International Students

F-1 students are typically only permitted to work on-campus. However, there are special types of employment — CPT and OPT — available depending on your academic program and stage of study.

On-Campus Employment

• Batten University offers a wide range of on-campus employment through the Work and Learn program.
• International students are not eligible for Federal Work Study positions.
• All students are limited to 20 hours of work per week while school is in session.
• Some positions offer tuition assistance versus an hourly wage — read job descriptions carefully.
• International students may hold a tuition-assistance position and a separate hourly-wage position simultaneously.
• On-campus jobs are typically posted in August for the next academic year.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• CPT is off-campus employment — paid or unpaid — that is an established, integral part of your program of study.
• Types include internships, cooperative education, and alternative work experiences.
• Students must have completed at least one full academic year at a SEVP-certified institution.
• Students who complete a full year of full-time CPT are ineligible for post-completion OPT.
• A job offer is required before requesting CPT authorization.
• A Social Security number is required to receive payment for off-campus CPT employment.
• Contact your academic advisor and the Office of Global Engagement (globalengagement@batten.edu) to initiate the CPT authorization process.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is training or work experience directly related to your program of study. There are two types:

Pre-Completion OPT

• Can be done while pursuing your degree; limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session
• Time used counts against your post-completion OPT allowance
• Must submit the I-765 form to USCIS (Application Fee: $410)
• Requires I-20 authorization from the Office of Global Engagement

Post-Completion OPT

• Available after completing your program; can be paid or unpaid, full-time
• Allows up to one year of work experience related to your field(s) of study
• Apply up to 90 days before graduation through 60 days after — the earlier the better, as approval takes several months
• A Social Security number is required to receive payment
• Must submit the I-765 form to USCIS (Application Fee: $410)
• STEM fields may apply for a 24-month OPT extension — requires Form I-983 completed by both the E-Verify employer and the student, submitted to the PDSO

F-1 and J-1 students are required to file an annual federal income tax return, even if you did not earn income in the United States. Tax forms are due by April 15th each year.

• Students who did not earn income must file Form 8843.
• Students who earned income must file Form 8843 plus a federal tax return (Form 1040-NR or 1040-NR-EZ). You may also need to file a Virginia state return.
• Batten University’s Student Financial Services office can provide an official enrollment verification letter upon request for tax purposes.
• The IRS Foreign Students and Scholars page is a useful starting point.

All international students are required to have health insurance. Batten University offers an international student health insurance plan. Students who have comparable coverage through another provider may apply for a waiver.

Contact the Office of Global Engagement at globalengagement@batten.edu for information about the current plan and waiver process. Always carry your medical insurance information with you.

To open a U.S. bank account, you will generally need the following:

• Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• I-94 (proof of legal entry)
• Batten University enrollment verification letter (available from Student Financial Services)
• U.S. address

Several banks are located near campus. The Office of Global Engagement can assist with questions about the process.

When traveling outside of the Hampton Roads area, complete the travel form. This is not required for athletics or class-sponsored travel, which is already recorded.

Documents to carry daily: a copy of your I-20, passport, and visa. Keep originals in a safe place in your room.

Documents to carry when traveling outside Hampton Roads: your original passport, visa, and I-20 (not copies). Always carry your medical insurance information.

To re-enter the U.S. after travel abroad, you will need:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from your return date
• A valid visa
• A valid I-20 with a travel signature (signed by a PDSO or DSO within the past year)

Your I-94 is the legal record of your U.S. entry. Print a copy at the CBP website — allow at least five business days after entry.

F-1 students may remain in the U.S. for up to 60 days after their program end date; J-1 students for up to 30 days. If you have a pending OPT application, remain in the U.S. until you receive your EAD — traveling while OPT is pending is strongly discouraged.

Additional F-1 re-entry information from ICE

Phone and social media scams are common. Protect yourself:

• Do not answer calls or texts from unknown numbers. Screen calls and block unsolicited numbers.
• Do not send money or provide personal or financial information to anyone you don’t know.
• Beware of spoofing — callers who falsify their caller ID to appear as a local number, company, or government agency.
• No government agency will call and threaten you, suspend your Social Security number, or demand gift cards. If a government agency needs to contact you, they will send an email or letter first.
• If you think you have been targeted, file a complaint with the FCC.

USCIS Common Scams

Some J-1 exchange students are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. This means you are required to return to and remain in your home country for two years at the end of your exchange program. If you are subject to this requirement, it will be noted on your J-1 visa page.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is approximately 10 minutes from campus. Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are available at the airport:

• Yellow Cab of Norfolk: 757-857-8888
• Norfolk Checker Taxi: 757-855-3333
• Norfolk Black and White Cab: 757-855-4444

If driving, see directions to campus.

When possible, Batten University arranges pick-up times for new international students from Norfolk International Airport. This information will be sent to you via email. Students may arrive in the United States up to 30 days before orientation, but housing will not be available until orientation begins.

All new international students are required to participate in Batten University’s orientation programming, which consists of two parts:

• Marlin Nation Orientation (MNO) 1 — Late June: Informational videos covering Campus Life, Housing, Security, Student Activities, Student Health, and Financial Aid and Billing.
• Marlin Nation Orientation (MNO) 2 — Late August: In-person orientation including international student check-in, student ID pickup, a trip to a local store, interactive activities, and more.

• J-1 Exchange students have 30 days past the last date listed on their DS-2019 to remain in the U.S.
• F-1 Exchange students have 60 days past the last date listed on their I-20 to remain in the U.S.

• Make an appointment with the PDSO to discuss the transfer of your SEVIS record.
• Once accepted by another institution, contact their international office and request a Transfer-In Form to facilitate the release of your SEVIS record.
• The Transfer-In Form will generate a transfer release date — typically the day after your last day enrolled at Batten University.
• Your new institution will issue you a new I-20.
• Complete the transfer process by beginning classes at the new institution.

Family members from other countries will generally need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to attend. Citizens from some countries may qualify under the Visa Waiver Program.

Required documents for a B-1/B-2 visa application:

• Valid passport (good for at least 6 months from the return date)
• Photographs
• Visa Application Fee
• Visa Application Form

Supporting documents that can strengthen the application:

• Proof of employment of the applicant
• Proof of property ownership in home country
• Proof of family contacts in home country
• Bank statements or other proof of finances
• A formal invitation letter from you (the F-1 student) specifying the reason for the visit, proposed dates, and your status as an F-1 student

Note: Batten University cannot provide invitation letters for family members. Letters from the university have been shown to be less effective than personal invitation letters from the F-1 student.