Immigration Status Information for International Students

After you are admitted to UNL, Admissions will send you an I-20 or DS-2019 form.
Pay the SEVIS fee. You'll need the SEVIS ID number from your I-20 or DS-2019.
Make an appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. Take with you to the visa appointment all immigration paperwork (I-20 or DS-2019, passport, letter of admission, financial support documents, photos, and all other necessary forms).
Travel to UNL and check-in at ISSO with all of your immigration documents. We will register your record in SEVIS at check-in.

Most international students in the U.S. have F-1 visa status; of the remainder, most have J-1 status.

	F-1 Visa Status	J-1 Visa Status
Source of Funding	Financial support from family and personal funds	Financial support from home government, U.S. government, or an international organization funded by either government.
INA 212(e)	Not subject to this requirement	Some students may be subject to INA 212(e)
On-Campus Employment	May be employed: part-time (20 hours per week) while school is in session full-time during semester breaks	May be employed: part-time (20 hours per week) while school is in session full-time during semester breaks (with written approval from ISSO)
Off-Campus Employment	Eligible for 12 months of OPT related to academic major, during or after program of study. No job offer is required when applying for OPT. Eligible for CPT if approved by academic advisor. Part-time during school, full-time during semester breaks.	Eligible for 18 to 36 months of Academic Training after degree completion. To apply, student must have a written job offer before graduating.
Dependents	Dependents of F-1 visa holders (F-2) cannot work or attend school	Dependents of J-1 visa holders (J-2) may apply for authorization to work or attend school

Current Students