International Student Program Current Students Immigration: F-1 Status

Immigration: Maintaining F-1 Status
Foothill College is proud of its international student community. We want to do all we can to ensure your success as Foothill students. It is your responsibility to know and follow the legal requirements that keep you "in status."

What is F-1 Status?
Your "status" is the immigration category in which you entered the U.S. This status is noted at the U.S. Port of Entry on the Form I-94. Most international students are in F-1 status. If you fail to stay in status, you could jeopardize your ability to complete your academic goals in the U.S. and risk having to leave the country.

SEVIS Responsibilities to Maintain Valid F-1 Status
SEVIS, the "Student and Exchange Visitor Information System," imposes a number of regulations for international students in F-1 status. SEVIS requires students to report to the International Student Office any changes and updates in personal and academic events. In addition, you must also ask permission BEFORE taking action on certain events.

All international students in F-1 status must:

Carry and complete a full course load at Foothill during the fall, winter and spring quarters. Full time is at least 12 units.
Obtain authorization in advance in writing from an international student advisor if you plan to drop below 12 units.
Apply for an extension of program if you cannot complete your degree by the completion date in section 5 of your I-20. Apply for the extension 4-5 months before the I-20 expires. [Current Students>Immigration>Extension of Stay].
Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
Not work off-campus unless you have specific authorization in writing from an international student advisor or USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).
Before traveling outside the U.S., have your I-20 signed for re-entry by an international student advisor and check to see if the date of your F-1 visa is valid for re-entry.
Keep your passport valid for 6 months into the future.
Enroll in no more than one online class in your first twelve units during each term.
If you plan to transfer to another school, submit a letter of acceptance issued by the new school and request the ISO at Foothill to "release" you to the new school.
Report early departure date and reason if you leave Foothill before the completion date in item 5 of your current I-20

You must report the following changes to ISO within 10 days:

Current U.S. address, email address or phone number
Your legal name
Academic major

You must see an advisor to request permission before any of the following:

Termination of studies at Foothill College (if you are withdrawing, taking a leave of absence or stopping your studies for any reason)
Dropping below full-time study — below 12 units of classes (for any reason)
Not registering full-time (for any reason)
Not registering for any specific quarter
Early completion of program (if you complete your program of study earlier than the completion date in section 5 of your I-20)

Duration of Status (Length of Stay)
How long may you stay in the U.S.? You may legally remain in the U.S. as long as you are maintaining your F-1 status and are engaged in a full course of academic study (plus any authorized periods of practical training).

When you have completed your studies, you must take one of the following actions within 60 days after completing your program requirements:

Apply for post completion optional practical training – OPT (note that you must file your OPT application with the USCIS before the official completion date of your program)
Change to another immigration status
Enroll in another program of study
Transfer to another University
Return to your home country

Overstay: Please note that your lawful F-1 status expires 60 days after you complete your program requirements. If you remain in the United States beyond your authorized stay and fail to take any actions described above, it may be considered a serious violation. Contact the international student advisor [Current Students>Immigration>Ask an Advisor] for further information.

Violation of Status
If you do not follow the rules described above, you will "fall out" of valid F-1 status. If you fall out of status for some reason (for example, taking fewer than 12 units in one quarter), please meet with your international student advisor immediately. Simply registering full-time in the next quarter or stopping your unauthorized work does not put you back in status. There are steps you can take to recover your status, but the sooner you begin, the better your chances for approval. Recovering your status after having fallen out of status is not guaranteed.

Falling out of status has very serious consequences. You could be prevented from re-entering the U.S. depending on your status violation. You should meet with an international student advisor as soon as possible to discuss your options.