IMPORTANT: Students who are studying at Dartmouth on an F-1 visa must review their F-1 visa stamp expiration and research if an in-country visa is needed as well. Make sure your F-1 visa is going to be valid beyond the end of the O or X term. If not, the Consulate in the country where you want to study may deny the visa for that country. It is critical that this process is started very early in the process, ideally before you apply for an off-campus program, but no later than when you commit to your program so that you can ensure you have the documentation you need in time to participate in your program. The Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) may be able to review your documents with you and advise you on your eligibility for third-country visa applications.
Important Information for International Students from OVIS
- International students should contact OVIS for specific advice on their D-plan before applying for off-campus programs.
- An O or X term may count as an enrolled term for purposes of SEVIS. These terms are regulated by the college therefore the enrollment must be full-time.
- Never take an O, X, or T term:
- in the term before you want to want use OPT, as the timing for application can be difficult, or
- in the last term before graduation, as the credits may be delayed, and graduation delayed, and the I-20 could be canceled for Failure to Complete or extend and OPT could be lost.
- Never assume you can just go as a tourist to study in another country – ask Travisa or the consulate for that country.
- Make sure your F-1 visa is going to be valid BEYOND the end of the O or X term. If not, the consulate in the country where you want to study may deny the visa for that country.
- We recommend that you be prepared with an official, sealed, Dartmouth transcript if you know you will be making an F-1 visa application while you are away.
- Remember that security clearances can delay visas for other countries and your passport can be held by the other country while the application is pending – so consider when you have to travel and when you will need your passport.
Meet with your OVIS Advisor to Check Visa Validity
It is critical that students on F-1 visas meet with their OVIS advisor for specific advice on their D-Plan before committing to mention a potential term off-campus. Your advisor will check your visa validity and let you know of any issues before they arise. This is to ensure your F-1 visa is going to be valid BEYOND the end of the off-campus or exchange term. If it is not valid, the consulate in the country where you want to study may deny the visa for that country.
Planning for your Term Away
An off-campus or exchange term may count as an enrolled term for purposes of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS). These terms are regulated by the college therefore the enrollment must be full-time.
Never take an O, X, or T term in the term before you want to want use OPT, as the timing for application can be difficult, or in the last term before graduation, as the credits may be delayed, and graduation delayed, and the I-20 could be canceled for Failure to Complete or extend and OPT could be lost.
CPT work visas are required for students who participate in program internships as part of the Government DC (GOVT 93) and Film and Media Studies LA (FILM 80) programs.
Prepare Documentation
We recommend that you be prepared with an official, sealed, Dartmouth transcript if you know you will be making an F-1 visa application while you are away.
Remember that security clearances can delay visas for other countries and your passport can be held by the other country while the application is pending – so consider when you must travel and when you will need your passport.
Never assume you can study in another country as a tourist. Consult Travisa or the consulate for that country.
The Guarini Institute will provide you with a visa support letter or entry letter upon request and make it available in your program application under the "Documents" tab. It your responsibility to understand the visa requirements for your host country and gather the appropriate documentation. You should review all of your materials for accuracy prior to submitting them to the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Questions?
If you have any other questions about traveling on an F-1 visa, please contact the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS).