Current International Students

International students are required to maintain a full course load (12 credits for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students) during the academic year (Fall and Spring) to comply with immigration regulations. There are a few exceptions to this regulatory requirement.

• Final Semester:  Students in their final semester may take less than a full-time course load if they have completed all the requirements for their degree.  Students must confirm that the program end date listed on their Form I-20 reflects the correct program end date indicating that they are in their final term. If a student needs to change their Form I-20 end date they can follow the instructions in the  below section on Graduating Late/Early.
• Pre-Authorized Reduced Course Loads (RCLs) for Academic or Medical Reasons: In rare circumstances, students who are not in their final semester may be authorized to drop below full-time.  The student must request authorization in advance from CISS. An RCL can only be authorized on a semester by semester basis.  Students must resume a full course of study in the semester immediately following the permitted period of reduced course load. RCLs may be issued for the following reasons: 
  • Illness or medical condition
  • Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements
  • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
  • Improper course-level placement

Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu for further information about the process. 

Do not drop below full-time enrollment without pre-authorization from the CISS.

Undergraduate Students:

While temporary changes were made to course modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bentley University has announced that all undergraduate courses will be taught in-person beginning in Fall 2022. Undergraduate courses are not be available in a hybrid modality. Accordingly, all international undergraduate students will be expected to attend in-person classes on Bentley's campus. When and if offered, international undergraduate students can count only one 100% online /hybrid course towards their full course of study requirement [8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G)].

Graduate Students:

While temporary changes were made to course modalities and online study requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bentley University has resumed normal operations. While courses will continue to be offered in a hybrid format, all international graduate students are expected to attend most classes in person. This means that a student can take a full course load in person OR, a student can take a full course load with a mix of in-person and on-line courss BUT only one of course (3 credits) will count towards the full-time requirement [8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G)].

Graduate students must attend the majority of their class sessions in person. We recommend that graduate students track their in-person attendance in hybrid courses. Students can do so by asking their professors to sign an Attendance Verification Form.

Attendance policies are determined by Academic Services. Please see the Academic Catalog for detailed information on attendance policies at Bentley. Attendance policy violations or failure to register in courses on time may have serious consequences for your F-1 visa status.  If you have any questions about the attendance policy, course registration timeline, or other questions, contact Academic Services. CISS can help with questions about how academic policies or violations affect visa status.
 

Students must complete all work and receive a final grade for any incomplete courses by the end of their final semester of study. If their graduation/degree completion date changes for any reason, they must contact the CISS to modify their Form I-20 to reflect the change.  Refer to the below section on Graduating Late/Early.

If a student is completing their degree requirements before or after the program end date listed on page 1 of their Form I-20, they must follow the below steps to request a modification of their degree program end date:

Step 1:  Schedule an appointment with Academic Services to confirm the academic plan.

Step 2:

• If the Form I-20 program end date needs to be EXTENDED past the date currently listed:
  • Work with an Academic Advisor to complete the Academic Services Certification Form 
  • Obtain proof of financial support for the additional time period (bank statement/Sponsor letter, etc.).  If there are questions about dollar amounts and adequate proof of funding, contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu. 
• If the Form I-20 program end date needs to be SHORTENED to a date before the the date currently Listed: 
  • Apply for Program Completion in Workday to notify Bentley’s Registrar of your plans.

Step 3:  Complete the "Form I-20 End Date Modification Request Form" and submit it to the CISS with the appropriate documents listed above. 

Leaves of Absence or withdrawals from Bentley may have implications for your visa status.  Your F-1 status is tied to your studies in the U.S. When you take a Leave of Absence (LOA), in most cases, you will not be permitted to remain in the U.S. Once the Office of Student Affairs approves your LOA, the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) will terminate your SEVIS immigration record.  Please see here for further information about taking a Leave of Absence. 

We recommend that you depart the U.S. as soon as possible, and no more than 15 days from when you stop attending classes. If you choose to transfer to another U.S. school during your LOA, CISS will transfer your SEVIS record to the new school, and you may remain in the country to study with that school’s Form I-20. SEVIS transfers must be initiated before your SEVIS record is terminated. Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu as soon as possible if you plan to pursue another U.S. program during your leave of absence from Bentley University. 

