VISA
HANDBOOK For Parents and Students
Keio Academy of New York
February 2024
Dear Parents This handbook is prepared as reference material for students and their parents of Keio Academy of New York (hereinafter referred to as “the School”). A decision on whether a visa is issued to and maintained by a student or not is made at the U.S. Government’s discretion. Please note that the School bears no responsibility for such a decision. The U.S. Immigration Law and other applicable laws/regulations are constantly revised as needed. This handbook should be used for reference only. Please review the latest information from the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General in your country, or the websites on Page 1.
If you have any inquiries, please contact: Visa Support Team Keio Academy of New York
Address：3 College Road, Purchase, NY 10577 U.S.A Email：visa@keio.edu TEL： (914) 694-4825 （Weekdays：9 a.m. to 5 p.m.）
Upon request from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (hereinafter referred to as “CBP”) officer, you may provide the following contact information. Contact: Designated School Officer (Hereinafter referred to as “DSO”). International Student Advisor Visa Support Team (visa@keio.edu)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................ STUDENTS WITH STUDENT (F-1) VISA
A. SCHOOL/PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES, IMMIGRATION LAW ................................................. 1 B. HOW TO OBTAIN AN F-1 (STUDENT) VISA ............................................................................ 2 C. CHANGING VISA STATUS FROM “DEPENDENT” TO STUDENT” ............................................... 3 D. TRANSFER-IN STUDENT ........................................................................................................ 3 E. BEFORE ENTRY TO THE U.S. ................................................................................................. 4 F. AFTER ENTRY TO THE U.S. ................................................................................................... 5 G. PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMP/PROGRAM .............................................................................. 6
CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................ STUDENTS WITH US CITIZENSHIP, PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD, OR DEPENDENT VISA (e.g. E, L, AND O)
A. STUDENTS WITH U.S. CITIZENSHIP ........................................................................................ 6 B. STUDENTS WITH A PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD (GREEN CARD) ......................................... 6 C. STUDENTS WITH A DEPENDENT VISA (e.g. E, L, AND O)........................................................ 6
CHAPTER 3 ............................................................................................................................. APPENDIX: SAMPLES AND EXHIBITS
SAMPLE A: F-1 VISA ................................................................................................................ 7 SAMPLE B: FORM I-20 .......................................................................................................... 8-11 SAMPLE C: RECEIPT FOR TUITION & FEES ............................................................................... 12 SAMPLE D: CERTIFICATE OF ANNUAL SALARY ....................................................................... 13 SAMPLE E: SEVIS FEE RECEIPT ........................................................................................... 14 EXHIBIT A: NOTIFICATION OF PARTICIPATION IN A PROGRAM/CAMP ................................. 15,16 EXHIBIT B: TRANSFER RELEASE FORM (IN) ........................................................................ 17,18 EXHIBIT C: TRANSFER RELEASE FORM (OUT) .................................................................... 19,20 EXHIBIT D: TEMPLATE FOR WRITTEN CONSENT FORM............................................................. 21
CHAPTER 1 Students with Student (F-1) Visa
A. School/Parents Responsibilities and Immigration Law Responsibilities School responsibility:
Advise how to obtain a student visa, keep a student’s legal status and issue supporting documents for a student’s visa application.
Parents’ responsibility: • • •
Prepare supporting documents required for a visa application. Apply for a visa and maintain your child/children’s legal status. Report any change to visa-related circumstances including a legal status to the Visa Support Team. Report any updated visa-related legal document(s) to the Visa Support Team.
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A decision on whether a visa is issued to and maintained by a student is made at the U.S. Government’s discretion. Please note that the School bears no responsibility for such a decision. The US Immigration Law and other applicable laws/regulations are revised as needed. This handbook should be used for reference only. Please review the latest information from the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General in your country, or the following websites. www.travel.state.gov www.uscis.gov www.usembassy.gov http://jp.usembassy.gov http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp https://ustraveldocs.com/jp/en/student-visa/
Immigration law •
Students who do not have any legal statuses or any other U.S. visas must obtain a visa issued by the US Government and a Form I-20*. (*The Form I-20 is required for F-1 visa holders only). Without either visa or Form I-20, students are not allowed to study at Keio Academy of New York.
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The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues visas and grants visa status. The School does not have any authority to issue visas.
