{"id":106,"date":"2014-02-17T13:51:08","date_gmt":"2014-02-17T21:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/oiegi\/current-students\/immigration\/basic-regulations\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T15:36:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T22:36:48","slug":"basic-regulations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/basic-regulations\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Regulations and Maintaining Status"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Important:<\/strong> To protect your F-1 visa status, always consult with your <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/advising\/\">International Advisor<\/a> before doing something that might affect your visa status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-alert alert alert-info\">\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong> &#8211; April 2026: The Department of Homeland Security is currently finalizing the replacement of duration of status, and:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the lengths of grace period may change soon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the concept of \u201cmake normal progress\u201d may change soon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ice.gov\/sevis\/students\/\">SEVIS<\/a>:<\/strong> Tracks international students and dependents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/portal\/site\/uscis\">USCIS<\/a>:<\/strong> Download forms and get updates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usembassy.gov\/\">U.S. Embassies &amp; Consulates<\/a>:<\/strong> Locate offices worldwide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-bc-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ab0d7626fd62c1c5cc66fb0f7cb672d4\">Travel Documents:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Documents must always be valid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapsibles accordion\" id=\"accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse card bg-info text-bg-info\"><div class=\"card-header\" id=\"heading_6cc539ec-cc67-40b3-85a0-2847529add03\"><h3 class=\"mb-0\"><button class=\"btn collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse_6cc539ec-cc67-40b3-85a0-2847529add03\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_6cc539ec-cc67-40b3-85a0-2847529add03\">The Form I-20 -Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status<\/button><\/h3><\/div><div id=\"collapse_6cc539ec-cc67-40b3-85a0-2847529add03\" class=\"collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_6cc539ec-cc67-40b3-85a0-2847529add03\" data-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\"><div class=\"card-body bg-light text-dark\">\n<p>Only schools that are certified by the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can issue I-20 forms for&nbsp;international students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirm all information on your I-20 is&nbsp;accurate.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Know the I-20 end date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consult with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/advising\/\">International Advisor<\/a> if you may not be able to complete your study before your I-20&nbsp;expiration&nbsp;date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/advising\/\">International Advisor\u2019<\/a>s travel signature if you wish to travel internationally and then resume your full-time study at Bellevue College.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse card bg-info text-bg-info\"><div class=\"card-header\" id=\"heading_027befee-06e9-4488-973e-46e03f55ed48\"><h3 class=\"mb-0\"><button class=\"btn collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse_027befee-06e9-4488-973e-46e03f55ed48\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_027befee-06e9-4488-973e-46e03f55ed48\">Passport<\/button><\/h3><\/div><div id=\"collapse_027befee-06e9-4488-973e-46e03f55ed48\" class=\"collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_027befee-06e9-4488-973e-46e03f55ed48\" data-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\"><div class=\"card-body bg-light text-dark\">\n<p>Your home government issues your passport, and it is official proof of&nbsp;your&nbsp;identify&nbsp;and country of citizenship.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You must renew your passport with your home government at least 6 months before&nbsp;the expiration&nbsp;date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If while you are in the United States your passport is expiring,&nbsp;you may renew your passport at the <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/consularnotification\/ConsularNotificationandAccess.html\">nearest consulate or embassy<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse card bg-info text-bg-info\"><div class=\"card-header\" id=\"heading_7d2ca170-7c70-42d9-818c-2f1f3e596b8f\"><h3 class=\"mb-0\"><button class=\"btn collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse_7d2ca170-7c70-42d9-818c-2f1f3e596b8f\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_7d2ca170-7c70-42d9-818c-2f1f3e596b8f\">F-1 Visa<\/button><\/h3><\/div><div id=\"collapse_7d2ca170-7c70-42d9-818c-2f1f3e596b8f\" class=\"collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_7d2ca170-7c70-42d9-818c-2f1f3e596b8f\" data-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\"><div class=\"card-body bg-light text-dark\">\n<p>An F-1 visa&nbsp;is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the United States and to pursue full-time academic studies at an SEVP-certified school.&nbsp;Only United States embassies and consulates can issue F-1 visa stamps for qualified individuals.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You must present&nbsp;your&nbsp;valid F-1 visa, a passport, and Bellevue College\u2019s I-20&nbsp;<strong>every time<\/strong>&nbsp;you request to enter the United States as a full-time student&nbsp;at&nbsp;Bellevue College.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provided you have been studying full-time and keeping good academic progress without violating any F-1 rules, you are fine to keep studying even if your F-1 visa has expired. \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&nbsp;are not required to&nbsp;return home just to renew your visa.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consult with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/advising\/\">International Advisor<\/a> first if you are thinking about returning home to renew&nbsp;visa.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visa renewal is not guaranteed and takes a long time. Allocate at least two months and have back-up plans in case of visa rejection.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse card bg-info text-bg-info\"><div class=\"card-header\" id=\"heading_44475579-cdb9-43ad-beab-8c41851c94c3\"><h3 class=\"mb-0\"><button class=\"btn collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse_44475579-cdb9-43ad-beab-8c41851c94c3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_44475579-cdb9-43ad-beab-8c41851c94c3\">I-94<\/button><\/h3><\/div><div id=\"collapse_44475579-cdb9-43ad-beab-8c41851c94c3\" class=\"collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_44475579-cdb9-43ad-beab-8c41851c94c3\" data-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_cae66614-a1b7-4786-b2eb-c8391d845328\"><div class=\"card-body bg-light text-dark\">\n<p>The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues and updates your I-94 Arrival\/Departure record when you request to enter the United States commonly by air travel, and you may need to ask for a new I-94 record by land or seaport of entry.