F-1 Student Information

F-1 Student Visa


As an F-1 student, you were admitted to the U.S. for "duration of status" (D/S is found on the white I-94 card in your passport). This means you are permitted to stay in the U.S. as long as you maintain your status by fulfilling the requirements of being an F-1 student. The visa is a stamp or sticker placed in your passport by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and is granted for entry purposes only. F-1 status is granted when you enter the U.S. and is regulated by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

Even if your visa is valid, you can lose your legal F-1 student status if you do not continue to comply with immigration laws regulating your stay in the U.S. If you fail to maintain your legal student status, you will need to speak to an Immigration Advisor and discuss the process of applying to the Immigration Service for reinstatement.

Government Regulations You Must Follow in Order to Maintain Your Legal Status

  • Maintain a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from passport requirements.
  • Complete an official immigration transfer whenever you change educational institutions.
  • An immigration transfer must be completed within 15 days of the beginning of classes of your first semester at the new school.
  • Complete a full course of study during the fall and spring semesters (12 hours per semester for an undergraduate student and 9 hours per semester for a graduate student unless otherwise defined by your department).
  • Apply for an extension of your program if you cannot complete your degree by the ending date listed on item five on your I-20. You can apply for a program extension at any time.
  • Obtain a new I-20 whenever you make a change in degree levels. A new I-20 must be issued within 15 days of the beginning of classes of your first semester of your new program. This would include changing from English language studies to a university degree, from bachelor's degree to master's degree, from master's degree to a doctorate, from Optional Practical Training Program to a new degree, from one level of degree to one of the same level (master's to a second master's degree), etc.
  • Work off-campus ONLY if you have first received authorization from an Immigration Advisor or USCIS. On-campus work does not require authorization. It is limited to part-time (20 hours or less per week) during the fall and spring semesters. On-campus employment may be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer and official school breaks. When you work on-campus, you must maintain your full-time student status or your employment will become illlegal.

 

Program Extension for F-1 Students

An extension of stay is required if you will not complete your degree program by the completion date listed on your I-20.   In order to maintain valid immigration status, you must apply for an extension before the completion date stated in item 5 on your I-20.   Immigration regulations allow for extensions due to compelling academic or medical reasons (e.g. change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems or documented illnesses).

To apply for an extension of stay, please bring the following documents to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS):

  Passport
  Form I-94
  Proof of financial support
   

Proof of financial support that verifies the amount necessary for the duration of your program or one year, whichever is shorter. This may be in the form of a personal bank statement, academic appointment verification letter (must include monthly salary, tuition benefits/payments, and expected duration), or a sponsor's letter and bank statement.

  Letter from your Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Graduate Advisor, or Thesis/Dissertation Supervising Professor that includes:
   
1. A statement that you are making normal progress toward your degree; detailing any special circumstances affecting the amount of time required for the completion of your degree program.
2. Expected semester and year of completion.

*Although you will receive a new extended I-20 after this process is complete, please keep all of your previous I-20s for your permanent immigration records!   They may be useful for future visa applications, or changes in status (e.g. H-1B, Permanent Residency).

*If you currently work on campus, you will need to show the extended I-20 to your employing department or to Employee Records Services in NOA 2.200 to update your I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification).   Failure to update the I-9 can cause a delay in receiving your paycheck.

Change of Status to F-1

Students who are studying at UT on a visa other than an F-1 may be eligible to change to F-1 visa status. A change of status to F-1 can be filed to the USCIS with the assistance of the UT International Office.
It will take a approximately three months and possibly longer for USCIS to process a change of status application. Please discuss any questions you may have about this with an Immigration Advisor.

Note: USCIS Regulations require that F2 dependents must change their status to F1 before enrolling in classes in order to maintain a legal status in the US.

Please bring the following documents to the International Office:

Change of Status Application: Form I-539 & Instuctions for I-539
 
Form I-20 (provided by the International Office)
 
Evidence of financial support which covers the amount stated on the I-20 (i.e. bank statement, letter of support from department, etc.)
 
A letter written to the USCIS requesting permission and explaining the reasons to change to F-1 status. The letter to the USCIS should indicate the reason for which your change of status is requested (i.e. that the spouse or parent will soon complete his/her program and leave the U.S., that the dependent visa holder has been admitted as a full-time regular degree seeking student, and/or that eligibility to accept employment related to the field of study would be beneficial).
 
Passport and I-94 card (small white card) and any other documents verifying your current status (i.e. I-797, DS-2019, etc.)

Receipt Showing Payment of SEVIS Fee of $200 - payable online or by check directly to DHS. (See SEVIS Fee Handout for more details on payment options)

Check or money order to Department of Homeland Security for $300.00

Additional Information Needed for a Change of Status from a Dependent Status:

  • Copies of principle visa holder's documentation (i.e. passport, visa, I-94, I-20, I-797, etc.)
  • Additional documents that may be required are: marriage certificate (if dependent spouse) or birth certicate (if dependent child) and, if currently in F-2 status, transcript of F-1 student.

Download Change of Status Handout