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Your immigration classification is based on your primary purpose in the U.S. There are things you need to be aware of and steps you need to take to maintain your lawful immigration status throughout your stay at Curry College.

It is important for you to understand the requirements that govern your specific immigration classification and to communicate with International Student Services prior to taking part in activities that may negatively impact your legal status in the U.S. If you violate the terms of your status, you may need to take steps to regain legal status through an application for reinstatement or by exiting the U.S. and re-entering on a new SEVIS record.

If you violate your immigration status, it is critical that you consult with an experienced immigration attorney to explore options after consulting with the Director of International Student Services and Global Programming at Curry College.

Your SEVIS Record

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, known as SEVIS, is a real-time electronic system used to maintain records for individuals in F status. Every F-1 student has a unique SEVIS record. This record was created by the Curry College prior to issuing your I-20. You can find your SEVIS number in the upper right corner of your I-20.

New F-1 students entering the U.S. for the first time in F-1 status must pay a SEVIS fee.

Full-Time Enrollment Requirement

If you are an F-1 student, you must register for and complete at least 12 credit hours each Fall and Spring Semester to maintain your immigration status. Please note that additional credit requirements vary depending on the school/program to which you were admitted; in some cases, the required credit hours for your degree program may exceed the 12 credit hours required for immigration purposes. Full-time enrollment will also be required if you begin or end your program during a the summer semester. Dropping below 12 credits without prior authorization by the International Student Services is considered a violation of your F-1 immigration status and will result in a negative SEVIS record termination.

Exceptions to Full Time Enrollment

SEVIS Registration

Federal regulations require Curry College to update the Department of Homeland Security about every F-1 student each academic semester. We send information through SEVIS for new students once they have completed Initial check-in with Curry College and have registered for classes. For continuing students, we update SEVIS records at the beginning of each semester based on academic class registration.

Program Extension

Your initial Curry College I-20 was based on the anticipated dates of your program or affiliation at the Curry. Your anticipated completion date can change for many reasons—students may change majors or programs, or research can take unexpected (yet exciting) turns. This is normal in academia. If you need additional time to complete your studies or affiliation at Curry, International Student Services can advise you on your options and the required paperwork. You can request and Extension by completing the Extension Request form found on the myCurry Portal.

Please note that any extension must be requested before the Program End Date listed on the I-20. If you wait until after this date your current I-20 may not be able to be extended resulting in the potential loss of work authorization opportunities (CPT, OPT).

Change of Program/Appointment Information

Your I-20 should accurately always reflect the details of your Curry College affiliation. If you are a student changing education level or degree program International Student Services must be notified in advance to assess whether the change will affect your current immigration status. You can do this by completing the Change of Program Request form found on the myCurry Portal.

Leave of Absence

Are you planning to request a leave of absence for non-medical reasons or a medical condition? Are you being suspended or under review for suspension? Are you planning to withdraw from your classes? Do you have personal issues in your home country that require you to take some time away from Curry? These are just some of the situations where you may need to interrupt your studies at Curry College. Please contact International Student Services to discuss your options.

Change of Address or Other Personal Information

Your I-20 and records should always be accurate. Whether your local address, name, citizenship, funding, or other personal information has changed, it is important to inform International Student Services by completing the Contact Information Update Request form found on the myCurry Portal.

All international students and scholars must submit a tax filing, even if the person earned no income during that given year.

Federal and state income tax forms are completed annually in the United States and submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) between January 1 and April 15 for the previous tax year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a U.S. tax return?

Tax forms must be completed (even if a tax treaty exempts you from paying any U.S. taxes) if you were in the United States during any part of the previous year on any visa other than a tourist visa. Every year you will have to submit at least one form—Form 8843—regardless of whether or not you worked last year. You may also be required to fill out additional forms.

What if I didn't work last year?

If you didn't work at any point last year, then you will need to complete Form 8843. Form 8843 must be completed by everyone in your family, including your dependent children and is due by June 15.

If you did work at any point last year, you must still submit Form 8843 along with your tax returns by the April 15 deadline.

I worked in the U.S. last year, but I only made $5,000. Do I still need to file a tax return?

Yes, you will need to file a federal tax return and submit the Form 8843 by the April 15 deadline.

What else do I need to know about U.S. taxes?

The first step with filing taxes is to figure out if you are a resident or nonresident for tax purposes. Generally, if you were in the U.S. fewer than 5 months throughout the previous year, you are a non-resident and if you were in the U.S. 5 months or more you are considered a resident.

When do I have to finish my taxes?

If you were present in the United States during any part of last year on a visa other than a B visa, you will need to complete Form 8843 at a minimum.

Federal tax forms are due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) every year by April 15. Massachusetts state tax forms (if necessary) are also due to the Department of Revenue by April 15 each year.

Please note that if you had no U.S. based income, you will have until June 15 to file your Form 8843.