Maintaining Immigration Status

To maintain your immigration status as an F-1 student, you must:

  • Maintain a valid passport.
  • Enroll as a full-time student during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) and make normal progress toward your degree. A full course load is 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates and 8 credit hours per semester for graduate students.
  • Update your address, telephone number, and e-mail accounts on FlashLine within 10 days after you move. Your permanent address should be your address outside of the U.S. Your local address is your address in the U.S. You must keep a valid permanent and local address on file. Permanent address=foreign address, local address=U.S. address
  • Notify International Student and Scholar Services of changes in major or program (e.g. history to political science or bachelor’s to master’s degree).
  • Request an extension if your program takes longer than the date indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019.  You must apply for a program extension before the end date on your immigration document.
  • Maintain health insurance for yourself and any dependents.
  • Work only with proper authorization. Contact ISSS before starting employment.
  • Have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed by an international student advisor before traveling out of the U.S.

Important Immigration Updates

The ISSS team closely monitors news, updates, and changes related to F-1 and J-1 visas and status. As we become aware of any changes, the most recent and/or relevant will be posted here in addition to electronic communication as necessary. We have also provided links to other sources for more information.

(6/24/2020) Suspension of Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Visas

  • Who is Affected: employment-based nonimmigrants seeking a visa for H, L, or certain categories of J status and their dependents. 
  • Who is NOT Affected: employment-based nonimmigrants already holding a valid H, L, or J visa; J-1 students, research scholars, short-term scholars, and professors; F-1 students including those seeking or holding employment authorization for CPT, OPT, on-campus employment, or off-campus employment for severe economic hardship or internship with an international organization.
  • Official Proclamation
  • NAFSA Summary

(6/1/2020) Students and Researchers Connected to the People's Republic of China's "Military-Civil Fusion Strategy"

  • Who is Affected: Graduate students and Research Scholars seeking a visa (F or J) who
    • conduct research and/or study in academic fields that would contribute to China's Military Fusion Strategy AND
    • have a current or past affiliation with any entity that supports China's Military Fusion Strategy
  • Who is NOT Affected: students and scholars currently in the U.S. as long as they remain inside the U.S; students and scholars in academic fields of study not related to China's Military Fusion Strategy; and undergraduate students
  • Official Proclamation
  • NAFSA Summary