Address Reminder
USC F-1 and J-1 visa holders are reminded to update your physical address in VIP within 10 days of moving. This information will be then be updated in your SEVIS record.

USC graduates on OPT or Academic Training should update both VIP and send address changes to intlprog@sc.edu.

Travel Advisory for USC Graduates on OPT
Students who have completed studies at USC and have applied for or have been awarded OPT should be cautious when making travel plans outside the U.S. It is highly recommended that students travel with a letter from their employer indicating the student is fulfilling the OPT with the employer and acknowledging the period of travel. Students who leave the U.S. without a job offer for OPT may be at greater risk for later being denied re-entry to the U.S.

Extensions to I-20 or DS-2019
Students whose immigration documents will expire this fall term and who have not yet met their degree requirements should make an appointment with an international student advisor to formally request an extension. Extensions cannot be granted once a document has expired. Call 777-7461 to make an appointment.


60 Day Grace Period for F-1 Visa Holders
F-1 students who will complete their program of study this fall term and who do not apply for OPT before the deadline have 60 days to leave the United States or transfer their visa status to a new degree program. Any dependents will need to leave the United States with the F-1 visa holder.


If you will be continuing your studies in a new program at USC, request an I-20 after admission: http://www.sa.sc.edu/ips/current/forms/index.htm

If you will be moving on to another university, read about the transfer process here: http://www.sa.sc.edu/ips/faqcurrent.htm (Question 5).

30 Day Grace Period for J-1 Visa Holders and Academic Training Deadline
J-1 students who will complete their program of study this fall term and who do not apply for Academic Training have 30 days to leave the United States. If you are interested in continuing studies in the U.S., consult your sponsor before you complete your program to determine if that is possible. If you will be completing studies and going on to Academic Training, you must contact your sponsor for deadline information. Remember that you must have an employment offer to request this work authorization.

Diversity Visa Lottery
The Diversity Visa Lottery Program makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Entries for the DV-2009 DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY must be submitted electronically by 12:00PM EST on December 2, 2007.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and Mexican citizens, to have a passport or other designated secure document to enter or re-enter the United States at airports and seaports by January 8, 2007. Passports or other accepted documents determined to sufficiently denote identity and citizenship will be required by January 1, 2008, for anyone crossing at a land border, as well as air and sea.