Immigration

The following information is meant to give you an overview of how to maintain your legal F-1 or J-1 status, as well as information on and applications for a variety of basic immigration procedures common to F-1 or J-1 student statuses. Forms for program extensions, reduced course load, and transferring to another school, among others, are listed in the appropriate sections below.

Maintaining Your Legal Status

United States immigration law places responsibility upon the student to know and follow all relevant immigration regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may have very severe consequences that may affect your ability to study, seek employment, or even remain in the United States. Please read the following information carefully and contact the ISO if you have any questions regarding the regulations.

Make sure that your immigration documents are valid and unexpired
- Attend only the school you are authorized to attend on your I-20 or DS-2019
- Keep your passport valid 6 months into the future (passports can be extended inside the U.S. by contacting your home country's embassy or consulate)
- Check the expiration date on your I-20 or DS-2019 and apply for a Program Extension if needed
- Make sure your I-94 card is marked "F-1 D/S" or "J-1 D/S" after re-entering the U.S.
Register full-time* (or the equivalent) each semester/quarter until completion
- You must obtain approval from the ISO prior to registering part-time or withdrawing to below full-time. Please see the Reduced Course Load Authorization form for more information.
- If you will spend an academic term overseas in an authorized program of study abroad, please see our instructions on F-1 Study Abroad and Gradaute Research Abroad for required procedures and documentation.
  
  *Full-time is equal to 12 credits per semester, 9 per quarter, or the equivalent in the case of graduate students with assistantships, research, etc.
DO NOT work off-campus without authorization
- Please see the Employment page for information on the different types of employment options for F-1 and J-1 students.
Report any change in address to the ISO within 10 days of moving
- Please use the ISO's online Address Change Form to report all changes in address.
Contact the ISO immediately if there are any changes to your I-20 or DS-2019, or to your personal or academic situation
- Please use the ISO's Student Change Form to report changes such as:
  - - to shorten a program or indicate early completion
  - - to request an immigration transfer to another University
  - - to add, change, or remove dependent
  - - to update funding information
- Please use the ISO's New Admission Data Form in order to:
  - - change academic degree level
  - - return after absence of more than 5 months