Visa & Immigration Service Advising (VISA) is a non-academic resource for all students at ODU who are do not have a passport or a green card. We provide our international students and scholars with information regarding their rights and responsibilities as they pertain to their visa status so they can work toward the achievement of their academic goals.
This guide is for academic advisors at ODU to give them a better understanding of the policies and requirements to which our international students must adhere in order to remain legally in the U.S. Immigration Glossary►
F-1 and J-1 student visa holders have specific immigration requirements in connection with their course load. There are many visa statuses represented at ODU but the majority of our international students hold either of these two statuses. If they have a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, the below information does not apply; they should be considered to be like your other advisees would be with regard to course load, etc.
Minimum required course load: 12 credits
Minimum required course load for Bridge students: 6 credits
|
Reason |
Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (may only be used once and for the first semester) | 6 -11 credits | Submit Reduced Course Load Request Form (RCL) to VISA | None |
| Medical issue | 0-11 credits | Submit RCL and documentation from physician to VISA | None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) | 6-11 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| Final semester of program | 1-11 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester | Fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA | |
| Insufficient funds | No classes available that the student wants to take |
If you find you have students who fall into the above or similiar situations, please have them meet with their VISA advisor.
Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required, by immigration, to register for the summer.
This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits. This can be a total of credits from different summer sessions, Session I, Session II and/or Session III.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders have records in a government database known as the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This record documents their academic program information, including the anticipated program end date. UG students are given four years on their visa document; however, sometimes class offerings, English prerequisites, failing a class, etc., mean that a student needs to extend his or her program. Immigration requires that our office establish, among other things, that the student has been making sufficient progress towards the completion of his/her program. Students must request the extension of their visa document 45 days before it expires.
Academic Advisor Action: Your advisee should bring you an extension form from our office with the student portion completed. You fill in the advisor portion to provide our office with documentation regarding the status of your advisee's academic program. Once you have written in that information, we ask that you seal it in an envelope and send it to VISA via campus mail or ask your advisee to drop it off. Our office may contact you if there are clarifications needed. NOTE: In an attempt to assist you at the busier times of the year, some students have filled out the advisor portion so you can read over, approve and then sign the document. This form is a legal document and, therefore, you must be the one to provide the answers in your own writing.
Students who are suspended and have been denied an appeal will likely have to return to their country and apply for another program in the U.S. if they would like to continue studying elsewhere.
Academic Advisor Action: Encourage your advisees to see an advisor in VISA immediately. International students must submit an appeal within two weeks of receiving the suspension notice. Students can contact us via e-mail, for guidance on their situation.
F-1 and J-1 student visa holders have specific immigration requirements in connection with their course load. There are many visa statuses represented at ODU but the majority of our international students hold either of these two statuses. If they have a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, the below information does not apply; they should be considered to be like your other advisees would be with regard to course load, etc.
Minimum required course load: 9 credits
Minimum required course load for Bridge students: 3 credits
|
Reason |
Minimum Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (first semester only) | 6-8 credits | Submit Reduced Course Load Request Form (RCL) to VISA | None |
| Medical issue | 0-8 credits | Submit RCL and documentation from physician to VISA | None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) | 6-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| All coursework completed, dissertation only remaining | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Graduate Assistantship | Under 9 credits -- based on GA type and funding | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Final semester of program (a class taken for audit does not meet Immigration's enrollment requirements.) | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester | Fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA | |
| Insufficient funds | No classes available that the student wants to take |
If you find you have students who fall into the above or similiar situations, please have them meet with their VISA advisor.
Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required, by immigration, to register for the summer.
This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits.
If a student has a graduate assistantship (and it is NOT the first semester of the program), s/he will need to check with their academic department regarding summer registration requirements.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders have records in a government database known as the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This record documents their academic program information, including the anticipated program end date. Master's students are given two years on their visa document; however, sometimes class offerings, English prerequisites, failing a class, etc., mean that a student needs to extend his or her program. Immigration requires that our office establish, among other things, that the student has been making sufficient progress towards the completion of his/her program. Students must request the extension of their visa document 45 days before it expires.
Academic Advisor Action: Your advisee should bring you an extension form from our office with the student portion completed. You fill in the advisor portion to provide our office with documentation regarding the status of your advisee's academic program. Once you have written in that information, we ask that you seal it in an envelope and send it to VISA via campus mail or ask your advisee to drop it off. Our office may contact you if there are clarifications needed. NOTE: In an attempt to assist you at the busier times of the year, some students have filled out the advisor portion so you can read over, approve and then sign the document. This form is a legal document and, therefore, you must be the one to provide the answers in your own writing.
Students who are suspended and have been denied an appeal will likely have to return to their country and apply for another program in the U.S. if they would like to continue studying elsewhere.
