INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER

We hope your semester is off to a good start. Recently, many of you have asked about the news regarding “Duration of Status.”

On August 27, the Trump Administration announced a proposed rule that, if finalized, would replace the current “Duration of Status” admission with a fixed date of admission for certain visa holders, including F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors. Under this proposal, anyone needing additional time in the U.S. would need to file a complete Form I-539 Extension of Stay with USCIS before their admission expires.

It is very important to understand that this is only a proposal. The rule has not been finalized or enacted, and your current immigration status remains unchanged.

OIS is monitoring this development closely and will share guidance as soon as more information becomes available. In the meantime, you may also find helpful information in NAFSA’s resource on the proposed rule change.

If you are a new F-1 or J-1 student, you must check in with OIS within 10 days of your arrival at Fordham. This step is required to maintain your legal status in the U.S. Please note that you cannot complete the check-in process until you are physically in the country. Failure to check in will put your F-1 or J-1 status at risk.

If you haven’t checked in yet, please do so as soon as possible here.

You are legally required to ensure the following information is accurate:

Ensure your Phone Number and Address are up-to-date:

To update your address and phone number(s), login to Fordham University's portal (https://www.fordham.edu) and navigate to My Pages.

Full-Time Enrollment

Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester, while graduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 credits. Only students in their final term may enroll less than full-time.

If you plan to take fewer credits and are not in your last term, submit the Deviation form available on the OIS website.

I-20 / DS-2019 Completion Information

Check your program end date on page 1 of your I-20 (or section 3 of your DS-2019). If you need more time, contact your academic advisor and submit a Program Extension Request to OIS at least 3 weeks before your I-20 expires.

Important: Completing your studies makes your I-20 or DS-2019 invalid, even if the end date hasn’t passed. Never attempt to re-enter the U.S. using a completed I-20/DS-2019.

If you have any questions, you can contact us at ois@fordham.edu

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months in a job related to their field of study. If you are graduating this December, you are eligible to apply now.

• When to Apply: You can apply up to 90 days before your I-20 program end date and no later than 60 days after it.
  
  

• No Job Offer Needed: You can apply even if you don’t yet have a job.

• Apply Early: USCIS processing can take 2-3 months - applying early helps you start work sooner.

How to Apply: Submit your OPT request through the OPT Portal, receive your updated I-20 from OIS, and then file Form I-765 with USCIS.

You can learn more about the OPT application process on the OIS website.

Scammers may call, email, or message you pretending to be government officials or university staff, trying to get money or personal information.

Protect Yourself:

• Never share your Social Security number, bank details, or visa information with unknown contacts.

• Note names, phone numbers, and organizations if someone contacts you suspiciously.

• Hang up and report it to OIS at ois@fordham.edu if someone claims to be from our office.

Get ready for International Education Week (IEW), celebrated by universities across the country from November 17 to 21. At Fordham, we are excited to showcase a series of events that support and celebrate our global community. These programs are designed not only to provide valuable resources for international students but also to create opportunities to share your culture, explore academic and career pathways in the U.S., and learn from the diverse experiences of others.

Stay tuned for the full schedule of events in early November, and plan to join us in celebrating Fordham’s international community!

Need help finding an internship as an international student? Join the Career Center, in collaboration with the Office for International Services, for a professional workshop focused on aiding international students with their internship search process. This session will provide you with practical guidance, resources, and insights to navigate the complexities of securing internships and preparing for life beyond graduation.

We'll be talking about everything from visa requirements to resume building, so please stop on by virtually or in person at the Rose Hill campus!

Event Details:

📍 Location: Hybrid (Virtual and In-Person details can be accessed on Handshake)

📆 Date and Time: Thursday, October 16 at 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Register HERE

This event is open to students of Fordham College Rose Hill, Fordham College Lincoln Center, School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Gabelli School of Business Undergraduate Programs, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Graduate School of Education.

