Question: What should I do if I fall out of status on my F-1?

Answer: If you fall out of status on your F-1 Visa you should be able to regain status through departure and re-entering using a valid F-1 visa and Form I-20 (student copy) validated by your foreign student adviser if you can convince the USCIS of the following:

1) the status violation resulted from circumstances beyond your control or that failure to receive reinstatement would result in extreme hardship to you;

2) you currently are pursuing or intend to pursue a full course of study at the school listed on the I-20;

3) you have not engaged in unauthorized employment; and

4) you are not otherwise deportable.

Question: What are the procedures for applying for an F-1 Visa?

Answer: To apply for an F-1 visa, it is not necessary to obtain prior clearance from the USCIS. What needs to be done is the student must obtain an I-20 A-B Certificate of Eligibility from the school where the student intends to enroll. They then must submit the I-20 with the OF-156 Non-immigrant visa form with supporting documentation regarding financial resources evidencing an intent to return to the student's home country to a U.S. consulate located in the student's home country. Once the visa has been issued, the student applies at the U.S. border for admission. If they are already in the U.S. under a different non-immigrant status, the student applies to the BCIS (INS).

Question: What are the financial requirements for obtaining an F-1 visa?

Answer: The applicant must demonstrate that adequate financial support, to cover him/her through the entire academic program, will be available and that adequate funds are currently available for the coming academic year. Acceptable evidence may include school financial aid, personal and family funds and government assistance. Anticipated earnings from employment during school may not be used to show adequate financial resources.

Question: Must an F-1 student be studying on a full-time basis?

Answer: Yes. At the undergraduate level it usually means at least 12 academic hours. At the graduate level, the full- time hours are left for the school to decide because work on a thesis or dissertation may constitute full-time work even though no credit hours are being taken.

Question: Is working permitted on an F-1 visa?

Answer: You will be authorized to work for a specified period of time only if you are granted either Optional Practical Training or Curricular Practical Training.

Question: I am here on an H4 visa. Am I allowed to study under the H4 or must I apply for the F-1 visa?

Answer: It is possible for you to study under the H4 visa. However, you can not receive assistance or any work authorization that may be available to F-1/J-1 students.

Question: How long can I stay in the U.S. under the F-1 visa?

Answer: Students under the F-1 visa are permitted to stay the entire duration of enrollment in an academic program plus any period of authorized practical training and a 60-day grace period to leave the U.S. The whole period of stay is referred to as duration of status and is noted on the I-94 as D/S. The student must complete the academic program before the date of expiration listed by the designated school official on the I-120 A-B (the form issued by the school). Please note that you must uphold a full-time course load (except in your last semester of study).

Question: What must I do if I am unable to complete my program by the time indicated by my I-20AB?

Answer: You must apply to your foreign student advisor for an F-1 extension within 30 days prior to the expiration date of your I-20AB. You are eligible for an extension if:

1) Your application is timely.

2) You have maintained your status without violations.

3) You can demonstrate that the extension is needed due to compelling medical or academic reasons.