Maintaining F-1 Status

It is extremely important for a non-immigrant to maintain his or her status while in the U.S. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of F-1 status is a ground for removal from the U.S. (deportation). To maintain status, a student must:

• Report to the DSO upon arrival to have his or her SEVIS record registered; and each semester thereafter
• Attend the school that is stated on the I-20
• Pursue a “full course of study” at the school listed on the current valid I-20 during the academic year except during official school breaks or unless approved by your DSO
• Make normal progress towards completing the course of study, by completing studies before the expiration of the program completion date on the I-20
• Abide by the F-1 grace period rules
• Report changes of address to the DSO within 10 days of the change. F-1 student must notify the Global Education Office and DHS of their address by filing Form AR-11
• NOT work, either on or off-campus, unless specifically authorized