Travel Documents: Keep the following important documents valid and in a safe place.
Your passport is the foundation for all of your other travel documents and your authorization by your country of citizenship to travel. It is issued by your home-country or the country of citizenship under which you have chosen to apply for the F-1 Visa
- Must be renewed at least 6-months before its expiration date
- View the list of foreign Embassies & Consulates in the U.S.
The Form I-20 is also known as a Certificate of Eligibility because it authorizes you to ‘apply’ for an F-1 Visa and then to request entry into the U.S. in F-1 Visa status
- This document is only valid if it accurately explains your program of study and has a future end date
- Become familiar with the program end date (Item #5 on page 1 of your I-20)
- If you won’t finish your Program of Study by the program date, you must talk to an IE advisor before your program end date to request a program extension request
- If you want to depart the U.S. and return during your studies you must request a travel signature on page 2
The F-1 Student Visa is issued specifically for study and is required to enter into the United States to begin your studies and also to return to study after departing the U.S.
- If you keep your passport, I-20, and I-94 valid, it’s okay to stay in the U.S. with an expired visa. You must apply for a new visa if you depart the U.S. and plan to request to re-enter
- Students must have a valid visa when requesting to enter the U.S.
- Contact your IE Advisor if you have questions about applying for an F1 visa
(Arrival/Departure Record) is updated by Customs and Border Protection at the Port of Entry when you enter the United States
- You can print your most recent I-94 and a record of your U.S. travel history at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
- When you enter the U.S., an Immigration Officer will stamp in your passport (rather than give you an I-94 card) that is annotated with your entry date, expiration date, and visa type (e.g., F1)
- As an F1 student, you should have a “D/S” (Duration of Status) as your expiration date. If you have a specific date rather than the “D/S” notation for the expiration date, you must let IE know immediately
Maintaining Your Status
English Language Institute (UP/ESL): Minimum of 20-hour credits per quarter. Students must be enrolled in all in-person classes.
Bridge: 15 credits (one college skills class and ENGL 093) Optional: ENGL 096 (Bridge Support). Students must be enrolled in all in-person classes.
College: Minimum of 12-credits with at least 7-credits on-campus (or in-class) courses per quarter. Hybrid classes count as on-campus credits.
Students must report any changes to their contact information (address or phone) within 10 days of the change.
- Meet with an IE Advisor before starting any off-campus work/job (outside of school).
- Checkout the On-Campus Employment and Practical Training Options page to get more detailed information about work options.
The Study in the States website contains more details about the requirements to maintain your F-1 status.
Last Updated July 9, 2024