VISA Series - Virginia Commonwealth University

VISA Series

The VISA Series (VCU International Student Achievement)

The VCU International Student Achievement (VISA) Series will consist of weekly, advisor-led
workshops, focused on topics relevant to the university’s F-1 students.

In response to your feedback, we will be offering both virtual and in-person workshops
this semester!

GEO Immigration Services
geois@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0595

Fall 2023 Workshops

Download calendar

F-1 Employment
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) We know that the training experience in your major gained through post-completion OPT can play a vital role in bringing to life the concepts learned in the classroom. We also know that applying for OPT and complying with OPT regulations can seem a bit daunting. These workshops are intended to help offer you clarity and confidence as you navigate the process. This workshop is intended for students who are graduating at the end of the current semester. Every Tuesday, 9 a.m. September 12 – December 5* Except November 7 and November 21, 2023 (Election Day in the U.S. and Fall Break) Register Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)* Gaining hands-on professional experience prior to graduation can be vital for preparing students to enter/reenter the workforce. Pre-completion OPT authorization will permit you to engage in practical training in your field while simultaneously completing your coursework. This workshop is ideal for students with training opportunities that do not meet the academic requirements for CPT. Virtual Workshops September 21, 11 a.m. Register September 26, 2 p.m. Register November 17, 10 a.m. Register In-Person Workshop October 19, 12 p.m. In-Person Location: TBD Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a great option for students whose program of study requires participation in an experiential learning activity like an internship or who wish to take an internship-type class to satisfy a degree requirement. This workshop will cover the regulatory framework for engaging in academically-aligned practical training, eligibility criteria, and the process for requesting CPT authorization. Virtual Workshops September 7, 10 a.m. Register September 13, 10 a.m. Register October 18, 2 p.m. Register November 16, 3 p.m. Register December 5, 12 p.m. Register In-Person Workshop October 3, 3 p.m. Location: 912 W Grace Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3126 On-Campus Employment Working on campus is a great way to gain some valuable experience to add to your resume, engage with the campus community, and earn a bit of extra money. F-1 students interested in applying for on-campus employment are invited to attend this workshop to discuss their eligibility and get a list of resources to support their job search. Virtual Workshop October 26, 2 p.m. Register In-Person Workshop August 29, 10 a.m. Location: Grace Street Center (912 W Grace Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3127)
Maintaining F-1 Status
The Basics: Maintaining Your F-1 Status A key component to your success as an international student in the U.S. is understanding the F-1 regulations. In this workshop, we will provide a brief overview of the regulatory requirements for F-1 students and outline the processes for maintaining your SEVIS record and your F-1 status. Virtual Workshop September 5, 10 a.m. Register In-Person Workshop August 24, 3 p.m. Location: Grace Street Center (912 W Grace Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3126) F-1 Travel Traveling outside of the U.S. as an F-1 student requires a significant amount of preplanning. This workshop will cover a number of travel-related topics, including the process for obtaining a travel signature, renewing an expired F-1 visa, and gathering the proper documentation to present upon reentry. Anyone looking to take a vacation or return home to visit friends and family is encouraged to attend. Virtual Workshops November 15, 10 a.m. Register December 7, 2 p.m. Register In-Person Workshop November 2, 12 p.m. In-Person Location: TBD Post-Graduation Planning for F-1 Students Deciding what to do after graduation can be a challenge for any student. For F-1 students, this comes with the added responsibility of maintaining your status. Our Post-Graduation Planning workshop will outline the options available to students completing their program of study at the end of the semester, including getting a new I-20 to begin a new degree program, transferring out, training and employment, and more! Virtual Workshop November 27, 1 p.m. Register In-Person Workshop November 10,10 a.m. In-Person Location: TBD

F-1 Employment

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
We know that the training experience in your major gained through post-completion OPT can play a vital role in bringing to life the concepts learned in the classroom. We also know that applying for OPT and complying with OPT regulations can seem a bit daunting. These workshops are intended to help offer you clarity and confidence as you navigate the process. This workshop is intended for students who are graduating at the end of the current semester.

Every Tuesday, 9 a.m.
September 12 – December 5*
*Except November 7 and November 21, 2023 (Election Day in the U.S. and Fall Break)
Register

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Gaining hands-on professional experience prior to graduation can be vital for preparing students to enter/reenter the workforce. Pre-completion OPT authorization will permit you to engage in practical training in your field while simultaneously completing your coursework. This workshop is ideal for students with training opportunities that do not meet the academic requirements for CPT.

Virtual Workshops
September 21, 11 a.m.
Register

September 26, 2 p.m.
Register

November 17, 10 a.m.
Register

In-Person Workshop
October 19, 12 p.m.
In-Person Location: TBD

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a great option for students whose program of study requires participation in an experiential learning activity like an internship or who wish to take an internship-type class to satisfy a degree requirement. This workshop will cover the regulatory framework for engaging in academically-aligned practical training, eligibility criteria, and the process for requesting CPT authorization.

Virtual Workshops
September 7, 10 a.m.
Register

September 13, 10 a.m.
Register

October 18, 2 p.m.
Register

November 16, 3 p.m.
Register

December 5, 12 p.m.
Register

In-Person Workshop
October 3, 3 p.m.
Location: 912 W Grace Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3126

On-Campus Employment
Working on campus is a great way to gain some valuable experience to add to your resume, engage with the campus community, and earn a bit of extra money. F-1 students interested in applying for on-campus employment are invited to attend this workshop to discuss their eligibility and get a list of resources to support their job search.

Virtual Workshop
October 26, 2 p.m.
Register

In-Person Workshop
August 29, 10 a.m.
Location: Grace Street Center (912 W Grace Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3127)

Maintaining F-1 Status

The Basics: Maintaining Your F-1 Status
A key component to your success as an international student in the U.S. is understanding the F-1 regulations. In this workshop, we will provide a brief overview of the regulatory requirements for F-1 students and outline the processes for maintaining your SEVIS record and your F-1 status.

Virtual Workshop
September 5, 10 a.m.
Register

In-Person Workshop
August 24, 3 p.m.
Location: Grace Street Center (912 W Grace Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3126)

F-1 Travel
Traveling outside of the U.S. as an F-1 student requires a significant amount of preplanning. This workshop will cover a number of travel-related topics, including the process for obtaining a travel signature, renewing an expired F-1 visa, and gathering the proper documentation to present upon reentry. Anyone looking to take a vacation or return home to visit friends and family is encouraged to attend.

Virtual Workshops
November 15, 10 a.m.
Register

December 7, 2 p.m.
Register

In-Person Workshop
November 2, 12 p.m.
In-Person Location: TBD

Post-Graduation Planning for F-1 Students
Deciding what to do after graduation can be a challenge for any student. For F-1 students, this comes with the added responsibility of maintaining your status. Our Post-Graduation Planning workshop will outline the options available to students completing their program of study at the end of the semester, including getting a new I-20 to begin a new degree program, transferring out, training and employment, and more!

Virtual Workshop
November 27, 1 p.m.
Register

In-Person Workshop
November 10,10 a.m.
In-Person Location: TBD

All virtual workshops will be delivered using the Zoom platform. To access your VCU Zoom account, please visit vcu.zoom.us and log in with your VCU credentials. After you register, we recommend that you add your workshop details to the Gmail (Google) calendar associated with your student account. Instructions for importing Zoom meetings to your Gmail calendar can be found in the Zoom Support Center.