Work Authorization

 Any Bentley-authorized work (CPT/OPT/on campus) will end when your SEVIS record is terminated or released. A LOA restarts the clock for your one-year in-status requirement for CPT and OPT employment authorization. If you will not be returning for a full academic year after your LOA, you will likely be ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Returning from a Leave of Absence

F-1 students may be readmitted at the start of a Fall or Spring term. Before you return to Bentley, you must be officially readmitted to the University.  You must complete a Return/Readmit Form and submit it to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. Please refer to the “Leave of Absence” section of the Student Affairs website for further information. 

Once you have been officially approved for return from your LOA, the CISS will contact you to guide you through the immigration process. You will need to complete a “Return From Leave of Absence -I-20 Document Submission” Form and upload copies of your passport ID page and proof of financial support.

The CISS will process the Form and create a new Form I-20 for you.

• Students who have been out of the country for an extended period are encouraged to seek guidance on the visa application process from their local U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
• Students with an unexpired F-1 visa in their passport (even under a different SEVIS number), may not need a new F-1 visa. 
• Students with an expired F-1 visa expired, will need to use their new Form I-20 to apply for a new F-1 visa. 
• Students who have been studying in the U.S. at another school as an F-1 student during their LOA must complete a Bentley Transfer-In Form with their current school and return it to Bentley CISS. 

CISS will then create a new Form I-20/DS-2019 for you, which you may need to use to obtain a new F-1 or J-1 visa, depending on your particular circumstances.

Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu for further details once you have received notice that you been officially approved to be readmitted.

If you are an international student in F-1 status and have been accepted to another U.S. school, you may be eligible to transfer your Student and Exchange Visitor Immigration System (SEVIS) record to the new school. Once your SEVIS record has been released from Bentley University the new school will be able to create a new Form I-20 for you. 

SEVIS Record Transfer Eligibility
To be eligible for a SEVIS record transfer you must:

• Be maintaining status as:
  • An actively enrolled student at Bentley
  • A student on OPT/STEM OPT
  • A student within your 60-day grace period post-graduation or on OPT/STEM OPT
• Be otherwise maintaining status by adhering to the rules and regulations of your F-1 status.
• Be formally admitted to a new degree program at a SEVP-certified school that begins within 5 months of the end date listed on your Bentley Form I-20 or, in the case of OPT/STEM OPT, the date of your transfer.

If you have not yet graduated from Bentley and are taking a leave of absence or finishing your degree at another school, you must also complete a Leave of Absence/Withdrawal form to notify the university of your plans. 

You will not be eligible for a SEVIS record transfer if:

• Your new program does not have a program start date within 5 months of your previous program end date or, in the case of OPT/STEM OPT, your transfer release date.
• At the time of your new program start, you will have spent more than 5 months outside of the U.S.*
• You are on OPT/STEM OPT but have accumulated 90 days (+60 for STEM OPT) of unemployment.
  *Over five months spent outside of the U.S. (non-study abroad) invalidates your Form I-20 and requires that you obtain a new Form I-20 and F-1 visa for re-entry to the U.S.

SEVIS Record Transfer Procedures
To request a transfer of your SEVIS record you must complete a “SEVIS Record Transfer Form.” You will need to provide the following information and documents:

• A copy of your official acceptance letter from your new school
• The SEVIS school code for your new school
• An exact SEVIS record release date (at least 5 days from the date that you submit the form)
• A SEVIS transfer validation form from the new school (if applicable)

Choosing Your SEVIS Record Release Date
In choosing your SEVIS record release date you should consider:

• Travel Plans: If you plan to travel after your SEVIS record release date, you must have the new Form I-20 from your new school to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status. Your Bentley Form I-20 will no longer be valid.
• Work Authorization: If you have been authorized for employment while at Bentley, your employment authorization will end on your transfer release date. Any Curricular (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or STEM OPT granted while at Bentley will be canceled.
• Grace Periods: If you are in your 60-day grace period following graduation or completion of OPT/STEM OPT, your SEVIS record release date must be within 60 days. If you are withdrawing or taking a leave of absence from Bentley, you must have your SEVIS record released immediately (within a maximum of 15 days). Failure to transfer your SEVIS record promptly may result in violating your F-1 status and/or ineligibility to transfer.

Please note that once your transfer release date has passed Bentley CISS will no longer have access to your SEVIS record and your Bentley Form I-20 will be deactivated. If you have questions about your SEVIS record or need to be issued a new I-20, you will need to contact the school that has received your transferred SEVIS record.

Immigration regulations allow F-1 students to remain in the U.S. for a grace period of up to 60 days following completion of their degree program to "prepare for departure." Students may use the grace period to make travel plans to depart the U.S., pack up personal belongings, take care of final items before departure, or to travel within the U.S. 

