Maintaining your Immigration Status

Your Legal Obligations

It is essential to remember that you must take full responsibility for maintaining your status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).   That is, you are responsible for finding out, knowing, and following pertinent regulations.

If you take time early on to familiarize yourself with your obligations to USCIS, you should find it easy to maintain your legal status. If, however, you allow yourself to fall "out of status", it may be extraordinarily difficult to reinstate your status with USCIS.

The best resource to assist you in maintaining status is the staff of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS). Every effort has been made to provide reliable and accurate information on rules that govern student immigration classifications. When regulations change - as is frequently the case - ISSS will have current information. It is important for students to check their email  accounts, as the staff will send out important messages.

A Few Words of Advice for Students

If you are the least bit uncertain about your status - for example, whether your program will be full-time, whether your permission to stay is valid, or whether you can work - check with the ISSS immediately. Students who do not meet the full-time or normal progress requirements may have problems restoring their status. Therefore, if you believe your circumstances warrant extraordinary consideration, it is extremely important that you make an appointment with an International Student Advisor. We are here to help you and advise you.

The ABCs of Maintaining Your F-1 Status

Students in F-1 status are responsible for learning, understanding, and complying with U.S. federal laws and regulations governing the F visa. Failure to do so will violate your legal status in the United States and will have serious consequences.

Your responsibilities include the following:

A-- Maintain a Full Course of Study Each Semester:

U.S. federal regulations [8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)] require you to pursue a full course of study each Fall and Spring semester until completion of your degree. (Graduate students - 9 credits, Undergraduate - 12 credits per semester.) If you cannot register full time, you must see an advisor in the ISSS before classes begin. There are very limited exceptions to the full course of study rule, and you must obtain PRIOR authorization from ISSS.  Failure to comply will result in a violation of your F-1 status.  Full-time F-1 students may only take one on-line course toward their full course load each semester.

Note the completion date listed under #5 on your I-20. If you cannot complete your studies by this date, you must visit  ISSS before this date to file for an extension. Failure to do so is a violation of your status.

Abide by U.S. Federal Employment Regulations:
F-1 students may work no more than 20 hours per week on campus when classes are in session [8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)]. You cannot work off-campus (including credit-bearing internships off-campus) without PRIOR authorization from the ISSS and U.S. Immigration. Opportunities for on- and off-campus work are limited.

B--Bring your SEVIS I-20 to ISSS prior to traveling outside the United States:

Students should bring their I-20 to the ISSS prior to traveling outside the United States to see if an updated travel endorsement (signature on page 3 of your I-20) is required. If you are traveling abroad AND need to renew your F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad, you must visit our office at least one month before you travel to review the appropriate documents.  It is okay to have an expired F-1 visa in your passport if you remain in the U.S. and do not travel abroad.   Visit our travel information webpage to find out more about renewing your visa.

 C--Report Address Changes within 10 days to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS):

ISSS is required to provide this and other student data to the federal government electronically in SEVIS.  No other university office is authorized by the federal government to process this data. 

Report Changes in Program to ISSS
Students must notify the ISSS whenever there is a change in their academic program, program dates or level of study. If you change your major, or switch to a Master's program from a Bachelor's program, for example, you must be issued a new I-20.

Depart the U.S. within the 60 Day Grace Period
Students in F-1 status must depart the United States within 60 days of the I-20 ending date OR their program end date, whichever is earlier. The exceptions to this rule include those who have been academically dismissed, applied for optional practical training, are transferring to a new school, or have applied for a change of status with the United States of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Important Note
This information may change without notice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your legal status in the United States, please come to  ISSS and meet with an advisor. Remember to always check your Florida Tech email account for periodic updates and reminders from ISSS.