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• The and provide information to immigrants, including what documents you should carry with you and how to handle interactions with law enforcement officers.
• In Ohio, you must provide your name, address, and date of birth if asked by a law enforcement officer. You do not have to answer any other questions, including questions about your immigration status. After you identify yourself, you should tell the officer that you are exercising your right to remain silent, and then refuse to answer any other questions.

• If detained, you may be removed from Ohio and placed in a facility outside of Ohio. You should be given the opportunity to call a family member, friend, or your lawyer. Memorize their phone numbers.
• You may request release in exchange for paying a bond, but that process can take several weeks or more. Release is not guaranteed.

• If you have valid travel documents, including a passport and U.S. visa, and if you have no criminal record or history of immigration violations, then it is probably safe to travel abroad and return to the U.S. Re-entry is never guaranteed, however, so leaving the country always involves some risk that you might not be able to return as planned.
• If you are not currently in legal immigration status, do not have a valid visa in your passport, or have a criminal record, you should schedule an appointment with Student Legal Services before planning to travel outside the U.S. 

• If you have valid immigration status, such as F-1 student status or a green card, or if you have a pending application for certain immigration benefits, such as asylum, then you can travel freely within the U.S.
• If you do not have current, valid immigration status and do not have a pending application for such status, travel within the U.S. is possible, but risky. You risk arrest and detention if you encounter U.S. government agents, such as on the roads or at the airport. 

No. Neither the U.S. government nor the University will ask you for money or other things of value (such as gift cards or bitcoin) in exchange for keeping your visa, avoiding arrest, or staying in the country. If you receive any communication to this effect, it is a scam and should be disregarded. 

• Know your rights if you are contacted by immigration officers: The and provide information to immigrants, including interactions with law enforcement agencies.
• Consider signing a Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA) so that a trusted friend or family member can manage your financial affairs if you have to leave the U.S.  To create an FPOA, if you are a student at the following universities, you can make an appointment with Student Legal Services.  Visit /sls/make-appointment.
• Consider using an app to notify contacts if you are faced with arrest: Apps like can notify contacts and your lawyer if you are faced with arrest so that your support network has information they need to respond.

No. Because you intend to remain in the U.S. for more than thirty days, Ohio law enforcement views you as a “resident” for driving law purposes. That means you must obtain an Ohio driver license.

Depending on your home country, the requirements you need to meet to obtain a driver license differ.  See "How do I obtain an Ohio driver license?" section below for more information about these requirements. 

You will still need to obtain an Ohio driver license within 30 days of establishing residency. Generally, you are considered a resident by Ohio law enforcement for driving purposes if you are a student here and do not have a permanent residence in another U.S. state. 

If you have a valid, unexpired license that is from another U.S. state, you can request an “out-of-state conversion” to transfer the license to Ohio without having to complete the new driver training requirements or driver exam.  (Note: Your out of state license must be unexpired).  

Step 1: Gather acceptable documents to prove your current legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, citizenship or legal presence in the United States, and Ohio residential address.

Step 2: Present your unexpired out-of-state driver license and acceptable documents at any Deputy Registrar license agency. You will be asked to complete a vision screening to demonstrate you meet Ohio vision standards for driver license issuance.

Step 3: Complete the Application Information for Standard/Compliant Ohio Driver License or ID Card (BMV 5745). 

NOTE: The driver’s license law has recently changed for international students in Ohio.  Please read carefully

Students from Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea:

International students who are twenty-one years old or older with a valid license from Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea are exempt from the new Ohio requirements and will not be required to pass the written and driving exam. These students must obtain an Ohio license after 30 days in Ohio.  They should follow the same rules as if they had a license from another U.S. state. The student must present their valid foreign license and an International Driving Permit (which is the translation of the foreign license into English).  NOTE: Students who are not twenty-one years old or older and do not already have a U.S. license will be required to complete the steps below.

New international student drivers who are not from Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea and who do not already have a U.S. license must:

• STEP 1: Get a temporary learner's permit.  

If you have not obtained a driver license in the U.S. before, you will need to take a vision screening exam and a written driver’s test to apply for a Temporary Instruction Identification Card (TIPIC).   To study for the written test, . You can also . 

No appointment for the written test is needed.  But, you should gather your documents and money for fees before heading to the nearest Driver Examination Station. the list of accepted documents, applicable fees, and the examination station locations and hours.

• STEP 2: Complete Driver training.   This training has two parts: 

                 (1) 24-Hour Online Driver Education Course
                       Cost: Approximately $50
                        Choose a course from an approved provider.

                (2) 8-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Instruction
                      Cost: Approximately $600
                     Must be taken with a certified driving school.

             : 
              -  In the School Type field, choose:
              -  “Class D Driving Schools” or “Class D Online Courses”
              -   In the County field, select your county
              -   Click Search

• STEP 3: Complete 50 Hours of Practice Driving

             -  Practice driving with a licensed driver (age 21 or older), including: 50 total hours with 10 hours at night
              -  Complete (50-Hour Affidavit).  
              -   Students should schedule an appointment with Student Legal Services to have their signature notarized.
              -   The licensed driver must sign the form.

