Maintain Status F1

Maintaining Status of International (F1 VISA) Students

In order to remain legally present in the United States, you must maintain your visa status. An F-1 student is considered to be maintaining status, You Must: 

1. Be properly registered in SEVIS
2. Attend a full-time course of study
       (Be making normal progress toward completing his/her course of study)
3. Enroll full-time per quarter
4. Keep your passport valid at all times.
5. Keep Form I-20 valid by:
   • • proper procedures for extension of stay.
       (See international student advisor for more information prior to completion date  of study on I-20.)
     • proper procedures for change in educational levels or programs of study.
       (See international student advisor for more information.)
     • proper procedures for transfer of schools.
       (See international student advisor for more information.)
6. Do not work off-campus without authorization.
   Refrain from off-campus employment without U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or school authorization. Off-campus work permission is approved ONLY by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in case of an extraordinary circumstance.  It is illegal to work without authorization, and those who work without permission are subject to deportation.
7. Report a change of address to the international student advisor within 10 days of the change, so that SEVIS can be updated. An international student advisor will update your SEVIS record within 21 days as required which satisfies your obligation to notify DHS of the address change. You must also submit a change of address to student central.
8. Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition on criminal activity.
   As an F-1 student, you are required to disclose fully and truthfully all information requested by DHS immigration bureaus, regardless of whether the information requested was material. Students are also required, as a condition of their admission, to obey all federal and state laws that prohibit the commission of crimes of violence.
9. Abide by the F-1 grace period rules, including remaining in the U.S. for no longer than 60 days after completing a full course of study, unless prior to completing the course of study the student has followed procedures for applying for practical training, moving educational levels, or school transfer.

Grace periods

• • • An F-1 student may remain in the United States for up to 60 days beyond either the completion date on Form I-20, or the completion of the program of study, if earlier than the date on Form I-20, to prepare to depart the United States or to transfer schools.
    • An F-1 student who has been granted an authorized withdrawal by an international student advisor may remain in the United States for up to 15 days following the withdrawal noted in SEVIS, to prepare to depart the U.S.
    • An F-1 student who fails to maintain status, or withdraws from school or otherwise terminates or interrupts his or her course of studies without first obtaining international student advisor approval in SEVIS, the student is not eligible for any grace period, and would be considered under the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) regulations to be out of status.Follow the required procedures (with the help of the Designated School Official/International Advisor) when you are:
      • Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
      • Withdrawing from the school

References:

USCIS.gov

ICE.gov