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B. How to Obtain F-1 (Student) Visa Procedures to obtain a student visa are below: (1) Parents: Submit the following documents to the Visa Support Team. • For New Students: Admissions Portal “Passport and Visa (For F-1 Visa Applicants)” For Continuing students: KANYOS form “For F-1 Visa Applicants (Change of Status)” • Copy of biographic information section of a student’s passport • Financial support documen (See Sample D) Please provide either a parent's tax certificate indicating their income (Form W2 for US residents), or a bank statement showing the balance in English. Issues the following documents (2) required for an F-1visa application upon receipt of above (1). • Supporting letter for the visa application • Form I-20 (See Sample B) • Receipt of full amount of annual tuition and fees (See Sample C). (The Office of Accounting and Facility Management will issue a receipt to parents who paid the full cost of annual education including Tuition, Room & Board, Deposit on Materials, and Facilities. Please pay the entire amount as soon as possible. Please email any inquiries to the Office of Accounting and Facility Management (acct-receivable@keio.edu)). Alternatively, parents can request their own banks to issue a certificate of bank balance in English. (Additionally, continuing students need the following documents. Fees will be deducted from Deposit on Materials) • Certificate of Enrollment • Transcript After receiving all of the documents (2) issued by the School, apply for a F-1 visa and make a reservation for interview from the following links. 1. Apply for a F-1 visa : https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ 2. Pay visa application fee and schedule a visa Interview: https://portal.ustraveldocs.com/?language=English&country=Japan 3. Pay Form I-901 SEVIS* fee: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html * Reference: Official videos by the U.S. Embass y & Consulates in Japan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjveJSyT32k (Japanese language) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhVxexKxjOY (Japanese language) Interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General of America. Bring to the interview the following items; the receipt of SEVIS fee payment and the 2
interview confirmation page. Please also bring your passport and other required documents. (Refer to “(2) School” and “(3) Parents” instructions on Page.2). As it may take a while to obtain a visa, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General of America directly because the School does not have this information. * SEVIS is an acronym for ‘Student and Exchange Visitor Information System’. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has the right to access legal information for nonimmigrant students (e.g. their legal status and eligibility to stay and study in the United States.) through SEVIS. It is a system to track and monitor individuals who hold F-1, F-3, J-1, M-1 and M-3 visa as well as their family dependents who holds F-2, J-2 and M-2 visa. [Note] You will not be allowed to enter the United States on your F-1 visa more than 30
days before the program start date.
C. Changing Visa Status from “Dependent” to “Student” For detailed information on an application for status change, you should consult an experienced immigration lawyer. [Note] Please be aware that changing your status while staying in the United States may require a period of one year or longer. In order to file a change of status from nonimmigrant dependent (such as E, L and O) to student (F-1), an applicant must establish that valid dependent status has been maintained. Since the status of dependent is dependent on the status of the principal, parents must provide evidence of the validity of the status of your principal, including a copy of the principal’s Form I-94 as well. The requirements for the F-1 visa application must be completely met. Then submit KANYOS Form #1623. https://secure.keio.edu/kanyos/v3/P/?p=10&a=1623 If all of the requirements are satisfied, please follow the procedures in B. How to Obtain F-1 (Student) Visa on Page 2.
D. Transfer-In Students (who have studied at other schools in the United States with F-1 visa) If students have studied at other schools in the United States with F-1 visa before enrolling in Keio Academy of New York, please complete and submit the following forms required for transfer-in. • Admissions Portal “Passport and Visa (F-1 Visa Holders Enrolled in Other School) “ • Copy of biographic information section of a student’s passport • Financial support document (See Sample D) (A U.S. resident must submit Form W2. A business owner or self-employee in Japan must submit a certificate of income and 3
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withholding tax or a tax payment certificate, instead.). Alternatively, parents can request their own banks to issue an English Certificate of Bank Balance. Transfer Release Form attached to Admissions Portal (Exhibit B).
E. Before Entry to the United States Required Documents: Students need the documents below when entering the United States. •
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Passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your planned entry (If your old passport with valid visa status was renewed due to the passport expiration, you must carry both old and new passports.) F-1 (Student) visa (except those who have Canadian citizenship) (See Sample A). [Note] Upon initial entry to the United States with the F-1 visa, school name indicated on the F-1 visa and Form I-20 must be identical. Form I-20 (See Sample B) [Note 1] All the information (signature by the DSO, date issued, place issued, signatures by you and your parent, name of your parent, and address and date when you received the form) must be shown in the form. [Note 2] Continuing students in F-1 visa status who have already studied at Keio Academy of New York must make sure that the entry date to the United States is within one year from the date signed by the DSO in TRAVEL ENFORSEMENT section. (See F. After Student Enters the United States (3) on Page 5) Financial support documents -A receipt showing evidence of support for tuition and fees and living expenses while in the United States issued by the School (See Sample C) or a Certificate of Annual Salary (See Sample D). Form I-901 (SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt) (See Sample E and B (3) 3 on Page 2). Please see the link below on how to reissue Form I-901. https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html Parental consent/permission letter in case a minor under the age of 18 years old enters the United States without being accompanied by a parent or legal guardian: Carrying this letter is highly recommended. (See Exhibit D)
<Initial Entry to the United States with F-1 Visa> You must present the “Required Documents“ mentioned above to the CBP officers. (You must carry them with carry-on baggage). <Re-entry to the United States with F-1 Visa> Endorsement signature of the Form I-20 must be valid for re-entry to the United States. Please see F. After Student Enters the United States for more information. You must carry the “Required Documents“ stated above at every re-entry to the United States. The CBP officers may ask you questions as a part of the screening process when you enter or reenter the United States as a nonimmigrant. You must explain that your primary intent to travel to 4
the United States is studying at Keio Academy of New York. Once you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP will provide an admission stamp on a page in your passport. It is your responsibility to confirm if the admission stamp is placed in your passport.