Academic Advisor Action: Encourage your advisees to see an advisor in VISA immediately. International students must submit an appeal within two weeks of receiving the suspension notice. Students can contact us via e-mail, for guidance on their situation.
F-1 and J-1 student visa holders have specific immigration requirements in connection with their course load as these are statuses specifically for education in the U.S. There are many visa statuses represented at ODU but the majority of our international students hold either of these two statuses. If they have a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, the below information does not apply; they should be considered to be like your other advisees would be with regard to course load, etc.
Minimum Required Course Load for Full-Time University Students: 9 credits
Minimum Required Course Load for Bridge Students: 3 credits
|
Reason |
Minimum Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (first semester only) | 6-8 credits | Submit Reduced Course Load Request Form (RCL) to VISA | None |
| Medical issue | 0-8 credits | Submit RCL and documentation from physician to VISA | None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) | 6-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| All coursework completed, dissertation only remaining | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Graduate Assistantship | Under 9 credits -- based on GA type and funding | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Final semester of program (a class taken for audit does not meet Immigration's enrollment requirements.) | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester | Fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA | |
| Insufficient funds | No classes available that the student wants to take |
If you find you have students who fall into the above or similiar situations, please have them meet with their VISA advisor.
Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required, by immigration, to register for the summer.
This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits.
If a student has a graduate assistantship (and it is NOT the first semester of the program), s/he will need to check with their academic department regarding summer registration requirements.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders have records in a government database known as the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This record documents their academic program information, including the anticipated program end date. PhD students are given six years on their visa document; however, sometimes class offerings, English prerequisites, failing a class, etc., mean that a student needs to extend his or her program. Immigration requires that our office establish, among other things, that the student has been making sufficient progress towards the completion of his/her program. Students must request the extension of their visa document 45 days before it expires.
Academic Advisor Action: Your advisee should bring you an extension form from our office with the student portion completed. You fill in the advisor portion to provide our office with documentation regarding the status of your advisee's academic program. Once you have written in that information, we ask that you seal it in an envelope and send it to VISA via campus mail or ask your advisee to drop it off. Our office may contact you if there are clarifications needed. NOTE: In an attempt to assist you at the busier times of the year, some students have filled out the advisor portion so you can read over, approve and then sign the document. This form is a legal document and, therefore, you must be the one to provide the answers in your own writing.
Students who are suspended and have been denied an appeal will likely have to return to their country and apply for another program in the U.S. if they would like to continue studying elsewhere.
Academic Advisor Action: Encourage your advisees to see an advisor in VISA immediately. International students must submit an appeal within two weeks of receiving the suspension notice. Students can contact us via e-mail, for guidance on their situation.
F-1 and J-1 student visa holders have specific immigration requirements in connection with their course load. There are many visa statuses represented at ODU but the majority of our international students hold either of these two statuses. If they have a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, the below information does not apply; they should be considered to be like your other advisees would be with regard to course load, etc.
Minimum required course load: 12 credits
Minimum required course load for Bridge students: 6 credits
|
Reason |
Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (may only be used once and for the first semester) | 6 -11 credits | Submit Reduced Course Load Request Form (RCL) to VISA | None |
| Medical issue | 0-11 credits | Submit RCL and documentation from physician to VISA | None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) | 6-11 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| Final semester of program | 1-11 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester | Fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA | |
| Insufficient funds | No classes available that the student wants to take |
If you find you have students who fall into the above or similiar situations, please have them meet with their VISA advisor.
Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required, by immigration, to register for the summer.
This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits. This can be a total of credits from different summer sessions, Session I, Session II and/or Session III.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders have records in a government database known as the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This record documents their academic program information, including the anticipated program end date. UG students are given four years on their visa document; however, sometimes class offerings, English prerequisites, failing a class, etc., mean that a student needs to extend his or her program. Immigration requires that our office establish, among other things, that the student has been making sufficient progress towards the completion of his/her program. Students must request the extension of their visa document 45 days before it expires.
Academic Advisor Action: Your advisee should bring you an extension form from our office with the student portion completed. You fill in the advisor portion to provide our office with documentation regarding the status of your advisee's academic program. Once you have written in that information, we ask that you seal it in an envelope and send it to VISA via campus mail or ask your advisee to drop it off. Our office may contact you if there are clarifications needed. NOTE: In an attempt to assist you at the busier times of the year, some students have filled out the advisor portion so you can read over, approve and then sign the document. This form is a legal document and, therefore, you must be the one to provide the answers in your own writing.
Students who are suspended and have been denied an appeal will likely have to return to their country and apply for another program in the U.S. if they would like to continue studying elsewhere.
Academic Advisor Action: Encourage your advisees to see an advisor in VISA immediately. International students must submit an appeal within two weeks of receiving the suspension notice. Students can contact us via e-mail, for guidance on their situation.
