Skip to Main Content

International Student Services

The university is responsible to the United States Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) under the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for meeting requirements regarding non-immigrant students attending Chaminade University on F or M status. For this purpose, all students who fall under this classification are required to maintain a copy of the I-20 form issued to the student by the university, which is considered a permanent record to be used for all USCIS official transactions and for subsequent re-entries to the United States.

International students must have a visa status that allows academic study at Chaminade University. This can include temporary U.S. visas such as F-1 student visas, J-1 exchange visitors, H-1 temporary worker, dependent visas or any other non-immigrant classifications.

International Student Health Requirement

All international students are required to show proof of health insurance. The university provides a plan with various options for purchase.

Maintaining Status

To maintain student status, (F-1, J-1, H-1 or any other non-immigrant classifications), while in the United States, all international students must:

  1. Have a valid passport,

  2. Have a valid student VISA,

  3. Attend the school that the student is authorized to attend,

  4. Carry the equivalent of an on-ground full course of study (at least 12 credits for undergraduate students and 6 credits per term for graduate students),

  5. Full-time course load must be in predominately in-person/face to face classes,

  6. Apply for extension of stay when necessary,

  7. Follow procedures and meet with University DSO when continuing on from one educational level to another and/or transferring to another SEVIS certified institution,

  8. Obtain authorization from University DSO prior to traveling outside of the United States

  9. Obtain authorization from University DSO prior to accepting any employment,

  10. It is the student's responsibility to ensure all appropriate documents, including passport and VISA, are valid and not expired

  11. Report immediately any changes of address to the University DSO in the Office of Student Success.

International Student Employment

International Students who wish to work on-campus must meet with university DSO prior to applying for on-campus jobs to ensure compliance with USCIS. The International student will need to request the job description from the hiring manager/department, prior to beginning on-campus employment. Any change in employment needs to be approved by DSO.

Social Security Number (SSN) Application

International students who wish to obtain an SSN, and are eligible, will need to do the following:

1. Meet with the university DSO to discuss the requirements.
2. Verify with DSO that student is in "Active status" with SEVIS
3. Discuss with DSO the job position that is desired. Hiring supervisor/department will need to submit tentative work schedule, along with the job description and supervisor's contact information.
4. Must have arrived in the U.S. at least 10 days prior to this request
5. File the online application (https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/request-number-first-time) for an SSN at local SSN Office (https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp)

SSN Application Documents

International students applying for an SSN will need to have the following additional documentation with the application:

  1. Current and valid I-20

  2. Current and valid passport

  3. Job description

  4. Dated and signed letter from DSO that identifies the student, confirms active status, identifies the employer and the type of work the student will be doing

Should the international student be approved for an SSN, university DSO will be notified and sent the SSN. Student will pick up SSN from DSO upon receipt.

For more information student should reference The Department of Homeland Security's Study in the States page (https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/)