Length of Study for Students in F-l Status

Duration of Status

Students on an F-1 visa are admitted to the United States for a specific period of time. The official name is "duration of status." As long as you are following requirements to keep your status in force, you can legally remain in the U.S.

Duration of status includes:

The time during which you are pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward completing that course, (see catalog for details) plus

The time you may be working in authorized "practical training" after you complete studies (if you qualify and are so authorized).

When you arrive in the U.S., either at the airport or another Port of Entry, border agents grant duration of status to F-l students by entering your date of arrival in the U.S. and the notation "D/S" in the upper right corners of two documents that you will have in your possession. The first you have received from us and the second you will be given by the airlines before you land in the U.S. or by border agents if you enter through Canada or Mexico:

1. Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-l) Student Status (Form I-20)

2. Arrival and Departure Record (Form I-94)

 Last Updated On: 11/15/05