Requests
Endorsed (Signed) I-20 for Reentry into the United States also known as a "Travel I-20"
If you are planning to travel out of the United States and then return to continue studying in The Tseng College, submit a travel signature request to a DSO in ARC (Office of Admissions, Registration and Client Services) at least a week prior to your planned departure.
Travel Eligibility for all F-1 Students
You must:
- be in status in SEVIS
- travel when school is not in session
- be eligible to continue your studies
- be returning to the Tseng College to continue your studies (not transferring at the time of travel)
Tseng College Travel Request form
Travel and Dependents
Family members on an F-2 visa can travel in and out of the United States during the entire time that the principal F-1 student would be eligible to travel. The F-1 visa holder is not required to accompany their dependents. Like F-1 students, dependent I-20s must be endorsed for travel. F-2 dependents are required to keep their passports valid and passports should not expire within 6 months after entering the US. F-2 dependents might also be issued a Form I-515A and be admitted for only 30 days if they do not have proper documentation at the time of entry. The same I-515A rules that apply to F-1 students apply to F-2 dependents.
If you have been admitted to another program of study at a SEVP-certified school, you can request to have your SEVIS Record and I-20 electronically transferred to your new school.
Required Documents to Transfer in SEVIS to a New School
- Submit a Transfer-Out Request form (Students must login using their CSUN credentials to access the form) and
- WRITTEN PROOF OF ADMISSION TO THE NEW SCHOOL.
When transferring from the Tseng College to CSUN, written proof of admission is not necessary. A DSO in ARC simply checks SOLAR to make sure you are admitted. But you must request a SEVIS transfer.
I-20s in Terminated or Completed status will only be transferred out if the transfer-in school clearly gives its consent to a Tseng College DSO (in ARC, in EU 200) to accept a student in Terminated or Completed status.
If traveling while between schools, you must use the new school’s I-20 to re-enter the United States.
The school name on your F-1 visa will no longer match the school name on your I-20, but that is an acceptable and normal occurrence as long as:
- You are in status in SEVIS (your I-20 is not Terminated),
- Your F-1 visa is not expired,
- You have been out of the country less than 5 months, and
- You are re-entering the US to begin studies at your new school before the start date on your I-20.
All students who work in the United States must have a Social Security Number.
Only one Social Security Number is assigned to a person. If you have already received a social security number at any time in the past, do not reapply.
Check Social Security Administration SSN application to verify what documents will be needed for your application.
Optional Practical Training:
If you did not apply for a social security at the same time you were applying for OPT, follow the steps listed:
- You cannot apply for a social security number until you receive your EAD card (EAD Form I-766 Employment Authorization) and cannot apply before the start date on the EAD card
- Bring original EAD card along with application and documents listed when you go to the Social Security office.
- For OPT, your I-20 must have the employment authorization on page 2. Request updated copy of your I-20 from your DSO.
On-Campus Employment:
- For On-Campus employment, request a letter from ARC that is written and signed by a DSO.
- The letter will serve as a Verification letter and as a letter for the Social Security Office.
If you were admitted to the U.S on an incorrect status, you must visit a local CBP (Customs and Border Protection) Deferred Inspection site to have your admission corrected.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
DEFERRED INSPECTION UNIT
300 N. Los Angeles St., Room 2067 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
