Office of the Vice President for Global Engagement

Maintaining F-1 Status

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Maintaining Student Status

 

1- SEVIS REGISTRATION

  • Newly arrived F-1/J-1 students must submit to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) their copies of: form I-20/DS-2019, I-94, passport pages with photo, visa stamp and print-out of your address information updated through MyASU website, www.asu.edu/myasu Update address information through MyASU

Address information:
• Local Address – current residence in Arizona
• SEVIS Address – home country residence

Do not list a PO box for your Local or SEVIS addresses. 

  • All F-1 students will be registered in SEVIS. 
  • New J-1 student participation will be validated in SEVIS to complete registration process.
  • All transfer students from another school in the USA (including AECP) must complete SEVIS registration process no later than the first week of classes. 

2-MAINTAIN A FULL COURSE OF STUDY AT ALL TIMES

  1. 12 credit hrs- undergraduate, 9 credit hrs- graduate 
  2. 6 credit hrs, if you have an assistantship (unless your department or college requires more) 
  3. Only 3 credit hrs online/distance learning classes may be applied towards full-time requirement per semester. 
  4. No classes taken during winter intersession or taken as an audit may be counted towards full time enrollment. 

Exemption to the full-course- of-study in a given semester is given for the following academic and medical reasons with International Student Office (ISSO) and/or Academic Advisor approval only:  last semester, dissertation/research or thesis hours, concurrent enrollment at a local community college, USICE recognized case of academic difficulties, serious medical problems and personal issues that prevent academic success.

The completed request for exemption to the full-course-of study must be submitted to the ISSO prior to the beginning of the semester they are not full-time.  If circumstances beyond your control prohibit you from gaining appropriate approvals prior to the semester, the ISSO will accept completed forms no later than close of business on the Friday of the first day of classes.  No exceptions.

Note:  SEVIS registration requires that international students must be enrolled full time no later than the late registration and drop/add deadline published in the ASU academic calendar.  If you plan to submit a request for an exemption to the full-course-of-study, please plan accordingly as processing times may apply.

Obtain ISO authorization prior to dropping below a full course of study 

Student must submit appropriate forms/documents to receive ISO approval for exception to the full-course-of-study requirement BEFORE the start of the semester and/or PRIOR to dropping below full-time. 

3-VALIDITY OF DOCUMENT AND DURATION OF STATUS (D/S)

  • Maintain a valid passport at all times
    - Passport renewals or replacement while in the U.S. is processed through your country’s embassy.
  • The VISA stamp in your passport, on the other hand, has the function of an entry ticket into the USA and does not need to be valid while you are in the USA. 
    - Visa renewal is done outside the U.S. only.
  • Maintain a valid SEVIS form I-20 or DS-2019 at all times
    - Pay close attention to program limit on your SEVIS form I-20 or DS-2019; ask for extension BEFORE your immigration document expires. Processing times apply, so please plan accordingly.
    - SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019 must reflect correct major and level of study.
    - Keep all copies of your SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019 indefinitely.
  • I-94 is a small white card which is usually stapled to the visa page in your passport
    - The date to which you have been authorized to remain in the U.S. is recorded on your I-94 card.
    - The I-94 cards of persons holding F and J status will usually be marked D/S or Duration of Status.  

Duration of Status (D/S)

  1. This means that you have permission to remain in the U.S. for the length of your academic program as stated on line #5 of your I-20 or line #3 of your DS-2019 form as long as you remain a full-time student in that program. 

Reasons for End of D/S

  1. Completion of degree program/ Optional Practical Training  (OPT)
  2. Failure to maintain status
  3. Approval of change of status 

Grace period of status
Immigration regulations allow for a limited grace period in which you may remain in the U.S.

  1. 60 days – completed course of study and after Optional Practical Training (OPT) for  F-1
  2. 30 days – completed course of study and after Academic Training (AT) for  J-1
  3. 15 days – terminated course of study before completion authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO)
  4. 0 day   –  terminated course of study without DSO Approval  

4- ABIDE BY EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS  

5-  J-1 DEPENDENT HEALTH AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE

  1. J-2 insurance is mandatory. (F-2 insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended) 
  2. Additional information about insurance may be obtained at this website: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/health/  

Important! 

Dependents of F-1 or J-1 students are not eligible for public assistance programs such as medical services or insurance provided to low-income U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Accepting such benefits could result in deportation and forced repayment of fees. 

6-  SPECIAL REGISTRATION

  1. Certain non-immigrants including F-1 and J-1 will be registered upon admission through a U.S. port of entry.
  2. Individuals subject to Special Registration are required to use only designated ports of departure when departing the U.S. http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm  
  3. For updated information including countries on the Special Registration list, go to http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm  

7-  UPDATE LOCAL ADDRESS INFORMATION

  1. Within 10 days after you move, you must report any change of local (current residential  address) through MyASU http://www.asu.edu/myasu  This address cannot be a PO box. 

8-  OTHER IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION REMINDERS

  1. STAY IN STATUS! Your failure to maintain your status will result in you being placed on administrative hold by the ISSO to prevent future registration at ASU and your SEVIS record will be TERMINATED for failure to maintain status. Terminated records are subject to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) review which could result in detention and deportation. 
  2. You are responsible for your own immigration matters. Know and understand the regulations that apply to you. Remember, decisions you make about your academics may impact your immigration status. 
  3. Always consult International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) if you are in doubt about immigration issues.
  4. Handle immigration matters in a timely manner. Pay attention to the expiration dates of your SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019, Passport and Visa. Most document/transaction requests take 10-14 working days. Please plan accordingly.
  5. Stay informed. International students from all campuses will receive email updates from the ISSO regarding SEVIS immigration updates and programming opportunities.
  6. At any point where you have any visa immigration related questions, need information and/or advisement, here are the suggested methods of contact for Tempe, Polytechnic, West and Downtown Phoenix campus students:

• Go to the website - http://www.asu.edu/iso
• Email -  isoeadvisor@asu.edu
• Call - 480-965-7451 
• Visit the ISSO at the Tempe Center, Suite 150

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