Maintaining F-1 OR J-1 Student Status

F-1 and J-1 students must follow certain requirements in order to maintain legal status in the United States. They are outlined generally on this page.

1. Maintain full-time registration three of every four quarters.

M.Div. and Ph.D. students must register full-time in scholastic or advanced residence. Pro Forma registration is also considered full-time; Extended Residence is NOT.

College and Master's level students must register for at least three courses or 300 "units of credit."

Exceptions to this requirement are limited, and must be approved by OIA in advance and in writing.

2. Make continual progress in your program of study.

3. Maintain valid documents.

Form I-20 or DS-2019: This document must be valid at all times. If you will not finish your program of study by the date indicated in Item 5 of your I-20 or Item 3 of your DS-2019, contact OIA about an extension prior to this expiration date.

I-94 Departure Record card: Form I-94 for F-1 and J-1 students normally indicates permission to stay for "D/S" (duration of status). This means a student may stay in the U.S. for the length of time indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019 plus a grace period of 60 days for F-1 students and 30 for J-1 students.

Passport or Travel Document: You should keep your passport or travel document valid at all times. Please note that Canadian citizens do not need a passport to enter the U.S. from the Western Hemisphere.

Entry Visa: An entry visa is stamped in your passport (do not confuse it with your I-94 Departure Record card) by a U.S. consulate for the purpose of entry into this country. Your visa does not determine how long you may stay and, if it expires, must be renewed only if you leave the U.S. and want to reenter the country in the same status. Please note that Canadian citizens do not need U.S. entry visas.

4. Accept only authorized employment.

On-Campus Employment: F-1 students may work on campus part-time during classes and full-time during vacation periods without special authorization. J- 1 students must obtain the written permission of the J-1 sponsor (the organization that issued the DS-2019) for on-campus employment.

Off-campus Employment: Any employment outside of the University must be authorized in advance. For more information see F-1 Student Employment: General Information or J-1 Student Employment: General Information

5. Change your address with the USCIS within 10 days of moving.

The "U.S. Address" field and the "Permanent Foreign Address," are the two fields that will be reported to the government through your SEVIS record.

Quoted from the Office of International Student at the University of Chicago