Immigration Information

It is very important for an F-1 student to maintain his or her status while in the United States. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of nonimmigrant status (F-1) is grounds for removal from the United States (deportation) under the Immigration and Naturalization Act.

To maintain F-1 status:

• You must be registered in SEVIS within 30 days of the program start date (for new students) or 30 days after returning for the next semester. This is done at Intercultural and International Student Services.
• International Students are required to be enrolled in a full course of study (minimum 12 credits) each semester. Exceptions to this include: a student who is in their last semester of study, a student who has academic difficulties due to language in their first semester of study, and a student who has medical reasons for being on a Reduced Course Load.
• Make normal progress towards completing your course of study, by completing studies before the program completion expiration date on your Form I-20.
• Keep your Form I-20 valid by following the proper procedures for an extension of stay, transfer of schools, or change of major. If any of these situations arise, please contact Intercultural and International Student Services.
• Report a change of address to Intercultural and International Student Services within 10 days of the change.
• Do not work, either on or off campus, unless authorized. Most students are permitted to work on campus with a work award. Please contact Intercultural and International Student Services for information about off campus employment.
• At least 2 weeks before traveling outside of the United States (US) have your documents checked and signed at Intercultural and International Student Services.
• Remaining in the US for no longer than 60 days after completing the full course of study, unless prior to that time the student has followed procedures for applying for practical training or school transfer.

Re-entry to the U.S.
You need to bring the following documents when you want to re-enter the U.S. from traveling abroad:

• Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months upon arrival)
• Your valid F-1 student Visa
• Valid I-20 signed by a DSO (Designated School Official). The signature must be within the past 12 months.

What is a Travel Signature?

• It is the signature a DSO issues you after you enter the U.S. to begin your F-1 status.
• The signature confirms that you have valid F-1 status.
• You must have a valid travel signature on your I-20 to return to the U.S. after you travel abroad.
• Each signature is valid for one year. (F-1 students on OPT: the travel signature is valid for six months).
• The travel signature is required for returning to the U.S. It is not required for leaving the U.S.
• If your current travel signature will expire before you will return to the U.S., you must request an updated travel signature.
• The travel signature is on page 2 of your I-20.

Travel Signature Eligibility

• Have a valid I-20 issued by one of the DSOs or PDSO (Malik Stewart; Nichole Matuska; Alex Schleper; Patricia Weishaar).
• Meet immigration requirements of maintaining a full course of study.

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is an internet-based system that allows schools and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to exchange data on the visa status of international students. Accurate and current information is transmitted electronically throughout an F-1 or J-1 student’s academic career in the United States. U.S. embassies and consulates also have access to SEVIS.

How does SEVIS work?

After the College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University admits an international student, SEVIS is notified. The USCIS approves the University’s request to issue an I-20. The University mails the new I-20 form to the student.

The student visits the U.S. consulate abroad, and the consulate issues a visa after they confirm through SEVIS that the I-20 the student is carrying is a valid document. The student’s entry into the U.S. is reported in SEVIS at the airport when the student arrives in the U.S.

When the student arrives on campus, he/she will report to Intercultural and International Student Services, and the school confirms through SEVIS the student’s enrollment. CSB/SJU continues to provide regular electronic reports to INS throughout the student’s academic career.

The information on this page is for F-1 status students only. 

To transfer your J-1 DS-2019, please contact Center for Global Education.

Overview

Admission to a new school does not by itself authorize an international student in F-1 status to begin studying full-time at the new school.

You must request your current school (CSB+SJU) to transfer/release your F-1 U.S. government SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) I-20 record to your new school before you can begin full-time studies there. The U.S. government calls this process a “SEVIS transfer.” (It is different from an “academic transfer.”)