F-1 and J-1 student visa holders have specific immigration requirements in connection with their course load. There are many visa statuses represented at ODU but the majority of our international students hold either of these two statuses. If they have a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, the below information does not apply; they should be considered to be like your other advisees would be with regard to course load, etc.
Minimum required course load: 9 credits
Minimum required course load for Bridge students: 3 credits
|
Reason |
Minimum Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (first semester only) | 6-8 credits | Submit Reduced Course Load Request Form (RCL) to VISA | None |
| Medical issue | 0-8 credits | Submit RCL and documentation from physician to VISA | None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) | 6-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| All coursework completed, dissertation only remaining | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Graduate Assistantship | Under 9 credits -- based on GA type and funding | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Final semester of program (a class taken for audit does not meet Immigration's enrollment requirements.) | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester | Fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA | |
| Insufficient funds | No classes available that the student wants to take |
If you find you have students who fall into the above or similiar situations, please have them meet with their VISA advisor.
Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required, by immigration, to register for the summer.
This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits.
If a student has a graduate assistantship (and it is NOT the first semester of the program), s/he will need to check with their academic department regarding summer registration requirements.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders have records in a government database known as the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This record documents their academic program information, including the anticipated program end date. Master's students are given two years on their visa document; however, sometimes class offerings, English prerequisites, failing a class, etc., mean that a student needs to extend his or her program. Immigration requires that our office establish, among other things, that the student has been making sufficient progress towards the completion of his/her program. Students must request the extension of their visa document 45 days before it expires.
Academic Advisor Action: Your advisee should bring you an extension form from our office with the student portion completed. You fill in the advisor portion to provide our office with documentation regarding the status of your advisee's academic program. Once you have written in that information, we ask that you seal it in an envelope and send it to VISA via campus mail or ask your advisee to drop it off. Our office may contact you if there are clarifications needed. NOTE: In an attempt to assist you at the busier times of the year, some students have filled out the advisor portion so you can read over, approve and then sign the document. This form is a legal document and, therefore, you must be the one to provide the answers in your own writing.
Students who are suspended and have been denied an appeal will likely have to return to their country and apply for another program in the U.S. if they would like to continue studying elsewhere.
Academic Advisor Action: Encourage your advisees to see an advisor in VISA immediately. International students must submit an appeal within two weeks of receiving the suspension notice. Students can contact us via e-mail, for guidance on their situation.
F-1 and J-1 student visa holders have specific immigration requirements in connection with their course load as these are statuses specifically for education in the U.S. There are many visa statuses represented at ODU but the majority of our international students hold either of these two statuses. If they have a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, the below information does not apply; they should be considered to be like your other advisees would be with regard to course load, etc.
Minimum Required Course Load for Full-Time University Students: 9 credits
Minimum Required Course Load for Bridge Students: 3 credits
|
Reason |
Minimum Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (first semester only) | 6-8 credits | Submit Reduced Course Load Request Form (RCL) to VISA | None |
| Medical issue | 0-8 credits | Submit RCL and documentation from physician to VISA | None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) | 6-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| All coursework completed, dissertation only remaining | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Graduate Assistantship | Under 9 credits -- based on GA type and funding | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Final semester of program (a class taken for audit does not meet Immigration's enrollment requirements.) | 1-8 credits | Submit RCL to advisor and then to VISA | Sign RCL |
| Completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester | Fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA | |
| Insufficient funds | No classes available that the student wants to take |
If you find you have students who fall into the above or similiar situations, please have them meet with their VISA advisor.
Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required, by immigration, to register for the summer.
This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits.
If a student has a graduate assistantship (and it is NOT the first semester of the program), s/he will need to check with their academic department regarding summer registration requirements.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders have records in a government database known as the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This record documents their academic program information, including the anticipated program end date. PhD students are given six years on their visa document; however, sometimes class offerings, English prerequisites, failing a class, etc., mean that a student needs to extend his or her program. Immigration requires that our office establish, among other things, that the student has been making sufficient progress towards the completion of his/her program. Students must request the extension of their visa document 45 days before it expires.
Academic Advisor Action: Your advisee should bring you an extension form from our office with the student portion completed. You fill in the advisor portion to provide our office with documentation regarding the status of your advisee's academic program. Once you have written in that information, we ask that you seal it in an envelope and send it to VISA via campus mail or ask your advisee to drop it off. Our office may contact you if there are clarifications needed. NOTE: In an attempt to assist you at the busier times of the year, some students have filled out the advisor portion so you can read over, approve and then sign the document. This form is a legal document and, therefore, you must be the one to provide the answers in your own writing.
Students who are suspended and have been denied an appeal will likely have to return to their country and apply for another program in the U.S. if they would like to continue studying elsewhere.
Academic Advisor Action: Encourage your advisees to see an advisor in VISA immediately. International students must submit an appeal within two weeks of receiving the suspension notice. Students can contact us via e-mail, for guidance on their situation.