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 here should be followed by students to maintain their student status while abroad. 

  1. Confirm you have arrived abroad by contacting the Study Abroad Coordinator with an email to studyabroad@uwf.edu. 
  2. 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 moving between multiple locations or staying with a UWF Faculty-led Program will have this step completed by their faculty leader. 
  3. Initiate 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.
    1. Students should log-in to MyUWF and search "Study Abroad Enrollment Cert" to locate form.
    2. Only basic information will be input by the student in the student information section.
    3. Then, click next on the bottom of the page to complete form.
    4. The form will then route to the Study Abroad Coordinator to continue processing. 
  4. 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 the university keep an accurate list of student locations abroad in the event of an incident abroad. 
  5. Respond to International Affairs/Study Abroad emails while abroad. The office 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. 

FAQs

The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html