International Student Services

The Office of International Student Services (ISS) supports the international community at Barry University by providing immigration advising, cultural adjustment support, advocacy, and programming. ISS is dedicated to enhancing the international dimensions of the university through services and resources tailored to the needs of international students and scholars. The office is located on the first floor of Farrell Hall.

Health Insurance and Immunization Requirement

All international students attending Barry University on an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to submit proof of immunizations and either:

Enroll in the University Health Insurance Plan, or
Provide proof of alternative and adequate health insurance that meets university, local, and federal requirements

Failure to comply with the University’s health policy may result in:

A registration hold preventing course enrollment
Ineligibility for campus housing

Refer to the Student Health Services section of the catalog for detailed health policy information and compliance instructions.

Enrollment Requirement

International students in F-1 or J-1 visa status are required to maintain full-time enrollment each semester:

Undergraduate students: Minimum of 12 credit hours per semester
Graduate students: Minimum of 9 credit hours per semester
Doctoral students: Minimum of 6 credit hours per semester

Students beginning their program during the summer must also maintain full-time enrollment for that term. At all times, international students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their degree program.

Course Modality Requirements

Important: U.S. immigration regulations limit how many fully online or remote courses may count toward full-time enrollment.

Eligible Course Modalities (compliant for full-time requirement):

LEC – Lecture in Person
BLEC – Blended Lecture
BOLC – Blended Online

Restricted Modalities (maximum ONE course or 3 credits allowed):

OLC – Online Asynchronous
OCLS – Online Synchronous
FLEX – HyFlex

Program-Level Modality Guidelines:

Undergraduate students: Must take at least 3 in-person or hybrid courses (LEC, BLEC, or BOLC) if enrolling in one online/remote course, totaling 12 credits
Graduate students: Must take at least 2 in-person or hybrid courses, totaling 9 credits
Doctoral students: Must take at least 1 in-person or hybrid course, totaling 6 credits

Note: Only one online/remote course (OLC, OCLS, or FLEX) may count toward a student’s full-time enrollment per semester for immigration compliance.

ISS Advising and Check-In

The Office of International Student Services (ISS) provides advising on immigration, financial, and personal matters. Students can meet with the ISS Designated School Official (DSO) during designated walk-in hours or virtual appointments. Advising schedules and appointment booking options are available on the ISS website at barry.edu/ISS .

All new international students must attend a mandatory check-in and orientation prior to registration each Fall and Spring semester. In accordance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, students must present the following documents during check-in:

Valid passport
Valid U.S. F-1 Visa
Most recent I-94 printout
Endorsed Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)

Failure to submit these documents will result in an ISS Hold on the student’s record, preventing course registration.

ISS places an ongoing ISS Hold on each international student's record throughout the duration of their studies. This hold ensures students check in with the ISS office before the start of each required term to confirm that no changes to their immigration or academic record are needed.

Reporting Changes

International students are required to notify ISS within 10 days of any changes to their personal or academic information, including:

Change of address
Change in academic program
Change in financial status
Transfer to another institution, etc.

ISS maintains a complete file for each student, including copies of their I-20 or DS-2019, passport, visa, I-94, and other related documentation.

Employment Eligibility for International Students

F-1 and J-1 international students are not permitted to work off-campus unless they have received prior authorization through an approved employment category such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).

However, international students may be eligible to work on campus, subject to the following conditions:

Employment must take place on Barry University’s premises
Students must remain in valid F-1 or J-1 status and maintain full-time enrollment
Work is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during official university breaks

Off-campus employment without proper authorization is a violation of immigration status and may result in termination of a student’s SEVIS record.

In cases of severe unforeseen economic hardship, students may request special off-campus work authorization. These requests must be discussed in advance with the ISS Designated School Official (DSO) and are subject to USCIS approval.

For questions about employment eligibility, CPT/OPT authorization, or hardship-based applications, students should contact the ISS office or visit barry.edu/ISS for more information.

Internship Requirement: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as employment that is an integral and required part of an international student’s academic program. CPT may include off-campus internships, externships, clinicals, practicums, or other work/field experiences that are either:

Required by the student’s academic degree program, or
Offered through cooperative agreements between Barry University and approved employers

International students must obtain CPT authorization through the Office of International Student Services (ISS) prior to beginning any off-campus internship or employment opportunity.

Authorization will be granted on page 2 of the student’s Form I-20 and must specify the employer, location, start and end dates of employment, and whether the CPT is full-time or part-time.

Important CPT Guidelines:

Part-time CPT (20 hours or fewer per week) is permitted during the academic year
Full-time CPT (over 20 hours per week) is only permitted during official university breaks or if required by the academic program
CPT must be directly related to the student's field of study
Unauthorized employment, including beginning work before receiving CPT approval, is a violation of F-1 visa status

Students interested in CPT must consult with ISS well in advance of their intended start date to allow time for proper documentation and approval.

For full CPT guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application procedures, visit the International Student Services office or website at barry.edu/ISS .

Post-Graduation Employment: Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of temporary employment authorization available to eligible F-1 international students, allowing them to gain practical experience in their major field of study after completing their degree program.

OPT is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and permits students to work in positions directly related to their field of study for up to 12 months after graduation.

Key OPT Guidelines:

OPT must be directly related to the student’s major field of study
Students may apply for Pre-Completion OPT (before graduation) or Post-Completion OPT (after graduation)
Time used for Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the total 12-month OPT allowance, reducing the time available for Post-Completion OPT
Most students apply for Post-Completion OPT during their final semester
Students must first obtain an I-20 recommendation from the ISS DSO before submitting their OPT application to USCIS
OPT applications must be received by USCIS no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after the program end date
Students should allow 2–3 months for USCIS processing
Students may not begin employment until they receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and the authorized start date has arrived

STEM OPT Extension (if eligible):

Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing for up to 36 months of total OPT.
Eligibility requires:

A qualifying STEM degree
Employment with an E-Verify-enrolled employer
Timely submission of the STEM OPT extension application before the initial 12-month OPT ends
Applications must be received by USCIS no earlier than 90 days before and no later than current OPT end date
Students must first obtain an I-20 recommendation from the ISS DSO before submitting their application to USCIS

Advising and Application Support:

The Office of International Student Services (ISS) provides detailed advising and support throughout the OPT process, including:

Application checklists
Timeline guidance
I-20 recommendations for OPT
STEM OPT extension advising
Reporting requirements during OPT

Students must attend an OPT workshop or meet with an ISS advisor before applying. Visit the International Student Services website at barry.edu/ISS for more information.

Programming Component

The Office of International Student Services (ISS) plays an active role in advancing Barry University’s mission of fostering a multicultural, inclusive living and learning community. Through educational programs and cultural events, ISS works to enhance awareness and appreciation of diverse global perspectives among students, faculty, and staff.

ISS also serves as a vital liaison between Barry’s international student population and local, state, and federal agencies, advocating on behalf of students and ensuring that immigration and cultural adjustment needs are met.

Signature Programs and Events Include:

Festival of Nations
Immigration Seminars and Legal Forums
Workshops on Cultural Adjustment, Employment, and Compliance
ISS-Facilitated Campus Collaborations and Awareness Campaigns

ISS welcomes input from students and encourages them to share their ideas, questions, and concerns regarding international student life, immigration matters, and global engagement on campus.