There are several benefits to a SEVIS transfer

• You do not pay the SEVIS fee again to create a new record.
• You can remain in the U.S. in between programs (under 5 months). 
• You maintain the same current SEVIS ID number (which may make you eligible for certain benefits at your new school earlier, such as CPT eligibility)

The U.S. government considers all the following examples to be possible “SEVIS transfer” situations

1. Completinga program at one school and starting a new program at a different school Examples:
   • A student graduates with a bachelor’s degree and will begin graduate study.
   • A student graduates from high school in the U.S. and will begin study at CSB+SJU.
   • A student completes an intensive English program and will start a university degree at CSB+SJU.
2. Currently studyingat one school and deciding (before completing program) to change to a new school
   Example: A student is studying for a bachelor’s degree. The student decides after only two quarters at their current school that they want to change to a different school.
3. Currently doing OPTand starting a new program of study at a different school; Examples:
   • A student graduated with a bachelor’s degree and started 12-month standard OPT. During their OPT they also apply to graduate schools. They are admitted and decide to start a Master’s degree that will begin before or after completion of the 12-month standard OPT.
   • A SOT (School of Theology) student graduated with a Master’s degree and started 12-month standard OPT. They receive admission to a new program of study that will begin before or after the OPT finishes.

Eligibility for a SEVIS Record Transfer

• You must currently be maintaining F-1 status.
• You must have an offer of admission from a new school.
• You must obtain the transfer-in school’s transfer form.
• If you already graduated or completed OPT, you must still be within your 60-day grace period.
• The start of classes at your new school must be within 5 months of one of the following:
  • Academic program completion at CSB+SJU.
  • Last day of enrollment at CSB+SJU (if you are not from CSB+SJU). 
  • OPT authorization end date
  • For students not completing OPT period, the requested SEVIS I-20 transfer/release date

If the period of time between F-1 activities is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. Your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

Students may transfer to a different school to pursue a new degree or continue in the same degree level or higher degree level by contacting  Intercultural and International Student Services.

As an international student, to transfer to another school from CSB/SJU please contact:

Malik Stewart
[email protected]
Director, Multicultural Student Services

Do not worry. If you are in the U.S. and your visa expires, you are fine. You just cannot let your I-20 or Passport expire. You can only obtain a new visa outside of the U.S. For more information on the process, contact the Assistant Director of Intercultural and International Student Services.

Make sure that you have your I-20 signed by a DSO (Designated School Official) BEFORE leaving the U.S. Also carry your valid passport and visa to reenter the U.S.

What is an I-94, and why would it be wrong?

Your I-94 is your US arrivals and departures record. It can be accessed online via the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) I-94 website, and provides additional proof of your legal entry into the US. Each time you travel in or out of the US, it’s important to make sure that your information is correctly reflected on your I-94 record. 

I-94 records are manually populated by CBP officers and, from time to time, errrors can be made.  In the event that you find an error in your I-94 record or cannot locate your I-94 record, it may be necessary to have your I-94 corrected. Examples when correction might be necessary include:

• Missing I-94 for most recent entry
• Incorrect information on your I-94, including misspelled name, incorrect date of entry, incorrect date of birth, incorrect class of admission (visa type), etc.
• Note: Errors found in the Travel History portion of the I-94 record cannot be corrected by CBP. 

If you think there is an error in your most recent I-94 entry record, please consult with the ISS.

Correcting an erroneous I-94 record

To request an I-94 correction, you’ll need to reach out to CBP’s Deferred Inspection unit at your nearest airport. Most I-94 correction requests can be handled via email, though occasionally a trip to the airport may be necessary.

As a student of CSB+SJU, you should request I-94 corrections through the Deferred Inspection site at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.  You’ll want to send a clear email explaining your situation and the help that is being requested, and providing essential documentation, per the template below. You should receive a notification once your request has been processed.

To:  [email protected]
Subject: I-94 Correction – Passport # [include your passport number here] – F-1 Student

Dear CBP Deferred Inspection:

I am requesting correction of my I-94 arrival record. This is because [explain your issue here]. I entered the United States through [city/airport name] on [date] in [your visa status here] status.

The following documents are attached to this email in support of my request: [be sure to attach these documents!]

