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Information
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SEU International Student Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a Driver`s License, and what is it used for?
2. How do I obtain a Driver`s License?
3. What is a Social Security Number?
4. When am I eligible for a Social Security Number?
5. How do I apply for a Social Security Number?
6. Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
7. Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?
8. How can I apply to renew my F-1 Visa in Canada or Mexico?
9. What are some opportunities in and around the Washington area for me to practice my English?
10. How do I apply for a job on campus?
11. How do I choose a bank to keep my money in?
12. How do I open a bank account without a Social Security Card?
1. What is a Driver's License, and what is it used for?
A Driver's License is used as legal permission to drive. Also, it is a form of identification that can be used to show your date of birth and your picture. A Driver's License is used by many Americans as identification much as a passport is used in many other countries.
2. How do I obtain a Driver's License?
It depends where you live.
- If you live in Washington, DC, the place that you need to go to get a Driver's License is the Department of Motor Vehicles. The address of the Department of Motor Vehicles is: 301 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
The following are items that you need to bring with you when you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles if you live in Washington, DC:
1. I-20
2. Proof of DC Residency (Such as bills, mail from the government showing your address, a transcript from the university showing your current address, etc).
3. Your Passport and visa
4. Your Social Security Card
For more information on the internet, the website is: http://www.dmv.washingtondc.gov/main.shtm
- If you live in Virginia, there are many Department of Motor Vehicles offices that you can choose from. A list of offices can be found at the following website: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/utilities/offices.asp
Please note that you must enter your zipcode and the first three digits of your phone number in order to find the office that is closest to you.
In order to get your Driver's License, you must bring:
1. I-20
2. Proof of Virginia Residency (see above in DC)
3. Passport and visa and I-94 card
4. A school transcript showing your name, date of birth, and address
5. Your Social Security Card (if you have one. If not, tell them, and they will give you a special number).
6. Keep in mind that you will have to get what is called a Learner's Permit for at least six months before you can get a license.
For more information, please see the following website: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/
- If you live in Maryland, there are also many Department of Motor Vehicles offices that you can choose from. The following website can help you: http://www.mva.state.md.us/LOCATION/default.asp
Keep in mind that you must click on your county in order to get your nearest locations.
In order to get a Driver's License, you must bring:
1. I-20
2. Passport, visa, I-94
3. Proof of Maryland Residency (See above in DC)
4. A school transcript
5. Your Social Security Card
For more information, please see the following website: http://www.mva.state.md.us/
3. What is a Social Security Number?
A Social Security Number is a form of identification. It is a number that you need in order to get a Driver's License in both Washington, DC and Maryland. Also, it is a number that is used for many other functions. It is one of the most important documents that people living in the United States possess.
4. When am I eligible for a Social Security Number?
In order to be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number, you must be:
1. Lawfully in F-1 status
2. Enrolled as a full-time student
3. legally eligible to work (i.e. have been offered on-campus employment, be enrolled in an off-campus internship or participating in practical training).
5. How do I apply for a Social Security Number?
- Come to the Student Services Office to get a letter certifying your eligibility for a Social Security Number (you must make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to apply for this letter). You also need to get an application for a Social Security Number.
- Go to your local Social Security Office. You will need to bring with you:
a. The letter from the university authorizing you to work
b. Your passport
c. All of the original I-20's you've had since you've been a student in the US
d. Your I-94 card (this is the white card stapled in your passport)
e. If you have changed your visa status, bring the letter the Immigration and Naturalization Service sent you approving your change of status.
f. If your passport was issued one year ago or less, you must bring some other official form of identification that was issued more than one year ago. This may include an original birth certificate, a national identity card, a driver's license, etc. If those documents are in another language, you must take them to your embassy to ask for an official translation.
g. The application takes 3-4 months to process
6. Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
Canada requires citizens from many countries to apply for a visa before traveling to Canada. A complete list of citizens from countries that are required to have visas can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/
You can apply for the tourist visa at the Canadian Embassy located at:
The Canadian Embassy
The Immigration / Visa Section 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001 U.S.A.
Tel: (202) 682-1740 Fax: (202) 682-7689
Services: Visitor, Student and Temporary Worker Visas, Returning Resident Permit, Minister's Permit
Office Hours for Visitor Visas: Mon-Fri, 09:00-12:00
7. Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?
