Overview
This page provides information to students who will be studying abroad to help them maintain their student status at UWF and legal status while abroad.
Maintaining UWF Student Status While Abroad
Students preparing for study abroad are provided with tasks to complete once they arrive abroad for their program. The After Abroad Tasks listed hee should be followed by students to maintain their student status while abroad.
- Confirm you have arrived abroad by contacting Study abroad Services. Students can check in by email or by sending a message to the Study Abroad Services number on messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, GoogleVoice, Viber, and WeChat.
- Verify your host country address if you will be in one location for the length of your program - i.e., an apartment, residence hall, or homestay. Submit your host address by emailing studyabroad@uwf.edu. Students on short-term Affairs moving between multiple locations or staying with a UWF Faculty-led Program will have this step completed by their faculty leader.
- Submit the Enrollment Certification Form - For students on transfer credit and Exchange programs. Students awaiting financial aid disbursement for transfer credit and exchange programs MUST submit the Enrollment Certification form in the FIRST WEEK of the term abroad.
Students should complete the top portion of the form. They should also list the names of the courses on the form.
IMPORTANT: The Host program MUST confirm the credits, dates and other information about the courses. The detailed course information should not be completed by the student. - Report any personal travel away from the host city/site. If you are studying in Edinburgh and plan a trip to London, send an email to studyabroad@uwf.edu to let us know you will be traveling. This helps International Affairs keep an accurate list of student locations abroad in the event of an incident abroad.
- Respond to International Affairs emails while abroad. International Affairs will email students at various times during the term abroad including to confirm safety status following incidents abroad.
Maintaining Legal Status While Abroad
Each country has laws which must be followed by visitors. International Affairs reviews information for following laws of the host country during Study Abroad Orientation.
Maintain requirements for student visa holders:
Register with Local government/Apply for Residence permit - You may need to register with the local police or migration board in your host country. There are timelines for this registration process in each country. Be sure to review and comply with registration and Residence Permit procedures in your host country. Information on this process will be provided by your host institution or study abroad provider.
Some countries require students to enroll in a minimum number of courses/credits to maintain legal status as a visiting student. This requirement is typically equivalent to 12-15 UWF credit hours for a semester program.
Each country has limitations or regulations on foreign students working while abroad. You may not be allowed to work during study abroad in some countries. You may need to apply for a work permit in addition to your student visa and/or residence permit before you are authorized to work while abroad.