Policy Library

Tufts University is currently authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), under the Department of Homeland Security, to enroll nonimmigrant students in academic programs included in its Form I-17, "Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student." Tufts currently maintains three Form I-17 authorizations for Medford / Somerville (also covering SMFA, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the Friedman School of Nutritional Science, and International Programs and Partnerships); the Fletcher School; and Boston Health Sciences.

Approval Required to Enroll F-1 Students

Only those programs that have been approved by SEVP and included in one of our Form I-17 authorizations are eligible to enroll F-1 students. Any new program or academic offering seeking to enroll F-1 international students must be approved by the Department of Homeland Security before the International Center can issue any F-1 student visa documents. Additionally, any new program must be approved under the University's PDAC (Program Development and Approval Committee) process before the International Center can initiate visa approval processes.

Departments seeking to request approval to enroll international students under the F-1 student visa should contact Andrew Shiotani, the Director of the International Center, at Andrew.Shiotani@tufts.edu. To initiate the sponsorship process, the department must submit a request to the International Center for review and submission to the Department of Homeland Security. Read more about how to request approval to enroll F-1 students in a new program.

Updating Form I-17

The process for updating a Form I-17 is overseen by the International Center. In the event a Tufts department wishes to create a new academic program available to international students, the International Center will determine if an update to one of Tufts's Form I-17s is necessary. If an I-17 update is necessary, the International Center will work with the appropriate department to initiate and manage the I-17 update process. I-17 updates require submission of considerable evidence to SEVP, which will adjudicate the update request and determine whether the program is eligible to enroll F-1 students. Only when SEVP has approved the update will the program be eligible to enroll F-1 international students.  IMPORTANT: Form I-17 updates are lengthy and complex and SEVP can take several months to over a year to adjudicate update requests. Programs should keep in mind that offering immediate sponsorship to students may not be feasible given the limitations of the I-17 update process.

Admission versus Sponsorship

Programs approved by Tufts to enroll students may admit any student - including non-US citizens or permanent resident applicants - who meet the requirements for admission. However, programs are not permitted to offer applicants student visa sponsorship unless the program has been approved to do so by the International Center and, if necessary, SEVP. In this context, visa sponsorship requires Tufts to certify the eligibility of a nonimmigrant student to apply for a student visa and enter the US in student status for the explicit purpose of engaging in study at Tufts. Students who are admitted to a non-eligible program must have alternative, independent means for entering the US and participating in Tufts's academic offerings.

Programs Not Eligible for Sponsorship

A basic requirement for visa sponsorship eligibility is that a program must offer a full-time, primarily residential (on-campus) program, with full-time defined as a minimum of 12 SHUs per semester for undergraduate study and 9 SHUs per semester for graduate or graduate-level study (graduate students may also establish full-time equivalency through a combination of courses, teaching / research assistantships, thesis / dissertation credits, etc.). As a result, the following types of programs will not qualify for visa sponsorship under any circumstances.

• Programs that are primarily or exclusively offered as online or distance education courses, including courses taken outside the US
• Programs that offer only a part-time curriculum by design

Exceptions or programs with unique curricular arrangements should be reviewed by the International Center to determine sponsorship eligibility.

Updated September 6, 2021

This statement clarifies the International Center's position regarding immigration and visa requirements for international students seeking to attend and enroll in a Tufts University program.

International students are not required to hold a specific US immigration status as a condition of seeking admission to and enrolling at Tufts University. Admissions and enrollment decisions should be based on satisfaction of admissions and related criteria. Students should not be advised that they cannot enroll, if otherwise eligible to do so, on the grounds that they lack proper immigration status (see exceptions below for F-2 and B-1/B-2 visa holders). However, international students should be advised to seek guidance from the International Center in these circumstances:

• if they would like to seek student visa sponsorship through Tufts based on admission to an eligible full-time program of study at Tufts
• if they are currently in F-2 status, B-1/B-2 (or WB/WT) status, which do not allow full-time study or any study while in the US
• if they have any questions about their current status and implications for study and employment at Tufts

Tufts does offer F-1 or J-1 immigration sponsorship to students admitted to eligible programs and who need assistance in obtaining a visa to enter the US specifically to study at Tufts. It is ultimately the individual student's responsibility to seek appropriate guidance and pursue options vis-a-vis their legal status in the US.

