Common Questions


Common Questions

  1. What do I do if I want to go to Mexico, Canada or my home country for vacation?
  2. If I get a job, do I have to pay taxes?
  3. What do I do if my passport is expired?
  4. How do I renew my visa?
  5. What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)? Do I qualify for it?
  6. What do I do if I want to work off campus?
  7. What if I lost my I-20?
  8. How do I apply for OPT?
  9. Can I take summer school classes at another college?
  10. Can I travel outside the U.S.?

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1. What do I do if I want to go to Mexico, Canada or my home country for vacation?

If you wish to travel outside the U.S., you must visit the ISP Office before you leave to get your I-20 validated. Please carefully read the Travel Information page for a checklist and further tips on re-entering the United States.


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2. If I get a job, do I have to pay taxes?

Yes! If you have a job in the United States, you are required to pay some taxes. You are also required to fill out certain forms. Please see the tax information section on our website to get more details.


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3. What do I do if my passport is expired?

If your passport is expired, please contact your home country embassy for renewal procedures. DO NOT TRAVEL with an expired passport!


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4. How do I renew my visa?

Because of increased security measures, all students must interview to renew their visas at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The procedure will be similar to when you interviewed for your initial visa. Before you go home please contact the ISP Office and we will give you a letter to show the consular officer stating that you are a student in good standing here at Hope. Please visit this website and our Visa Application Process page for more information.

In the past, students have easily been able to renew their visas in Mexico or Canada (considered to be Border Countries), however, due to increased wait times and security measures, this is not advised by our ISP Office.

Be advised that it may be more difficult to renew your visa if you are on OPT.


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5. What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)? Do I qualify for it?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows students who have internship classes to work off campus at an internship for a short period of time. The only students who qualify for CPT at Hope International University are undergraduate business majors. If you are interested in CPT, please contact the ISP Office to make an appointment with your DSO.


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6. What do I do if I want to work off campus?

International Student in the United States on an F-1 visa are here to study, not to work. If you believe you qualify to work off campus because of unforeseen economic hardship, please contact the ISP Office to make an appointment with your DSO.


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7. What if I lost my I-20?

Please don't! But if you do, you may come to the ISP Office to receive a new I-20. Be advised that if you leave the country with this new I-20 you may be asked many questions by border patrol the next time you enter the U.S.


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8. How do I apply for OPT?

Good question! Review the OPT Checklist and then contact the ISP Office to make an appointment, bringing the requested documents with you.


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9. Can I take summer school classes at another college?

Yes, you may. To do so, you must inform both the registrar at Hope as well as ISP of your intentions. The college that offers summer school classes may also ask you to get a letter from International Student Programs to validate your status as an F-1 student at Hope International University. If this is the case, please contact the ISP Office to make an appointment.

I have finished my academic program and I am waiting for my EAD card to begin OPT.


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10. Can I travel outside the U.S.?

If the program end-date on your I-20 has passed and you still have not received your EAD card to begin OPT, we strongly advise that you NOT travel outside the United States. Once you receive your EAD card, please remember to give a copy to the ISP Office and take the original with you when you travel.