- A full course of study in an Academic
Program
An F-1 student must be enrolled in a full course of study, not
part-time study. Also, to maintain a valid status, the F-1 holder
must be enrolled in an academic, as opposed to avocational program
of study. Enrollment in academic high schools, universities, colleges,
conservatories, seminaries, or language training programs will
qualify as enrollment in an academic program.
An "academic program"
student can be pursuing a bachelor, master, doctor, or other graduate-level
degree, or private high schools, or other non-degree studies,
or can simply be engaged in post-doctoral studies.
An F-1 student at an academic institution is considered to be
in status during the annual (or summer) vacation if the student
is eligible and intends to register for the next term.
- On-line and Distance Education Courses
The SEVIS rules restricts an F-1 student in the United States
from being able to take no more than one course or three credits
of distance education or on-line courses counted toward the full
course of study. However, an F-1 student currently pursuing a
full course of study may add as many distance education or on-line
courses as he or she wishes in addition to the courses counting
toward the full course of study. As international students can
enroll in the course without being admitted to the United States,
the SEVIS rules do not prohibit such students from completing
programs that are offered on-line.
English language students are unable to take any on-line or distance
education courses toward the full course of study requirements.
- Reduction in a Student's Course Load
With the implementation of
SEVIS, the USCIS expects to have accurate, real time, information
on all students. A student who drops below a full course of study
without the prior approval of the Designated School Official (DSO)
will be considered out of status. It is the responsibility of
the student to maintain a full course of study in order to remain
in compliance with his or her nonimmigrant status. Accordingly,
the student should consult with, and receive the necessary permission
from the DSO prior to performing an act that affects status.
During the course of study within one program level, an F-1 student
can only be authorized on one occasion to reduce his or her course
load due to academic difficulties, and must resume a full course
at the start of the next available term or session, excluding
a summer session. An F-1 student taking a reduced course load
for academic reasons must still be taking at least one class
or half the clock hours required for a full course of study.
- Illness or Medical Condition
In the case of an illness or medical condition, an F-1 student
may be authorized to reduce his/her course load for a period not
to exceed 12 months in aggregate. The DSO may also authorize a
student to refrain from taking any courses due to a medical condition
or illness if the severity of the condition warrants such authorization.
Although a student may be authorized for up to 12 total months
of a reduced course load in this case, a school official must
re-authorize the reduction each term or session, and must update
this authorization in SEVIS.
The 12-month limit on authorization to reduce course load for
illness or medical condition is applied per each particular program
level. If the student completes one program, and advances to a
different program level, the student will be allowed a second
aggregate 12-month period in which he or she may be authorized
to reduce course load. An F-1 student who has already received
authorization to reduce course load for academic difficulties
remains eligible for the aggregate 12-month period to reduce his
or her course load due to illness or medical condition.
The USCIS cannot permit an unlimited reduction in course load,
if the F-1 students suffer long-term medical conditions, chronic
illnesses, or learning disabilities, which may require a longer-term
reduction in course load.
- Inability to Resume a Full Course
of Study
A student who is unable to resume a full course of study within
the time limits previously specified will either have to leave
the U.S. and reapply when he or she is able to resume a full course
of study, or change to a more appropriate nonimmigrant classification
to continue medical treatment
in the U.S. For more information about other non-immigrant status,
please click here.
For
more information on F-1, please click on the following links:
Description
SEVIS
Application for an F-1 Visa
Obtaining an F-1 Status at the port of
entry
Change into F-1 Status in the U.S.
Eligibility for change into
F-1 Status in the U.S.
Maintaining F-1 Status
Change Name and Address
Transfer of School
Time limitation of F-1 Status
Extension of F-1 Status
Grace Period
F-1 Status reinstatement
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Change from F-1 Status to H-1B
Change from F-1 Status to immigrant
status
Spouse and Children of F-1
Attorney and filing fees
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
The Impact of I-140 Filing on F-1
Students
Memo: Be Aware of Abandonment of COS and AOS Applications
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