Current International Students
The staff at the Office of International Programs is dedicated to assisting the members of our international student community with the numerous and varied issues that arise when living, working and studying in a new country. If you are unable to find what you need on this page, please make an appointment.
Maintaining Your F-1 or J-1 Student Status
To stay in compliance with U.S. immigration regulations, all F-1 and J-1 students must follow these rules:
1. Stay Enrolled Full Time
- Register for a full course load each semester (minimum credit requirement set by your program).
- Do not drop below full-time without prior written authorization from your international student advisor.
2. Attend the School Listed on Your Form I-20 or DS-2019
- You must study only at the institution that issued your immigration document.
- Get approval before taking any courses at another school.
3. Keep Your Documents Current
- Maintain a valid passport at all times.
- Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 valid by extending it before the program end date if you need more time.
- Report any changes in your major, funding, or education level to your international office.
4. Report Address and Contact Changes
- Update your local U.S. address, phone, and email within 10 days of any change.
- J-1 students must also report any change in site of activity or funding source.
5. Work Only with Proper Authorization
- Do not work off campus without prior authorization from your international office and/or USCIS.
- On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the semester.
6. Travel and Reentry
- Get your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel before leaving the U.S.
- Make sure your visa and passport will be valid for reentry.
7. Follow Grace Period Rules
- F-1 students: 60-day grace period after completing your program or OPT.
- J-1 students: 30-day grace period after completing your program.
- You may not work during the grace period.
Not sure where you’ll be living? Curious about the food on campus? Be sure to review the information on the housing page and the meal plan page to learn more about what’s waiting for you when you arrive at UMaine!
A major part of coming to UMaine and having all your documents in order has to do with immunization records and health insurance. You can find more information about both below. Please reach out with questions after you’ve review the information on the respective webpages.
Dependent Family Members
If you wish to have dependents (spouse, children) accompany you to the United States, you must provide documentation of financial support for their estimated expenses ($5,000 per year for the first dependent and $1,500 per year for each additional dependent), name, relationship, date and place of birth and request appropriate immigration documents from the Office of International Programs or your program sponsor. This must be done prior to arrival if you wish dependents to accompany you during the first semester. All dependents in the U.S. must be covered by the University of Maine International Student Medical Insurance or other appropriate coverage.
To request documents for a dependent family member:
- Login to the e-OIP portal with your UMaine credentials.
- Navigate to the Current Students menu.
- Select “Request F-2 or J-2 Documents” and complete the form.
Per U.S. immigration law dependents in F-2 status are not able to work in the U.S. under any circumstances. F-2 dependents may attend elementary or high school full time but can only study part-time at a college level. Dependents in J-2 status may apply for work authorization under certain conditions, but such employment may not be depended upon for basic financial support. Dependents in J-2 status are allowed to study full time.
OIP will review your request and will email you the I-20s or DS-2019s when they are ready.
Invitations for Other Family Members
If you invite other family members to Maine for for a visit they may ask you for a letter of support to support their visa application. OIP is not able to provide students with these letters but we have provided a template for students to use to draft their own letters.
Letters Provided by OIP
The below letters can be found on your e-OIP portal.
To access your e-OIP portal
- Go to eoip.um.maine.edu and click the “LOGIN” button.
- Sign in using your @maine.edu account information.
- Click Letter Request and select the letter you want to request.
- Complete the form entering information in all fields.
- When the letter has been issued, we will send an email to your @maine.edu account. Please allow processing time for up to a week. If you need it urgently, please email us at umaineimmigration@maine.edu.
Certifications/Verifications Provided by Student Records
Degree/Enrollment Verification
The University of Maine has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to act as its agent for verifications of student enrollment and degrees. Visit the National Student Clearinghouse website or contact them by phone at 703.742.4200. Note: Fees may apply when using the Clearinghouse services.
Enrollment and degree verifications are also provided by the University of Maine at no charge and may be requested over the phone at 207.581.1288, via email to umrecord@maine.edu, or faxed to 207.581.1314. Current and recently active students may also request an enrollment verification via MaineStreet.
Enrollment Verification
Enrollment verification letters will include: student’s full name, degree program, the enrollment status for the term(s) for which the verification is being requested (i.e. full time for Fall 2022), and the recipient’s full address or fax number.
Current and recently active students may request an enrollment verification letter using the MaineStreet Classic Student Center.
- Login to MaineStreet
- Select Student Self Service
- From your Student Homepage, select Classic Student Center
- Click the “other academic” drop down menu and select “Enrollment Verification”
If the enrollment verification does not require the signature of the Registrar, select the “Allow to Print from My Browser” option. To have a signed verification letter mailed, select the “Request Institution to Mail” option.
Verification of student enrollment is based on enrolled credits at the time the request is processed.
Degree Verification
Degree verification letters will include: student’s full name, degree awarded, the conferral date of the degree, the signature of the Registrar, and the seal of the University of Maine.
Degree verifications for new graduates are available after
English Language support
The University of Maine’s Intensive English Institute provides quality English language instruction for students at all levels in a fun, safe, small group environment. For more information on the application process and fees, please go to the Intensive English Institute’s web page.
The Writing Center provides free assistance with academic writing assignments and much more. The Writing Center is staffed with ESL specialists specifically trained to work with international students. They provide one-on-one tutoring and a variety of workshops throughout the year.
The Office of International Programs has a partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Bangor to offer free English language learning services. Literacy Volunteers of Bangor matches trained English tutors with students who need language assistance. Tutoring happens once a week and will be focused around the learners goals.
The University of Maine’s Conley Speech, Language and Hearing Center offers accent modification services for free to UMaine students. Click here to learn more!
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