Important Immigration Information: The following information is very important to you as an international student. It is designed to help you understand your responsibilities as a non-immigrant international student in maintaining your legal status while you are studying in the United States.

Form 1-20A-B: This immigration form is issued by Ventura College's International Student's Office once the application process is complete. You will present this form to the immigration official in your country along with other necessary documents in order to obtain the F-1 student visa. You will keep the student copy of this form after you enter the United States. IMPORTANT: The back of the student copy must be signed prior to any travel outside the United States.

Passport: All non-immigrants must maintain a valid passport, which means your passport must be kept current while you are in the United States. Request renewal from your consulate or Embassy at least six months prior to expiration.

Foreign Student Visa: Foreign students at Ventura College are issued an F-1 Visa by their embassy. The visa stamped into your passport in your home country is used only to enter the U.S. This visa does not have to remain valid once you have used it to enter the United States as long as you remain in legal student status. However, if you travel outside the United States, and your F-1 Visa has expired, you must apply for a new one before you are allowed to re-enter.

I-94: This is the small, white card inserted in your passport near the U.S. visa which indicates how long a nonimmigrant may remain in the United States. As a foreign student, your I-94 will indicate: F-1 D/S. This means you are entering as a foreign student with an F-1 Visa and you may remain in the United States for the duration of status. After completion of one academic year, some possibilities exist for off-campus employment. You will need to meet with the International Student Adviser before securing off-campus employment.

Income Tax and Social Security Tax: Anyone who has income from U.S. sources may be obligated to pay U.S. income taxes. Foreign students do not pay Social Security taxes. More information about U.S. tax rules may be obtained from the International Students Office at Ventura College.