English Language Programs ELP Students

• Passport

• Entry Visa Stamp (F-1 or J-1, except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)

• I-94

• I-20 or DS-2019

These documents are the legal proof of your identify and status. Keep them in a safe place at all times. Make copies and keep them in a separate place.

Beware of the expiration dates of the documents and renew before they expire. 

• To replace or renew your passport, contact your embassy or consulate in the U.S.

  • Embassies are located in Washington D.C. Most Consulates are located in Manhattan, New York. 

  • Apply for renewal ahead of time, at least six months before the expiration date.

• Your I-20/DS-2019 indicates your current program end date. You are not allowed to study past the end date. Apply for extension at ELP enrollment office before your program finishes so that we can issue a new I-20 with updated program dates.

Immigration regulations require students to report a change of name or local address to their sponsoring institution within 10 days of the change. 

Institutions must then report changes to the government's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 

If Penn is the sponsor of your I-20 or DS-2019:

• Visit the ELP enrollment office and report your change of address. 

• ISSS receives address changes from ELP on a daily basis and forwards them to SEVIS.

If Penn is not the sponsor of your I-20 or DS-2019:

• You must report any change of address to the agency or school that prepared your form.

• You must attend all your classes.

• You may have a maximum of 4 absences in a class that meets 4 times/week, or 5 absences in a class that meets 5 times/week.

• Lateness: 3 late arrivals to class equal one absence.

• If you are more than 10 minutes late to your class, you will be marked absent.

See the ELP Student Handbook for the full ELP Attendance Policy.

• Your current I-20/DS-2019 has an expiration date showing the end of the current ELP session. 

• If you intend to study for an additional session you must inform ELP by the fourth week of the current session. 

• Your program extension may not be processed if you fail to notify ELP in a timely fashion.

After completing four consecutive sessions, you may take the fifth session as a vacation. The student must re-enroll in the next ELP session.

For example:

1. Student starts in Fall 1 Session

2. Studies in Fall 2 Session

3. Studies in Spring 1 Session

4. Studies in Spring 2 Session

5. The student is now eligible for a break for the Summer 1 Session

6. The student must resume studies in Summer 2 Session

ELP Students are ONLY eligible for On-Campus Employment. If you are interested in seeking employment please meet with ISSS before proceeding.

The Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number is required for tax reporting for individuals working in the United States or receiving a taxable scholarship. Only students with an on-campus job are eligible for a SSN.

To apply for a Social Security number:

1. Visit the ELP enrollment office to obtain an enrollment letter.

2. Follow the complete instructions in the Social Security section of our website.

   NOTE: You must wait 10 days after ELP orientation before applying for a Social Security number.

If you will travel outside the United States, you must have a valid travel signature on your I-20/DS2019. Each signature is valid for one year or the duration of your program whichever is shorter. 

1. If your I-20/DS-2019 does not have a signature or the signature has expired, submit an e-Form request on iPenn.

2. ISSS will email you an updated I-20 with a valid travel signature. Print out, sign, and present it at the immigration on the way back to the U.S.

Please note that only students currently studying at ELP may use their I-20s for re-entry into the United States. Once you have completed your final ELP session, your I-20 is no longer valid for re-entry into the United States.

Please be aware that an updated I-20 will be issued and emailed to you after you attend ELP student orientation and complete the required immigration registration. Item 3 of your I-20 will change from “transfer pending” to “continued attendance at this school” indicating your transfer is complete.

For Students changing academic programs at Penn OR changing to a new university:

• You must change your I-20/DS-2019. 

• Notify ELP of your decision to attend a different program or school before the end of your ELP session.

• ISSS and ELP will coordinate the change with your new program or school and with SEVIS. 

• Failure to notify ELP and your new school early of your intent to change your academic program or your school may jeopardize your ability to change.

• The student must complete an ELP Transfer-Out Request Form at the ELP enrollment office. 

• F-1 transfer and change of program level procedures must be completed before the end of the 60-day grace period following your program end date.

• J-1 transfer procedures must be completed before your program end date. 

Please discuss your intent to transfer with an ISSS Advisor.