English Language Program (ELP) Students

Maintaining Your Status

Entering the U.S. with a student visa means that your main purpose of the trip is to study. You are required to attend classes full time and make progress in order to enjoy the benefits of your status such as session breaks.

The information below will help you understand your responsibilities to stay in status in detail. 

Your Immigration Documents

Know & Protect Your Documents

  • 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. 

Keep Your Documents Valid

Beware of the expiration dates of your 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. 

Request an I-20/DS-2019 extension at the ELP Enrollment Office if you need to study beyond the program end date in your I-20/DS-2019 (more on it below). 

Report Address/Name Change

Any change of your name or local address should be reported to SEVIS within 10 days of the change.  

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

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

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

Reach out to the agency or school that prepared your document. 

Travel Signature

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 in 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 Once you have completed your final ELP session, your I-20 is no longer valid for re-entry into the United States. 

ELP Program Policies

Attendance Policy

  • 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. 

You can find the full attendance policy in your ELP Student Handbook. 

Program Extensions

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. 

Session Breaks

After completing four consecutive sessions, you may take the fifth session as a vacation. You must re-enroll in the next ELP session. For example: 

  • Study through Fall 1-Fall 2-Spring 1-Spring 2 sessions. 
  • Take a session break for Summer 1  
  • Return to studies for Summer 2  

Employment Eligibility & Social Security

ELP Students are ONLY eligible for On-Campus Employment. If you are interested in seeking employment, please consult with ELP Enrollment Office first. 

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 an SSN. 

To apply for a Social Security number: 

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

SEVIS Transfer

Transfer-In Students

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. 

Transfer-Out Students

For students changing academic programs within Penn OR transferring 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.

  • Failure to notify ELP and your new school in a timely manner may jeopardize your ability to transfer. 

You must complete an ELP Transfer-Out Request Form at the ELP enrollment office.

You 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