Note that while international student admission and enrollment is not contingent upon immigration status, any student interested in or expected to engage in on-campus employment must be in a status that permits US-based employment. Tufts cannot offer employment to an international student who is not in a status that allows for on-campus employment with Tufts. For more information, contact the International Center.

Students Who Hold Independent Immigration Status

International students may already have immigration status independent of their admission to Tufts that allows them to remain in the US and study (whether part-time or full-time). Changing to F or J student visa status is not required as a condition of enrolling at Tufts. However, it is up to each individual student to be aware of limitations or restrictions that their current immigration status places on their ability to study and/or to engage in related activities such as on-campus employment. Any student who has a question about their eligibility to study in the US under their current immigration status can contact the International Center for guidance or a qualified immigration attorney for legal assistance.

While individuals are responsible for managing their own immigration status, persons in the US in B-1/B-2 visitor (or WB / WT visa waiver) status should be aware that enrolling in a course of study is generally prohibited under US federal regulations. In addition, F-2 dependents are not permitted to engage in full-time study at the college level, but are allowed to study on a part-time basis only. F-2 students under the sponsorship of Tufts's F-1 visa program are not permitted to enroll full-time. Students who plan to change to F or J status from a status that does not allow study (e.g., B status) should be aware that federal regulations may not allow them to begin studying full-time (or at all) until their new status is approved. Such students should contact their visa sponsor or the International Center for more guidance.

Undocumented Students / Refugees and Asylees

Students who are considered undocumented ("DACA" students) are not considered international students and as such should not be referred to the International Center. Please contact the First Resource Center or the appropriate office for Diversity and Inclusion for more information. Similarly, students who have been granted refugee status or who are in asylum proceedings (or who have been granted asylum) are not considered international students and do not receive services through the International Center.

F-1 or J-1 Sponsorship through Tufts

Tufts University does offer immigration sponsorship under the F-1 student visa (and, where applicable, the J-1 exchange visitor visa) for admitted students who require and request visa sponsorship from the University in order to enter the US for temporary study in a full-time program at Tufts. Most, but not all, Tufts programs are eligible to sponsor F-1 or J-1 students. Contact the International Center for further information. F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors sponsored by Tufts are required to abide by relevant International Center and other Tufts policies and procedures pertaining to their immigration status requirements.

If there are any questions regarding this policy, contact Andrew Shiotani, Director of the International Center, at Andrew.Shiotani@tufts.edu.

Updated March 26, 2021

This statement clarifies the International Center's responsibility and role in terminating the immigration status of F-1 students who voluntarily withdraw from their programs or who are placed on temporary or permanent academic withdrawal, suspended, or expelled.

Reduced Course Load: International Center Approval Required

In general, F-1 student status is contingent upon the student's eligible to maintain full-time enrollment and make normal progress in their course of study. Exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement are available for the annual vacation term, in cases of documented medical illness, for initial academic adjustment difficulties, and in the final semester of study if full-time enrollment is not needed in order to satisfy remaining degree requirements. Where a student is eligible for a reduced course load and followed appropriate procedures for securing International Center authorization, the student is considered to be maintaining valid immigration status and the record will not be terminated. Student status may be subject to termination, however, if the student fails to maintain full-time enrollment without obtaining prior approval from the International Center for a reduced course load.

Early Withdrawal Requested by Student

An international student in F-1 status who decides to withdraw voluntarily from their program must submit a request for an authorized early withdrawal to the International Center. Once the request is granted, the student is permitted under visa regulations to withdraw from classes, and will be granted a period of fifteen days to depart the US. This request is independent of any school or department procedures for withdrawing from study and related considerations such as refund eligibility and leave of absence approval processes. We encourage school advisors and students to work with the International Center to ensure a coordinated withdrawal process, so that both academic and immigration considerations are taken into account. A student who withdraws from study without first obtaining the prior approval of the International Center may be deemed to have withdrawn without authorization, which is considered an immigration violation. In this case, the International Center is required to terminate the student's status for unauthorized withdrawal.