• I-94 entry record showing my most recent admission
  • Passport biographical page
  • Visa stamp
  • I-20/DS-2019 used for entry in F-1/J-1 status
  • Screenshot from the I-94 travel history showing my entry [if available]

I request that my I-94 record be updated to show my most recent entry in F-1/J-1 status. Here is additional information that may help with this request: [provide the information below]

• Name:
  • Country of Citizenship:
  • Date of Birth:
  • Passport Number:
  • SEVIS Number:
  • U.S. Visa Number:
  • Visa Expiration Date:
  • Requested Class of Admission: 
  • Requested Admit Until Date: D/S [this stands for Duration of Status and is applicable for all F-1s ad J-1s]
  • Date of Last Arrival:
  • Port of Entry: [provide city/airport name where you entered the US]

Thank you for your time. Should further information be required, please contact the International Student Services at 320-363-5904 or [email protected].

Thank you,
[your name here]

Locating an I-94 that cannot be found

If your I-94 record is not found at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home and you get a page that indicates “no I-94 record was found for this user,” first try experimenting with any mistakes you might anticipate a CBP officer making.  If you are able to access your I-94 record this way, follow the instructions above to submit a correction request.

If you are still unable to locate your I-94 record, you’ll need to reach out to CBP’s Deferred Inspection unit at your nearest airport.  As a student of CSB+SJU, you should request I-94 corrections through the Logan Airport’s Deferred Inspection unit.  Please find an email template below.

To:   [email protected]
Subject: I-94 Help – Passport # [include your passport number here] – F-1 Student

Dear CBP Deferred Inspection:

I am requesting help in locating my I-94 arrival record.  I entered the United States through [city/airport name] on [date] in [your visa status here] status.

The following documents are attached to this email in support of my request: [be sure to attach these documents!]

• Screenshot of my attempt to locate my I-94 record, and the results that it is “not found”
  • Passport biographical page 
  • Visa stamp
  • I-20/DS-2019 used for entry in F-1/J-1 status 

Here is additional information that may help with this request: [provide the information below]

• Name: 
  • Country of Citizenship: 
  • Date of Birth: 
  • Passport Number: 
  • SEVIS Number: 
  • U.S. Visa Number: 
  • Visa Expiration Date: 
  • Requested Class of Admission: 
  • Requested Admit Until Date: D/S [this stands for Duration of Status and is applicable for all F-1s ad J-1s]
  • Date of Last Arrival: 
  • Port of Entry: [provide city/airport name where you entered the US]

Thank you for your time. Should further information be required, please contact the International Student Services at 320-363-5904 or [email protected].

Thank you,
[your name here]

F-1 Visa holders who come to the United States to study should have sufficient financial resources so that they will not have to work. However, most students have a work award which allows them to work on campus.

Work Eligibility for F-1 Student Visa Holders

• You can work on either the CSB or SJU campus without authorization. The job must not interfere with your academic work. The typical hours a student works each week is 5-6 or 10-12.
• Students may also work as part of practical training. Please see Curricular Practical CPT or Optional Practical Training OPT for further information.
• Due to economic problems in home countries or unforeseen changes in circumstance, some students may want to consider working off-campus. Immigration regulations are strict in regard to employment and if you need or want to work off-campus, please contact the  Intercultural and International Student Services office. You will have to apply for permission to work off-campus due to Severe Economic Hardship.

How to Find a Job

• On-Campus. You can view job listings on the student employment website www.csbsju.edu/sejobs/ Students are encouraged to start their job search as early as possible.

If the internship is required of your degree, you may qualify for Curricular Practical Training. This opportunity is job specific and time specific. It must be integral part of an established curriculum, in your courses of study. You must have an offer of employment from an employer offering work that qualifies as curriculum practical training. This authorization is handled by Intercultural and International Student Services.

Curricular Practical Training is a type of employment that is either required by your curriculum, or is an academically integrated part of a credit-bearing course. This employment may be an internship, co-op education job, or any other work experience that is either required for your degree (as defined in the course catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded. The advisor at Intercultural and International Student Services authorizes it.

