International Student Compliance
International Student Compliance provides visa and immigration services to all international students and research scholars throughout their time at Azusa Pacific University.
International Student Compliance staff and students are here to support you during your time at APU. If you have a question or need to meet with us, email us at issimmigrationsvcs@apu.edu.
Maintaining Status
All F-1 and J-1 international students must follow U.S. immigration regulations in order to maintain their international student status. Below are the key student responsibilities:
- Maintain a valid, accurate I-20, DS2019 (J1 Visa)
- Maintain a valid passport
- Maintain full-time enrollment each semester
- Report any change of address to ISS within 10 days of moving
- Be mindful of program end date
- Do not work off campus without authorization
- File tax forms each spring
- Get an I-20 travel signature before travelling outside the U.S.
Workshops/Seminars (Fridays, 2-4 p.m.)
- Employment/Practical Training Workshop (third week of January and September)
- Immigration Seminar (February and October)
- Tax Workshop (March)
Helpful Links
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Study in the States
- Social Security Administration: International Students and Social Security Numbers
Employment
On-Campus Employment
On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours a week during fall and spring semesters and 40 hours a week during university vacations and summer vacation. If you’re interested in on-campus employment, follow these steps:
- Search for and apply for an on-campus job
- Obtain a job offer letter from the hiring supervisor and provide it to the ISS office
- Request a letter to the Social Security Administration
- Apply for a Social Security card at the local Social Security office
- Begin work after obtaining your Social Security card
Off-Campus Employment
In order for international students to work off campus, they must obtain the proper work authorization through ISS and/or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Off-campus work authorization options are:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Academic Training (J1 visa only)
Travel
Students and scholars may travel internationally during scheduled university breaks. Students returning to the U.S. from a temporary break should ensure they have the required documents to reenter the country. Required documents for reentry to the U.S. include:
- Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the reentry to the U.S.)
- Valid F-1/J-1 visa in passport (except students from Canada)
- Current I-20/DS-2019 with a valid travel signature form
Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for international students who hold an F-1 or J-1 visa. The health insurance charge is applied automatically at the beginning of the fall and spring terms for international students.
For more information, email iss@apu.edu or visit the APU Student Health Center site or the Gallagher Student Insurance site.
Forms
The following online forms are available for international students to use for any of the issues listed with the respective forms.
- I-20 signature for traveling
- Extension of I-20
- Replacement of I-20
- I-20 for new dependents
- Full-time student letter
- Letter to Social Security Administration
- Letter of permission to study part-time at another school
- Graduation invitation letter
- Permission to study below full time
- Update contact information (email, phone)
- Update U.S. physical address
- Update home country address
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application
- Apply for pre-completion OPT
- Apply for post-completion OPT
- OPT Checklist (PDF)
- Update employer name and address
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Application
- Some programs require their students to have an internship and/or work outside of campus; use this link to apply.
- Curricular Practical Training (PDF)
- This form is to be filled out when you are planning to transfer out of APU before you finish your program/major.
Transfer In Authorization Form (PDF)
- This form is to be filled out by the DSO of your previous school and when you are planning to transfer into APU.
- This form is to be filled out when you are planning to take a leave of absence from APU and return later.
Anita Gunadi, MBA
Senior International Student Advisor, International Student Compliance
- Email: agunadi@apu.edu