Immigration Advising

Keys to Maintaining Your Legal Status

As an international student, it is important to follow certain rules pertaining to your F-1 non-immigrant status. Here is a list of things that you can do to help maintain your status:

• Do not let your immigration documents expire.
• Look for the expiration date noted on your I-20. If you cannot complete your studies by that date, you must request an extension of your document. The application materials for F-1 program extension are available at International Student Affairs.
• Keep your passport valid.
• As is the case with your immigration documents, you should keep your passport valid at all times. Contact your home country consulate or embassy for information on extending the validity of your passport. Note: citizens of Canada are exempt from the passport requirement.
• Register for a full course of study. In general, you should plan to register for 12 credit hours (undergraduates) or three units (graduates) in the fall and spring semesters. Summer registration is optional, unless you begin or end your studies during the summer.
• Do not work without authorization.

You must always secure permission to work. Click here for more information on F-1 employment rules.

• Work no more than a total of 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters.
  In some instances, you may be eligible to work more than 20 hours per week. Consult with an International Student Affairs staff member for more information.
• Follow transfer procedures if you begin a new program of study, change field of study, or plan to attend a different school. Consult with a staff member at International Student Affairs prior to the change in order to determine what you must do.

Please contact a staff member if you have any questions about maintaining your status.

Guidelines to a Full Course of Study
Nonimmigrant students in F-1 status are required to register for a full course of study in order to maintain status. During the fall and spring semesters, a full course of study for undergraduate students is 12 credit hours. In addition, if the summer session is your first term of enrollment, you must register for at least six credit hours. Summer semester registration is optional if you were registered for the preceding spring semester and will register for the following fall semester. You should, however, register in summer if it is your final term and you wish to take practical training.

In certain specific instances, you may register for less than 12 hours and still be considered a full-time student for purposes of maintaining your nonimmigrant status. This special situation requires written documentation for your Office of International Student Affairs student file.

The following situations may be approved for students who request to register in less than 12 credit hours:

1. Students who have less than 12 hours of required coursework remaining in their final semester to complete a degree;
2. Students in the first semester of coursework or who are having difficulty with the English language coursework;
3. Students who are ill, pregnant, or under a doctor or mental health counselor's care and your doctor or physician recommends a reduced courseload. You must secure a letter for International Student Affairs from your health care provider stating the reason why you are unable to maintain a full courseload.
4. Students who may have some valid academic reason for reducing their courseload. Consult with International Student Affairs staff and draft a written explanation why you should reduce your courseload.
5. Students who may be involved in a special internship as part of the academic load, necessitating that they take fewer than 12 credits.

Please make an appointment with an International Student Affairs staff member if you have questions or concerns about your enrollment.