For an application to apply, CLICK HERE. For more information please contact MCC.

Complete application and make an appointment with Qiwei Zhang ([email protected]).

What type of internship can I get?

An internship can be paid or unpaid as long as it meets the requirement listed above. In addition, you must work with the Office of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement, Internships, before CPT approval.

Am I eligible for CPT?

F-1 students who have been in their academic program for at least nine months, and who have maintained F-1 status potentially qualify. In addition, your curriculum must require employment in order to achieve your degree/program, and you must be registered for a credit-bearing course that provides academic integration with the employment.

What is considered part-time training?

Employment for less than 20 hours per week is considered part-time curricular practical training. The employment authorization written on the third page of your I-20 will specify permission to engage in part-time training and you must limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time curricular practical training, but you must be simultaneously enrolled as a full-time student in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.

What is considered full-time training?

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training, regardless of whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time for classes. The employment authorization on your I-20 will specify permission to participate in full-time training. If you participate in twelve months or more of curricular practical training you will not be eligible for post-completion optional practical training.

What proof of employment authorization should I give my employer?

Your I-20 form authorized for curricular practical training is the document which indicates employment authorization. Please BRING THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR EMPLOYER: your I-20 form, your passport and other personal identification such as driver’s license or student ID to your employer. These documents will allow your employer to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. All employers are required to complete an I-9 form for every employee.

Does the CPT impact on the amount of allowed for Optical Practical Training (OPT)?

If a student uses a total of 12 months or more of full-time CPT, it cancels out all OPT time. Part time CPT does not count toward this 12-month aggregate.

What is the difference between CPT and OPT?

CPT (usually an internship) must be “an integral part of an established curriculum in the student’s course of study” and, therefore, before graduation. According to the regulations, there is no specified limit on either the number of times or the length of time a student may engage in either part-or full-time CPT, however, it does affect OPT if full time CPT is 12 months or more.

To be eligible for any of the Employment Options listed below, you must currently be on an F-1 visa and have studied at least nine months in the United States at a higher education institution on a valid non-immigrant visa (e.g., F, J, H, E, L, M)

Click here for a comprehensive OPT guide.

Please do not apply OPT online on your own. You will need one of the DSOs recommendation on SEVIS and an OPT I-20 to be included in your OPT application. 

What is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined in the regulations as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study”. You need to apply for OPT through Intercultural and International Student Services. To apply click HERE and contect Qiwei Zhang ([email protected]).

Am I eligible for OPT?

A person who has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year is eligible for OPT. Eligible F-1 students may engage in optional training under any of the following conditions:

• After completion of a course of study. OPT is approved for full-time employment only for a maximum of 12 months. The current 12-month limit on OPT will be extended by 24 months, for a total of 36 months for certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) degree holders ONLY. In order to qualify for the 24-month extension, you must be employed by an employer enrolled in E-Verify. Please see our office for details.
• Before completion of studies if you are engaged in thesis or dissertation research; this is usually for graduate students.

When can I apply?

You are eligible to apply for OPT 90 days prior to your program end date, or within the 60 day grace period after graduation. Please see our office for details.

How do I apply for OPT?

You need to apply for OPT through Intercultural and International Student Services. For an application to apply and more information please contact our office.

Do I need a job offer in order to apply?

You do not need a job offer to apply, but you are expected to work or be seeking employment in your field of study. It is advisable to obtain a job offer before submitting your request for OPT. It is difficult to recover all or part of a period of OPT once an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card has been issued.

When can I start work under OPT?

When you receive the EAD and the beginning date of employment authorization (shown on the EAD) has arrived.

What are the reporting requirements for students and employers while on OPT?

All students on OPT must report to Intercultural and International Student Services at CSB/SJU:

• Any change in name or address
• The name and address of their employer
• Any change to the name and address of the employer
• Any interruption of such employment

What are the requirements while on OPT?

