Your DSO is Your Most Important Advisor
Every international student has a Designated School Official (DSO) at their university. Think of the DSO as your primary resource for all immigration-related matters. They are the only school officials authorized to issue and update your Form I-20, which
is the certificate of eligibility for your student status. From your first day, it's vital to know who your DSO is and how to contact them. They provide guidance on maintaining status, approve certain requests, and update your information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Before you change your major, drop a class, or consider any type of employment, you must consult your DSO.
Maintain a Full Course of Study
The fundamental requirement of the F-1 visa is that you are in the US to be a full-time student. For undergraduates, this typically means enrolling in at least 12 credit hours per semester. For most graduate students, it's usually 8 or 9 credit hours. Dropping below a full course load without prior authorization from your DSO is a serious violation of your status. There are very limited exceptions for which a DSO might approve a reduced course load, such as for a documented medical reason or during the final semester of study. Additionally, be mindful of online classes; regulations limit how many online credits can count toward your full-time enrollment each semester.
Understand the Strict Rules on Employment
Unauthorized work is one of the fastest ways to lose your F-1 status. As a general rule, F-1 students cannot work off-campus during their first academic year. On-campus employment is typically permitted part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the school year. Any off-campus work must be explicitly authorized. There are two main types of authorization: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is work experience, like an internship, that is an integral part of your academic curriculum. OPT is a 12-month period of work authorization related to your field of study, which most students use after graduation. Both require approval from your DSO and, in the case of OPT, from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Keep Your Information Updated in SEVIS
The US government tracks all international students through a system called SEVIS. It is your responsibility to ensure your information in SEVIS is always current. If you move to a new apartment, you must report your new address to your DSO within 10 days. Failure to do so is a status violation. This rule applies for your entire time in F-1 status, including any period of post-completion OPT. You also need to report other changes, such as a change of major or an update to your funding sources, to your DSO so they can update your I-20 form.
Navigating Program End Dates and Grace Periods
Your I-20 form has a program completion date. If you need more time to finish your degree, you must apply for a program extension with your DSO before your I-20 expires. After you successfully complete your program, you are granted a grace period. For F-1 students, this is typically 60 days. During this time, you can prepare to depart the US, transfer to another university to begin a new degree program, or apply to change to another visa status. If you have completed post-completion OPT, you also receive a 60-day grace period after your employment authorization ends. It is critical to understand that you cannot work during this grace period, and if you leave the US during this time, you cannot re-enter on your F-1 visa.
