F-1 Visa Information--Maintaining Lawful Student Status

Duration of Status (D/S)

F-1 students are admitted to the United States for duration of status (D/S). Duration of status means:

• the period during which you are pursuing a full-time course of study in an educational program prior to the completion date on the Form I-20;
• plus any authorized period of practical training;
• plus 60 days after completion of studies or practical training in which to apply for a change of status or leave the U.S.

It is extremely important to comply with immigration regulations in order to maintain lawful status. Immigration law has instituted severe penalties for "overstays" and "unlawful presence" in the United States.

Full Course of Study

F-1 students are required to register for and complete a full course of study each quarter except during vacation. Underenrollment may be permitted due to medical reasons or legitimate academic reasons. If you plan to enroll less than full-time, you must obtain written approval from the International Student Advisor before the beginning of the term.

Annual Vacation

F-1 students may take one quarter of vacation each year (usually during the summer), provided that they are eligible and intend to register for the next term.

Transfer

F-1 students who come to the University of California, Davis (UCD) from another U.S. school must inform the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the change of schools by either

• completing the transfer process upon arrival at UCD, or
• re-entering the country using your UCD I-20 if traveling outside the US prior to beginning your academic program at UCD

Please note that failure to complete the transfer process within the first fifteen days of your first quarter at UCD will result in the loss of your F-1 status.

Change of Educational Program or Level

To change schools or educational programs (for example, Master's to Ph.D.) you must obtain a new I-20 and follow the transfer procedure even if you will continue in the new program at UCD.

Extension of Stay

If you are unable to complete your studies before the program completion date on the I-20, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of your I-20 and meet the following criteria:

• Status has been continually maintained.
• Compelling medical or academic reasons other than probation or suspension caused the delay in completion.

Submit to SISS an I-20 request form with documentation of financial support and an USCIS Form I-538 (both available at SISS). SISS will issue a new I-20 to you and will notify USCIS of the extension.

Employment

F-1 students may work on-campus part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time during school vacations. Off-campus employment is not permitted during the first academic year in most cases. After the first year of study, restricted off-campus employment authorization may be requested. Off-campus work authorization requires USCIS permission. Working off-campus without specific written authorization is a serious violation of F-1 status.

Dependents

Dependents (spouse and/or children under 21 years of age) who accompany F-1 students to the United States are admitted in F-2 status. F-2 dependents may not be employed in the U.S., and they may not attend school.

Travel

Necessary documents for F-1 and F-2 travel outside the United States and for reentry to the U.S. include a valid passport, a valid F-1 or F-2 visa stamp, and an unexpired UCD I-20 with a recent SISS signature (within the last 6 months). It may not be necessary to extend an expired visa when traveling to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days.

Passport

Students must maintain a valid passport at all times. It is the student's responsibility to renew it before it expires.

Current Address

U.S. government regulations require that students notify SISS of any change of address within 10 days.  This should be done through SISWEB.   In addition, students subject to Special Registration have the responsibility to directly file the AR-11SR form with immigration authorities within 10 days.