Contact Us
214 MacMillan Hall
531 E Spring St.
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-8600
513-529-8608 (fax)
International@MiamiOH.edu
Meet the ISSS Staff
Additionally, ISSS staff is available for scheduled appointments and drop-ins.
You must enroll full-time if you study inside the U.S.
Courses coded as in-person or hybrid may meet the in-person requirement depending on their primary mode of instruction. ISSS defines coursework as meeting the in-person requirement of regulations when the course meets partially (at least 50% of the time) or fully (100%) in person. Courses that meet primarily online (60% or more) do not meet the in-person requirement.
Students are encouraged to check with ISSS or academic advising if their hybrid coursework is sufficiently in-person. This information is not available to students in the Course List.
There are a number of steps that must be completed in order to successfully return. Because document issuance and visa applications take time, it is important to start the return process as early as possible. Review Miami University's Academic Calendar for term dates. All students must be able to arrive on time for the start of classes. All requests for an I-20 to return to studies should ideally be submitted and all tasks in Stage 1 completed at least thirty days before the start of the semester. After this deadline, incomplete requests may be subject to cancellation.
Complete steps 1-4 concurrently (at the same time). ISSS will only issue your I-20 or DS-2019 after you have been approved for re-enrollment, resolved all registration holds, and enroll full-time in coursework for your return semester.
Visa Document Issuance
After you have completed steps 1-4, notify ISSS and an advisor will work on your I-20 or DS-2019.
Pick Up or Express Mail
Your I-20 will be sent to your Miami email address. You must print and sign your I-20 after receipt.
Pay Required SEVIS Fee
After you receive your new visa document, please pay the required SEVIS fee.
Apply for Visa
If your current visa is not expired, it is your choice whether to apply for a new visa. This is a reminder that your old visa is attached to your old I-20, not your new document. This can sometimes cause questions from the officer at the port of entry.
If you choose to apply for the F-1 visa, allow sufficient time. You will have to submit the I-20, documentation of your financial support, official academic transcript, SEVIS fee receipt, and evidence that you intend to return to your home country at the conclusion of your studies in the US (i.e. ties to your home country). Before your visa interview, you will need to pay the visa application fee and fill out Form DS-160. This is a reminder that certain factors can cause increased scrutiny such as previous violations of status and academic performance (low GPA).
Travel to U.S.
Book your flight. You may re-enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date on your new I-20 or DS-2019. Check the first page of your document and review your program start date in the “program of study” section (on an I-20) or the “from” date in the “form covers period” section (on a DS-2019). Please note you must return to the U.S and to Miami no later than the start of classes. It is not an option to return late.
Check in with ISSS
After you return to the U.S., please complete the “Arrival Confirmation & Document Upload” form in Interlink. You will need to upload copies of your passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, and proof of SEVIS fee payment and enter information about your local U.S. address and phone number. After you complete this form, an advisor will verify the documentation. If all information is accurate and complete, ISSS will be able to register your new SEVIS record.
If you are a student in F-1 status returning to the U.S. with a new I-20 and SEVIS record, you will not be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) until you have been registered in coursework and maintained status for one full academic year (summer sessions excluded). Time spent in the U.S. prior to your leave of absence does not count.
ISSS will only issue a visa document that corresponds with the spring semester start date. However, you may re-enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start of the spring semester (typically the very end of December). If you choose to do so and enroll in a winter term course, that is okay.
The reason ISSS has this policy is because of government rules regarding full-time enrollment in the term of return. This ensures that if you experience difficulty in your winter term course, you will be able to drop the course with no impact on your legal status.
214 MacMillan Hall
531 E Spring St.
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-8600
513-529-8608 (fax)
International@MiamiOH.edu
Meet the ISSS Staff
Additionally, ISSS staff is available for scheduled appointments and drop-ins.
International students and scholars can submit a variety of requests to ISSS via InterLink.
Campus Community allows to students to find each other based shared country, interests, or other information, ask questions or share info in the forums, learn about upcoming events, and more!
International students and scholars will automatically receive communications from ISSS. Others are welcome to sign up to receive emails and communications from our office.