Students on post-completion OPT may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment under the initial 12-month period of OPT. Students granted a 24-month OPT extension may not accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 36-month OPT period.

Can I change employers if I have OPT?

Yes. You may work for more than one employer and/or change employers as long as the work is related to your field of study and education level.

Can I travel outside of the US if I have OPT?

Yes, you may travel outside the USA and then be readmitted to resume your employment for the remainder of the period authorized on your EAD. Your I-20 must be endorsed within the preceding 6 months, you must have a valid F-1 visa, a valid passport or travel document and your EAD must be unexpired. It is also wise to carry a letter from your employer, confirming that you are working.

Can I return to school after completing OPT?

Yes. You will need a new I-20 for the next program of study, and complete the USCIS procedure for moving to a “new level of studies” or the procedure for school transfer. Please contact The Intercultural and International Student Services Office for more information.

If I have OPT for one year and return to school, could I have another year of OPT?

Yes, but it must be a different degree level.

OPT Timeline

Note: Do not apply OPT online without notifying your DSO.

• OPT Pre-Application
• Case Status

Required Documentation for I-765 Online Application:

The required documents are called “evidence” in your I-765 application. 

• 2 x 2 photos of you: Make sure you follow the instructions here.
• Form I-94
• Employment Authorization Document: If you have previously issued an EAD card.
• Post-completion CPT or OPT (If you have any previously authorized CPT or OPT)
• Form I-20: Upload the Form I-20 with OPT request. It doesn’t say to upload your previous I-20s but it is best practice to upload all your previous I-20s.
• [STEM OPT] College degree: Upload your degree that shows the STEM OPT qualifying degree

Eligibility

• Students must have been in F-1 status for one full academic year
• Students are currently in good standing
• Students must prove that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond students’ control (and circumstances arose after obtaining F-1 status).

Other Information

• Severe Economic Hardship is designed for off-campus employment. However, it is can be done on-campus
• Severe Economic Hardship is granted by USCIS in increments of one year at a time.  Students need to renew Severe Economic Hardship application if necessary
• Students are allowed 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Students may work full-time during break periods
• Students can work in any job
• Students cannot begin employment until he/she receives approval from USCIS

Severe Economic Hardship Application Process

You must apply for Employment Authorization from USCIS with the assistance of Intercultural and International Student Services staff. Please contact our office if you are struggling financially.

Required Documents:

• Completed Form I-765
• Copy of I-20 with severe economic hardship indication in the last page (obtain when meet with Brandyn Woodard)
• Two (2) full frontal view photos (please see photo sample)
• Copy of I-94 Card (Arrival/Departure Card)
• Copy of passport and U.S. visa
• Application Fee: $410; check or money order payable to “USCIS”
• Letter in English from your sponsor explaining the unexpected hardship (if applicable)
• Student letter explaining the unforeseen hardship situation, and why other employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient. If applicable, students should attach supporting documents, for example, proof of currency devaluation in student’s home country
• For renewal applicants, copy of all previous employment authorization cards

F-1 students approved for standard post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) based on a
bachelor’s degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field that appears on the DHS STEM-Designated Degree Program List can apply to USCIS for a one-time 24-month extension of Post Completion OPT (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months). Read more here.

International students are not allowed to work off or on campus without authorization. To work off-campus a student must qualify for one of three programs. Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Economic Hardship all explained above. 

We would like to help the recruiters to connect with our amazing CSB and SJU international students.  Many employers have concerns or misunderstandings about hiring international students in the United States.  This page addressed some of the concerns US employers might have when hiring international students.

Getting a work permit is not as difficult as some employers think. Most of CSB and SJU international students are non-immigrant visa F1 students, and these students are eligible to work in the US when they meet certain criteria.

Benefits of Hiring an International Student for an Internship

Hiring a CSBSJU international student is beneficial to your business:

• New perspectives and problem-solving skills.
• Global/Intercultural Fluency- the ability to value, respect and learn from diversity.
• Proficient in different languages and have knowledge of the markets, business practices, and cultures of other countries.
• Courage to tackle the unknown and adapt to new environments.

