Immigration Regulations

Your F-1 status is valid for the duration of your program (the program end date is listed on your I-20 form under the "Program of Study" section), plus 60 days after your program completion, as long as you maintain your status (see below). During the 60-day grace period, you can transfer your SEVIS record to another institution to pursue another degree, you can apply for another program of study at USI (Change of Level), you can apply for Optional Practical Training, or you can prepare to leave the US.

Maintaining F-1 Status

1. Attend the school you were authorized to attend. Enroll in and complete a full course of study during the academic year (12 credit hours for undergraduate and 6 credit hours for graduate students.) You must consult with the Center for International Programs before you drop course load to part-time or withdraw from all of your courses.
2. Maintain a valid passport at all times.
3. Do not accept employment off campus without seeking the proper authorization.  Unpaid internships or other unpaid work opportunities will still require you to obtain the proper authorization. Check with CIP for more information on obtaining the proper authorization. With authorized work permission, students may work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and full-time during the break periods.
4. Report any change of address to the Center for International Programs within 10 days of moving.
5. Leave the U.S. by the end of your authorized stay. If you will not complete your program of study by your listed program end date, apply for an extension of stay through the Center for International Programs before the program end date on your I-20 form.
6. Apply through the Center for International Programs to continue from one educational level to another (for example, from bachelor's to master's) at USI.
7. Follow transfer procedures if you plan to attend a new university.  Consult with Center for International Programs on transferring to another university.

Fact Sheets from Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

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Your J-1 visa status is valid for the duration of your program (the program end date is listed on your DS-2019 form, item #3), plus 30 days after your program completion. During the 30-day grace period, you can apply for Academic Training, or you can prepare to leave the US.

Maintaining J-1 Status

1. Attend the school you were authorized to attend. Enroll in and complete a full course of study during the academic year (12 credit hours for undergraduate and 6 credit hours for graduate students.) You must consult with the Center for International Programs before you drop course load to part-time or withdraw from all of your courses.
2. Maintain a valid passport at all times.
3. Do not accept employment on or off campus without seeking the proper authorization. Unpaid internships or other unpaid work opportunities will still require you to obtain the proper authorization.  Check with CIP for more information on obtaining the proper authorization. With authorized work permission, students may work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and full-time during the break periods.
4. Report any change of address to the Center for International Programs within 10 days of moving.
5. Leave the U.S. by the end of your authorized stay. For students under USI sponsorship, if studies are not completed within the allotted period of time, apply for an extension of stay through the Center for International Programs before the program end date on your DS-2019.
6. Apply through the Center for International Programs to continue from one educational level to another (for example, from bachelor's to master's) at USI.
7. Follow transfer procedures if you plan to attend a new university.  Consult with Center for International Programs on transferring to another university.