• STEP 4: Take the Driving Test 

             Schedule your driving test at the BMV. Bring: 

             -  Certificate from the 24-hour online class
              -  Certificate from the 8-hour driving class and 
              -  Notarized 50-hour affidavit (Form 5791)

• Important Note About Your Driver’s License Expiration
  Your Ohio driver’s license will expire on the same date as your I-20. To keep your license valid:
  Renew your I-20 before it expires and take your new I-20 to the BMV to renew your license.

The Temporary Instruction Identification Card, also known as Temporary Permit, allows you to get practice driving before you apply for your permanent driver’s license.  While driving on the Temporary Permit, you must have a licensed driver, over the age of 21 in the passenger seat at all times. 

After you have received your Temporary Permit and completed all driver training requirements, call a Driver Examination Station to schedule a driving test. On the day of the driving test, take your Temporary Permit, certificates of training, 50-Hour Affidavit, and all other documentation needed, money for fees, and a reliable car in good condition for the test.  The is two parts – driving and maneuverability.  Once you pass your driving test, you can obtain your permanent driver license.  

You need car insurance whenever you are driving a car, whether on a Temporary Permit or with your permanent driver license.  You need car insurance if you are driving your own car, a friend’s car, someone else’s car, or a rental car.  

You must purchase the minimum amount of car insurance required by Ohio law.  Student Legal Services highly recommends that you purchase more than the state minimum coverage.  If your car is damaged by a person who does not have car insurance and you purchased minimum coverage for yourself, your minimum coverage will not pay for the damages to your car.  

Student Legal Services urges you to buy car insurance from an insurance agent.  We do not recommend that you purchase car insurance from the internet.  You should speak directly to an agent and review your circumstances so that the agent can advise you about the best coverage for you.  

Immigration Scams

The international student receives a phone call from someone claiming to be from a U.S. government agency, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Homeland Security. The person knows specific information about the student like their date of birth. The person says that the student owes a large fine and requests immediate payment by credit card, electronic transfer, or demands the student purchase gift cards for the person. When the student asks questions or waivers on providing payment information, the person becomes aggressive and threatens the student with deportation.

Employment Scams

A student receives an email from what appears to be a legitimate business offering the student employment. As part of the "job" duties, the student is sent a check from the company. The employer asks student to deposit the check in student's bank account. Employer instructs students to keep some of the money for student's pay and then distribute the remainder as instructed the employer. Sometimes, the employer will demand that the student purchase gift cards and send them to the employer. The student finds out from their bank that the check or money order sent by the employer was fraudulent. The student now has an overdrawn bank account, and owes the bank fees and the funds deposited.

Tuition Scams

The typical scam is student is approached by someone who promises to discount the student's tuition if student pays through them. The person will use the student's Ohio State username and password to access the student's Buckeyelink account. The person pays the student's tuition with a credit card and the tuition appears paid in full on the student's account. After receiving confirmation of payment, the student wires the person the tuition minus the discount promised. However, the student later finds out that the credit card was stolen and that Ohio State rejects the payment. The student now owes the entire tuition amount to Ohio State in order to remain enrolled, and no longer has the money the student wired to the scammer.

Travel Scams

A travel "broker" promises to book the student's international flights for low costs. The broker requires the student to pay up front in order to secure the tickets. The student gives the broker the money but the broker never provides the promised tickets.

Package and Mail Scams

Student receives a phone call from someone claiming to work for a delivery service.  The caller informs student that student's passport information was stolen and used to mail a package containing illegal items. The caller tells student that student must call a number provided to speak to "police".  The student calls "police" number and is told that student's personal information and/or banking information is connected to a corruption case.  The "police" officer tells student in order to clear student's name student must transfer money to police or student will be arrested. 

• Do not give anyone your Kent State username and password over the phone or via email.
• Kent State will never ask for this information over the phone or via email.
• Government agencies will never contact you by phone, or via email, demanding payment or requesting wired money.
• Government agencies will never ask you to purchase gift cards for payment to them.
• Hang up if you suspect a scam. The caller will try to keep you on the phone. Do not believe their threats.
• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• If someone is promising you a discount on tuition, they are trying to take advantage of you.
• Do your research. Search the internet to see if the great deal you think you're getting is actually a scam.
• Do not feel pressured to pay someone for anything.
• Do not conduct business with any company or person who rushes you, or pressures you to make a payment.
• Remember — you cannot accept any off-campus employment without the prior approval by the University and most legitimate employers in the area know this.
• Do not give anyone your bank account or credit card information over the phone, unless you are absolutely certain you are giving the information for a legitimate purpose. And, if you're not sure whether it is a legitimate purpose, talk to Student Legal Services.

If you suspect a scam, or believe you have been the target of a scam, or by calling SLS as soon as possible. Our services are confidential and private, with no judgment.