E-mail this pageMaintenance of Immigration Status
How to Keep in F-1 Status
An F-1 student is admitted to the United States in F-1 status for a period known as "duration of status" (D/S). It is extremely important for a nonimmigrant individual to maintain his or her status while in the United States. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of nonimmigrant status is a ground for deportation under I.N.A. 237(a)(1)(C)(i).
Working with The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be very complicated, detailed, and time-consuming. Therefore, an international student advisor (Designated School Official (DSO) is the most knowledgeable staff member on-campus and authorized to help you process your immigration forms and documents. It is very important you do not rely on information that you pick up from friends and other students because circumstances may vary from one student to another and the regulations are modified from time to time. DSO's must work within the federal immigration laws and regulations. When processing your request, please make sure you allow plenty of time for your request to be processed and plan ahead. Have your documents, such as your passport, I-94 card, I-20 with you when you come to the International Student Services office for immigration assistance.
To maintain status, the student must comply with the following:
- Pursue a "full course of study" at the school listed on the currently valid SEVIS Form I-20 during every academic session or semester (fall & spring) except during official school breaks (summer & winter break), or unless approved under a specific exception, in advance by an International Student Advisor. At SUNY Plattsburgh "full-time" is defined by enrolling for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester
- Make normal progress towards completing the course of study/degree, by completing studies before the expiration of the program completion date on the Form SEVIS I-20 i.e. maintain satisfactory grades
- Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures (in a timely manner) for:
- Extension of stay
- Change in educational levels or programs of study
- Transfer of schools
- Do not remain in the U.S. for longer than 60 days after completing the full course of study (graduation), unless the student has applied for practical training, changed educational levels or immigration status, or transferred schools
- Keep passport valid at all times [8 C.F.R. 214.1(a)(3)] (contact your home country's embassy/consulate in the U.S to renew your passport)
- Report a change of address to USCIS on form AR-11 within 10 days of the change (form is available at ISS office), and to the ISS office to be reported to SEVIS
- Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition on criminal activity.
Since it is very critical to maintain valid F-1 status in the U.S to be able to continue your education, you must consult with an International Student Advisor at all times about your F-1 status.
Change of Local Address in the United States
United States (US) immigration regulations require "non-citizens" in the US (other than diplomats on "A" visas or international organization representatives on "G" visas) who are present in the US for more than 30 days to register any change of address with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), formally the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), within 10 days of the change of address. This is particularly important for students with F-1 visa status who may lose their visa status if they do not follow this directive.
How To Inform The USCIS/INS Of Your Change of Address
- If you are an international student in F-1 or J-1 status and you move (or about to move) to a new address, make sure to stop by the International Student Service Office to pick up a Change of Address form (AR-11). If you are a citizen of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, or Yemen pick up a Change of Address form (AR-11SR, Change of Address Special Registration)
- Download form AR-11 or AR-11SR from the USCIS website for forms and fees
- In addition to the AR-11, be sure to complete a change of address on Banner Web
- Thoroughly complete the form AR-11 for you and each of your dependents. The address on the form must be the street address of your residence/home in the USA - not a post office box address.
- Make copies of the form(s) for your records.
- Mail the form(s) to:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134
- SUNY-Plattsburgh recommends that you mail form AR-11 from the post office using "Certified Mail - Return Receipt Requested." This will cost you a couple of dollars, however it is worth it because you will receive a receipt from the Post Office proving that the USCIS received your form. When you get that receipt, make sure you staple it to the copy of the AR-11 you kept for your records.
Please refer to the USCIS website for forms and fees for more information and view forms AR-11 and AR-11SR (Please write down your I-94 number for the "A number," and "D/S" for the expiration of stay.)
Exception to Full Time Requirement
Every semester all international students must complete a certain minimum number of credits to be considered "full time" for immigration purposes:
- Undergraduates must take 12 credits each Fall semester and each Spring semester
- Graduate students must consult with the academic & immigration advisors to verify how many credits graduate students need to take each Fall semester and each Spring semester.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows the International Student Advisor to make exceptions to the full-time requirement in four types of situations. If your current situation qualifies you to drop below than full-time enrollment based on one of the four following requirements, please come to Kehoe # 313 to collect the exception to full-time form and to meet with one of the International Student Advisors before the beginning of the semester to check if you qualify for the exception. Read the information below and prepare the required documentation from your doctor or academic advisor. Then, schedule an appointment with the International Student Advisor for approval before dropping below full-time enrollment.
- An illness or other medical condition to interrupt or reduce student's course of study. (Student MUST submit a letter from his/her doctor indicating that (s)he recommends the student take a semester off or to reduce credit load for medical reasons)
- Difficulty understanding English language, unfamiliar with American teaching methods or reading requirements. This exception is generally only allowed during the very first semester in an academic program in the U.S., not including "English as Second Language" Training (the academic advisor must recommend a reduced course load for one semester by completing the exception to full-time form)
- An improper level of study. The academic advisor must confirm that the course level is an improper placement for the student by completing the exception to full-time form and write a separate detailed letter to explain the situation
- Last semester before graduation. Student is expected to graduate at the end of the semester and needs less than the full-time credit load to complete his/her coursework (the academic advisor must affirm this by completing the exception to full-time form)
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you have any questions about international admission or financial aid at SUNY-Plattsburgh, please contact:
International Student Services
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Kehoe Administration Building, Room 209
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901 USA
Phone: (518) 564-3287
Fax: (518) 564-3292
E-mail: iss@plattsburgh.edu