F-1 Visa - Maintenance of Status
Summary of Requirements
Once admitted to the United States in F-1 status, an international student must meet certain obligations in order to maintain status. All international students must comply with reporting requirements of the Student and Exchange visitor Information System (SEVIS) throughout the period of study. Click here for an explanation of the SEVIS fee.
In addition, the student must:
- have a passport that is kept valid at all times, unless exempt from the passport requirement;
- attend the school he or she was authorized to attend;
- continue to carry a full course of study;
- follow certain procedures to extend period of study if necessary for completion of degree program
- follow certain procedures to continue from one educational level to another (for example from the bachelor's to the master's level) at the same school;
- follow certain procedures to transfer out of UMass Dartmouth to another school;
- limit on-campus employment to a total of 20 hours per week while school is in session;
- refrain from off-campus employment without authorization;
The student is admitted to the United States for "duration of status," defined in the regulations as the period during which the student "is pursuing a full course of study at an educational institution approved by the Department of Homeland Security for attendance by foreign students, or engaging in authorized practical training following completion of studies, plus 60 days to prepare for departure from the United States. The student is considered to be maintaining status if he or she is making normal progress toward completing a [full] course of study."
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Last Updated On: 3/18/08
