Maintaining Legal Immigration Status: F-1 Students

(J-1 Exchange Visitors: please click here for information on maintaining legal immigration status)

More detailed information is available at the International Office, Reis Hall 200.

It is very important that international students maintain legal status while they are in the U.S. Students who fall "out of status" are considered illegal aliens and are subject to penalties, which could render them ineligible for certain benefits associated with their visas. Students who are out of status will need to be "reinstated" (see handout on "Reinstatement").

For students in F-1 status, to maintain legal status, you must:

1. Have a valid passport.
2. Have health insurance that meets US federal regulations.
3. Attend the school that you are authorized to attend on your I-20.
4. Keep your form I-20 ID valid by following proper procedures for:
   1. filing petitions to extend stay past completion date on your I-20
   2. changing educational level or program of study (major)
   3. transferring schools
   4. travel and re-entry
   5. validating the I-20 each semester prior to departure from the US.
5. Obtain proper authorization to work on- or off-campus:
   International students cannot work off-campus unless the work is part of curricular practical training (CPT), optional practical training (OPT), or otherwise authorized by INS.
6. Limit employment, both on- and off-campus, to a total of 20 hours/week while school is in session.
7. Report legal name AND address changes to INS within 10 days of the change on form AR-11.
8. Complete an official immigration transfer whenever you change educational institutions. Notify your current institution of your intent to transfer, obtain a Form I-20 from the new institution, and report to the DSO at the new school within 15 days of the program start date listed on the Form I-20.
9. Pursue a full course of study and make normal progress to your degree:
   • Although 12 hours per semester is considered fulltime by INS, Allegheny students can only graduate in 4 years by completing an average of 16 hours per semester. An extension of your I-20 will not be processed if you did not make normal progress to your degree.
   • In order to stay in status, F-1 students must be authorized by the PDSO to drop below 12 hours and/or to withdraw from all classes or take a leave of absence.
10. File for an extension of your program of study 30-60 days prior to the expiration day of the Form I-20.
11. Remain in US no longer than the grace period allowed:
    • Students who complete a course of study have a 60 day grace period
    • Students who decide to leave due to personal reasons (death of a parent, homesickness, financial problems, etc.) have 15 days
    • Students who are dismissed, suspended, expelled, etc., have no grace period.
12. Notify the IO prior to traveling outside the U.S. and know what the rules are for trips to Canada, Mexico and surrounding islands vs other countries (click here for further information).
13. Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition of criminal activity.

Legal immigration status can be jeopardized if proper procedures are not followed, so it is always best to consult with the International Student Advisor in matters of immigration before taking any action.