We look forward to meeting you and are excited about your academic and extracurricular contributions to the Samford community. The international student population is composed of both degree-seeking students and our exchange program students. As a prospective undergraduate student, the Admissions Office will assist you during the application process. As a graduate student, the Admissions advisor for your specific program will assist you during your application process. As an exchange student, the SamfordGlobal Office will assist you during the application process.

Upon your acceptance and commitment Samford via your paid deposit, you will begin working with our Immigration Specialist to complete the required documentation the SamfordGlobal Office needs to issue an initial I-20 or DS-2019.

Upon acceptance, SamfordGlobal will review all required documentation, process immigration documents, and contact the student with their required immigration documents and information on how to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa.

Arrival and Immigration Check-In 

International students cannot arrive more than 30 days before the program start date as listed on the I- 20 or DS-2019. The SamfordGlobal Office wants to be the first to welcome and assist you when you arrive. Our International Students and Scholars Services team, including our student ambassadors, will be available to assist International students with transportation and other tasks related to arriving in the United States and preparing for the initial semester at Samford University. 

Undergraduate Students: Arrival Days for Undergraduate International students for the Fall 2026 Semester are August 16 & 17, 2026. ALL Undergraduate International students are expected to plan their travel so they can attend the mandatory Immigration Check-In Day, Tuesday, August 18, 2026. SamfordGlobal provides airport pick-up for international students who arrive to the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) on the scheduled arrival days between 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CST. In order to receive arrival services, students must complete the Immigration Check-In form located on the Application Status page of the student’s Admissions Application Portal. Students arriving after 8 p.m., will need to arrange their own hotel arrangements and transportation for that evening. 

Graduate Students: Graduate Level students will have an Immigration Check-In meeting that will coordinate with the orientation for their degree program. Details regarding the timing of these meetings will be sent out in early July. If you arrive on the scheduled arrival days between 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., you can request an airport pick-up and an International Ambassador will take you to your off-campus housing arrangement. Email geo@samford.edu to receive a list of apartments conveniently located to Samford’s campus.

• F-2 Dependent Visa Application
• Student Request Form
• Reduced Course Load - Academic
• Reduced Course Load - Medical
• Final Term Approval
• Program Extension Request Form
• Requesting an Academic Transcript
• Alabama Driver’s License Information
• Vehicle Registration
• EShip Global Express Mailing
• SEVIS Transfer Clearance Form
• SEVIS Transfer Out Process
• Update Contact Information Guide
• How to Get Your I-94

Maintaining Your Visa Status

As an F-1 student, it is your responsibility to maintain lawful status in accordance with US immigration laws. You must take care during your stay in the U.S. to maintain lawful F-1 status as failure to do so can have serious short-term and long-term consequences.

Important to Remember

• Maintain a valid passport at all times for at least 6 months into the future.
• Students in the US on F-1 and J-1 visa are required to enroll in a full program of study each semester. Full-time is a minimum of 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and graduate students follow the requirements determined by their academic program. Special circumstances for a reduced course load are allowed but must be approved by GEO.
• Keep Form I-20 current and do not let it expire. Make sure all the information on your I-20 is accurate and valid. Contact GEO to request an updated I-20 as soon as any information changes (ie: address, contact info, major, etc.) Keep ALL Form I-20s that you receive. GEO does not maintain original Form I-20s in student records.
• Update Contact Information-Regulation: It is the student’s responsibility to report a change of address and/or contact information to GEO and update information in your student portal within 10 days of the change.
• Travel Signature: The travel endorsement on the second page of your I-20 is valid for one year from the date signed. When you need an updated travel signature, bring your passport and immigration documents to GEO at least two weeks before the date you plan to leave the US. We will review your documents, confirm your full-time status, and endorse you Form 1-20 or Form DS-2019 for travel.
• It is important to keep the end date of your I-20 in mind. If you anticipate needing more time to complete your program, please schedule an appointment with GEO as soon as possible. You may apply for an extension if you are eligible. If you are not eligible for an extension, you will have to apply for reinstatement with the Department of Homeland Security.
• Transfer or Early Withdrawal from the University: GEO will help facilitate the transfer of your SEVIS record to your new school or program once you have been accepted. Review the SEVIS Transfer Out Process and submit all required documents to the DSO at Samford by email. If your new institution requires GEO to fill out a transfer form, please include this document as well.
• Online Classes: F-1 students have restrictions regarding the number of online or distance learning credits that can be taken during the semester as it relates to fulfilling the full-time enrollment requirement. There are also restrictions regarding online enrollment during the final term of study – especially when the final term for completion is in summer.

International students who maintain legal status under the regulations set forth by the U.S. government may be allowed to work for wages on campus. On-campus work is limited to no more than 20 total hours per week during Fall and Spring term.

Permission to work off campus can also be obtained for Optional Practical Training and Curricular Practical Training. Schedule an appointment to discuss eligibility and regulations pertaining to the different types of employment options.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization allows an F-1 student to participate in an internship/clinical/practicum (prior to their program end date) that fulfills a course or degree requirement.

• How to Apply
• CPT Application
• CPT Employment letter (sample)

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT. View this presentation  and the resources below for more information on OPT. 

• How to Apply by Mail
• How to Apply Online
• GEO OPT Request Form
• After OPT Approval
  • OPT Employment Regulations
  • SEVP Portal
  • OPT Employment Letter (sample)
  • Travel and OPT

STEM OPT Extension

• STEM OPT Extension Application Checklist
• STEM OPT Request Form
• Eligible STEM Degree List
• STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

The purpose of a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is to promote both international education and mutual cultural exchange. At Samford, we sponsor three different types of J-1 exchange visitors: students, professors (non-tenure track) and scholars. 

J-1 students may be engaged in either a degree-seeking program or a non-degree seeking program but must engage in a full course of study. 

Students interested in applying for an exchange term at Samford University should contact the Immigration Specialist, Annette Lattermann to receive guidance on the application process.

International Student Organizations

• International Club
• Latino Student Organization
• African Students' Association
• Chinese Students and Scholars Association

Samford Resources

• Residence Life
• Counseling
• Career Development Center
• Academic Success Center
• Office of Spiritual Life
• Student Government Association
• Student Activities
• Public Safety

Travel Information

Should you choose to travel outside the U.S., please make sure you have the following before leaving Birmingham:

• A current passport, valid for at least six months
• Valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019
• Valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp
• A copy of your Fall 2024 schedule or enrollment verification

Carry them with you and do not put documents in your luggage.  If you need a travel signature or your travel signature will be more than 1 year old at the time you plan to return, please schedule an appointment to visit the Global Engagement Office and receive an update travel signature.

Visa and Passport Renewal Information

Passport 

An international student who has either an expired passport or one that will expire within six months must apply for renewal prior to re-entering the U.S.  You should contact your home country’s Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. for information on how to renew or extend your passport from within the U.S. 

Visa

If you need to renew your F-1 or J-1 stamp while you are outside of the U.S., please review the following basic advice:

• If you are still on the same SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 that you first used to enter the U.S. and have not been out-of-status for more than 5 months, you do not have to pay the SEVIS Fee again.
• Submit the online visa application form DS-160.
• Set your visa appointment.  Prior to scheduling your interview, check visa appointment waiting times online.

At the student visa interview, you will establish non-immigrant intent to the satisfaction of the consular officer by confirming that you have binding ties to your home country and you will depart the U.S. when you have completed your studies.