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Maintaining Your F-1 Status

Obtaining and maintaining your F-1 status is very important to ensure that you can study legally in the United States. There are many responsibilities as an F-1 student, and the International Student Program is here to help ensure that you maintain your status so you can have a pleasant academic, social, and possibly professional experience while at Mt. SAC. This page contains information and tips for how to maintain your status while studying at Mt. SAC and in the United States. For any questions or inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the International Student Program.

The full F-1 student regulations can be found at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVP's Governing Regulations for Students and Schools website. Also, information can be found at the Study in the States student page.

    • Updating Your Personal Information

      F-1 students are required to report any updates to their personal information to a Designated School Official (DSO) within 10 days of the change. Personal information includes the following:

      • Legal name (must provide your new passport). If applicable, any name change for your dependent(s).
      • U.S. address
      • Home country address
      • Phone number

      To report a change in your personal information, complete and submit the F-1 Student Update Form to the International Admissions Desk (Building 9B, First Floor).

    • Maintaining a Full Course of Study

      F-1 students are required to maintain a full-course of study at all times. Generally, this means 12.00 units during the Fall and Spring semesters. New students for Summer Intersessions are required to complete at least 4.00 units to maintain a full-course of study. Enrollment in less than full-time status requires prior approval from a DSO (more information can be found in the Reduced Course Load section). Additionally, enrollment in online courses is limited to 3.00 units from one class that can be counted towards your full course of study (more information can be found in the Online Courses and Units Restrictions section). 
      Term Continuing Students Minimum Unit Requirement New Students Minimum Unit Requirement
      Fall 12.00 12.00
      Winter Authorized vacation period. Enrollment optional. No winter intake.
      Spring 12.00 12.00
      Summer Authorized vacation period. Enrollment optional. 4.00
    • Online Courses and Units Restrictions

      F-1 students are allowed to take an online units, but there are limitations according to the F-1 student regulations. Before enrolling in any online course(s), be sure to consult with a DSO or academic counselor. Enrolling in too many online classes or units is a violation of your F-1 status and will require reinstatement of status. Below are a few scenarios to demonstrate how many online classes and units you are allowed to have.

      The common rule or "rule of thumb" for online classes is to make sure you have at least 9.00 units that are in-person or hybrid. While this does not work 100% of the time, this generally works if you have one or more online classes that are each 3.00 units or more.

      Good Example 1: 9.00 Units In-Person/ 1 Class, 3.00 Units Online

       

      Good Example 2: 9.00 Units In-Person/1 Class, 5.00 Units Online

       

      Good Example 3: 9.00 Units In-Person/2 Classes, 6.00 Units Online

      Bad Example 1: 8.00 Units In-Person/1 Class, 5.00 Units Online

       

      Bad Example 2: 9.00 Units In-Person/2 Classes, 3.00 Units Online

       

    • Reduced Course Load (RCL)

      Under limited circumstances, F-1 students may be authorized for a reduced course load (RCL). A reduced course load means completing fewer than the required 12.00 units during the Fall and Spring semesters or 4.00 units during the Summer Intersession if it is the first term. Students must be authorized for an RCL before dropping below full-time status. First, students must meet with an academic counselor to be recommended for an RCL. Then a DSO will determine their eligibility for an RCL before it is approved or denied. RCL types include academic difficulties, medical conditions, and completion of course of study (also known as "final semester").

      RCL - Academic Difficulties

      A DSO may authorize an RCL for limited academic difficulties or hardship. However, students must be enrolled full-time before being authorized to drop below full-time status for academic difficulties. Students may only receive one RCL authorization for academic difficulties for each level of study (i.e., Associate, Bachelor, Master). The minimum number of units allowed for an RCL for academic difficulties is 6.00 units. An RCL for academic difficulties may be authorized by a DSO for one of the following reasons:

      • Improper Course Level Placement
      • Initial Difficulty with the Reading Requirements
      • Initial Difficulty with the English Language
      • Unfamiliarity with U.S. Teaching Methods

      In the following semester, students will be required to resume a full course load with 12.00 or more units. However, an RCL authorization for academic difficulties does not affect students' eligibility for medical and final semester RCLs. 