Academic Withdrawal or Suspension

The International Center is required to terminate the immigration status of a student and notify the Department of Homeland Security within 21 days in cases involving the required academic withdrawal or suspension of a student from classes. If the withdrawal decision is accompanied by an appeals process, the International Center will generally wait until the appeals process has been exhausted before initiating the termination procedure. However, the International Center may be required to terminate the student's status even prior to the end of an appeals process if the student is not eligible to return to current term classes or prohibited from enrolling in the next term in which the student would be required to enroll on a full-time basis. Consequently, the student's status may be terminated if the student is unable to enroll full-time by the end of the semester's deadline to add classes. Since the timing of cases may depend on individual circumstances, academic deans should contact the International Center for guidance on specific cases.

Expulsion

In the event a student is expelled from the University for urgent or exigent circumstances, the International Center is required to terminate the student's immigration status for expulsion. The International Center will generally take steps to do so immediately upon notification by University Counsel and other appropriate academic authorities confirming the expulsion.

Academic Progress Issues

Student immigration status will not be automatically terminated in cases involving a student who may be formally enrolled on a full-time basis, but is failing to make academic progress due to non-attendance, poor academic performance, or related reasons. In such cases, students will be encouraged to seek appropriate assistance, guidance, and resources. Immigration consequences will only ensue if academic performance issues later impact the student's eligibility to maintain full-time enrollment, such as when a student is academically suspended or withdrawn for a temporary period of time. Students who are demonstrating significant and/or persistent challenges in making satisfactory academic performance may be counseled to voluntarily withdraw for a temporary period or seek academic support or academic alternatives prior to losing student status. Because cases can vary from student to student, academic advisors are encouraged to reach out to the International Center to discuss specifics.

If there are any questions regarding this policy, contact Andrew Shiotani, Director of the International Center, at Andrew.Shiotani@tufts.edu.

Updated April 1, 2021

Updated 04/26/2022

This statement clarifies the International Center's responsibility and role in maintaining, and when necessary ending or terminating, the immigration status of international students sponsored by Tufts University under its J-1 exchange visitor program.

Tufts University has been designated by the US Department of State to operate programs of educational and cultural exchange in accordance with J-1 regulatory requirements set out at Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 62 and elsewhere.  The International Center Director is currently responsible for administering J-1 regulations as the Responsible Officer (RO) for Tufts's J-1 exchange visitor program (designation number P-1-00829); other International Center advising staff serve as Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs). Only the RO and AROs are authorized to execute changes to the immigration status of J-1 students under the sponsorship of Tufts University's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

J-1 Student Immigration Compliance

Students retain valid J-1 immigration status as long as they continue to pursue their original program activities (typically involving study and related academic activities such as academic training), maintain valid and unexpired immigration documents, and comply with J-1 regulatory requirements as well as institutional policies as set forth by the International Center and by Tufts University. A more complete discussion of J-1 student immigration requirements can be found on the International Center web site. In certain cases, the status of a J-1 exchange visitor student may end prior to the originally expected completion date. This may be due to the early completion of the J-1 program objectives, withdrawal from the J-1 program, or termination of J-1 status due to substantive and willful violations of J-1 regulations. The information below outlines general situations in which program participation may complete or end early, or may need to be terminated due to status violations. In general, early completion of program objectives is considered a non-prejudicial event without negative implications for the student's immigration status, while terminations due to substantive violations may carry significant repercussions.

Early Program Completion

The following set of events are common situations in which a student's status as a J-1 exchange visitor may complete or end early without prejudicial consequences for the student's immigration status. In most cases, early completion implies that the exchange visitor will make a timely departure from the US (where applicable). The International Center will work with coordinate offices to ensure early completion and timely departure are effected in a way as to avoid any status violations.

