Maintaining F-1 Status

There are basic requirements for maintaining F-1 status in the United States.  Students must maintain legal status throughout their program while studying under an F-1 visa. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 emphasizes the need for students to take responsibility for maintaining F-1 student status. The list of guidelines below are basic instructions to ensure that you remain in good standing with U.S. Immigration Authorities (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).

  • Within 10 days of your arrival to the U.S., give your U.S. address and to International Services or report it to the Office of the Registrar. All address changes are required to be reported to International Services within 10 days. During the academic year, you must live within the Springfield area.
  • Passport must be valid. A visitor to the U.S. is in violation of their immigration status if they remain in the U.S. with an expired passport.
  • Attend the school that issued your I-20 or DS-2019.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment every fall and spring semester.  Full-time enrollment is required in the summer semester only if you are a new student, beginning a new program of study, finishing your program of study, or a transferring student beginning studies at Missouri State.
    • Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours minimum for undergraduates and 9 credit hours minimum for graduates.
      • Full-time summer enrollment, if required, is 6 credit hours.  (See next point for internet-based course enrollment limitations.)
    • Only 3 hours of internet-based courses count towards your full-time enrollment requirement.  The rest of the hours must come from traditional or hybrid/blended courses.

    • Graduate Assistants and Teaching Assistants must enroll in and complete a minimum of 6 credit hours for the fall and spring semesters in which they hold an assistantship, with a minimum of 3 credit hours defined as traditional or hybrid/blended courses.

    • Continued attendance students are not required to enroll during the summer semester.

  • Studies should be completed by the "program end date" listed on the I-20. If more time is needed, a program extension must be approved by International Services before the program end date has passed.  Documents cannot be extended after they expire.
  • If you have changed your major or degree level, request a new I-20 document from International Services.
  • Notify International Services of any breaks or interruptions in your studies, such as taking a semester absence from the University. Breaks in study can impact your ability to apply for practical training in the future (e.g., CPT and OPT).
  • Obtain a proper travel signature when traveling outside the U.S.
  • Do not engage in any employment or practical training activities without legal authorization from International Services or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • Do not violate U.S. laws - local, state, or federal.
  • Maintain adequate health insurance coverage at all times for the whole academic year.