      To request an academic RCL, first see an academic counselor before you drop your class. If eligible, a counselor will recommend your RCL for final approval by a DSO.

      RCL - Medical Conditions

      A DSO may authorize an RCL for medical reasons under specific circumstances. Students may receive a medical RCL for a cumulative 12 months during their studies at each level of education. For medical RCL consideration, students must provide medical documentation from an authorized medical professional stating the students' medical condition will severely impact their ability to attend classes and study. The following medical professionals may provide medical documentation for a medical RCL:

      • Licensed Medical Doctor
      • Doctor of Osteopathy
      • Licensed Clinical Psychologist

      The minimum number of units for a medical RCL is 0.00 units.

      RCL - Completion of Course of Study (Final Semester)

      Finally, a DSO may authorize a final semester RCL if an academic counselor verifies that the student needs fewer than 12.00 units to complete their academic program. This means the student will fulfill their graduation and/or transfer requirements by completing fewer than 12.00 units. The minimum units for a final semester RCL is 1.00. A final semester RCL may only be issued once and students may not continue their studies at Mt. SAC. Otherwise, the student must file for reinstatement to continue their studies.

       

    • Your I-20: Travel, Replacements, Extensions, and Withdrawal

      Maintaining your I-20 is very important. Your I-20 is needed for many reasons, including entering the United States, applying for work authorization, transferring to another college, and more. It is very important to keep your I-20 in a safe place, and make sure you have timely travel signatures that it will not expire soon! Below is more information on maintaining your I-20.

      Travel: I-20 Signature

      Students are required to have a valid travel signature on their I-20 when entering the U.S. Travel signatures are issued by at Mt. SAC Designated School Official (DSO), and are valid for 12 months. Every semester, check your I-20 to ensure that it will be valid when reentering the U.S. If you are unsure, bring your I-20 to the International Admissions Desk in Building 9B - First Floor so that a DSO can help verify your signature. If your signature is expired, a DSO will provide you a new travel signature. Entering the U.S. without a valid I-20 signature may result in you being denied entry or having to go through a special process to gain valid entry into the U.S.

      Post-Completion OPT Students Only: Students on Post-Completion OPT must have a valid signature every 6 months rather than 12.

      Replacement I-20

      Things happen! We understand students may, at times, lose their I-20 or it may get damaged. No problem. If your I-20 is ever lost or damaged, report to the International Admissions Desk in Building 9B - First Floor to request a new I-20. Thereafter, a DSO will reprint a new I-20 for you that will include a new travel signature.

      Additionally, I-20s can be replaced if there is a change or mistake in your personal information, such as your name or date of birth. If there is a mistake, simply notify a DSO and show proof of the mistake, such as a passport if your name is spelled incorrectly. However, your I-20 must reflect your official passport name and cannot be changed to accommodate your preferred name. 

      I-20/Program Extensions

      Some students may need more time to complete their academic program for various reasons, including a change in major, needing to repeat a course, needing more developmental courses, or medical reasons. Check the expiration date on your I-20 every semester to make sure it will not expire before you finish your program. If you need an extension, see an academic counselor as soon as possible to request an I-20 extension. If approved, a DSO will issue you an updated I-20 with your new program end date. 

      Caution: Once your I-20 expires, it cannot be extended. Therefore, failing to get an I-20 extension before it expires will require you to file for reinstatement to continue your studies or leave the U.S. within 60 days of your I-20 expiration date.

      Withdrawal

      Sometimes, students need to discontinue their studies temporarily or permanently before they complete their program. Should this happen, it is always recommended that you do not leave the U.S. without formally withdrawing from your studies with a DSO. If appropriate, a DSO will grant you an "Early Authorized Withdrawal." Leaving the U.S. without getting an Early Authorized Withdrawal may result in you having issues or delays returning to the U.S. even when using a different visa type.

    • Your Passport and Visa

      You will still need to maintain your passport and visa because either or both can expire during your studies in the U.S. However, do not be alarmed because maintaining your passport and visa is easy provided that you are aware of when your passport and visa will expire.

