MAINTAINING F-1 STATUS
Student Responsibility
Maintaining F-1 Status
As an F-1 student, you were admitted to the US for "duration of status" (as indicated by the "D/S" written on the white I-94 card in your passport). This means that you are permitted to stay in the US as long as you maintain your status by fulfilling the requirements of being an F-1 student. The visa is a stamp or sticker placed in your passport by an embassy or consulate official and is granted for entry purposes only. F-1 status is granted when you enter the US and is regulated by US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Even if you visa is valid, you can lose your legal F-1 student status if you do not continue to comply with immigration laws regulating your stay in the US. The primary issues regarding F-1 visa status are covered in the FACTS handout given at orientation. Students who fall out of status must file for reinstatement or leave the country.
Full Course Load
Government regulations require all international students to register for and complete a full course load of classes each semester. For undergraduates, a full course load is 12 credit hours. For graduate students at this university, a full course load is 9 credit hours or 6 credit hours with a 20-hour graduate assistantship. Only one (1) web/internet course can be used to fulfill the course load each semester.
Exceptions to Full Course Load
The Department of Homeland Security allows only 4 reasons for a student to carry less than a full course load without prior authorization from an international student advisor:
- Graduate Assistantship (20 hours per week)
- Last semester before graduation
- Concurrent enrollment at 2nd institution
- Thesis/dissertation
The above exceptions are valid only if the student files an ISSO report before the 12th day of classes each semester. Students can file the report in our office or online.
Graduate assistants must file the reduced course load report every semester in which they take 6 hours.
Concurrently enrolled students must file the reduced course load report AND two documents; proof of enrollment at the begining of the semester and proof of completion at the end of semester.
Exceptions for other reasons, such as severe medical illness, require prior approval from an international adviser. Contact the ISSO for more information.
Address Updates
Students must report every change of address (physical address, not a p. o. box) to the ISSO within ten days of each move, even between semesters or during CPT/OPT. You can report your new address in person, by phone or by email. Changing your address in WebTrax does not update your immigration record. You must also contact our office so that we may report your change to the government.
Reporting Change of Major or Level
Government regulations require all international students to keep the information on their I-20s current, including changes of major or level (e.g. bachelor's to master's, begin 2nd master's, etc.). You must report any changes to the International Student Services Office so that a new I-20 can be issued. Complete a Request Form online or in our office.
Employment
Unauthorized employment causes a student to lose the right to remain in the US. It is, therefore, very important for international students to avoid illegal employment. See the Employment section for more information.
Special Registration/NSEERS
On December 2, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a rule amending several requirements associated with the Special Registration program. Under the new rule, individuals subject to Special Registration are still subject to departure controls that require them to use only designated ports of departure when departing the US, but they are no longer required to report to DHS offices in-between entry and departure (the so-called 30-day and annual re-registrations). The rule also provides that F, M, and J non-immigrants who report changes in address through their educational institution to SEVIS are not required to also report those changes using Form AR-11SR, although employment changes must still be reported on the AR-11SR. For further information regarding Special Registration, see the government website or seek help from competent legal counsel.
Dependents
An F-1 student's spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 may be eligible to stay with the F-1 student in the US. To do so, these dependents must file for an F-2 visa. Before applying for a dependent to obtain F-2 status, the F-1 student should consider the additional financial responsibilities involved. F-2 dependents are not allowed to work or run a business of any kind. For more information regarding F-2 dependents, contact the International Student Services Office.
Extending the I-20
As long as a student maintains status, the Form I-20 is valid until the "program end date" listed on page 1, item 5 or until the student completes his/her studies, whichever is sooner. Students should complete their degree by the date given. If academically necessary, a student may request for the I-20 to be extended one or two semesters through the ISSO by submitting a written request and a current (within 12 months) bank statement showing sufficient finances for the extended term(s). The extension must be completed before the I-20 expires or the student will be out of status. It is recommended that the student makes arrangements for an extension approximately 30 days before the expiration date. Extension requests to prolong work privileges or because of delays caused by failure to maintain status will not be granted.
Transferring Out of TAMU-Commerce
To remain in status, you will need to transfer both your academic and immigration records successfully. If your I-20 is expiring or if you are graduating, you have a 60-day grace period to initiate a transfer. You must be admitted to another school AND have your SEVIS record released to the new school before your grace period ends or you will be out of status. That means that you must submit admission application materials well before your expiration/graduation date to complete the process in time.
For the academic transfer:
- Follow admission procedures at the desired institution.
For the immigration/SEVIS transfer:
- Contact the International Student Office at the desired institution. If an immigration status/release form is required, turn it in to the TAMU-Commerce ISSO.
- After admission at the desired institution, contact the TAMU-Commerce ISSO again to confirm your desire for a transfer. Before releasing your record in SEVIS an adviser will require proof of your admission and a final authorization.
- Remember to check on additional requirements at the receiving school, such as orientation procedures, and let an adviser at the new school know if you plan to travel internationally before attending.
Reinstatement
Students who fall out of status may be eligible for reinstatement. There are two ways to obtain reinstatement:
- Obtain reinstatement through re-entry. Before leaving the US, you should obtain an "initial" I-20 from the ISSO and pay the $100 SEVIS fee. If your visa is expired, you will also have to obtain a new visa before returning.
- Obtain reinstatement through petition. The process requires two appointments with an international student adviser; one informational session, and a second session to create a reinstatement I-20 and assemble the application materials for submission.
Either reinstatement option is costly. It is to your advantage to stay in status, if at all possible. For more information regarding reinstatement issues, please contact an international student adviser.
