Maintaining Student F-1 Status

If your visa is approved and you enter the U.S., you must actively maintain your F-1 status to guarantee that you can continue studying in the U.S. To be on the safe side, you must comply with both university regulations and codes of conduct, as well as with the requirements and conditions as set out in your F-1 visa requirements.

To assure you’re in good standing during your study abroad:

Upon Arrival

Arrive in the U.S. no more than 30 days before the first day of classes. Check-in with your international advisor or designated school official (DSO) as soon as possible before your start date listed on your I-20 form. Always be aware of your obligations as an F-1 holder to avoid any legal consequences that could affect or invalidate your F-1 status.

If you plan to transfer schools after arrival on an F-1 visa, you must notify your current school of your intention to transfer. You will need to obtain an I-20 form from the new school. You must complete the student certification section on the I-20 and deliver it to the foreign student advisor in the new school within 15 days of attendance in the new school.

During Your Program

You must maintain full-time enrollment (except in certain situations). Attend classes and achieve consistently good grades. Notify your international advisor of any difficulties in your classes or if you want to drop or change courses. Ensure that you meet the required credit hours each semester of every academic year. In case you cannot complete your program within the date listed on the I-20 form, the advisor or DSO can request a possible extension for you. Ensure validity of your passport for at least 6-months into the future and have a copy of your passport and I-94 card for identification on you.

You are also under the obligation to keep yourself up-to-date on new U.S. immigration policies that take place during your stay in the U.S. and how they affect your visa.

Accepting unauthorized employment results in the violation of F-1 status.