Maintain Status
It is extremely important for a nonimmigrant to maintain his or her status while in the United States. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of nonimmigrant status is a ground for removal from the United States.
To Maintain F-1 Status, a student must:
- Report to the DOS (LaMae Ritchie) to have his or her SEVIS record Registered in SEVISat the beginning of each semester of enrollment.
- For the first entry for initial school attendance, the school listed on the visa and on the I-20 must be the same and that is the school the student must intend to attend.
- Pursue a "full course of study" at the school listed on the currently valid Form I-20 during every academic session or semester except during official school breaks, or unless approved under a specific exception, in advance by the DSO (LaMae Ritchie).
- Make normal progress towards completing the course of study, by completing studies before the expiration of the program completion date of Form I-20.
- Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for extension of stay.
- Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for change in educational levels or programs of study.
- Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for transfer of schools.
- Abide by the F-1 grace period rules.
- Report a change of address to the DSO (LaMae Ritchie) within 10 days of the change, so that SEVIS can be updated.
- Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition on criminal activity.
- Abide by any special requirements, such as Special Registration requirements.
- Not Work, either on or off-campus, unless specifically authorized under the regulations at 8 C.F.R § 214.2(f)(9) or § 214.2(f)(10).
- Undergraduates: Full-Time enrollment is a least 12 credit hours per semester.
- Graduates: Full-Time enrollment is 9 credit hours per semester, or 6 credit hours with a graduate assistantship
- Work only with authorization. Always get written employment authorization before accepting employment. If you have employment authorization, limit your work to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. You can work more than 20 hours per week during the summer vacation, during the break between fall and spring semesters, and during Spring Break. F-2 visa holders may not work.