To maintain your F-1 status you must:
- Enroll as a full-time student every semester (see below for full-time enrollment requirements)
- Complete the official "Check-in" form with ISS every semester
- Make sure ISS always has your current contact information updated through my.newschool.edu and photocopies of my current passport (must revalidate 6 months before it expires), visa, and I-94 card.
- Notify ISS within 10 days if you move or change your address or contact information updated through my.newschool.edu
- Obtain a valid travel signature from ISS every six months.
- File taxes each Spring during your stay in the US
Full-time enrollment requirements:
- Undergraduate = 12 credits
- Graduate at Parsons and Mannes = 12 credits
- All other graduate programs = 9 credits
- Film Production Certificate = 12 credits
- Documentary Media Certificate = 9 credits
- ESL = 18 hours of class weekly
You must have official permission from an ISS advisor to:
- Drop below full-time course load.
- Withdraw from your program.
- Take a leave of absence.
- Work off-campus
Most Common Violations
Any one of the following will cause an international to be in violation of nonimmigrant status. Pay close attention and make sure that none of these happen to you!
- Enrolling less than full time.
- Unauthorized employment.
- Allowing I-20 to become outdated.
- Allowing Passport to become outdated.
- Changing your program without updating your I-20.
Who Is Responsible To Know The Rules? You Are!
It is your responsibility to know the rules that affect your status. Please contact ISS. You may also need to contact the institution that helped you gain your status. The US government will hold you accountable to know the rules, to understand them, and to follow them. We can help by making the information available to you through this website and through publications, but only you can actually educate yourself about the regulations and seek advice as needed. Help us to help you! If at any time you are unsure about the rules, ask questions, and keep asking until you understand your rights and responsibilities. Of course, ISS is here to help.
J-1 COMPLIANCE UNIT AND E-MAIL ADDRESS
United States Department of State
Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation
ECA/EC/AG - SA-44, Room 820
301 4th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20547
Telephone: (202) 203-5029
Fax: (202) 453-8640
EMAIL: JVisas@state.gov |