In addition to Fordham events, we’re excited to share opportunities from One to World, a New York City organization that supports international students from universities across the city. OTW hosts events and programs specifically for international students, providing a chance to connect with peers, explore the city, and build community beyond campus.

Skip the tourist traps and dive into the real New York! In this day-long adventure, you’ll be paired with a NYC resident (friend of OTW, recent student alumni, etc.) and at least one other international student to explore the city through a local’s eyes.

Your host might welcome you into their home, share a favorite neighborhood spot for lunch, stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge, wander through an art gallery, or uncover hidden gems you’d never find in a guidebook. Every experience is unique, but all offer something special: an authentic connection to the culture, rhythms, and spirit of the city.

This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s your chance to discover the secrets of New York, gain cultural insights, and create memories you’ll carry with you long after the day is over while making some new connections!

Your ticket includes a light breakfast in the morning before the event.

Event Details:

💲 Registration is required and cost is $20

📆 October 11 at 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Click here to register

Step back in time to explore the birthplace of New York City. We’ll trace the original perimeter of New Amsterdam (1664) and uncover why downtown’s winding, maze-like streets feel so different from the tidy grid above Houston Street.

As we wander through hidden alleyways, historic landmarks, and remnants of the colonial era, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Dutch settlement shaped the city’s foundations—from its multicultural beginnings to its thriving financial hub today. Along the way, you’ll connect with fellow history buffs and architecture enthusiasts while seeing Lower Manhattan in a whole new light.

Leading the tour is William Singer, AIA, a Code and Zoning Specialist for NYC’s Department of Buildings Development and Technical Affairs. He is an expert in the design and construction of large-scale public facilities. His major projects have included justice centers, transportation hubs, and cultural centers. Before joining the Department of Buildings he was a partner at Gruzen Samton, a NYC & Virginia-based architecture, planning, interior design and systems engineering firm. A Fulbright fellow (Slovenia, 1993-94), he holds a Master of Architecture degree from the School of Design at North Carolina State University, as well as a Master of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2004, Singer received a City of New York Arts Commission Excellence in Design for the renovation design of El Museo Del Barrio.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Manhattan from a fresh historical perspective! Thanks to William’s generous sponsorship, the first five students to register will receive a FREE ticket — so sign up fast! Sponsored tickets are limited to one per order.

Rain Date: In case of inclement weather, the tour will be postponed to October 19th.

Event Details:

💲 Registration is required and cost is $16

📆 October 12 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Click here to register

Enhance your public speaking skills and build confidence at this dynamic workshop, led by Aman, a comedian and coach at Ultraspeaking! Designed for individuals who find it challenging to communicate, and use English as a second language, this session offers interactive games to help you practice and develop effective techniques for speaking in front of an audience. Whether you’re looking to improve your presentation skills, excel in interviews, or strengthen your networking abilities, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn while having fun.

This event will take place in-person in downtown Manhattan. Exact details will be emailed upon registration. Light refreshments will also be available.

Event Details:

💲 Registration is required and cost is $16

📆 October 22 at 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Click here to register

POV: You just arrived to the U.S. and you are ready to start crossing some things off your “must do” list. One To World is here to help! We have secured discounted group tickets for you and up to 40 other international students and scholars from all across the New York/New Jersey area to experience one of the most famous Broadway musicals of all time this fall – Wicked!

Experience the untold story of the witches of Oz! Discover how Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch, and Glinda, the bubbly Good Witch, formed an unlikely friendship long before Dorothy dropped in. With show-stopping songs, dazzling performances, and a story about friendship, identity, and courage, don’t miss your chance to see the magic live!

We will also be organizing an optional pre-program gathering for those who would like to chat with other attendees over a drink before the show.

Event Details:

💲 Registration is required and cost is $65

📆 October 26 at 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Click here to register

Rose Hill: Walsh Library, 049 | Lincoln Center: Martino Hall, Suite 315 | 718-817-3145