Forms, Resources and FAQ
Form Glossary
DS-2019
The DS-2019 is your Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. This legal document is issued by a program sponsor approved by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to host exchange visitors. This form is used to apply for your J-1 visa and must be presented at the U.S. port of entry every time you arrive in the U.S. to participate in your exchange program.
The information on the DS-2019 must be kept up-to-date at all times. If your major changes, financial information changes, category of participation changes, your site of activity changes, and so forth, then you must contact the RO immediately to make the necessary changes on your DS-2019. The DS-2019 is only valid during the period from and to dates on the form.
F-1 Visa
The F-1 student visa is issued by the U.S. Department of State at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The F-1 student visa is your entry visa into the U.S. allowing you to attend Regis as a full-time academic student. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt.
Your F-1 visa stamp is placed inside your passport. Visas are issued by the U.S. Department of State and are issued for the purpose of engaging in the activity that is associated with the visa type. Your F-1 visa must be valid upon your entry into the U.S. but can expire while you are in the U.S. as long as you have a valid I-20. You must renew your F-1 at the U.S. embassy in your home country before you can gain re-entry into the U.S. to continue studying. If you bring dependents with you (spouse and/or children), then they will be issued an F-2 visa, and the same rules apply when they enter the U.S. in that status.
I-20
The Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” is the document that will be issued from Regis University that links you specifically to our university for your studies. The I-20 requires that you are:
- An academic student
- Attending your university as a full-time student (12 credit hours per 16-week period for undergraduate students; 6 credit hours per 16-week period for graduate students)
- Campus-based (not an online student)
- Not working with the exception of permitted employment opportunities such as Work Study, Curricular Practical Training, or Optional Practical Training
This form is used to apply for your F-1 visa and must be presented at the U.S. port of entry every time you arrive in the U.S. to continue classes.The information on the I-20 must be kept up-to-date at all times. If your major changes, financial information changes, work authorization changes, and so forth, then you must contact the DSO immediately to make the necessary changes on your I-20. The I-20 is only valid during the program start and end dates on the form.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
The I-94 document is issued at the port of entry every time you enter the U.S. You will be given an admission record number, which is the record that entails your date of entry, class of admission, and admit until date. As a student entering in F-1 status, your I-94 record will have an admit until date of D/S, or duration of status. This means that you can remain in the U.S. in F-1 status as long as you are maintaining status and your I-20 is valid. Your passport will be stamped at the port of entry indicating the admit until date D/S. Be sure that D/S is indicated on both your I-94 and the stamp in your passport every time you enter the U.S. in F-1 status. Your I-94 document can be downloaded online at theU.S. Customs & Border Protection site.
J-1 Visa
Your J-1 visa stamp is placed inside your passport. Visas are issued by the U.S. Department of State and are issued for the purpose of engaging in the activity that is associated with the visa type. Your J-1 visa must be valid upon your entry into the U.S. but does not to remain valid while you are in the U.S. as long as you have a valid DS-2019. You must renew your J-1 visa at the U.S. embassy in your home country before you can gain re-entry into the U.S. to continue studying. If you bring dependents with you (spouse and/or children), then they will be issued a J-2 visa, and the same rules apply when they enter the U.S. in that status.
Passport
A passport is a legal document that establishes your citizenship and legal identity. Your passport must be valid at all times while you are in the U.S. In addition, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future upon your entry into the U.S. If you need to renew your passport, then you must do so in your home country or at your embassy in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain your initial F-1 student visa*, your first step will be to apply to Regis. Once you are accepted, Regis will issue your Form I-20 and mail it to you. After receiving the Form I-20, you will need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and complete Form DS-160, online nonimmigrant visa application. You will need to set up an appointment with your local U.S. embassy or consulate to attend a visa interview.
Regis University accepts international transfer student applications. In addition to the minimum required documents for the standard international admission process, international transfer students must submit the additional following documents wherever applicable:
- Transcripts from institutions attended
- Visa/I-94 copy
- Copies of all I-20s previously issued
- SEVIS transfer form
Contact your admissions counselor to discuss your particular circumstances and identify the documents you will be required to submit.
Regis University offers non-federally funded Work-Study employment to international students in the state of Colorado. These Work-Study opportunities are highly competitive and are strongly regulated, as Work-Study should not be utilized as a primary source of income for international students. For more information on employment opportunities and regulations, please contact the Center for Global Engagement.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT), as defined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is employment that is an integral or important part of the student’s curriculum. Examples of this type of employment include internships, cooperative education, and any other type of required internship or practice that is offered by sponsoring employers through a cooperative agreement with Regis.
CPT must be an integral part of your curriculum for you to be eligible to apply. For more information, contact the Center for Global Engagement.
Optional Practical Training (OPT), as defined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is training that provides international students with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in their major field of study. This type of employment must be authorized both by the Regis University Designated School Official (DSO) and by the USCIS. Training can occur after degree completion.
OPT is highly competitive and strongly regulated. For more information, please contact the Center for Global Engagement.