• Early completion or end of program objectives
• Voluntary withdrawal or departure from program
• Early withdrawal from program due to medical emergency of exchange visitor and/or exchange visitor's dependents
• Early withdrawal from program due to loss of funding and/or financial sponsorship
• Early cessation of program activities due to emergency situations or conditions or other circumstances that lead to the end or discontinuation of the program
• Other life events that require early departure from program

Terminations to Program Participation

In other situations, the J-1 exchange visitor student's participation in the sponsored program may need to be terminated. Termination involves a loss of eligibility to remain in the US in valid immigration status, which may be distinct from the student's academic eligibility to remain enrolled as a University student. In general, the International Center will terminate the immigration status of a J-1 exchange visitor student only if remedial options have been exhausted or are not available; however, remedial options, if any, must be pursued and successful within a reasonable time frame, since students must as a rule maintain enrollment and good academic standing as a condition for maintaining valid status. Typically, termination events generally reflect willful failures or deliberate actions on the part of the student that constitute violations of J-1 regulations. Examples include:

• Failure to pursue sponsored program activities, e.g., enroll in required classes or pursue program objectives
• Willful failure to maintain J-1 compliant health insurance
• Criminal conviction
• Disciplinary action leading to involuntary suspension from program
• Unauthorized employment
• Violating other institutional rules or J-1 visa regulations
• Failure to maintain a full course of study
• Failure to comply with address reporting requirements

Termination of J-1 status by the International Center generally requires the exchange visitor to depart the US. However, students are also encouraged to consult with a qualified immigration attorney in the event that departure from the US is not desired or possible, to discuss other possible legal options available to them.

If there are any questions regarding this policy, contact Andrew Shiotani, Director of the International Center and Responsible Officer for J-1 Exchange Visitor Program P-1-00829, at Andrew.Shiotani@tufts.edu.

International Center Scope of Services

The International Center is responsible for providing immigration documentation and visa-related services to international students, scholars, and employees who have been sponsored by Tufts University for the purpose of study, research, teaching or other objectives fundamental to the University’s academic mission. Our services include advising on immigration benefits and requirements connected to non-immigrant visa classifications such as the F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, and related categories that Tufts uses to sponsor international students, scholars, and employees.

However, the International Center is not authorized to provide advice or services concerning the personal legal affairs or matters of members of the Tufts international community. Examples of personal legal affairs include, but are not limited to, matters concerning family or martial relationships; criminal charges or arrest; commercial disputes; personal injury; and business income tax matters, among others. In addition, the International Center is unable to provide advice related to complex immigration matters such as adjustment of status, removal or deportation, inadmissibility, or waivers of the J-1 two-year home residency requirement. These require the use of an attorney or law firm qualified to provide legal guidance and services in the applicable area of law.

Immigration Attorney Referral Policy

Sometimes, Tufts International Center may require or recommend that individuals seek the advice of qualified immigration counsel.

1. Permanent Residence: The International Center requires the use of a Tufts-approved immigration attorney or law firm for any process involving sponsorship of a Tufts employee for U.S. permanent residence, where Tufts is required to act as a petitioner. For permanent residence that does not require Tufts to act as a signatory or petitioner, the employee is free to contract with an immigration attorney or law firm of their choosing. For more details, see procedures outlined in Sponsoring Permanent Residents section of this web site.
2. Other Immigration Matters: Complex immigration matters that fall outside of the International Center’s scope of services may require a student, scholar, or employee to seek legal assistance. While the International Center is unable to recommend a specific attorney or law firm, the list below is provided as an information resource.

Immigration/ Legal Resources Search Directories

American Immigration Lawyers Association: AILA's Immigration Lawyer Search (ailalawyer.com)

State of Massachusetts: www.mass.gov/info-details/finding-a-lawyer

Questions regarding immigration attorney referral should be directed to Anna Garson, International Center Director, at Anna.Garson@tufts.edu

Updated October 2024