As an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, you are responsible to follow the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (B.C.I.S.) regulations concerning your legal status in the U.S. The following are important guidelines to help you maintain legal status in the U.S.

• Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six (6) months into the future.
• Provide to I.A.O. a valid home address in your country and report any address changes within 10 days of change.
• Be sure that a customs inspector stamps your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form and that you are given an I-94 card (“Arrival/Departure Records”) when you enter the U.S.
• Register for a full-time course load each semester.
• See I.A.O. 30 days in advance for a program extension, if you will not complete your studies by the date indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019.
• Contact I.A.O. in advance, when you consider changing your academic program.
• Consult I.A.O. in advance, if you are thinking about working off-campus. Never begin a job outside Juilliard without written work authorization from I.A.O. or B.C.I.S.
• Check with I.A.O. when you plan on traveling outside the U.S. Always have the original copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 with you for reentry.
• Always keep your I-20 or DS-2019 form, I-94, and passport in a safe place.
• Report loss of your I-20 or DS-2019 form immediately to I.A.O. Replacement of a lost I-20 or DS-2019 form will cost $20.
• Keep backup copies of all your immigration documents.

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