VISA & IMMIGRATION STATUS REQUIREMENTS

How to maintain your legal Immigration status

  • Enroll full time.
  • Don’t work without authorization or without a contract (if you have a graduate assistantship).
  • Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 up to date. Ensure you check in with the Designated School Official (DSO) when you arrive. 410-651-7966. 
  • Read all the e-mails from the Graduate School completely and ask questions if they don’t make sense.
  • Keep your addresses and phone numbers current in Hawkweb
  • Set up voicemail on your phone.

U.S. immigration regulations can be confusing—but we are here to help!

Immigration Information and Workshops

Our DSO closely monitors the changing immigration regulations. We want to make sure you understand your responsibilities and have a successful college experience at Indiana University.

We also organize immigration workshops with an immigration attorney to provide useful and relevant immigration counsel and advise.

Recently, the U.S. government has made it extremely difficult for us to help students when they violate their immigration status. Decisions that may seem small could lead to a violation and termination of your SEVIS record, which would have a life altering impact on your ability to stay in the United States.

Things that could make you lose your Immigration Status

  • Taking too many online courses
  • Taking classes at another university while at UMES without authorization
  • Enrolling less than full time—even if you just drop a class or drop below full time for a short period


graduatestudies@umes.edu; adyoung@umes.edu; 410-651-7966

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