F-1 Visa & Immigration
Social:
Maintaining F-1 Status
F-1 students must meet certain obligations to maintain legal immigration status. Maintaining F-1 status is necessary to receive benefits such as employment and can be crucial to a successful application for a change or adjustment of visa status in the future. Failure to maintain your non-immigrant status can result in the termination of your F-1 status. If your F-1 status is terminated, there is no provision for a grace period to remain in the U.S., meaning you will have to leave the country as soon as possible. Due to the complexities surrounding U.S. immigration regulations, the Center for Global Engagement’s international student advisor should be consulted for additional information and assistance.
Full-Time Enrollment
All international students in F-1 or J-1 status must be enrolled full time or approved for a reduced course load through the CGE. The deadline for registration is the end of the UM-Flint drop/add period. Students must register by the deadline to avoid losing their F-1/J-1 status. In general, the minimum full-time enrollment for international students during the fall and winter terms is as follows:
| Student Type | Minimum Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students | 12 credit hours |
| Graduate students | 8 credit hours |
| Graduate students with a GSRA appointment | 6 credit hours |
At most, only one online course per fall or winter semester may count toward the full-time requirement.
Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment Requirements
In some cases, international students may receive permission from the CGE to drop below full-time enrollment. To apply for a reduced course load, please complete the request in iService. Common exceptions can include:
- Last semester of the program
- Medical needs
- Other reasons may apply — contact the CGE
Important Documents
While studying on campus, we advise carrying a copy of your passport, I-20, and I-94 with you. Keep your original documents in a safe and secure location.
I-20
Your Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is vital to ensuring your F-1 status. This document demonstrates why you are in the U.S. — to pursue your program of study, that you are financially capable of funding your study and the cost of living in the U.S., and that you agree to and understand the terms of your admission to the U.S.
Passport
Your passport should be valid for at least six months into the future. If it is due to expire, you should plan to renew it on your next trip to your home country or, if permitted by your country, make plans to renew your passport at your country’s embassy or consulate within the U.S.
Visa
Your F-1 visa permits you entry to the U.S. as an F-1 student and carries an expiration date. This expiration date is for the validity of your F-1 visa, which permits you to enter and re-enter the U.S.; the expiration date of your F-1 visa does not indicate the expiration of your F-1 status. Your F-1 status could end prior to or after your visa expiration. Canadian F-1 students do not require an F-1 visa.
I-94
To study in the U.S., you must be in a status that permits study. To prove you have entered the U.S. in F-1 status, you will need your I-94 record. This record proves your F-1 status, the date you entered the U.S., and your admission date. The admit-to-study date should state D/S for duration of status. Every time you re-enter the U.S., you should check and print your I-94 record.
Travel Signatures
When traveling during school breaks and annual vacations, you must request a travel signature. A travel signature is an endorsement from a Designated School Official (DSO) that the F-1 student is currently maintaining F-1 status and is expected to return to the U.S. to continue their F-1 program. Please complete the Travel Signature Request in iService to apply.
You will need the following information to complete a Travel Signature Request in iService:
- Travel destination
- Travel dates
- Brief information about the purpose of travel
- Passport and visa information
Students must confirm travel purposes if requesting travel during the semester.
Re-entering the U.S.
F-1 Students
To be readmitted to the U.S. as an F-1 student, you must present the following documents to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
- Your passport, which must be valid for at least six months on the day that you re-enter the U.S. If you recently renewed your passport, you may need to carry your old expired passport too, if your F-1 visa is in it.
- A valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport (except for Canadian citizens).
- Your currently valid I-20 with a recent travel signature on page 2. The signature must be less than one year old on the day you re-enter the U.S.
- You may wish to bring copies of financial documentation, your student transcript, and course registration as an additional precaution when traveling. For more information, refer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVIS travel FAQs.
J-1 Students and Scholars
To be readmitted to the U.S. as a J-1 student or scholar (exchange visitor), you must present the following documents:
- Your passport, which must be valid for at least six months on the day that you re-enter the U.S. If you recently renewed your passport, you may need to carry your expired passport as well if your J-1 visa is in it.
