at U.S. embassies/consulates abroad. Check with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country regarding visa renewal requirements Students must obtain a new I-20 for visa renewal from the ISA Office. You are considered to be out of status with the Department of Homeland Security if your I-20 expires. It is YOUR responsibility to maintain your lawful status in the U.S. If it has expired, schedule an appointment to meet with an ISA advisor immediately to discuss how to get back in status.
What if my I-20 will expire before I complete my program?
To maintain status, you must obtain a new I-20 showing a program extension BEFORE your current I-20 expires. You may request an extension of your I-20 no earlier than 120 days prior to the program end date listed on your I-20. You must schedule an appointment to meet with an ISA advisor immediately to process the extension.
To maintain status, you must obtain a new I-20 showing a program extension BEFORE your current I-20 expires. You may request an extension of your I-20 no earlier than 120 days prior to the program end date listed on your I-20. You must schedule an appointment to meet with an ISA advisor immediately to process the extension.
What is an I-94 Card?
The I-94 card is issued when you enter the U.S. It is used to document the length of stay for a foreign national. “D/S” means “duration of status” and all F-1 students must have an I-94 with this annotation. If your I-94 does not reflect this, you must meet with the ISA advisor immediately. You may view a sample I-94 card here:
The I-94 card is issued when you enter the U.S. It is used to document the length of stay for a foreign national. “D/S” means “duration of status” and all F-1 students must have an I-94 with this annotation. If your I-94 does not reflect this, you must meet with the ISA advisor immediately. You may view a sample I-94 card here:
I-94 Card
Provides basic explanation of the I-94 Card
Provides basic explanation of the I-94 Card
What are the regulations for travel outside the U.S.?
If you want to travel outside the U.S. you must have a valid F-1 visa, a valid I-20 with a travel signature (travel signatures are valid for one year), and a valid passport (valid at least six months into the future). If you are planning to travel to a country other than your home country, view this link www.embassy.org for travel guidelines and visa requirements.
If you want to travel outside the U.S. you must have a valid F-1 visa, a valid I-20 with a travel signature (travel signatures are valid for one year), and a valid passport (valid at least six months into the future). If you are planning to travel to a country other than your home country, view this link www.embassy.org for travel guidelines and visa requirements.
Contains answers to FAQ about traveling abroad and returning to the U.S. while on an F1 visa. Please carefully familiarize yourself with the conditions and regulations outlined in the document. ALWAYS consult the International Student Adviser BEFORE leaving the U.S.
