Maintaining F-1 Status
As a student, you must be familiar with requirements related to your immigration status. Following the guidelines below will help you avoid unnecessary problems.
Basic Guidelines
- Keep your passport valid for at least six months.
- Keep your local address updated.
- Keep your mailing address, billing address, phone and email updated through CougarNet. You must use a U.S. address for mailing and billing.
- Maintain full-time enrollment. In most cases:
- Undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
- Graduate students must enroll in 9 credit hours per semester.
- Obtain your SIUE international advisor’s approval before withdrawing from classes. This approval is required.
- Keep your I-20 valid at all times and apply for an extension of stay (if needed) 30 days before your I-20 end date.
- When traveling outside the U.S., request a signature on your I-20 (page 3) for re-entry to the U.S. from your SIUE international advisor before departing from the U.S.
- Request and obtain employment permission.
- On-campus employment:
- Limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year.
- May be full-time in the summer and vacation periods.
- No special work permit is required.
- On-campus employment:
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- Off-campus employment:
- Special permission is required to work off-campus.
- Work permission for F-1 students must be granted by your SIUE international advisor and USCIS.
- Off-campus employment:
Request for Replacement I-20
If your I-20 is lost, stolen or damaged:- Contact the local police to file a report before requesting a new I-20. Make sure to obtain the police report number.
- Submit New I-20 Request Form.