Visa Information

Maintaining Your Visa Status

F and J visas have important rules that must be followed to remain in status or in good immigration standing. It is the student’s responsibility to do everything necessary to remain in status and to be sure that his/her dependents also remain in status. Each visa and each category within that visa classification has specific criteria for what is required to maintain a good visa status.

The ultimate definition of what is required to maintain good visa status is dynamic (constantly changing) and the most up-to-date information on maintaining visa status can be found on the Department of Homeland Security website, the U.S. Customs and Immigration website, the Department of State website, and the SEVIS website.

The Office of International Affairs functions in an advisory capacity for students and visiting research scholars.

The Coordinator of International Affairs serves the seminary and the students by (1) keeping up to date on the daily and weekly changes; (2) advising all of the aforementioned persons; and (3) advising international students on how to get here and how to maintain good visa status. Therefore, international students must consult with the Coordinator of International Affairs before doing anything that might affect their visa status.

Visa Types

F-1 Visa

An F-1 visa is the most common visa used by international students. The primary purpose of an F-1 student coming to the USA is to study to complete a full-time program at any grade level or postsecondary education at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified college or university.

Asbury Theological Seminary is a SEVP certified institution. F-1 students at Asbury Theological Seminary must be enrolled in a full course of study while in the U.S. and must follow the rules to maintain their F-1 student status.

While in the U.S., F-1 students have a designated school official (DSO) at their college or university. The Coordinator of International Affairs serves as the primary DSO at Asbury Theological Seminary. The DSO helps and guides internationals through the student life cycle and ensures they maintain their status.

J-1 Visas

The J-1 international students can only pursue their education at a postsecondary, accredited academic institution in the U.S. to maintain their J-1 status.

There is a cross-cultural component to the J-1 program, which requires the student to participate in cultural activities to build mutual understanding between Americans and their home country. Cultural activities include touring the city where the student is living, visiting museums, attending a U.S. sporting event, visiting amusement/theme parks, attending a concert, attending a local trade show, volunteering at a local charity, etc.

The Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) will help J-1 students by monitoring their safety, welfare, and status throughout their program.

Status Requirements

• Requirement to Keep Your Passport Valid
  • Your passport must be always valid. A renewal application must be made with the Embassy or Consulate of the country issuing the passport. You will need a certification of the student from Asbury Theological Seminary (this is called an enrollment verification Form and can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office). Addresses of embassies and consulates are available from the U.S. Department of the State website.
• Requirement to Report Address Changes to the Office of International Affairs
  • You are required to report any address change to Asbury Seminary within ten days of the address change.
  • This includes address changes of any of your dependents as well. However, it is best to see the Office of International Affairs, before you move to determine if your moving will have any consequences for your student status.
• Requirement to Maintain Status as a Full-Time Student
  • Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are required to pursue a full course of study during normal enrolment periods. Full-time at Asbury Theological Seminary is nine (9) credit hours per semester for master’s level students or six (6) credit hours for Doctoral level students. You are allowed to deviate from this full course of study only with PRIOR authorization from the Office of International Affairs and only under very limited circumstances.
  • Spouses: F-2 spouse may engage in part-time study that is avocational & recreational in nature. Spouses on J-2 visas are allowed and have no study restrictions. They can be a full-time or part-time student.
• Requirement to Report Departure Date and Reason to the Office of International Affairs
  • For a variety of reasons, students leave Asbury Seminary early or unexpectedly. Some of these reasons include graduation, leave of absence, suspension, expulsion, or family emergencies. You are required to inform the Coordinator of International Affairs if you plan to leave the seminary and the reason for doing so. You can do this by sending an email to international.services@asburyseminary.edu.
  • International Student Handbook Chapter 2: Maintaining Status (F-1 & J-1) 13
• Requirement for Reporting Your Intent to Transfer to Another School
  • You are currently authorized to attend Asbury Theological Seminary. If you decide to attend another school in the U.S., you must notify the Office of International Affairs of your intent to transfer and the name of the school to which you intend to transfer. This is done using the “Request to Transfer” form found in the Office of International Affairs.
  • The Coordinator of International Affairs will then enter a “Release” date in SEVIS (usually the day the current term ends). After this date is reached, the new school can issue you an I-20 or DS-2019. You will then have to report to the Designated School Official/Responsible Officer at the new school within fifteen (15) days of the program start date to complete the transfer.
• Requirement for Changing Your Academic Program or Degree Level
  • You must obtain a new 1-20 or DS-2019 if you change your academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Master’s to Doctoral level) or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Master of Arts to Master of Divinity) or if you add a second Master’s degree. You must receive a new 1-20 or DS 2019 from the Office of International Affairs within fifteen (15) days of beginning the new program/degree level.
• Requirement for Receiving Authorization to Travel
  • You must notify the Office of International Affairs before traveling outside the U.S. so that the 1-20 or DS-2019 can be endorsed for travel or a new form can be issued if required. Students and scholars must complete and submit a “Request for Travel Letter” at least five (5) working days before the anticipated travel date, although you are strongly encouraged to submit the form even earlier. When you buy your airline ticket or make other travel arrangements, submit your request for a travel letter. The form can be found online or in the Office of International Affairs.
• Requirement to Provide Documentation of Dependents
  • You must notify the Office of International Affairs of any accompanying dependents in F-2 or J-2 status and provide biographical information (e.g., full name, address. Country of birth, etc.) and non-immigrant visa information (e.g., passport information, visa information, etc.) regarding those dependents. The Coordinator of International Affairs is required to report information to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and/or Department of State regarding your dependents. In addition, we encourage you to inform the Coordinator of International Affairs of the birth of any new family member during your F-1 or J-1 status. This information is essential to keeping your file accurate and up to date.

Other Resources

Preparing for the Visa Interview
Inviting Friends and Relatives for Graduation and Other Visits
Request for Family/Friend Invitation Letter