Mexico requires citizens from many countries to apply for a visa before traveling to Mexico. A complete list of citizens from countries that are required to have visas can be found at: http://www.consulmexny.org/eng/visas_fmt.htm You can apply for the tourist visa at the Mexican Consulate located at:
WASHINGTON, DC 2827 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 736-1000 / 736-1012
Fax: (202) 797-8458
8. How can I apply to renew my F-1 Visa in Canada or Mexico?
This can be very problematic and we do not recommend to do this. However, if you really want to do this, you need to apply to renew your F-1 Visa at either a US Embassy or Consulate. Prior to going, you need to make sure that the Consulate or Embassy is accepting appointments for Third Country Nationals (People who do not live in either Canada or Mexico). You can make an appointment on the following website: https://www.nvars.com/
From the United States, you can call the following number for help or information: (900) 443-3131 or (888) 840-0032
Please note that this service does cost money to make an appointment. You must also see if you need a visa to go to either Canada or Mexico (see above). You need to make the appointment at least two weeks in advance of going. Then you need to come to the Student Services Office in order to get the documents you need to travel.
If the Embassy or Consulate renews your visa, then when you return to Southeastern University, make sure you bring your passport and visa to the Student Services Office in order to update your file.
*** Please be aware that if the Consulate or Embassy does not renew your F-1 visa, that you may not be readmitted to the United States and may have to fly home from either Canada or Mexico***
You need to do the following things before leaving to apply for a new visa:
a. Have SEU's International Student Advisor sign and date the back of your I-20. (The advisor will only be willing to sign it if you are in status).
b. Ask the International Student Advisor for a travel letter. Please inform the International Student Advisor when you will return. Also, you should bring your passport to the International Student Advisor. This will make the travel letter easier to write.
c. Go to the Registrar's Office and ask for a Transcript and a Letter of Enrollment. You will need both letters from the Registrar's Office. You must fill out two request forms and take them to the Business Office. Once you have paid for the Transcript and obtained a signature for both letters, return both forms to the Registrar's Office. Please do not open your transcript! They will do that at the Embassy.
d. Prepare current financial support documentation
When you visit the Embassy to renew your visa, you must bring your passport, I-20 (endorsed by SEU's International Student Advisor), current financial support documents, a letter from the Registrar's Office saying that you are currently enrolled, and your transcript.
9. What are some opportunities in and around the Washington area for me to practice my English?
Washington, DC has many opportunities to practice your English. Many churches have discussion groups, there are many lectures to attend. Please pay attention to the International Student Bulletin Board, because as we hear of opportunities, we will post them on the board.
1. One place that seems to have a good opportunity to practice English is at Dos Gringos Café. They have Intercambias (speaking exchanges) on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:00-9:00 P.M. They are located at 3116 Mt. Pleasant St, NW in Washington, DC. You can find more information on their website: www.dosgringoscafe.com You can also reach them at (202) 462-1159. Just ask for Alex.
2. Another good place to practice English for the more advanced speaker is held every Wednesday and Thursday night from 7:00-9:00 P.M. The person who runs this class is Derek Singer. His phone number is: (703) 528-6891. The classes are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, VA. Their address is: 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22204. You can find more information on their website: www.uucava.org. You can also reach them at (703) 892-5918.
10. How do I apply for a job on campus?
Students who are in lawful F-1 status are eligible to apply for jobs on campus. Students should contact the Human Resources Office to find open positions. Also, students who know where they would like to work should contact the supervisor for that department to find out if there will be any open positions in the future.
11. How do I choose a bank to keep my money in?
In the United States, people keep most of their money in bank accounts. There are two types of bank accounts: checking and savings accounts. Checking accounts allow the person who has money in the account to write a check which is payment that is used instead of cash. A savings account is just an account that allows people to keep their money safe.
There are many banks to choose from. It is best that students choose a bank that is insured by the United States Government. That way, students will not lose their money if the bank becomes bankrupt. This is called FDIC Insured.
The closest bank to SEU is Bank of America located on M St, SW right next to the Waterside Mall. Keep in mind that if you open an account at that Bank of America, you can use any Bank of America to do your banking.
12. How do I open a bank account without a Social Security Card?
The Bank of America on M St, SW requires two forms of identification in order to open a bank account. You need to bring with you to the bank your passport and your Southeastern University school I.D. card in order to open an account. A school I.D. card can be obtained from the Business Office at Southeastern University.
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