International Students
Current International Students
F-1 Status Maintenance as per SEVP regulations
Enroll in a full time course.
Undergraduates: Must take 12 credits per semester
Graduates: Must take 6 credits per semester
Maintain the required attendance established by the university.
In AU and FPU, the minimum attendance rate is 80% per semester.
Report your most current U.S address.
Maintain a valid or unexpired I-20
Be in compliance with SEVIS regulations related to working in the U.S
Online Classes for International Students Policy
International students are allowed to take one online class per semester as per SEVP/SEVIS.
For additional information, please refer to the following link:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/full-course-of-study
Summer Vacation Policy
Requirements
Complete one full academic year (2 consecutive semesters or 8 consecutive months)
- Meet with the required attendance and academic performance.
Be advised: All Students taking a Summer Vacation must pre-register with the Bursar Department prior to taking a Summer vacation.
For additional information regarding SEVP/SEVIS annual vacation, you may visit the following link:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2019/06/what-annual-vacation
International students are allowed to take one online class per semester as per SEVP/SEVIS.For additional information, please refer to the following link:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/full-course-of-study
Leave of Absence
Leave of Absence requests are granted to international students who are facing critical medical conditions or emergencies.
Please contact your DSO before submitting the request and based on your case, we will ask for additional documents accordingly.
Administrative and Tuition Fees
Scholarship and Grants Loss of eligibility
Application Checklist
Use this checklist as a guide to what you’ll need to enroll at Atlantis University and to help keep track of
submitted materials.
Undergraduate application
- The Atlantis University application form completed.
- A non-refundable application fee of U.S. $50.
- A copy of your current passport and a photo with your name, address and date of birth appearing in the front of the document
- Official High School transcripts translated in English.
- IELTS Exam or TOEFL.
- A bank letter as a proof of reliable financial support upon arrival into the United States of America. All applicants must provide a copy of their bank statement showing recent deposit and withdrawal activity, a similar sponsor’s bank statement, or any other written financial support (with a minimum of $40,000).
Graduate application
- The Atlantis University application form completed.
- An non-refundable application fee U.S. $100.
- Official High School transcripts translated in English.
- A bank letter as a proof of reliable financial support upon arrival into the United States of America. All applicants must provide a copy of their bank statement showing recent deposit and withdrawal activity, a similar sponsor’s bank statement, or any other written financial support (with a minimum of $20,000).
- IELTS Exam or TOEFL.
- Proof of 1 year of professional experience.
Send the Application Document Package to the following address: Atlantis University, Atlantis University, 1011 Sunnybrook Rd, Miami, FL 33136, United States.
What happens next?
Once all application documents have been submitted and reviewed by us, we’ll make an admissions ruling and notify students of our decision.
If we do offer a positive admission response, you’ll receive:
- A formal letter of acceptance
- An I-20 form
- Instructions for enrollment
- Information about housing and travel arrangements
Obtain Visa
Applicants for a campus-based degree program are required to obtain the proper visa to study full-time.
What is the F-1 visa?
The Form I-20 is a multi-purpose document issued by a government-approved U.S. educational institution certifying
that you have been admitted to a full-time study program, and that you have demonstrated sufficient financial
resources to stay in the U.S.
What is the F-1 visa?
After receiving an I-20 from their school, an international student must make an appointment to apply for the F-1
visa at the local U.S. embassy or consulate in their country. The visa is the document needed to be allowed entry into
the U.S. You must present both the F-1 visa and the I-20 to the U.S. immigration inspector upon arrival.
However, if you’re not able to finish your program on that date, you must request an extension from the Atlantis International Office at least one month before the completion date expires.
Your actual completion date may not necessarily be the day of your graduation ceremony or the date on your I-20. In fact, many students actually finish their degree requirements before the completion date on their I-20.
For undergraduate students, the completion date is considered to be the last day of final exams of the semester when your degree requirements are fulfilled.
For graduate students, the completion date is the day on which all degree requirements are fulfilled, such as filing the thesis or dissertation in the Graduate Division.
If you do not have a research component to your degree program (such as in the MBA program or other professional schools), your completion date would be the last day of final exams of the semester and your degree requirements are fulfilled.
What is the 60-day grace period?
When you complete your study program, you’re allowed a 60-day grace period to depart the U.S., request a school transfer or change your status.
If you’re interested in working in the U.S. after finishing your studies, you must apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization at least 90 days before the actual program completion date.
