Maintaining F-1 Status

When arriving to the United States, both F and M students must:

• Enter the United States no more than 30 days before the program of study begins.
• Immediately contact a Designated School Official (DSO) upon entering the United States.
• When a student arrives at school, they need to contact a DSO again, no later than the program start date listed on the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Students can contact a DSO by emailing dso@ocu.university.

While studying in the United States, F-1 students must:

• Attend all classes, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. If school is too difficult, students must speak with a DSO immediately by emailing dso@ocu.university.
• Maintain a full course of study each term. If a student cannot study full time, they must contact a DSO immediately. Students may be eligible for a reduced course load in limited circumstances. Eligibility can be determined by emailing dso@ocu.university or requesting an Academic Reduced Course Load. Students who have a medical condition and a licensed doctor’s note may request a Medical Reduced Course Load.
• Students must speak to a DSO before dropping a class.
• Students must talk to a DSO about requesting a possible F-1 Program Extension if students do not think they will complete their program of study by the end date listed on the Form I-20. An extension must be requested before the program end date.

Pursuant to 8 C. F .R §214.2(f), IAU permits F-1 students to take an annual vacation after completing their academic year requirement at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school and once every year after that. An annual vacation is authorized only during the Summer term. A school break (e.g. Fall or Spring break) when school is not in session does not constitute an annual vacation. Evidence of completing the academic year requirement may be demonstrated with transcripts from a previous institution. 

During the annual vacation, the F-1 student is not required to register for a full course of study. However, F-1 students may elect to enroll in a full-or part-time course load under any mode of instruction. F-1 students must intend to enroll for the semester following annual vacation. 

F-1 students may also choose to travel outside the U.S. during their annual vacation term. F-1 students must seek approval from a P/DSO prior to traveling outside of the United States and must obtain a travel endorsement Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”  Students may leave the United States only when authorized by a DSO under three circumstances: annual vacation, emergency leave,  a leave of absence, and to reenter the US with a new Form I-20 (contact dso@ocu.university).

A P/DSO shall determine annual vacation eligibility prior to authorizing annual vacation. F-1 students must have completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment or authorized reduced course load. F-1 students shall be deemed in violation of their nonimmigrant status by taking annual vacation inconsistent with 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(iii) and its interpretation.

An annual vacation shall NOT be granted for F-1 students under the following conditions: 

1. All F-1 students must start their program on the Program Start Date listed in the Form I-20/SEVIS record. F-1 students, with a Program Start Date that falls in the Summer term, are ineligible for an annual vacation benefit in that calendar year.
2. F-1 Transfer, New Program, and COP students entering the Spring term as their initial/first semester are eligible for an initial Annual Summer vacation in the same academic year, unless they have not completed the one academic year requirement.
3. F-1 Initial, Change of Status (COS), or Reinstatement students entering the Spring or Summer term as their initial/first semester are ineligible for an Annual Summer Vacation in the same academic year. This also includes F-1 Initial students who had a previous SEVIS record and came back to the US under a brand new or different SEVIS ID number. 
4. Pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16)(i)(C), F-1 students with a pending petition for reinstatement have no annual vacation benefit. F-1 students with a pending petition for reinstatement must enroll full-time for courses during every term, including Summer. 
5. All F-1 students must comply with completing their program on the Program End Date stated on the Form I-20/SEVIS record. F-1 students, with a Program End Date that falls in the Summer term, are required to complete their program and are ineligible for an annual vacation benefit in that graduating calendar year.  
6. F-1 students shall be ineligible for Annual Summer Vacation if they are placed on Academic Probation or Financial Hold / Suspension. Eligibility shall be reinstated after no longer being on Academic Probation or Financial Hold / Suspension.
7. All F-1 students must resume a full course load of study when returning from a Leave of Absence (LOA). F-1 students, who come back from an LOA during a Summer term, are ineligible for an annual vacation benefit in that academic calendar year. Keep in mind that reactivating a SEVIS requires for an issuing DSO to truthfully declare that the F-1 student shall enroll full-time during the semester of their return.
8. Students must request travel outside of the US by submitting the Travel / Vacation Endorsement Request form.
9. A Leave of Absence request may be started by filling out the Leave of Absence Inquiry Form. The Official Leave of Absence Form explains the procedure step by step, and students will be able to discuss this with a DSO before leaving the US.

References:

Maintaining Status: Annual Vacation for F-1 Students

SEVP Policy Guidance for Adjudicators 1408-01: Academic Year

As an F-1 student studying in the United States, travel is legally possible during the time of study. If F-1 students travel internationally, for annual vacation or during a school break, make sure the appropriate steps are taken before traveling to ensure a smooth reentry into the United States.

An F-1 student may only work when authorized by a DSO in some cases, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in others. If F-1 students choose to work without authorization, students will be forced to leave the United States immediately, and may not be able to re-enter the United States at a later date. 

F-1 students are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at either the undergraduate or the graduate level during the program of study. CPT employment must be an integral part of an established curriculum and the position must directly relate to the major area of study. A DSO can give students IAU’s policy on this option.

F-1 students are also eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) following the program of study. OPT is a form of temporary employment that directly relates to the program of study. Depending on the degree, students may also be eligible for STEM Extension OPT, which may be up to two extra years of employment and training. If students are interested in STEM OPT, they may contact dso@ocu.university.

For more information about employment and training options available for F-students, visit the Working in the United States page and talk with a DSO. Students may also contact dso@ocu.university to inquire about authorized employment opportunities.

F-1 students must take action to maintain legal status or depart the United States after completing the program of study.

Once students complete the program of study and any authorized period of practical training, F-1 students have 60 days after completion of the program (the program end date on the Form I-20) to leave the United States. If students wish to extend their stay in the United States, talk with a DSO to learn more about doing one of the following:

• Transfer to another school.
• Change education level (e.g. bachelor’s to master’s).
• Apply to change status to another visa status (e.g. H-1B-temporary worker; O-extraordinary ability in science, art or business; P-athlete).

F-1 students studying in the United States should speak with a DSO by emailing dso@ocu.university if there are any questions regarding the legal requirements of the stay in the United States. A DSO can assist in answering questions or find someone who can help.

F-1 students should speak with their DSO if planning to do any of the following:

• Change major, program, or degree level.
• Change education level.
• Transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence.
• Take a break from school.
• Travel outside the United States.
• Move to a new address.
• Request a program extension.

F-1 students may contact SEVP by email at sevp@ice.dhs.gov if a DSO is unable to assist or students prefer to ask someone else. In the email, please describe the situation and include any questions. SEVP provides responses on a first-come, first-served basis. Answer times may vary depending on the current number of inquiries.