CURRENT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Maintaining Visa Status

It is the responsibility of the international student to remain in compliance with his/her non-immigrant status.  The Office of International Student Affairs will  do its best to keep you informed about the requirements to maintain your status, but as an international student , it is ultimately your responsibility for keeping your student visa and status valid throughout your academic career.  If you closely follow the checklist here, you will remain in good standing with immigration rules in the United States.

  1. Report to VU

    Report to VU and the Admissions Office for the start date indicated on Form I-20. Provide your passport, Form I-20, and I-94 card to the Admissions Office, Governor's Hall.

  2. ALWAYS Maintain full-time enrollment

    Full-time enrollment for F-1 students at VU is a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester.  You may take online courses, but at least 9 credit hours must be on-campus courses.  Get permission BEFORE dropping below required minimum hours. (Reduce Load Form can be obtained at VU International office and must be approved by Director of International Affairs before reducing course load).

  3. Update your local address within 10 days of moving. 

    Keep your address current with the University and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services by notifying the Office of International Student Affairs of any changes.  You are required to use a physical residential address and not a PO Box.

  4. Keep your immigration documents valid and current.  

    Six months before your passport expires, contact your home country embassy or consulate to begin the renewal process.  You (and your dependents) should have “D/S” (Duration of Status) instead of an expiration date on your I-94.  If you are ever issued an I-94 with an expiration date, contact the Office of International Student Affairs.

  5. Passport Renewal. 

    Six months before your passport expires, contact your home country embassy or consulate to begin the renewal process.  

  6. Program Extensions. 

    If you will need additional time to complete your program of study, fill out the I-20 Extension Form ( Program Extension Request ) at least one month before your I-20.  Extensions cannot be granted or processed in SEVIS after the end date of your I-20/DS-2019. 

  7. Discuss transfer plans

    Transfer plans must be discussed with the Office of International Student Affairs.  If you plan to transfer to another school, the Office of International Student Affairs will need to complete the immigration transfer procedure.

  8. Notify the Office of International Student Affairs of a new degree program no later than 60 days after graduating.

    If you plan to go on to another program of study after graduating from VU, either at VU or at another school, you MUST contact the Office of International Student Affairs and complete the appropriate immigration procedures NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS after graduating from the first degree.

  9. Never Work Off-campus Without Prior Authorization.  

    Employment opportunities for international students in the U.S. are restricted by law.  Enrolled F-1 students are permitted to work on campus a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during summer and winter breaks.  A work permit is required BEFORE any off-campus work is allowed.

  10. Notify the Office of International Student Affairs when you leave the U.S. or change visa status.  

    Your I-20 must be signed by a PDSO or DSO prior to your departure so that you may re-enter the U.S.  Please contact the Office of International Student Affairs at least two weeks prior to departure.  While studying at Vincennes University, if you are leave the U.S. for any reason. you will need to request a Travel Signature to return to the U.S. Travel Signatures are valid for one year.  If you are traveling, please read and follow the directions on the Travel Signature Request Form and allow 10 business days processing time.   

  11. When you finish your Program

    When you finish your program and leave the U.S. permanently or you change to another visa status email us to notify us of your plans.

  12. File an annual tax return

    You must file a tax return with the  United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) every year.  The IRS requires you to file an annual tax statement every year whether your income is from the U.S. or from another country.  The filing deadline is April 15 of each year. The Office of International Student Affairs will notify international students the dates of seminars to assist with this procedure.
study area

Academic Resources

As you plan your domestic or international travels during the break, ensure that you are aware of break start and end dates. Solely, it is your responsibility as a student to properly arrange your travel plans while making sure you have fulfilled your responsibilities as a student.

Final exam schedule will be live in VU-X under the Final Exam Schedule Card or you may access the schedule using this Final Exam Schedule link.
student union flags

Transportation

Getting Around Town

Vincennes is a small town but there are many transportation services available to you. Below are the list:
  • Vincennes Trolly is free of charge transportation. It has over 60 stops in town. Stops including at VU, Walmart, the Good Samaritan Hospital, and more.
  • VanGo is another transportation service. The shuttle will help you get to where you need to go. There is a small cost associated with each ride and they request that all reservations be made 24 hours in advance. 
  • Uber is a popular transportation service across the U.S. There are a few uber drivers in town. To ride Uber, you can book a ride in the Uber app.
Airport Transportation

- Uber
  • Book rides via Uber App
  • Call Keith (an Uber driver) at 812-891-3448
financial inspector

Finance

Student Billing
All students can locate their student billing information in their VU-X. Under the Student Account Account card, find the Statement and Billing section. 

Payment Method for paying student bill:
  • Online in VU-x
  • Wire Transfer
    • Contact the Bursar’s Office for wire transfer instructions
  • In-Person at Bursar’s Office
    • Bursar’s Office is located in the Welsh Administration Building 
  • Mail a check to Bursar’s Office
Bursar’s Office

Banks in Vincennes
students sitting outside at table

Tax Filing

In the U.S., each individual with income has to file tax return (s) by April 15 of each calendar year. This includes all international students as well. Whether you have made zero U.S. source of income or some U.S. source of income, you have tax filing responsibilities. It is each international student’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the regulations. 
Tax filing is complex and can be confusing. To reduce confusion and workload, the International Student Affairs Office has partnered with Sprintax, a platform that will assist you in preparing for federal and state tax return. Each year, the International Student Affairs Office provides limited discount codes to waive the service fee using Sprintax. The codes are on a first-come first serve basis. Once the codes are depleted, it will be your responsibility to cover the service fee cost.
What is 8843 Form?
  • This form is required for all international students (even if you zero U.S. source of income) who were present in the last calendar year. 
  • E.g. I was in the U.S. for the Fall 2025 semester with no U.S. source of income. I will only have to file 8843 form to the IRS.
  • If you only have to file 8843, you do not need to use Sprintax. You may print 8843 form and file it via mail. 
  • View the most up to date 8843 form.
What is W-2?
  • This form reports wages earned in the last calendar year. It should be issued to you by the end of January for the previous year. 
  • Available in VU-x, Employee Self-Service Card
What is 1042-S?
  • 1042-S Form reports all your taxable scholarship, fellowship, and stipend payments from the last calendar year.
  • Can Access it in two ways:
    • Electronically via Sprintax Calculus (if given consent in Sprintax Calculus)
    • Receive in mail (if did not give consent)
What is 1099?
  • This form reports miscellaneous income. Can be interest on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, earning through freelance employment.
What is the difference between Sprintax vs Sprintax Calculus?
  • Sprintax is where you will prepare your tax returns
  • Sprintax Calculus is a platform where you will access to your 1042-s if applicable
Disclaimer
  • The International Student Affairs Office does not have the expertise to advise on tax matters. All tax information provided here should be treated merely for informational purposes.
international banquet 2

I-94

During your duration of stay in the U.S., from time to time, you will hear from agencies, entities, and personnel who may request I-94 from you. I-94 is a arrival/departure record issued by the United States Customs and Border Protection to non-citizens entering the U.S. It provides proof of legal entry and stay. 

You can obtain your up-to-date I-94 via here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home. 

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