Students are not permitted to leave the U.S. and re-enter the country in F-1 status during their grace period.

If you have arranged for a transfer of your F-1 record, have applied for OPT, or applied for a change of status, you are not subject to the grace period limit and are eligible to remain in the U.S. pending transfer or your application result.

The grace period is not available to students who do not complete their program of study due to suspension or withdrawal. Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu for more information.

For detailed information on employment options for international students, go to the Employment Resources web page.

On-Campus Employment: F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session, and full time during major school breaks.

Off-Campus Employment: All off-campus employment requires employment authorization in the form of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). There are specific rules regarding when and how you can apply for these types of authorizations. The CISS offers information sessions on these types of work authorizations throughout the academic year. Please see the "Employment Resources" tab at the top of this page for recordings of information sessions, and detailed information about eligibility and processes.

Working off-campus without prior authorization is a violation of your immigration status and could result in termination of your visa status, bars against re-entering the U.S., and serious consequences for future visa applications.

Immigration regulations allow J-1 students to remain in the U.S. for a grace period of up to 30 days following completion of their program to "prepare for departure." Students may use the grace period to make travel plans to depart the U.S., pack up personal belongings, take care of final items before departure, or to travel within the U.S. 

Students are not permitted to leave the U.S. and re-enter the country in J-1 status, transfer to a new program, or extend their program during their grace period.

Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu for more information.

For detailed information on employment options for international students, go to the Employment Resources web page.  All employment authorization for J-1 student both on or off campus, requires an employment authorization letter from the CISS. 

On-Campus Employment: J-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session, and full time during major school breaks.

Off-Campus Employment: All off-campus employment requires employment authorization in the form of Academic Training (AT).  There are specific rules regarding when and how students can apply for these types of authorizations. Please see the "Employment Resources" tab at the top of this page for detailed information about eligibility and processes.

Working off-campus without prior authorization is a violation of your immigration status and could result in termination of your visa status, bars against re-entering the U.S., and serious consequences for future visa applications.

If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. while you are a student at Bentley University and re-enter the U.S. in student status, you will need to present the following documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:

1. Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
2. Valid F-1/J-1 visa*    
3. Most recent Form I-20/DS2019 (with a valid travel signature)

*Citizens of Canada or the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda do not need an F-1/J-1 visa to enter the U.S.  Admission to the U.S. in valid status is granted at the port of entry based on the student’s valid immigration document.

If you forgot to bring your Form I-20/DS-2019 or you do not have a valid travel signature, you may be issued a Form I-515A "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor" which allows temporary admission to the U.S. for up to 30 days.  If you receive a Form I-515A, you must make an appointment to meet with a CISS Advisor immediately upon your arrival. If you receive a Form I-515A and fail to obtain a new Form I-20/DS-2019 and submit it to the U.S. government, it could result in the termination of your immigration status. 

If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer is not able to verify your immigration status or if you do not have all of the required immigration documents, you may be sent to "secondary inspection."  You will be directed to a room where you will need to wait to speak with a CBP officer who will probe more deeply into your case.  

In some cases, this may cause delays in your travel plans.  If you are delayed, remain calm, do not panic, and answer any questions to the best of your ability. Remember to be respectful when speaking to the officer(s). Sometimes, the officer will request to speak with a Designated School Official/DSO (a CISS staff member). They may also contact Bentley Police is (781) 891-2201, who will notify the CISS that an immigration officer is requesting further information.

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

Form I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon a nonimmigrant visitor's entry to the U.S. It is important to check your Form I-94 after you enter the U.S. to ensure that you have entered the U.S. in the correct immigration status. 

You can find your Form I-94 and additional information on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website here.  You can also use these resources:

• I-94 Fact Sheet
• I-94 Retrieval Tips

If you plan to travel outside the U.S. and re-enter in F-1 or J-1 student status, you must have a valid travel signature on your Form I-20/Form DS-2019. The travel signature is located on page 2 of Form I-20 and in the lower left corner of Form DS-2019.

• For F-1 current students, each travel signature is valid for 12 months
• For F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT, each travel signature is valid for 6 months
• For J-1 students, each travel signature is valid for the period noted on the form.

