Maintaining Status
You have completed your new student orientation and provided us with the required documentation, now what? Learn about the obligations you have as an F-1 student to maintain your visa status.
NEW! Student Planning Guide: Understanding the DHS Final Rule (Note: the implementation of the Final Rule to eliminate Duration of Status (D/S)
has been postponed)
Review the Student Planning Guide
What do I need to do when I:
You are required by federal law to report any change of address within 10 days - this includes changes to your U.S. physical address, your U.S. mailing address (if different from physical address), and your permanent address (usually your home country). To report the change, you must follow the steps below:
- Visit Forms and Documents page from Academic Services
- Fill and submit the Name and Address Change electronic form
- For name and phone number changes, please submit this same form
Review and Update Your Records: Before the start of each term, we recommend that you log in to the OISS Student Portalto review and, if needed, update your personal and immigration records. If any of the following documents have changed, please upload the most recent version:
- I-20
- Passport (biographical page)
- F-1 visa
- I-94
Before you travel, always visit the Travel Advisory webpage to stay informed on important travel information and guidelines.
You must always let us know of a trip abroad so we can best assist you with the following steps to re-enter the U.S.
- Submit your intention to travel form ahead of time
- Verify that your travel signature (page 2) is valid for your return to the U.S. Each signature is valid for 12 months (6 months for OPT students)
- Know if you need a visa and verify there is no travel warning for your destination country
- Ensure your passport will not expire within 6 months of your return to the U.S.
- Verify that your visa will not expire prior to returning to the U.S.
Always travel back to the U.S. with your passport, form I-20, valid visa, and class schedule. Once you are here, upload your copies of any new travel documents and download your new I-94 and verify all information is correct.
If your visa will expire prior your return to the U.S, then you need to renew your visa during your trip abroad. To do so, you will need to:
- Contact the OISS office. You will be asked to provide additional proof of financial support prior your trip
- Verify the instructions for your country of origin on the U.S. embassy or Consulates website
- Print a copy of the classes you are registered for next term and your current transcript from Self-Service
- Request a Visa Renewal Support Letter from the OISS
Always travel back to the U.S. with your passport, form I-20, valid visa, and class schedule. Once you are here, upload your copies of any new travel documents and download your new I-94 and verify all information is correct.
Your visa can only be renewed outside the U.S., and it must be current to re-enter the U.S. Some exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico.
Keep in mind that you must always let us know of any changes in your academic journey. Most of them requires processing from the OISS such as:
- Change of Major/Minor
- Dual Enrollment request
- Leave of absence
- Reduced course load request
- Graduate Term Off (vacation) Application
- Review the NEW FAQ for the 8-Week format.
Verify regularly that the information entered on your I-20 document is accurate. Particularly your address, and program end date. If you lost your I-20, you must request a new one as soon as possible.