- A valid J-1 visa stamp in your passport (except for Canadian citizens). In most situations, the J-1 visa must be valid when you enter the U.S.
- Your currently valid DS-2019 immigration document with a recent handwritten travel validation. The signature must be no more than one year old on the day you re-enter the U.S.
- As an additional precaution when traveling, you may wish to bring copies of financial documentation and, if you are a student, your transcript.
- If you are a J-1 student in academic training, you should bring evidence of your academic training position and your academic training authorization letter.
F-2 and J-2 Dependents
To be readmitted to the U.S. as an F-2 or J-2 dependent, you must present the following documents:
- Your passport, which must be valid for at least six months on the day that you re-enter the U.S. If you recently renewed your passport, you may need to carry your old expired passport if your F-2 or J-2 visa is in it.
- A valid F-2 or J-2 visa stamp in your passport (except for Canadian citizens). In most situations, the visa must be valid on the day you enter the U.S.
- Your currently valid I-20 or DS-2019 with a recent handwritten travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 or the bottom right corner of your DS-2019. The CGE should have signed it after you arrived. The signature must be less than one year old when you re-enter the U.S.
- You may wish to bring copies of your financial documentation and the F-1 student transcript, or the J-1 scholar’s offer letter for the position, as an additional precaution when traveling.
- If the F-1 or J-1 is on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or academic training, you should carry photocopies of the documents indicating authorization for work permission. For F-1, this would include the I-20, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, and evidence of a job. For J-1, it would be the DS-2019, academic training authorization letter, and evidence of a job.
Reportable Events in SEVIS
F-1 students are required to report certain events to their DSO to maintain status within 10 days of the change. Please complete a request in iService if any of the following change:
- Change of major or declaration of your major
- Change of address or contact information
- Legal name change (must be reflected in your passport)
Extension of Academic Program
F-1 students are required to make standard academic progress. This means F-1 students should complete their program by the program end date on their I-20. However, sometimes an F-1 student will need to extend the program dates on their I-20. If you need to extend your program, please complete the program extension form in iService. You will need to present the CGE with new financial paperwork to do so.
SEVIS Transfer
A SEVIS transfer is when one SEVP-approved program transfers your SEVIS record to another SEVP-approved program. If you are planning on attending another institution after your studies, or after participating in OPT, please complete the SEVIS transfer form in iService. If you are a current UM-Flint student and wish to transfer mid-program, you must inform the Registrar’s Office that you no longer intend to study at UM-Flint, in addition to completing the iService transfer form.
Please remember:
- Once your SEVIS record is transferred, you will lose any work authorization you may currently have (OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or on campus).
- Once your SEVIS record transfers, you must contact your new program for F-1 advising.
- You are still responsible for any outstanding bills from UM-Flint.
Grace Period
F-1 students have a grace period when their F-1 status ends. During the grace period, the F-1 visa holder can begin a new program of study, transfer to another institution, seek a different visa status, or leave the U.S.
There is a 60-day grace period for students who have successfully completed their F-1 program of study or whose OPT authorization has ended. There is a 15-day grace period for F-1 students who need to withdraw from UM-Flint and have been authorized to do so. There is no grace period for F-1 students whose records have been terminated.
SEVIS Termination and Regaining F-1 Status
SEVIS termination occurs when an F-1 student no longer maintains their status. Some examples of no longer maintaining F-1 status are dropping below a full course load, not taking the required number of in-person courses, working without employment authorization, not showing up to UM-Flint, or suspension from your program. SEVIS termination is a serious matter. If the CGE knows your F-1 status is at risk, you will receive emails regarding your status — please make sure to check your student email account.
If your F-1 status is terminated, you must leave the U.S. as soon as possible, as there is no grace period. Upon termination, the CGE and UM-Flint will work with you to regain F-1 status if this is an option for you.