Maintenance of Status and F-1 Student Visa Regulations Overview

As an F-1 student visa holder in the U.S., you are expected to follow the U.S. federal regulations to properly maintain your F-1 status. Violating your student visa status is a serious issue and can jeopardize your ability to remain in the U.S., to continue your studies, or to return later even in other U.S. visa statuses.

Below is a brief overview of the general requirements on how to maintain your F-1 student visa status. If you have any questions about this page or how to maintain your F-1 student visa holder status, you are encouraged to consult with an OIE advisor.

Full-Time Enrollment

  • To maintain your enrollment status, you must register as a full-time student during each fall and spring semester. Typically, this means enrolling in at least 12 credit hours. Summer is generally considered a vacation term, unless it is the first or final term of your academic program, in which case you must register for 12 credit hours. Failing to maintain full-time enrollment could result in a loss of F-1 status, so it's crucial to plan your course load accordingly and consult with an academic advisor for support with enrolling full-time.  
  • You may request and receive approval for a reduced course load under specific conditions such as medical issues, an academic hardship, or if you are in your final semester and do not need a full-time course load to graduate. To understand the process and conditions for a reduced course load authorization, please refer to the Office of International Education (OIE)’s Enrollment Requirements.

Validity of I-20 and Passport

  • ​Maintaining the validity of your I-20 form and passport is crucial for your stay in the United States. The I-20 form is a vital document that confirms your eligibility as an international student, and it is issued by your educational institution. It not only serves as a requirement for obtaining your student visa but also outlines important information, including your program of study, the duration of your program, and your expected completion date. It is necessary to ensure that your I-20 remains updated, particularly if there are any changes to your program or personal information.
  • Your passport serves as your primary form of identification and is essential for both domestic and international travel. Federal regulations stipulate that your passport must remain valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the U.S. This requirement helps prevent complications regarding your visa status or re-entry into the country. To avoid any disruptions, regularly check the expiration dates of both your I-20 and passport and take the necessary steps to renew them well in advance if they are nearing expiration. The passport renewal process through your country's embassy or consulate can take several weeks or even months, so planning ahead is key.

Reporting Changes

  • It is important to promptly notify the Office of International Education (OIE) regarding any changes to your academic major, degree level, or personal circumstances. You must report these changes within 10 days of the event to maintain compliance with immigration regulations. To facilitate this process, submit a request for an update to your I-20 form using the iStart platform, which helps ensure that your records remain accurate and updated.
  • You are required by federal law to inform the OIE within 10 days of any changes to your residential address or personal details, e.g., name change while an enrolled student and during periods of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT Extension. All updates should be reported through the iStart system to ensure that your records are current.
  • If additional time is required to complete your degree program, submit an I-20 form extension request in iStart before the program end date listed on the most recently issued I-20 form. Please note that U.S. federal regulations state that a student is ineligible for a program extension if they request the program extension after the program end date.
  • Notify OIE of any additions or removal of F-2 dependents associated with your F-1 SEVIS record. 

Employment Regulations

  • F-1 student visa holders are permitted to engage in on-campus employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters. This limit ensures that students prioritize their academic commitments while still gaining valuable work experience and supplementing their income. During the summer term and official school breaks, students can work more than 20 hours per week on-campus.
  • For off-campus employment, F-1 students must obtain the necessary authorization beforehand. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is granted by the Office of International Education (OIE) for internships or work directly related to a student's major, provided the student has been in lawful F-1 status for at least one full academic year (with some exceptions). Alternatively, Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows students to work off-campus while enrolled or after completing their degree, but this requires authorization from both OIE and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students are allowed to work for up to 12 months on pre or post-completion OPT, with the possibility of a 24-month extension for STEM graduates.
  • Engaging in unauthorized off-campus work not only jeopardizes a student's immigration status but can also lead to serious penalties, including removal from the United States and ineligibility for future visas. It is paramount to follow the correct procedures and consult with a Designated School Official in OIE to ensure compliance with all regulations governing employment as an F-1 student.

International Travel

  • Ensure you have a valid travel signature when traveling internationally and verify the validity of your visa for your return date to the U.S. Comprehensive international travel information and associated Frequently Asked Questions are available in OIE's Travel resource.

Tax Requirements

  • As an international student holding an F-1 visa, complying with U.S. tax regulations is crucial. Each year, you must complete an Income Tax Return by the deadline established by the IRS. For detailed guidelines and resources, visit OIE's tax website, which information tailored to international students.

Benefits and Timing of Post-Graduation Plans

  • Within 60 days of completing the degree program, do one of the following:
    1. Apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
    2. Pursue Another Georgia Tech degree
      • If you have been admitted into another program at Georgia Tech and wish to continue your studies in the U.S. at Georgia Tech, complete the Change of Level e-form in iStart.
      • The Change of Degree Level request process must be completed prior to reaching the end of your 60-day grace period or prior to the start of your new degree program, whichever is earliest.
    3. Attend another U.S. Institution.
      • If you have been admitted into a program at another U.S. institution, consider transferring your F-1 immigration record to the other school.
      • For additional details and important reminders about the transfer out process, please review our Transfer Out Guidance page.
    4. Apply for a change of immigration status
      • If you are considering remaining in the U.S. in another visa status, you can apply for a change of visa status under the guidance of a qualified immigration attorney.
      • You should consult with an attorney prior to your F-1 status expiration to ensure you timely file for your change in status.
    5. Depart the U.S.
      • If you expect to depart the U.S. after finishing your program, please be aware that the U.S. government grants a 60-day grace period after your program end date. You must depart the U.S. on or before the end of your 60-day grace period to avoid visa overstay penalties.
      • Once you depart the U.S. during the 60-day grace period, you cannot re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status to utilize unused time within your grace period.

Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT Extension 

  • During Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT Extension, report changes to your personal information and employment within 10 days of the change. Updates are reported via iStart.
  • Accrue no more than 90 days of unemployment during Post-Completion OPT.
  • Accrue no more than 150 days of unemployment combined during Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT extension.
  • Comply with STEM OPT extension employment reporting requirements as detailed here

Violations of Status

Per U.S. federal regulations, OIE is required to terminate the immigration record for any international student visa holder that fails to maintain their status. A termination of your immigration record means that you would be considered as out-of-status by the Department of Homeland Security and you would no longer be eligible for on-campus employment, practical training, travel signatures for re-entry to the U.S., or any other benefits of F-1 status. 

Examples of status violations include but are not limited to:

  • Failure to complete your OIE Check-In
  • Failure to comply with enrollment requirements
  • Dropping below full-time prior to receiving authorization from OIE
  • Working off-campus without proper work authorization
  • Working over 20 hours per week on campus during the fall or spring term
  • Dismissal from GT
  • Failure to timely report changes to program

To correct your status, you have two options: Travel and Re-entry or Reinstatement. These options are outlined on our Out of Status page . You are encouraged to consult with a qualified immigration attorney for legal opinions and strategies to remedy your status.