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International Student Responsibilities

As international students in the United States, you have several important responsibilities to keep in mind during your time here so that your legal status as a student here is not jeopardized. Your responsibilities as an international student are imposed on you by the conditions of your student visa. The below summary of information should be read in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website. Use the navigation menu on the left for more information regarding specific issues.

Maintain Legal Immigration Status

Understand your immigration status and know what you may do, what you may not do, and what you are required to do while in the U.S. Know which documents you need to have, how to keep them current, and when and why they may need to be updated. These include your Passport, Certificate of Eligibility, the I-20 or DS-2019, the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. Visit the page Acquiring & Maintaining Legal Status for more details.

Enrollment Requirements

In general, F-1 students must be registered full-time. This is defined as at least:

  • 12 credits each semester for undergraduate students
  • 9 credits each semester for graduate students

Do not register for fewer than the required number of credits or withdraw from a course without first receiving permission from the International Student Advisor. Part-time studies could jeopardize your stay in the U.S. and make you ineligible for F-1 benefits. Visit the page Full-Time Registration Requirements and Exceptions for more details.

Change of Address

Any change of address must be reported to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within 10 days. Update your local address through your WebAdvisor account, and DHS will automatically be notified of the change. Please note that your local US address must be your physical address, not a P. O. Box. To update your permanent foreign address, which must be a non-U.S. address, email InternationalAdmissions@kings.edu and include your name and student ID number.

Travel Issues

Know before you go! If you are traveling internationally and will return to the U.S. to continue your academic studies, you will need to have your I-20 form signed by one of the Designated School Officials prior to your departure. It is your responsibility to have all documents necessary to re-enter the U.S. If you are traveling to a country that is not your home country, you must contact that country's embassy or consulate to find out what documentation is required to go there. Please review each page in this section using the navigation menu on the left for more details regarding travel.

Healthcare & Medical Insurance

  • Health Insurance: Include a copy of the front and back of your medical insurance card. For student athletes, your health insurance must cover sport-related injury to receive offsite medical care. Visit this link to purchase health insurance.
  • Immunization Documents: Our immunization requirements follow the guidelines set by the American College Health Association and the Center for Disease Control. You are required to have two doses each of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines. Students who reside in College-owned housing must receive a meningococcal vaccine at or after the age of 16 years old, or read/sign a waiver electronically.
    • In addition, the Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire located within the Immunization Form will determine which TB test result must be uploaded prior to arrival.
  • Student Health History and Physical Exam Form: a physical examination must be completed within one year of starting at King’s College and signed by a health care provider.
  • Visit the Student Health Center's page to download health forms and for information on submitting documents.

Please note: Students can contact Student Health Services (SHS) at (570) 208-5852 or studenthealth@kings.edu with any health-related question and/or to make an appointment during the academic year. To receive treatment in the health center all health forms must be submitted. Students who do not return all the forms are not eligible and will be responsible for all off-campus health-related fees not covered by their health insurance. Health insurance is not necessary to receive services in the health center, but it is required and necessary for offsite medical, urgent, or emergent care. Costs for SHS visits for residents are included in the resident wellness fee. Costs for SHS visits for off-campus and commuter students is available for $60 per semester, or $30 per encounter. It is important for students to bring their insurance card with them, and to provide a list of allergies, medications, chronic health diseases, and local health care providers who accept their insurance.