Maintaining Your Status
Maintain full-time enrollment each semester
U.S. federal regulations require international students to pursue a full course of study during the Fall and Spring semesters (12 credits for undergraduates, 9 credits for graduates). There are limited exceptions to the rule that require prior authorization from an international student advisor. If you need to drop below full-time, meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss your options. Failure to do so may result in a violation of your F-1 status.
As an international student you may only count 1 online course (up to 3 credits) toward the full-time enrollment requirement. If you have any questions about this please contact your International Student Advisor.
During the very last semester of study, international students can enroll less than full time to complete whatever credits are required to graduate, however, at least one course must be on campus or hybrid.
Obtain permission to be less than full-time BEFORE you drop, withdraw from, or stop attending a class
If you do not believe you will be able to fulfill the full-time requirement for any reason, contact the ISSSO BEFORE you withdraw from or stop attending class. There are limited exceptions to this requirement for which you might qualify if you obtain permission from the ISSSO in advance.
Keep your passport valid at all times
You must have a valid passport. If your passport will expire, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the United States for information on renewing it.
Report address changes to the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO) within 10 days of moving
U.S. federal regulations require all F-1 students to report a change of address directly to the ISSSO within 10 days of change. The ISSSO is required to provide this and other student data to the federal government electronically. To update your address login to UIS, then click on "Personal Information" tab, then "View/Update Permanent Address And Phone. Your local US address is your "Permanent Address." Be sure to include your cell phone number.
Make sure all information on your I-20 or DS-2019 is correct
Students are required to notify the ISSSO as soon as possible if there are any changes to the information on the I-20. Changes may include name, citizenship, degree level, major, source of funding and your program completion date.
Notify ISSSO if there is a change in the “completion date” on your I-20
If you plan to complete your program before the date listed, you must notify the ISSSO of this change as it affects your legal stay in the U.S. If you cannot complete your program by the date listed, you will need to apply for an extension of your F-1 status BEFORE the completion date listed on the I-20. DO NOT LET YOUR I-20 EXPIRE!!
Do not accept unauthorized employment
F-1 students in good academic standing may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and full-time during official school breaks. These 20 hours include the work you do for an assistantship if you have one. You cannot work off-campus without PRIOR authorization from the ISSSO and the U.S. federal government.
Obtain a travel signature BEFORE traveling outside the United States
Students will need to request a travel signature prior to traveling outside the United States. A new form may need to be issued to you. If you will be traveling AND applying for a new visa, you will also want to request a letter from the ISSSO verifying that you are a full-time student. Your travel signature must be no more than 12 months old upon entering the U.S. **After you complete the travel signature request below, email iss@stjohns.edu.**
Obtain a SEVIS transfer to attend another school
If you plan to transfer to another U.S. school, college or university, you must notify the ISSSO and be “transferred out” in SEVIS before your status ends.
Depart the U.S. within 60 days of your program completion date or Optional Practical Training (OPT) end date
If you have completed your program of study, you must depart the U.S. within 60 days if you are in F-1 status. Likewise, if you have completed your post-completion OPT and have no further plans to study or change your immigration status, you must depart the U.S. within 60 days of your Employment Authorization Document’s (EAD’s) end date.
File a federal income tax form for every year you are in the U.S., even if you did not receive any income
U.S. federal regulations require international students to pursue a full course of study during the Fall and Spring semesters (12 credits for undergraduates, 9 credits for graduates). There are limited exceptions to the rule that require prior authorization from an international student advisor. If you need to drop below full-time, meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss your options. Failure to do so may result in a violation of your F-1 status.
As an international student you may only count 1 online course (up to 3 credits) toward the full-time enrollment requirement. If you have any questions about this please contact your International Student Advisor.
During the very last semester of study, international students can enroll less than full time to complete whatever credits are required to graduate, however, at least one course must be on campus or hybrid.
Obtain permission to be less than full-time BEFORE you drop, withdraw from, or stop attending a class
If you do not believe you will be able to fulfill the full-time requirement for any reason, contact the ISSSO BEFORE you withdraw from or stop attending class. There are limited exceptions to this requirement for which you might qualify if you obtain permission from the ISSSO in advance.
Keep your passport valid at all times
You must have a valid passport. If your passport will expire, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the United States for information on renewing it.
Report address changes to the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO) within 10 days of moving
U.S. federal regulations require all F-1 students to report a change of address directly to the ISSSO within 10 days of change. The ISSSO is required to provide this and other student data to the federal government electronically. To update your address login to UIS, then click on "Personal Information" tab, then "View/Update Permanent Address And Phone. Your local US address is your "Permanent Address." Be sure to include your cell phone number.
Make sure all information on your I-20 or DS-2019 is correct
Students are required to notify the ISSSO as soon as possible if there are any changes to the information on the I-20. Changes may include name, citizenship, degree level, major, source of funding and your program completion date.
Notify ISSSO if there is a change in the “completion date” on your I-20
If you plan to complete your program before the date listed, you must notify the ISSSO of this change as it affects your legal stay in the U.S. If you cannot complete your program by the date listed, you will need to apply for an extension of your F-1 status BEFORE the completion date listed on the I-20. DO NOT LET YOUR I-20 EXPIRE!!
Do not accept unauthorized employment
F-1 students in good academic standing may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and full-time during official school breaks. These 20 hours include the work you do for an assistantship if you have one. You cannot work off-campus without PRIOR authorization from the ISSSO and the U.S. federal government.
Obtain a travel signature BEFORE traveling outside the United States
Students will need to request a travel signature prior to traveling outside the United States. A new form may need to be issued to you. If you will be traveling AND applying for a new visa, you will also want to request a letter from the ISSSO verifying that you are a full-time student. Your travel signature must be no more than 12 months old upon entering the U.S. **After you complete the travel signature request below, email iss@stjohns.edu.**
Obtain a SEVIS transfer to attend another school
If you plan to transfer to another U.S. school, college or university, you must notify the ISSSO and be “transferred out” in SEVIS before your status ends.
Depart the U.S. within 60 days of your program completion date or Optional Practical Training (OPT) end date
If you have completed your program of study, you must depart the U.S. within 60 days if you are in F-1 status. Likewise, if you have completed your post-completion OPT and have no further plans to study or change your immigration status, you must depart the U.S. within 60 days of your Employment Authorization Document’s (EAD’s) end date.
File a federal income tax form for every year you are in the U.S., even if you did not receive any income