How to Maintain F-1 Status: A Practical Guide for International Students

Index

• Maintaining Valid Immigration Documents
• Academic Requirements
• Reporting Changes and Keeping SEVIS Updated
• Employment Rules for F-1 Students
• International Travel Considerations
• F-2 Dependents
• Change of Address
• Consequences of Losing F-1 Status
• Final Reminders
• New ICE Policy: Increased Risk of SEVIS Terminations

The F-1 visa offers many opportunities for studying, working, and traveling in the United States, but maintaining this status is essential for staying in legal compliance. From keeping your documents up to date to following academic and employment regulations, even small oversights can lead to serious consequences. This guide outlines the key responsibilities every F-1 student should understand and follow in order to protect their status and avoid unexpected setbacks.

Maintaining Valid Immigration Documents

As an F-1 student, you are required to keep certain documents valid and accessible at all times:

• Form I-20: You must have a valid and updated Form I-20 issued by your Designated School Official (DSO).

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months into the future. If it is due to expire, you must renew it through your home country’s embassy or consulate.

• I-94 Arrival/Departure Record: Your I-94 should indicate your status as “F-1” and list “D/S” (Duration of Status), which means you are permitted to remain in the U.S. for the length of your academic program, including any authorized practical training, plus a 60-day grace period after completion.

Academic Requirements

To maintain lawful F-1 status, you must:

• Attend the school listed on your Form I-20.

• Maintain full-time enrollment during each academic term:

  • Undergraduate students: at least 12 credit hours

  • Graduate students: at least 9 credit hours

• Count only one online course (3 credits) per semester toward the full-time course load requirement.

• Remain in good academic standing as defined by your institution.

Reporting Changes and Keeping SEVIS Updated

You must inform your DSO within 10 days if any of the following occurs:

• Change of major, education level (e.g., from Bachelor’s to Master’s), or source of financial sponsorship

• Change of U.S. address or phone number

• Legal name change

If you need additional time to complete your program, you must request an extension of your Form I-20 before its expiration date.

Employment Rules for F-1 Students

F-1 students are not automatically authorized to work. You may only work under the following specific conditions:

On-Campus Employment

• Allowed up to 20 hours per week while school is in session

• Allowed full-time during school breaks (e.g., summer vacation)

Off-Campus Employment (requires advance authorization)

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

  • Must be directly related to your major

  • Must be approved in advance by your DSO and recorded in SEVIS

  • Requires proper endorsement on your Form I-20

• Optional Practical Training (OPT)

  • Up to 12 months of work authorization in your field of study

  • May be used during or after your academic program

  • Requires both DSO recommendation and EAD card issued by USCIS

• STEM OPT Extension

  • Additional 24 months of OPT for students in qualifying STEM programs

  • Requires EAD card and employer participation in E-Verify

• Severe Economic Hardship

  • If you are facing unexpected financial hardship (e.g., loss of funding, economic crisis in your home country), you may apply for special work authorization through USCIS

⚠️ Warning: You may not begin any off-campus employment without receiving official authorization first. Unauthorized work is a violation of your F-1 status.

International Travel Considerations

Before you travel outside the United States, make sure to:

• Verify that your SEVIS record is active

• Ensure your Form I-20 is signed for travel by your DSO (within the last 12 months)

• Carry a valid passport, F-1 visa, and EAD card (if applicable)

• Avoid traveling if your OPT application is pending

• Ensure you will not be outside the U.S. for more than 5 consecutive months

Be aware that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may inspect your electronic devices and ask questions about your status upon reentry.

F-2 Dependents

If you have dependents (spouse or children) in F-2 status:

• They must maintain their own lawful immigration status

• They cannot work under any circumstances

• They may enroll in part-time studies (with limitations)

Change of Address

You are legally required to report any changes to your U.S. residential address to your DSO and USCIS within 10 days. This helps ensure that your SEVIS record remains accurate.

Consequences of Losing F-1 Status

Failure to comply with U.S. immigration regulations or federal laws can result in the loss of your F-1 student status and the benefits that come with it, such as:

• Employment authorization (e.g., OPT, CPT)

• Eligibility for travel or change of status

• Maintenance of legal presence in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of State may revoke your F-1 visa while you are still in the U.S. However, this does not automatically mean your status has been violated or terminated. You may still remain in the country legally if your SEVIS record remains active and you continue to follow all F-1 requirements.

Your SEVIS record may be terminated by your DSO or by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If your visa is revoked or your SEVIS record is terminated, you may be subject to removal proceedings or detention. It is highly recommended that you seek advice from a licensed immigration attorney.

You should gather and retain the following documents:

• All Form I-20s ever issued to you

• Your I-94 record and travel history

• Digital copies of your passport, visa, and EAD cards (if applicable)

• A signed FERPA release and ICE Privacy Waiver (Form 60-001) so your attorney can access your records

Final Reminders

• Keep your SEVIS record active by maintaining enrollment and regular contact with your school’s international student office;

• You must depart the United States within 60 days of program completion unless you apply for OPT, transfer to another SEVIS-approved school, or change your immigration status;

• Always consult your DSO before making any academic or immigration-related changes.

New ICE Policy: Increased Risk of SEVIS Terminations

Under a new policy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expanded authority to terminate SEVIS records for a variety of reasons—including when it possesses “evidence of a failure to comply with the terms of F-1 nonimmigrant status.”

This means that even if your SEVIS record was recently reactivated, it could be terminated again under this new approach.

Additionally, ICE will now automatically terminate SEVIS records of students whose F-1 visas were revoked by the U.S. Department of State.

This policy shift raises serious concerns about the stability of students’ legal status and increases the risk of future SEVIS cancellations—often without prior notice or due process.

Conclusion

Maintaining your F-1 status is more than just staying enrolled in school—it requires a comprehensive understanding of your responsibilities and the potential consequences of noncompliance. With changing immigration policies and increased enforcement, international students must be more vigilant than ever. By keeping your documents updated, reporting changes on time, and understanding your work and travel rights, you can avoid disruptions to your education and stay legally protected in the United States.

If you have questions or need personalized support, our office is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and make sure you’re on the right track with your F-1 status.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
info@gozellaw.com | (+1) 862-799-2200