- OISA
- Emerson College Office of International Student Affairs.
- DSO
- Designated School Official for Emerson’s F-1 Student Program.
- DHS
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security – The U.S. government agency that oversees immigration related departments:
- CBP
- US Customs and Border Protection – Operates U.S. ports of entry and departure; screens for immigration admissibility and customs.
- ICE
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Oversees enforcement of immigration infractions; Operates the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
- USCIS
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Approves immigration benefits, including employment authorization, change of status.
- DOS
- U.S. Department of State – The U.S. government agency that oversees U.S. embassies and consulates abroad and reviews applications for visas to the U.S.
- SEVIS
- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System – The database used by DHS and DOS to track students in F, J, and M status.
- SEVP
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program – The DHS program that oversees SEVIS.