Internships / Curricular Practical Training

You may offer an internship to your potential international student intern for summer or during the Fall or Spring semesters. International students do not require visa sponsorship to participate U.S. internships.  International students are able to get paid as the domestic students.

The student would enroll for a credit-bearing course (internship course, experiential learning program, certain scholarships, or course/curriculum required internship), which is supervised by a faculty member during these terms. During the Fall or Spring semester, the student must be enrolled full-time; therefore, most internships during Fall or Spring semesters are maximum of 20 hrs/week. They are allowed to work maximum of 40 hrs/week during the summer or winter break.

Employer’s Role

The short answer is very little! If you’re hiring an international student for an internship opportunity, you will simply be required to complete your portion of the CSB/SJU Internship Learning Contract, which would also be signed by the student’s faculty member and a staff from Experience & Professional Development (XPD). No further paperwork would be required of your organization.

Student’s Role

The international student will submit necessary paperwork to XPD, faculty member, and ISS to complete the CPT authorization once they receive an internship offer. The international student advisor will print out a SEVIS I-20 that meets the I-9 employment eligibility with the work authorization on page 3.

The student will complete the online Internship Learning Contract with approvals collected via email from their faculty moderator, you as site supervisor, and the CSB/SJU Associate Director of Experience & Professional Development (Laura Hammond).

Ideally, the student will complete all our required paperwork in advance of the start of their internship (e.g., the Internship Learning Contract and the Curricular Practical Training Application), and meet with Qiwei Zhang, Assistant Director of International Student Services, to receive their I-20 for proper work authorization.

Hiring International Students for Full-time Employment or Internship after Graduation

F1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training is one type of work authorization available for eligible F1 visa international students. It allows international students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study in the US.

Duration/Timing of Employment

OPT is up to 12 months after the student graduates. They are allowed to work part-time (at least 20 hrs/week) or full-time. If the student is in a certain STEM major. They may have additional 24-month extension if the employer is enrolled in E-Verify.

Employer’s Role

No action required. Employer can choose to have no involvement with the OPT application process.

Student’s Role

Student has the responsibility to apply to the ISS and file their application to United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Students have the responsibility to maintain their F1-OPT status. A job offer is not required for the application.

More questions?

Please contact the ISS office at 320-363-5904

Minnesota ID Information

We recommend that you get a MN State ID or Driver’s License as a form of picture identification in addition to your passport and your CSB/SJU Student ID. Any F-1 Student can apply for a MN Driver’s License or MN State ID Card (but not both). In Minnesota, either State ID or Driver’s License is the standard form of identification for legal check. Legal check can occur when doing financial transactions (banks, groceries, shops, etc.) or verifying age (purchasing restricted goods such as alcohol, tobacco, etc.)

How to Obtain a MN State ID:

You will need to go to a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and you will need to bring the following documents:

• Valid Passport with Visa
• I-20
• I-94 Card (Arrival/Departure Card)
• Application fee ($20.25) in either cash or personal check ONLY
• Social Security Card

If you do not have a Social Security Card, bring a Certified Secondary or Post-Secondary school transcript containing your legal full name and date of birth (with raised seal from school and signature of school official) or current school ID.

Your name must match all supporting documents. Your name, status, and date of birth must be correct in SEVIS.

License Center

The closest office where you can obtain a MN State ID is:

3301 County Rd. 138
Waite Park, MN
(320) 656-6540

Minnesota Driver’s License Information

There are many laws and regulations to driving and buying a car in the United States. You must be responsible to know these laws before you drive or have a car in the United States. If you have a license in your home country you are not eligible to drive in the United States. However, if you have an international license, you do not need to get a MN Driver’s License. There are serious consequences to you and your immigration status if you are found to have broken the law.

