Maintaining F-1 Student Status

Maintaining F-1 Student Status in the United States

As an F-1 international student in the United States, it is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status. Follow these key guidelines to stay in compliance and avoid jeopardizing your education or legal stay:

Maintain Required Documentation

• F-1 students must have the following documents:
  • All issued Forms I-20;
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future. It is the student’s responsibility to renew it through his/her embassy before it expires;
  • I-94 record that reflects “D/S” and “F-1” status
    • D/S means “Duration of Status”. There is no definite end date listed on the I-94. D/S includes time needed to complete the full-time course of study as indicated on Form I-20, plus any authorized period of practical training and a 60-day grace period to change status to another visa category or leave the U.S.

Academic Requirements

• Attend the school listed on your Form I-20;
• F-1 undergraduate students must enroll full-time and take at least 12 credit hours per term. Those in graduate programs must take a minimum of 9 credit hours;
• Only one online class (3 credit hours) can count toward full-time enrollment per semester;
• If you plan to enroll less than full-time, you must obtain written approval from your advisor before dropping below the required number of credits;
• You must maintain good academic standing as defined by your school.

Program Updates and Changes

• Keep your Form I-20 up to date. Report any of the following changes to your DSO within 10 days:
  • Change of major, degree level, or funding;
  • Change of address or phone number;
  • Name change
• Extend your I-20 before it expires if you need more time to finish your program.

Employment
F-1 students can only work in the following limited circumstances without violating status:

• On-Campus Employment
  • F-1 students may work on-campus part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time during school vacations;
• Off-Campus Employment
  • Requires prior approval through CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training). Both are handled through the Designated School Official (DSO);
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Must be authorized by the DSO, endorsed on Form I-20, and updated in SEVIS.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) & STEM OPT
  • OPT provides F-1 students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study. It can be authorized for up to 12 months and can be used either before (pre-completion) or after (post-completion) the completion of the degree program.
  • Students who have completed a degree in a qualifying STEM field can apply for a 24-month extension of OPT.
  • The F-1 student must get prior approval from the DSO and apply for and receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before beginning work.
• Severe Economic Hardship
  • Students may qualify for off-campus employment if they face severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, such as loss of financial aid or significant currency fluctuations.