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Review recorded workshops and be notified of upcoming events and reminders. 

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International Student Services

Calendar of Events

Website

Schedule Individual Appointment

Schedule a 30-minute appointment with an advisor using the link below. 
For quick questions select the drop-in option.
Monday-Friday from 1:00pm - 3:00pm on Zoom or in-person.
Location: Mesa Vista Hall room 2120.

Meet with an Advisor

1-3PM, M-F - Zoom Drop ins link

Submit Request

Documents that you can request: 
- Travel Signature
- Invitation Letters
- MVD Letter
- Letter Verifying Enrollment
- Other Letter
- New I-20/DS-2019

Request a Document

Summary

Credit hour and in-person class requirements for international students for Fall and Spring semesters (for immigration and scholarships).

Enrollment Requirements

MyGEO SIgn-in

MyGEO portal invitation is in your non-UNM email. 

Always update your: address, phone number, immigration documents, and health insurance information (within ten days of any changes). 

Use it for requests to: bring dependents, transfer your record to another university, or when leaving UNM.

Need help? Email iadvisor@unm.edu

MyGEO Portal

Academic Support 

Maintaining Legal Status

Travel Requirements

You MUST always carry:
1) Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future at time of re-entry to the US)
2) VISA (valid at the time of re-entry to the US)
3) I-94
4) I-20/DS-2019 *WITH travel signature from an International Advisor, not older than 6 months*

Ways to get travel signature:
*Request a Document using the GEO request form
*Bring the document in-person during drop-in hours
*Bring the document in-person on 'travel signature days'.

Traveling for a long period? If you plan to travel out of the U.S. for an extended period of time (more than 5 months), you must come in to speak with an ISSS advisor about requirements and options.

Travel Abroad

Health Insurance

More Info

Does ISSS provide help? Yes. After all required documents are sent to students in early March each year.

What is 'non-resident' vs. 'resident' for tax? This is not the same as immigration residency ('Green Card'). It is related to your visa and how long you have been in the US. Student visa holders become tax residents after 5 calendar years.

How, where and when do I get help? ISSS will send emails when 'Tax Season' starts to help you file your taxes. Do NOT file taxes using other tax software until you read our instructions.

Do I need to file taxes? Everyone will likely need to file at least one form, even if you had no income during the tax year.

Federal and State TAXES

Leaving UNM - What do I do?

Rules and Regulations for F-2 and J-2 Dependents

To bring a spouse or child:
Submit a Request Form THEN upload to MyGEO:
    a) Dependent's passport scan of first page.
    b) Proof of funding for you and your dependent(s). $8,000 for spouse; $6,000 for each child.
    c) If the funding is from another person, submit a letter signed by the account holder explaining how they plan to support your family.

An advisor will reach out if more information is needed. 

F-2 and J-2 Spouses and Children

Work in the US

Work Rules

Working on Campus Handout

Only students in F-1 or J-1 status who obtain lawful employment are eligible to apply for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). The SSN is a confidential number that should be used only for official business in the US (filing taxes, getting a credit card, etc.) 

For F1 and J1 students, work is allowed on campus for up to 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters (for UNM or an employer that provides services to UNM students); more than 20 hours per week is allowed during the summer and winter breaks. If you are working in the US, you MUST follow hiring procedures which include applying for the SSN. Follow the procedures on the ‘Working on Campus’ handout and get an ISSS advisor’s signature before going to the Social Security office in downtown Albuquerque to apply.

Social Security Number Process

CPT via CO-OP handout

CPT is a work authorization that allows students to work off-campus (or increase on-campus hours to more than 20 hours per week) if the job is directly related to the student’s major. Students must have completed two full-time academic semesters to be eligible.  It is available only while students are enrolled in an academic program. Most students do CPT via the CO-OP option, but if you have an internship or practicum in your program you can enroll in that course instead of CO-OP (see Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Non CO-OP on our website).

F-1 CPT Information

OPT Handout

Optional Practical Training ("OPT") is work authorization that allows students to work anywhere in the U.S. in a job related to their major for 12 months. OPT is available either during or immediately following completion of studies. Students become eligible for full-time post-completion OPT after completing all coursework. Students interested in OPT should apply 3 months before completing their program (USCIS takes 3 to 4 months for processing). To apply, students should read all OPT materials, complete the necessary forms, and then schedule an OPT appointment with an ISSS advisor to complete the application process. This appointment takes 2 hours.

F-1 OPT  Information

OPT Workshop Appointment for F-1 students

J-1 Academic Training handout

J-1 Students can apply for academic training for jobs and internships in their field of study after one semester of full-time student status.

To apply, read the Academic Training handout, complete the Academic Training Recommendation Form, and schedule a meeting with an ISSS advisor.

J-1 Academic Training  Information