There are two ways that you can obtain a travel signature:

• In-Person at CISS: You can bring your most recent Form I-20 printed out and signed to CISS to request a travel signature.  CISS is located in the Student Center Suite 310, and is open Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm. During the summer months, CISS is open Monday - Thursday, 8:00am - 5:30pm. 
• Submit a Form I-20/DS-2019 Request Form: If you are unable to come to campus, we can issue you a new form with a travel signature.  You can do this by submitting a Form I-20/DS-2019 Request Form.  A new form with a travel signature will be prepared and sent to you by email.  Once you receive the new form you must review it, print it out, and sign it.  Remember to keep copies of all of your previous forms and to use your most recent form for travel and any applications. 

If you need a travel signature we recommend that you come to CISS for a signature or request a new form with a travel signature at least 1-2 weeks before your travel date.  Please keep in mind that CISS is closed during major holiday breaks. 

If You Forgot to Get Your Form Signed: If you forgot to get your form signed, or if your travel plans do not allow enough time for you to receive a travel signature from CISS before you leave the U.S., you can submit a request form to receive a new form with a travel signature electronically. 

If you try to re-enter the U.S. without a valid travel signature, a Customs and Border Protection officer at the Port of Entry (airport or land border) may issue you a Form I-515A. You may also proactively request this form. This form allows you temporary admission to the U.S. for 30 days, during which time you must send updated documentation to USCIS to extend your status. On rare occasions, you may be denied entry to the U.S. While this is not common, you must understand this risk.

Immigration-Related Emergencies:  There may be rare circumstances when you need immediate immigration assistance. These circumstances may include loss of your passport or other important immigration documents, a visit by a government official at home or on campus, detention at a U.S. port of entry, or threat of deportation or removal. 

If you are detained, you should refrain from signing any documents and request to call Bentley University. Bentley’s campus police is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, year-round, and will contact a CISS Advisor if any immigration-related emergencies are reported.

Michael A. Callahan Police Station
Emergency Line: 781.891.3131
Business Phone: 781.891.2201

Please note that forgetting to have your form signed for travel is not considered an immigration emergency. 

F-1 & J-1 students are admitted to the U.S. for "duration of status." This means that you are permitted to remain in the U.S. in your current status as long as you hold a valid I-20 or DS-2019, and are otherwise following the regulations and meeting the requirements of your program.

If you maintain F-1/J-1 student status and have a valid I-20 or DS-2019, you may remain in the United States after your F-1/J-1 visa has expired. However, if you are returning home or traveling to a country where automatic visa re-validation does not occur (i.e. Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island) you must renew your visa to re-enter the United States. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website to learn more about how to apply for a visa. The process for applying for visa renewal is similar to when you first obtained your visa. An interview may or may not be required depending on your consular post. Requirements for visa renewal are consulate-specific, but generally, you will need to fill out a DS-160 application form, provide accompanying documentation and fees, and present them to the consular post for review. We recommend obtaining an enrollment verification or status letter from the Registrar's office to prove your continued enrollment, an updated I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel signature from the CISS, as well as updated financial documents to prove your ability to continue to pay tuition and living expenses.

Family members and friends who are planning to visit you in the U.S. for less than 6 months should apply for a tourist visa (B1/B2 visa). Applicants must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. For more information on how to apply for a visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Bentley University cannot assist with the tourist visa process but below are some helpful documents that you can provide to your loved one as they prepare to apply for the visa to come visit you.

Enrollment Verification Letter (to confirm your student status)

To request an Enrollment Verification, visit the Registrar's website.

Bank Statement/Other Documentation

Visa applicants may be asked to provide proof of sufficient funds to support themselves while visiting the U.S. This could be a letter verifying employment or a bank statement. You may also need to submit Form I-134 Affidavit of Support if you will be funding your relative. 

Proof of Intent to Return Home 

Documents that support the intent to return home include evidence of a job, property, business ownership, immediate family members who remain back home, or any strong ties to their home country. Copies of the return airline ticket or reservation will also be helpful.

Support Letter (from you)

Invitation letters are not required for tourist visas. However, you may choose to write a statement in support of your friend or family member's plan to visit you. Your letter may specify the duration of the visitor's planned stay in the United States and the purpose of the visit (for example, if the visa applicant is traveling to the U.S. to attend your commencement ceremonies). Please note that the CISS does not issue invitation letters, and according to guidance from the Department of State, invitation letters are not necessary for issuing visitor visas. If you choose to provide one anyway, you may download the CISS Invitation Letter template for help.

Commencement Information (for graduating students)

Please visit Bentley's commencement website for further information about dates and details.