F-1 Student Visa Regulations
The International Education Office (IE Office) serves as a resource to help you maintain your US student visa status. The IE Office is authorized to legally support and monitor all F-1 student visas.
Information about obtaining an F-1 student visa
Print F-1 Student Visa Regulations
F-1 Responsibilities
- Please remember that F-1 student visa holders are required to abide by the following US regulations:
- Report to the IE Office upon initial arrival to the University.
- Keep the IE Office informed of any changes to your name, address, academic major or predicted graduation date (as listed on your I-20 immigration document).
- Pursue a full course of study (students enrolled in traditional undergraduate and associate academic programs must register for 12 credits each semester, non-traditional cohort-based programs require students to be continuously registered with no more than a 30 day break per year).
- Refrain from any off-campus employment without prior authorization by the IE office.
- Limit on campus employment to 20 hours per week while classes are in session.
- Maintain a valid passport and always have immigration I-20 and I-94 immigration documents obtainable.
- Obtain a required IE Office signature on your I-20 immigration document to re-enter the USA
F-1 Work Regulations
While enrolled, F-1 visa students are eligible to work on the University campus without special permission. Students with an on campus job offer must visit the IE Office to obtain the correct documentation to receive a Social Security work card.
After being in F-1 status for one year, students may be eligible to participate in an internship relating to an academic program. Additionally, F-1 regulations allow students to apply for one year of paid work experience in their field of study. You can take advantage of these practical work experiences on a part-time basis during the school year or on a full-time basis after graduation or during academic breaks.
F-1 Visa Regulations Regarding Travel
Students holding valid F-1 visas can easily travel in and out of the US as long as they have a valid passport and an I-20 immigration document recently signed by a designated IE Office official. To ensure your documentation is up to date for US border re-entry, F-1 visa holders must also pay attention to the I-20 completion date (item 5) and the stamped expiration date on the passport US visa stamp.
International students traveling to a third country destination (not the United States or their home nation), must remember to check the country’s visa entry requirements (for example: Canada, Mexico).