F-1: Maintaining Legal Status

In order to maintain legal status as an F-1 student you must:

• Maintain an valid passport and unexpired Form I-20

• Register as a full-time student every Fall/Spring semester:

  • Undergraduate = minimum 12 credit hours

  • Graduate with no assistantship = minimum 8 credit hours

  • Graduate w/assistantship (TA/RA) = minimum 6 credit hours

  • Maximum of 3 on-line credits may apply to full-time status

•  Notify ISS of name and program changes. 

• Contact ISS if graduation expected after I-20 expiration.

• Keep passport (& dependents' passports) valid. 
  Contact your embassy 6 months prior to the expiration date. 

• Store immigration documents in a safe place:

 I-94 Card,

Current I-20 

All previous I-20's.                          

NOTE: These documents are proof of your F-1 status.