Maintaining Visa Status

While studying in the United States, you must follow specific rules to maintain your F or J student status. 

Maintaining your status is important because when the U.S. Department of State issued you an F or J student visa, it meant that you were coming to the United States for the sole purpose of completing a program of study, if you do not follow the regulations, you risk losing your status. 

• Attend all your classes and maintain normal academic progress. If school is too difficult, speak with your DSO immediately.
• Maintain a full course of study each term 

Undergraduate - 12 credit hours 

On-line courses: Only one course may be online that counts towards your full course of study - 9 credit hours in person (3 courses) 

Graduate -   9 credit hours 

Online courses 

Only one course may be online that count towards your full course of study 

6 credit hours in person 3 credit hours online  

 If you cannot study full time, contact your DSO immediately. You may be eligible for a reduced course load in limited circumstances. 

• Speak to your DSO before dropping a class.
• Talk to your DSO about requesting a possible program extension if you do not think you will complete your program of study by the end date listed on your Form I-20. An extension must be requested before your program end date. 

Upon Program Completion 

F must take action to maintain legal status or depart the United States after completing your program of study. 

Once you complete your program of study and any authorized period of practical training, F students have 60 days after completion of your program (the program end date on your Form I-20) to leave the United States. If you wish to extend your stay in the United States, talk with your DSO to learn more about doing one of the following: 

• Transfer to another school.
• Change your education level (e.g. bachelor’s to master’s).
• Apply to change status to another visa status (e.g. H-1B-temporary worker)
• Apply for OPT