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/i94.cbp.dhs.gov\/I94\/#\/home\">Your I-94 record<\/a>&nbsp;contains&nbsp;your legal name, passport number, date of birth,&nbsp;a port-of-entry location, entry date, and&nbsp;an immigration&nbsp;classification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the current F-1 regulations,&nbsp;most&nbsp;F-1 visa students are admitted to the United States for Duration of Status (i.e., D\/S)&nbsp;instead of a fixed date. Duration of status allows students to remain in the United States if they are actively pursuing their program of studies by obeying the F-1 regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-bc-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-430b2b6e717135d4bbf2a2a33d2c5a6e\">Maintaining F-1 Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintaining&nbsp;your F-1&nbsp;visa&nbsp;status or \u201cstaying in status\u201d means&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/studyinthestates.dhs.gov\/students\/maintaining-status\">fulfilling&nbsp;ALL&nbsp;the requirements<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;of your&nbsp;nonimmigrant student status. This involves adhering to specific rules and regulations to ensure you&nbsp;remain&nbsp;eligible to stay in the U.S. for your studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pursue a full course of study at the school&nbsp;that&nbsp;issued your valid I-20 form.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Intensive English Program: In Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter, full-time means 20 credits per quarter, and all classes meet in-perform. In Summer quarter, full-time means 15 credits per quarter, and all classes meet in-person.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bridge Pathway Program: Full-time means 15 credits per quarter, and all classes meet in-person.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>College-Level Programs including Associate, Certificate, International High School Completion, and Bachelor\u2019s:&nbsp;A minimum of 12 credits with a minimum 7 credits in-person or hybrid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Make normal progress towards completing your program of study before your I-20 expires.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attend all your classes and&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;normal academic progress&nbsp;to complete your program of study before your I-20 expires.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Report a change of address within&nbsp;10 days&nbsp;of the&nbsp;change.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students must report any changes to their contact information (address or phone) within&nbsp;10 days&nbsp;of the change.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Steps on How to Update Your Address:<\/strong>&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Log-in to\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/ctclink\/students\/\">ctclink<\/a>&nbsp;and navigate to the sidebar&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u2018My Profile\u2019&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u2018Contact Info\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Update your old address to your new one&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email&nbsp;your\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/advising\/\">International Advisor<\/a>\u202fto inform them that you have updated your address&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Do not work on and off campus without a Designated School Official\u2019s approval.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Meet with&nbsp;an\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/advising\/\">International Advisor<\/a>\u202fbefore starting any&nbsp;on and&nbsp;off-campus work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/studyinthestates.dhs.gov\/students\/work\/working-in-the-united-states\">working in the United States<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keep&nbsp;you&nbsp;I-20 valid with&nbsp;correct&nbsp;education level and program of study.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Abide by the F-1 grace period rules.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grace periods are given to F-1 students who have&nbsp;maintained&nbsp;their F-1 status and have successfully completed their program of study or have&nbsp;gotten approval by&nbsp;their International Advisor&nbsp;to withdraw from the school early to return home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grace periods allow F-1 students to&nbsp;prepare to&nbsp;depart&nbsp;the U.S.,&nbsp;transfer to a new school,&nbsp;apply for post-completion optional practical training, or prepare to change&nbsp;their F-1 status to a different immigration classification and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>F-1 students in their grace period should not travel to Canada or Mexico unless they are leaving for home country without needing to reenter the United States.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You may remain in the United States up to&nbsp;<strong>60 days&nbsp;<\/strong>if you have&nbsp;maintained&nbsp;your F-1 status and successfully completed your program of study or post-completion optional practical training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You may remain in the United States&nbsp;<strong>up to&nbsp;15 days<\/strong>&nbsp;from the date your International  Advisor updated your SEVIS record for your Early Withdrawal (i.e., Departure Request).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have&nbsp;<strong>0 days of grace period<\/strong>&nbsp;if&nbsp;your SEVIS record is&nbsp;terminated&nbsp;for&nbsp;failing to maintain&nbsp;your F-1&nbsp;status&nbsp;including&nbsp;unauthorized withdrawal.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Follow the federal, state, and local laws.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Important: To protect your F-1 visa status, always consult with your International Advisor before doing something that might affect your visa status. Note - April 2026: The Department of Homeland Security is currently finalizing the replacement of duration of status, and: the lengths of grace period may change soon the concept of \u201cmake normal progress\u201d <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/basic-regulations\/\">...more about Basic Regulations and Maintaining Status<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":34,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mc_calendar":[],"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-106","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17782,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/106\/revisions\/17782"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}