Remember that it is your responsibility to comply with all existing U.S. government rules and regulations as they apply to you. These regulations are continually amended and changed by the U.S. government.

To Maintain Your Status as an F1 Student You Should:

• Maintain a valid passport unless you are exempt from the passport requirement
• Attend the school you are authorized to attend
• Pursue a full course of study and make normal progress towards the completion of the program of study.  Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 credits each quadmester. Courses taken for "audit" do not generate credits/units and cannot be used in calculating full-time status.
• Notify USCIS within 10 days of any change of address by submitting a change of addres form. Also, each quadmester before the end of the schedule adjustment period, you must verify the information found in UNVA records. Go to the Registration Office at UNVA to check/update your records.
• Refrain from working off-campus unless you have specific written permission from the UNVA or USCIS Office. F-1 students may, however, work on-campus up to 20 hours total per week during the school year, and full-time on-campus during summers and vacation periods. You may work on campus as described above even if your Social Security card says that employment is not authorized. Please see an International Student Advisor if you have questions concerning on- or off-campus work permission.
• Follow procedures to extend your educational program if you will not complete your studies by the date listed in section 5 of your I-20 form. Your I-94 arrival card in your passport indicates you have been admitted to the United States as an F-1 until "D/S" or "duration of status". This means the period during which you are maintaining full-time status as described above. When you complete your program, you have a 60 day grace period during which you can:

  • travel inside the U.S. or
  • change to another non-immigrant visa status.
• You cannot work or travel outside the U.S. and re-enter during this period unless your practical training has already been approved by USCIS.
• To legally remain in the U.S. as an F-1 student, you must also have a current I-20 which corresponds to your level, field and period of study. Be aware of the information on your I-20 and keep it current!