Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Documents

Documents

Form I-20

• Form I-20 is the document that demonstrates that you are in legal F-1 status in the U.S. Therefore, you must keep a copy of it with you at all times. If you have F-2 dependents, they should also keep a copy with them. You must sign your I-20 with a pen for it to be valid.
• The I-20 shows details of your enrollment, including your SEVIS ID, current school, program of study, and any authorization(s) that have been granted to you, such as a Reduced Course Load or off-campus work authorization. If you receive a new I-20 for any reason, you must print and sign it immediately.
• Only the most recent I-20 should be used for any purpose. However, you should keep all previous I-20s for your personal records, as you might need them in the future.
• Travel: If you travel outside the U.S., you must carry your most recent I-20 with you to re-enter the U.S., including a Travel Signature no older than 6 months.

Passport

• Your passport is proof of your identity, usually issued by the country of your citizenship. You must have a valid passport to enter the U.S. and while you are in the U.S.
• Expiration, Loss, or Theft: If your passport expires, needs updating (such as with a legal name change), or is lost while you are in the U.S., you must replace it immediately. Most students can renew their passport within the United States, but you might need to travel to another city to visit an embassy or consulate that provides that service.

F-1 Visa

• An F-1 visa is needed to enter the U.S. in F-1 status, but it is not necessary to have an unexpired visa to remain in the U.S. You can remain in the U.S. for the Duration of Status, or D/S. Duration of Status allows you to stay in the U.S. as long as you have an active SEVIS record (I-20) and are maintaining your F-1 status.
• Expiration: If your visa expires while you are in the U.S., no action is required to remain within the U.S. When you travel outside of the U.S., you must apply for a new F-1 visa before you can re-enter in F-1 status. The U.S. government requires that you apply for a visa in your country of citizenship or residency. The process is the same as an initial visa application. Contact the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate to see what is required to apply for a new F-1 visa.

I-94 Record

• Form I-94 is a record of arrival to/departure from the United States with important details, including:
  • Date you entered the U.S.
  • Location where you entered
  • Status in which you entered the U.S.
  • Admit Until Date – for F-1 students, the Admit Until Date is “D/S,” or “Duration of Status.”
• You should print your I-94 and carry it with you at all times. Find and print your most recent I-94 record online from the Customs and Border Protection website.
  • If you changed your status to F-1 while you were within the U.S., your I-94 is printed at the bottom of the Approval Notice that was sent to you from USCIS.
  • You will receive a new I-94 every time that you enter the U.S.
  • If you are entering the U.S. at a land crossing or ferry, you will likely have to pay for the I-94 fee at the border when entering.

EAD Card

• An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is given to students with off-campus work authorization approved by USCIS, like Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Severe Economic Hardship.
• Dates of off-campus work authorization are provided on the EAD card.

Social Security Card

• The Social Security Administration issues cards with a unique Social Security Number (SSN), which the government uses to identify individuals for reporting income, taxes, and more. Other organizations, like banks and schools, sometimes use this number to identify their customers, track credit history, and more.
• As an F-1 International Student, you can only apply for an SSN after you have been offered a job in the U.S. Read Applying for a Social Security Number for more information.
• SSNs do not expire, and you will only have one for your entire life, even if you depart the U.S. or change your immigration status. If you received a Social Security card before, but lost it, you must request to replace the card, instead of requesting a new number.
• Keep this number private and only share it in specific situations, like while completing hiring paperwork or while filing taxes. Keep your Social Security Card in a safe place at home, and do not carry it in your wallet or car. If stolen or lost, your SSN can be used to commit fraud or other financial crimes in your name, which can cause issues for you for many years.

PCC ID

• PCC students use digital ID cards, called the Panther OneCard to access services like shuttles, computer labs, libraries, and Panther Pantries. To get your ID Card, you need to download the TouchNet 360u app on your Apple (iOS) or Android smart phone.
• If you do not have a smart phone or do not want to download the Panther OneCard app, you can still get a printed Student ID card at the Student Services Navigation desk. However, this service is not available during the first week of each term.

Driver License or Oregon State ID Card

• A driver license or State ID card can be used within the U.S. as proof of your name, birthdate, and address. A state-issued identification card is not required, but it can be useful to have as an alternative to your passport in most situations, and it is easier to replace if lost.
• Although visitors to Oregon may drive with a valid, unexpired foreign driver license, students who will drive regularly in Oregon might want to apply for an Oregon driver license.
• Visit the Oregon DMV website for more information
  • State ID
  • Driver License

REAL ID Card

• A REAL ID is a state-issued identification card or driver’s license that meets stricter identity requirements than a regular ID.
• Only REAL IDs can be used to travel by airplane inside the U.S. However, as always, an unexpired passport can be used for domestic air travel and is required for international travel. If you prefer to use your passport as ID when you fly within the U.S., then you do not need a REAL ID.
• To get a REAL ID from the Oregon DMV, you must make an appointment at a DMV location, and bring:
  • An unexpired foreign passport (that matches your full legal name)
  • An unexpired visa
  • A valid I-94
  • A Social Security Number, or proof that you do not qualify for a SSN
  • Two accepted documents showing your name and current address in the U.S.
  • $30 in addition to the standard cost of the ID card or drivers license
• If your F-1 visa is expired or you changed your status to F-1 status in the U.S., you are not eligible for the REAL ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page is maintained by the OISS SEVIS Team.