Skip to Content
Home Student Resources International Student Program Maintaining International Student Status

Maintaining International Student Status

Maintaining Valid F-1 Status in the U.S.

After being admitted to the US, F-1 international students must follow USCIS regulations in order to maintain status and remain in the US legally. 

The International Student Program is required to terminate students who fail to maintain or violate their F-1 status. Terminated students no longer have legal standing in the US, lose the benefits given to F-1 students such as employment authorization, and in some cases must leave the country immediately. 

Be sure to speak with the Designated School Official (DSO) at the International Student Program before taking any action that could affect your status, such as dropping classes, changing majors, or applying for work or internships.

While the International Student Program does our best to help F-1 students maintain status, ultimately it is your responsibility to be aware of and abide by the regulations governing your status. 

*Important note: F-1 status (legal permission to be in the United States) is not the same as an F-1 visa, which is the sticker in your passport that helps Customs and Border Protection determine whether or not to allow you to enter the US.

Basic Guidelines