International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Maintaining F-1 and J-1 Status

As a student, you must be familiar with requirements related to your immigration status.  As a reminder, as a non-immigrant student you must comply fully with the Student Statement of Responsibility in order to remain in legal status. Following the guidelines below will help you avoid unnecessary problems.

Basic Guidelines

• Keep your passport valid for at least six months in the future.
• Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 valid at all times and apply for an extension of stay (if needed) 30 days before your I-20 or DS-2019 end date.
• When traveling outside the U.S., submit a Travel Signature Request on your I-20 or DS-2019 for re-entry to the U.S. from your SIUE immigration advisor before departing from the U.S. Review the required documents for traveling internationally on our Travel website.
• Request and obtain employment permission:
  • On-campus employment (only for F-1 students and degree-seeking J-1 students):
    • Limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year
    • May work up to 28 hours per week during semester breaks and summer vacation periods
    • F-1 students: no special work permit is required
    • J-1 students: work permission must be granted by your SIUE immigration advisor

I-20 Program Changes

Undergraduate students with an F-1 visa who want to make changes to their program major must meet with a academic advisor first to discuss and request a change of major. After the major change is completed by your academic adivsor, you will automatically receive an updated I-20 which is effective at the beginning of the next semester. Program change I-20's will be sent to students in July for fall and December for spring.

Sometimes the program name/major listed on the I-20 does not match the name of the academic program to which you have been admitted or your declared major. The reason for this difference is due to the US government's system for tracking fields of study in the U.S. called the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP).

SEVIS Termination Reasons

Failing to report arrival in the U.S.

• Your immigration advisor (DSO) is required to verify that new or transfer students entered the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status. Failure to check-in with the Office of International Affairs after you enter the U.S. for the first time and provide us with a copy of your immigration documents may result in SEVIS termination. 

Failure to enroll in classes

• F-1 student status requires full-time enrollment.
• Enrolling in too many online courses is also a status violation.

Unauthorized drop/resign below full course load without first receiving ISSS approval

• Undergraduate students: 12 credit hours (4 courses)
• Graduate students: 9 credit hours (3 courses)
• Graduate students with a graduate assistantship (GA, RA, TA): 6 credit hours (2 courses)

Reduced Course Loads are possible in limited situations.

Unauthorized withdraw from all courses

• It is important to discuss your situation with an ISSS immigration advisor before filing paperwork to withdraw from courses. Filing for an Academic Withdrawal even after the semester ended will result in a status violation.

Failing to report/update local U.S. mailing/billing address

• Enrolled students must report/update their l local U.S. mailing/billing address in Cougarnet
• Addresses must be updated within 10 days of a change.

Expulsion (dismissal) or suspension

• Failing to depart the U.S. or complete a SEVIS transfer (if eligible) after the university withdraws/suspends a student for misconduct or other violation is a status violation.

Failure to extend an I-20 before the Program End Date

• Maintaining a valid I-20 is a part of maintaining F-1 status. If additional time is needed to complete degree requirements, an I-20 extension must be submitted and approved by your immigration advisor before the program end date on your current I-20.

Unauthorized employment

• Work authorization is required for any off-campus employment.

Visa Renewal Information

• Your visa can expire while you are in the U.S. but to travel internationally and re-enter you must have an unexpired visa. For visa renewal information see the Department of State.
• It is not possible to apply for or renew non-immigrant visas inside the U.S. You must apply for a visa in a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S. You may check the estimated visa processing time on the web site of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for your visa. Wait times may vary considerably among consular posts, and processing times indicated may not be accurate.
• You must complete the DS-160 online visa application again to initiate the visa renewal process. The U.S. Department of State has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may be helpful in completing the DS-160, including help for technical issues. Please also review the information on an Embassy’s website to prepare for required documents (e.g. Research plans for researchers).
• Many U.S. Embassies and Consulates are waiving the interview requirement for a visa renewal if you meet certain criteria. After completing the DS-160, you will be instructed to either make an appointment for an interview, or submit your documents to the Embassy under the interview waiver. Even if you are waived from the interview requirement, you must be present in the same country as the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to submit your visa application. You cannot mail your application from the U.S.
• You do not have to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee again if you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder and have already paid the SEVIS fee before, for the same SEVIS ID number.
• Depending on your field of study and your country of citizenship, you could be put through a security check, called administrative processing, which could delay your return to the University. Administrative processing can still occur regardless of whether you have cleared administrative processing on a previous visa application. Please keep that in mind when planning a trip.
• While you can apply for a visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate, it is always best to apply in your home country.
• Please keep in mind that you must be able to prove your eligibility for a non-immigrant visa by presenting credible financial information along with the rest of your required documents indicated on the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate. You should also be prepared to answer questions regarding the length of your intended stay in the U.S. and how you will use your academic experience gained in the U.S. when you return to your home country. Consular officials expect to see evidence of your ties to your home country, such as family, property, employment, or bank accounts. If the consular official determines that you are not eligible for a non-immigrant visa because you have not presented sufficient evidence that you intend to return home, there is usually no recourse to the visa denial. You would have to submit a new visa application, during which time you are able to present new information that proves strong ties to your home country. You may also be asked to present evidence that you have maintained legal immigration status if you have worked, studied, or resided in the U.S. previously.