      Maintaining Your Passport

      You passport needs to remain valid at all times during your presence in the U.S. When traveling into the U.S., your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date into the U.S. Periodically check your passport to ensure it will not expire within 6 months. It is recommended to get an updated passport if it will expire in a year just to be safe. There are two ways to renew your passport. If your passport will expire while in the U.S., do not worry. You can have your passport updated, or replaced if lost, in the U.S. with few exceptions!

      1. Update your passport when traveling to home country. If you have plans to return to your home country during your summer or winter break, that will be a good time to update your passport. Be sure to follow the timelines and protocols for your home country to ensure you receive it before you need to report back to the U.S. for class.
      2. Update your passport in the U.S. with your home country embassy or consulate. Most countries allow people to update their passport in the U.S. If your country has an embassy or consulate in the U.S., contact them to determine if and how you can update your passport if you do not have plans to return to your home country before your passport expires. You can do a simple internet search for your country's embassy website to get information, instructions, and contact information to update your passport.

      Caution: If you update your passport during your studies, remember your F-1 visa stamp will still be in your old passport! Therefore, you will need to travel with your new and old passport so that you can present your valid F-1 visa stamp at the airport or border when returning to the U.S.

      Maintaining Your F-1 Visa

      Your F-1 visa stamp has an expiration date. So be sure to be aware of when your visa expires. However, you can still be in the U.S. legally with an expired F-1 visa stamp! So there is no need to panic if your visa expires during your studies. Your F-1 status will remain valid as long as your I-20 is still valid. However, you will be required to get a new F-1 visa stamp the next time you leave the U.S. if it is expired or lost. Unlike passports, the F-1 visa stamp cannot be updated or replaced in the U.S.

      For students who changed their status to F-1 in the U.S.: If you were granted a change of status to F-1 while in the U.S., you will need to apply for an F-1 visa the next time you leave the U.S. The change of status grants you the F-1 status; however, the change of status does not grant you the F-1 visa for reentry into the U.S.

    • Failing to Maintain Status and Reinstatement

      There are many ways F-1 students can violate the terms of their F-1 status. When F-1 students violate their status, they must immediately file for reinstatement or make plans to immediately depart the U.S. Students may regain their status through the reinstatement process. However, violators for unauthorized employment are not eligible for reinstatement and are likely subject to a temporary or permanent ban from the U.S.

      Failing to Maintain Status

      There are many ways students can violate their F-1 status. Once a student is out of status, they are not legally present in the U.S. and must reinstate their status (if possible) or leave the U.S. immediately. Some reasons are more severe than others, but students should ensure that they never violate their status because reinstatement is not guaranteed. Here are the notable ways students can violate their F-1 status:

      • Expulsion or suspension from school
      • Failure to enroll (never enrolling in a term in which you were required)
      • No show/Transfer student no show (never initially report to school)
      • Unauthorized drop below full course (failing to complete full-time units)
      • Unauthorized employment (students not eligible for reinstatement for this violation)
      • Unauthorized withdrawal (discontinuing studies without first reporting to a DSO)
      • Otherwise failing to maintain status - Online classes or units violation

      Reinstatement

      Should a status violation occur, it may be possible to reinstate your status. However, certain or repeated violations may make you ineligible for reinstatement in the U.S. or at Mt. SAC. Nevertheless, there are two ways in which students can reinstate their status after a violation.

      Filing for Reinstatement

      Filing for reinstatement means submitting an application with supporting documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is an option for students who do not have travel plans for the next 3-6 months as most cases are decided within this time frame. However, you can check the most current processing times at the USCIS Processing Times website. A DSO can assist with filing for reinstatement.

      Traveling for Reinstatement

      The other option is traveling for reinstatement. This option is for students who have plans to leave the U.S. after their status violation. Students will be issued a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number. Additionally, due to being issued a new SEVIS ID number, students traveling for reinstatement will have to repay the I-901 fee to activate the new I-20. Upon reentering the U.S., the student, if admitted, will be processed under a new I-20. Once enrolled and registered for the next term, the student will be completely reinstated on a new I-20.