F. After Student Enters the United States 【Important】 (1) After your arrival to campus, the DSOs/Visa Support Team must review your original passport, visa and Form I-20 for both boarders and commuters, and copy all documents. The DSOs /Visa Support Team must register you in SEVIS no later than 30 days after the program start date shown on the Form I-20. Please keep in mind that you are not allowed to stay in the United States if not abide by these rules. (2) Should you misplace either your passport, visa or Form I-20 while in the United States, you will lose your legal status. An extra cost will be required to obtain these documents. Boarders must keep these documents in their safes. Commuters must keep them in a safe place at home. (3) Endorsement signature on Form I-20: A signature in Travel Endorsement section of the Form I-20 will be effective for one year from the date issued next to the signature. To go overseas during winter, spring or/and summer vacation, you have to receive a new travel endorsement signature from the Visa Support Team if the planned entry date is beyond the said one year. (4) You are suggested to renew your passport during vacation (summer vacation is highly recommended) under your parents’ responsibilities. For entry to the United States with a visa, your passport must be valid for at least six months upon arrival at a port of entry. (5) F-1 visa students must inform the Visa Support Team (visa@keio.edu) of any changes to their Form I-20 information as well as their passport renewal within ten days after such a change or renewal is made.
G. Participation in Programs or Camps at Other Schools during Vacation or after Graduation (Transfer Out) For Continuing Students To participate in summer/English/sports programs or camps and then continue to study at the School when the next academic semester begins, please first check with the program official whether a Form I-20 transfer is needed. • If no Form I-20 transfer is required: Please submit the “Participation Notification of Summer Program/Camp Form” to the Visa Support Team. (Exhibit A) • If you enroll in a program outside the School which a Form I-20 transfer is required: Please follow the same procedures as stated below For 12th Graders who are expected to graduate ↓ The School will transfer out your Form I-20 to the transfer-in school or the camp you will 5
participate in. When the program is over, your Form I-20 will be transferred back to the School. Subsequently the Visa Support Team will issue a new Form I-20. For 12th Graders who are expected to graduate and will participate in programs, or are accepted and will transfer to other schools or colleges after graduation: 1. You must contact school counselors and submit “Form I-20 Transfer-Out Request (Form No. 0453)” from KANYOS. 2. After completing a “Transfer Release Form (Exhibit C)” attached in the “Form I-20 Transfer-Out Request,” you must receive a signature from the transfer-in school. Then, you have to submit it to the Visa Support Team with an acceptance letter. The Visa Support Team will transfer out your Form I-20 to the school where you were accepted.
CHAPTER 2 Students with U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Resident Card or Dependent Visa (e.g. E, L, and O)
A. Student with U.S. Citizenship No visa application procedures are required. If you renew your passport, you must submit a copy of the renewed passport.
B. Student with Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) No visa application procedures are required. If you renew your passport or Permanent Resident card (Green Card), you must submit a copy of the renewed passport or Permanent Resident card (Green Card) .
C. Student with Dependent Visa (e.g. E, L, and O) No visa application procedures are required. If you renew your passport or visa, you must submit a copy of the renewed passport or visa. Required Documents Upon Entry to the United States • Passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your planned entry (Students who renewed their passports due to its expiration must carry both old and new passports.) • Valid visa • Parental consent/permission letter in case a minor under the age of 18 years old enters the Unites States without being accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (See Exhibit D): Carrying this letter is highly recommended. Changing Status from dependent (such as E, L and O) to student (F-1) See C. Changing Visa Status from Dependent to Student on Page 3. 6
CHAPTER 3 Appendix: Samples and Exhibits
サンプル A: F-1ビザ / SAMPLE A: F-1 VISA
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サンプル B: Form I-20 / SAMPLE B: FORM I-20
(Page 1)
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(Page 2)
After receiving the I-20, please make sure to fill out the above section and sign it.
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(Page 3)
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(Page 4)
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サンプル C: 財政支援を証明する書類(学院の学費等の領収証) SAMPLE C: RECEIPT FOR TUITION & FEES
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サンプル D: 財政支援を証明する書類(英文年収証明書) SAMPLE D: CERTIFICATE OF ANNUAL SALARY
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サンプル E: Form I-901 (SEVIS Fee の領収書) SAMPLE E: FORM I-901 (RECEIPT FOR SEVIS FEE)
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資料 A: 休暇中のプログラム参加届 EXHIBITION A: NORTIFICATION OF PARTICIPATION IN A PROGRAM/CAMP
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(Page 1)
This form can be downloaded from the QR code on the left. このフォームは左記のQRコード からダウンロードできます
(Page 2)
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資料 C: トランスファー用フォーム（IN）他校からの転入用 EXHIBITION C: TRANSFER RELEASE FORM (OUT)
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資料 C: トランスファー用フォーム（OUT） EXHIBITION C: TRANSFER RELEASE FORM (OUT)
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資料 Ｄ: WRITTEN CONSENT FORM用テンプレート EXHIBITION Ｄ: TEMPLATE FOR WRITTEN CONSENT FORM
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This template can be downloaded from the QR code on the left. このテンプレートは左記のQRコ ードからダウンロードできます。
