Maintaining Visa Status

Maintaining F-1 Student Status

It is your responsibility as an international student to maintain your F-1 student status while in the United States.

1. Under the F-1 Visa requirements, you must enroll as a full-time student during the fall and spring semesters. At Weber State University (WSU), to be considered a full-time student you must be registered for 12 credit hours as an undergraduate student and 9 credit hours as a graduate student.
    
2. Please meet with your PDSO/DSO if you have questions about the following:
   • Classes (Dropping below the required credit limit, changing your major, withdrawing from classes).
   • Transfer to another school (Must complete an official transfer form)
   • Work on or off campus (Must have proper authorization before you start working)
   • Travel outside of the U.S.
   • Any changes on your I-20 (change of address, major, sponsor, I-20 end date extensions, etc.)
   • Contact the office at least 30 days prior to your program end date (item 5 of your I-20).
   • Receive authorization for Reduced Course Load due to:
     • Medical Reasons
     • Last semester of study
     • First semester of study with English challenges
     • Concurrent enrollment
     • Graduate Assistantship

• Enrollment Requirements

  Undergraduate Students

  At least 9 credits face-to-face or hybrid during spring and fall semesters. (If summer is your first semester, then this rule also applies.)

  Graduate Students

  At least 6 credits face-to-face or hybrid during spring and fall semesters. (If summer is your first semester, then this rule also applies.)

  Annual Vacation during summer semester unless it is your first semester. If you are in your final semester, please meet with your PDSO/DSO.

• Working On Campus

  Students must first find jobs by applying for jobs via the WSU jobs portal (ensure to filter out to show only hourly job options). Upon getting a job offer letter, students need to:

  • Visit the ISSC for information on social security processing and next steps
  • If the student needs a Social Security Number (SSN), they will visit the Security Administration (SSA) with the following documents:
    • Job Offer Letter
    • Continued Attendance I-20/ DS 2019
    • I-94: Get your most recent I-94.
    • Passport with valid Visa
    • Work Authorization Letter from ISSC
    • Completed SSN Application form
  • Visit the WSU payroll office to finalize work authorization upon receiving your SSN.
  • Work Hours Per Week (Immigration Regulations)

    • Fall & Spring Semesters

      Up to 20 hours per week and not on average

    • Summer, Vacations & School Breaks

      Up to 29.50 hours per week and not on average

  Disclaimer:

  ISSC does not assist students in finding a job on-campus. If you need assistance on resume & cover letter review, practice interview, career design etc., please visit the career services website for more information.

• Working Off Campus

  Opportunities for off-campus work can be through Curriculum Practical Training (CPT), taken as part of requirements to complete course objectives, and post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), which can be taken after completing their program. The appropriate work authorization must be obtained prior to working off-campus.

  If you do not have proper authorization, you risk termination.

  • Curriculum Practical Training (CPT)

    This allows F-1 students to work off-campus in an internship, be it paid or unpaid, and is essential to the completion of their degrees.

    • Undergraduate students are not eligible for CPT in their first year. Graduate students may enroll if it is a required part of the program.
    • Only students taking an internship course alongside their internship can participate.
    • Meet with your academic advisors to establish eligibility for enrollment in a CPT.
    • Do not start any off-campus job without prior authorization.
    • To complete the application process, make an appointment with your immigration advisor.
       

  • Optional Practical Training (OPT)

    This allows F-1 students to work and gain practical experience for up to 12 months in the U.S. upon completion of their academic programs, provided the job is related to their field of study.

    • Complete the Application Process
      • The OPT application can be completed without having a job yet. However, the OPT will automatically end for students who don’t report employment or find jobs within 90 days of receiving the OPT approval.
    • Reporting Obligations
      • While on OPT, students are obligated to report all changes, including changes in address, contact, employment or employer, and employment end dates through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) portal found on the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website, within 10 days of such changes.
    • The ISSC also strongly advises against traveling out of the country while waiting for the OPT approval from USCIS
    • Complete OPT Checklist
    • CLICK HERE (qualtrics) to upload documents to receive your I-20 with OPT recommendations. (DO NOT do this step until you have talked to your immigration advisor and have read the OPT checklist)
       

• Academic Progress

  Incomplete grades (“I”)

  All international students with “I” grades must complete their courses and receive a letter grade before the beginning of the next available session start date.

  Unofficial Withdrawal Policy

  International students who receive an Unofficial Withdrawal (UW) grade in one or more courses at the end of the semester are required to participate in ISSC’s Academic Progress Workshop.

  Academic Probation/Suspension

  Students with a grade point average of less than 2.0 and/or placed on probation are required to participate in ISSC’s Academic Progress Workshop each semester that they remain below a 2.0 GPA. Students who receive failing grades in all their courses for three consecutive terms will be/are suspended from the institution.

• Terminations

  • Termination of your F-1 student status is a serious problem that may ultimately result in deportation from the United States. Upon termination of your F-1 student status, you must contact the ISSC and arrange to meet with a DSO/PDSO immediately. The DSO will discuss all the available options.
  • You may and can be terminated without warning if you fail to maintain your F-1 student status.
  • Remember that if you withdraw (W) from a class that drops you below your required credit hours (12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students), you will be OUT OF STATUS and your I-20 will be terminated.

• Travel

  Students traveling outside the US must have a valid travel signature on their I-20s and can pass by the ISSC office for one. If unsure when your travel signature expires, pass by for a quick check. Make sure to come with your I-20.