Transfer Credits
Credit transfer can be a confusing and complicated task, but it’s worth the effort and time. We’re happy to accept transfer credits from other institutions. As an international student, you must provide the following documentation for school transfer:
- A written notice must be provided to Atlantis University requesting transfer.
- Written confirmation must be received from the receiving school indicating acceptance.
- A $1,000 administrative non-refundable transfer fee will apply to all international students who wish to transfer.
On Campus Employment
International students at Atlantis University enter the country on F visas. With the F-1 visa, they may be permitted to work on campus while pursuing their degree, and for Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon completion of their studies.
On campus employment for F-1 international students is limited to 20 hours a week (part-time). F-1 undergraduate and graduate students may begin on-campus employment upon completion of their first semester (4 months) at Atlantis University.
Part-time enrollment and on-campus employment
Any international student working on campus must be enrolled in at least the minimum number of units below to be on the USC payroll under U.S. Labor Laws. Please note that this is a separate issue from requesting a Reduced Course Load (RCL) and on-campus employment does not authorize students to go below full-time without RCL permission from OIS:
The only exceptions are:
Students in their final semester. Students in their final semester will be permitted to work on campus if they are enrolled for less than the units mentioned above. All students in their final semesters will be required to submit a Reduced Course Load form.
Graduate students who register for thesis, dissertation, or qualifying exams (GRSC 800) are
considered to be enrolled full time although the number of units enrolled will be below the normal full-time course load. An RCL form is not required for students at these final
stages in their academic program and they are permitted to work on campus.
Off-campus employment which may Qualify as On-Campus Employment
Immigration regulations allow international students to work at an off-campus location provided the following:
- The employer is educationally affiliated with Atlantis University.
- The educational affiliation is associated with Atlantis Universitys established curriculum or is related to a graduate level research project which Atlantis University has contracted to perform.
- The employment at this off-campus location is an integral part of the students academic program OIS requires a letter from the students academic advisor confirming that the employment meets ALL of the qualifications above.
- For clarification on whether an employment at off-campus location qualifies as on-campus employment, please make an appointment to meet with an OIS counselor.
Social Security Number
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Per current legislation, SSNs can only be issued to someone who:
- Is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or
- Has a valid job offer in the university and/or is eligible for legal employment
Do I need an SSN to study at Atlantis University?
Students do not need an SSN to register for classes at Atlantis University, get a driver’s license in Florida, or open a bank account.
However, landlords and utility, cable, and cell phone companies may request an SSN to do a credit history check to determine the amount of deposit they will require to secure housing or to activate services. Students without an SSN may be required to pay a higher deposit payment before receiving service.
Can students with F-1 visas and Optional Practical Training (OPT) apply for an SSN?
Yes, F-1 students on OPT can apply for an SSN by taking the following original documents to the Social Security Administration (SSA):
- Passport
- A printout of the I-94 Arrival/Departure record
- A printout of the I-94 Arrival/Departure record
- OPT I-20
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card
STEM Extension
What is a STEM extension?
The STEM extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student’s program of study in an approved STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field.
What is OPT?
OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a benefit of F-1 student status that allows you to work off-campus in your field of study to gain practical experience. OPT after you graduate is referred to as post-completion OPT in regulations. If you’re a student in certain STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), you may be eligible for an extension of OPT for an additional 24 months.
Learn more about how to apply for OPT.
What are the STEM extension requirements?
- You must currently be on post-completion 12 months OPT.
- You must have verified completion of a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Programs List. The CIP code is found on top of page 3 of the I-20, next to “Primary Major.”
Employment requirements:
- Paid or unpaid.
- At least 20 hours per week.
- Directly related to the field of study and appropriate to the degree level obtained.
Employer requirements:
- Registered with the U.S. Government e-Verify employment verification system.
- Agrees to report any termination of employment within 48 hours to OIS.
How do I apply for a STEM OPT extension?
Find out more about eligibility for the STEM OPT Extension.
To apply for an extension, you must properly file:
- Form I-765 with the application fee.
- Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, endorsed by your DSO, and A copy of your STEM degree.
- If you file your extension application on time and your OPT period expires while your extension application is pending, USCIS will extend your employment authorization for 180 days.
Insurance for International Students
The idea of traveling abroad to study is exciting. However, as well as contemplating the new world of opportunities that could open up to you, you’ll need to have a think about the admin too. One of the most important preparations you can make is to get the right insurance.
There’s a big student insurance market out there with various levels of coverage, so you’ll need to look at the variables, length of stay, country-specific rules, and what activities you might need coverage for.
Find out more about the insurance company Atlantis University recommends for you.
