老司机传媒

International Student Visas

Dear international students,

We hope you are doing well and wish you many successes for the spring 2025 semester!

We wanted to send a message of support and clarification amidst the news of arrests, detainment and deportation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

We assure you that if you are studying at 老司机传媒 with a student visa, your valid F-1 or J-1 status allows you to be present in the United States legally, and the current enforcement actions do not target individuals who maintain their visa status.

As always, but especially now, it is important to make sure that your student visa is in good status, particularly in the following areas:

• Full-time status: You must be a full-time student each fall and spring semester (and your first summer if you start your studies on campus in the summer). Full-time status means registering for at least 12 credits per semester for undergraduate students, at least 8 credits per semester for graduate students and at least 9 credits per semester for MDiv students (alternatively, graduate students can meet the requirement by registering for any course number described in the current University bulletin as meeting full-time status).
  • Note to graduate students at the thesis or dissertation stage: Upon completing coursework, you must continue to meet full-time status through a thesis or dissertation continuation section that counts as full-time status in the University bulletin.
• Employment: You can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week (and more during school breaks), but you need prior authorization from the International Student Services office before working off campus in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• Deadlines: You must keep track of your I-20 end date (for F-1 visa holders) and contact International Student Services at least 30 days before this date if you wish to extend; upon completion of your program of study, you will have 60 days to apply for OPT, be accepted into a new program of study, or transfer to another institution. If you have a J-1 visa, your DS-2019 has similar deadlines that vary depending on your program category; always check in with International Student Services at least 30 days before the end date on your DS-2019.
• International Travel: Plan carefully if you want to leave the United States before completing your program of study. You must ensure that your F-1 or J-1 visa will still be valid when you return to the United States, and you must have a current travel endorsement on your I-20 (for F-1 visa holders) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa holders). We strongly advise any international students planning international travel to stop by the International Student Services office before departure.

Once again, we want to assure you that your student visa grants you legal status to be in the United States while you study, keeping you out of the scope of the current enforcement efforts. If you are at all concerned about your student visa status or have questions, don’t hesitate to visit us in the International Student Services office (Administration Building, Room 307). We will listen to you, pray with you and offer guidance to best solve any challenges or concerns you may have.

Our prayers and best wishes are with you this semester, and we are privileged to serve you!

Christian Stuart
Associate Dean for International Education
Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)

Silmara Ferreira
International Student Services Director
Designated School Official (DSO)