Maintaining F-1 Status

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It is extremely important for an F-1 student to maintain his or her status while in the U.S. Below is a summary of what you should and should not do.

Attend the school that issued your I-20 form.
Become familiar with F-1 immigration regulations.
Register for 12 credits (full time) each term.
Attend all classes you are registered for.
Get an approval from International Student Advisor before dropping below 12 credits.
Report address changes to the Office of International Education within 10 days.
Limit on-campus employment to maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session.
Keep your immigration documents in a safe place.
Make photocopies of your immigration documents and carry them with you instead of the originals.
Check the expiration date on your passport and make sure it is valid at least 6 months into the future.
Check the program end date on your I-20 form (Item 5). You should complete your studies by that date.
Apply for OPT before the end of your last term at PCC.
Get a travel signature on your I-20 form before you travel outside of the US.

Don’t work off campus without work authorization.
Don’t work on-campus for more than 20 hours a week while school is in session.
Don’t stop attending classes under any circumstances. Contact your instructor or an International Student Advisor if you are having problems.
Don’t drop or withdraw from classes without an approval from an International Student Advisor.
Don’t let your passport expire.
Don’t let your I-20 form expire. Contact an International Student Advisor for information about extending the program end date on your I-20.
Don’t travel outside of the US without a travel signature from an International Student Advisor.
Don’t get immigration advice from your friends. While your immigration situation may appear to you as being the same as your friends, it may not be.