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International Affairs

Maintaining your F-1 Visa Status

      

Duration of Status (D/S) vs. Visa

As an F-1/J-1 student, you are admitted to the U.S. for "Duration of Status", which is noted as D/S on the white I-94 card in your passport. This means you are permitted to stay in the U.S. as long as you maintain your status. F-1 status is granted when you enter the U.S. and is regulated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may access your I-94 at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home. If your I-94 is not accurate, contact International Affairs immediately.

The visa is different from immigration status; the visa stamp is placed in your passport by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and is granted for entry purposes only. Even if your visa is valid, you can lose your legal student status if you do not comply with immigration laws regulating your stay in the U.S. If you fail to maintain your legal student status, you will need to speak to your International Student Advisor at the Student Rights & Responsibilities office and International Affairs to discuss your options for restoring your immigration status.

How to Maintain Your Immigration Status?

  • Passport: Maintain a valid passport at all times. Passport should be valid 6 months into the future.

  • Attend the school that is listed on your current I-20/DS-2019.

  • Full Course Load: Complete a full course of study during the fall and spring semesters. A full course of study is defined as 
    • 12 hours per semester for an undergraduate student and 
    • 9 hours per semester for a graduate student.
    • Graduate students may be eligible to enroll for 3 hours once all coursework has been completed and they are enrolled in their thesis or dissertation.

  • Reduced Course Load: If you need to drop a full course of study below, contact the International Affairs Office before dropping any course and fill out the Reduced Course Load Form.

  • Course Mode of Instruction: International students are required to attend classes face to face (F2F) or hybrid. Only one course per semester may be taken online. If only one course remains for the final semester (Spring, Summer, or Fall), it must be taken face-to-face or in a hybrid format.

    • Undergraduate Student: 9 of 12 hours per semester must be F2F or hybrid.  
    • Graduate students: 6 of 9 hours per semester must be F2F or hybrid.
        NOTE: Contact International Affairs immediately during course registration if your department does not offer enough F2F or hybrid courses.

  • Program Extension: Apply for an extension of your program if you cannot complete your degree by the end date listed on your I-20/DS-2019.

  • Change of Degree Level/Major: Obtain a new I-20/DS-2019 if you wish to make a change in major or degree level (e.g., from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree or from Optional Practical Training to a new degree, etc.).

  • On-Campus Employment: Limit on-campus work to part-time (part-time employment is defined as 20 hours per week) during the fall and spring semesters. On-campus employment may be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer and official school breaks. F-1 and J-1 students do not require special authorization to work on campus.

  • Off-Campus Employment: Off-campus work is NOT authorized without prior consultation with the Office of International Affairs. Off-campus employment may be available for CPT and OPT.
    • CPT: internship/practicum course in your field of study during college or 
    • OPT: typically occurs after completion of the academic program 

  • Address Change: Report any change of address to International Affairs within ten (10) days of your move.

  • Travel: If you are traveling, ensure your I-20 is signed by your Immigration Advisor in International Affairs prior to your travel.

  • End of Program: Unless continuing with OPT, transferring to another program or institution, or changing your visa status, you must depart the USA within 60 days of your program end date on your I-20.

  • For more information on maintaining your F-1 status visit Study in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status

    Note: Forms and requests for reduced course load, change in program details, CPT, signatures etc. should be submitted to International Affairs at least 10 business days in advance (ideally, speak to International Affairs before the beginning of the semester about your prospective plans).