How to Obtain a Minnesota Driver’s License

• As an international student, you must pass a knowledge test, a vision test, and a road test. This is true even if you have a valid driver’s license from your home country. The knowledge test contains multiple choice and true or false questions that evaluate your knowledge and understanding of Minnesota traffic laws and road signs. To prepare for the knowledge test, you need to study the Minnesota Driver’s Manual (Class D) which can be found online or can be picked up at the examination station.
• You will not be eligible to receive your Minnesota driver’s license until you have presented all other driver’s licenses and Minnesota identification cards in your possession to the Department of Public Safety.
• You must also present proper identification when you apply for an instruction permit, driver’s license, or state identification card. Proper Identification verifies your first, middle, and last name, and your date of birth to take the knowledge and road tests. Proper Identification includes Minnesota instruction permit, identification card (MN State ID or CSB/SJU Student ID), passport, and Social Security Card. If you don’t have a Social Security Card, bring a certified transcript from CSB/SJU.
• After obtaining the driving permit, you will need to take the road test.
• The Driver’s Manual book can give you more information on obtaining a driver’s license. Also, you can contact the License Center at (320)-656-6540.

License Center

Please see the following link for more information about the License Center, for example, location, office hours, etc.
http://local.dmv.org/minnesota/benton-county/saint-cloud/dmv-office-locations.php

The closest office where you can obtain a MN Drivers License is:

3301 County Rd. 138
Waite Park, MN
(320) 656-6540

Central Minnesota Driving Academy, 1949 Division St., St. Cloud, (320)-255-9667

https://www.centralmndrivingacademy.com

Minnesota Driver’s License Information

There are many laws and regulations to driving and buying a car in the United States. You must be responsible to know these laws before you drive or have a car in the United States. If you have a license in your home country you are not eligible to drive in the United States. However, if you have an international license, you do not need to get a MN Driver’s License. There are serious consequences to you and your immigration status if you are found to have broken the law.

How to Obtain a Minnesota Driver’s License

• As an international student, you must pass a knowledge test, a vision test, and a road test. This is true even if you have a valid driver’s license from your home country. The knowledge test contains multiple choice and true or false questions that evaluate your knowledge and understanding of Minnesota traffic laws and road signs. To prepare for the knowledge test, you need to study the Minnesota Driver’s Manual (Class D) which can be found online or can be picked up at the examination station.
• You will not be eligible to receive your Minnesota driver’s license until you have presented all other driver’s licenses and Minnesota identification cards in your possession to the Department of Public Safety.
• You must also present proper identification when you apply for an instruction permit, driver’s license, or state identification card. Proper Identification verifies your first, middle, and last name, and your date of birth to take the knowledge and road tests. Proper Identification includes Minnesota instruction permit, identification card (MN State ID or CSB/SJU Student ID), passport, and Social Security Card. If you don’t have a Social Security Card, bring a certified transcript from CSB/SJU.
• After obtaining the driving permit, you will need to take the road test.
• The Driver’s Manual book can give you more information on obtaining a driver’s license. Also, you can contact the License Center at (320)-656-6540.

License Center

Please see the following link for more information about the License Center, for example, location, office hours, etc.
http://local.dmv.org/minnesota/benton-county/saint-cloud/dmv-office-locations.php

The closest office where you can obtain a MN Drivers License is:

3301 County Rd. 138
Waite Park, MN
(320) 656-6540

Central Minnesota Driving Academy, 1949 Division St., St. Cloud, (320)-255-9667
https://www.centralmndrivingacademy.com/

• Study in The United States of America
• Bureau of Consular Affairs
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• Internal Revenue Service
• Minnesota Department of Revenue
• Social Security
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 

CSB and SJU are better places because you are here, and we are committed to your success!

The information contained in the website of Multicultural Center is for the use of the CSB and SJU community. Some of the information is very general and some is specific to CSB and SJU. Information contained herein should not be used as the sole source of information for making decisions that may affect one’s legal status in the U.S. or one’s right to study, teach, conduct research, or work.