Maintaining Your F-1 Status

You are responsible for knowing, and following, these important requirements for maintaining your F-1 Status

F-1 International Students

All students are responsible for maintaining their own records, including copies of prior Form I-20's. The OGI is not able to provide students with copies of "older" documents, and can only provide printed copies of the most recent Form I-20 available from the students SEVIS record.

NJIT has (2) mandatory semesters: Fall and Spring. Enrollment during summer or winter session is optional, but not mandatory. F1 International students must always follow the prescribed course curriculum for their program of study, and must graduate in a timely manner. Students may not enroll in "extra" coursework with the intention of extending their program of study.

Students may only enroll in less than a full course load in their final semester prior to graduation, in which case, federal regulations allow the student to enroll in only the coursework required for program completion. Students must have (at least) one in-person course in their final semester, and must continue to adhere to online course enrollment requirements/restrictions during this term. 

There are 6 different modes of instruction for NJIT courses. "Face-to-face," "hybrid," and "converged learning" are considered in-person coursework. Please note that F-1 and J-1 students must attend all converged learning courses face-to-face to be in compliance. All other modes are considered online courses. For more information and definitions, please visit the Instructional Delivery page in the NJIT catalog.

During the Fall and Spring semesters, students must be enrolled in:

  • Graduate students: minimum of 9 credits total
  • Undergraduate students: minimum of 12 credits total

*Only 3 online credits count toward full-time enrollment each semester.

There are very few exceptions to the federal full time enrollment requirement. Please talk to your OGI adviser BEFORE you drop below full-time enrollment, or take a leave of absence.

During the Summer and Winter session:

  • Enrollment in coursework is not mandatory during these session.
  • Students may elect to enroll in as many or as few courses as they wish, or not enroll in any courses at all.
  • Students may enroll in all online courses during summer or winter sessions, and may complete online courses while outside of the US, if they desire. They must report back to NJIT in person for the Fall semester in order to maintain F1 status.
  • If a student will complete their program of study following summer session, they must follow the online course enrollment requirements for the final semester. Students may not enroll in all online courses in the summer if they will complete their program following summer coursework, and must must continue to adhere to online course enrollment requirements/restrictions during this session.

*Students must have at least one in-person class in your final semester, even if your final semester is a summer term, and must continue to adhere to online course enrollment requirements/restrictions during the final term. Students must follow full time/online course enrollment requirements during all required semesters.

 

Use the Highlander Pipeline to update your information. Any changes of name, major, or financial sponsorship will require a new I-20. Please contact your OGI adviser.

 

  • Your passport must be valid at all times. If you need to renew it contact your country's consulate or embassy in the U.S. We recommend that you make copies of your immigration documents and keep the originals in a safe place.
  • Your I-20 must always be valid. If you need more time to complete your academic program, you must apply for a program extension BEFORE the I-20 end date. If you do not complete the extension before that date, you will be out of status.
  • Your I-20 program end date will be shortened if you complete your program graduation requirements earlier than initially estimated.
  • Your F-1 visa can expire when you are in the U.S. as long as your I-20/OPT EAD is still valid. If you travel outside the U.S. you will need to renew your visa before reentering.
    • If you need to renew your F-1 Visa while outside of the US, then you must contact the local US Embassy or Consulate for information and instructions about this process and the requirements. The OGI does not advise on this process, because it is different at each foreign embassy and requirements vary. 
If you plan to transfer to another U.S. school, your OGI adviser will need to complete the SEVIS transfer procedure. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and deadlines.

 

Employment opportunities for international students in the U.S. are restricted by law and fall into two types of employment: On-campus employment and Off-campus employment. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and that you apply for the required authorization.

 

Working without authorization is a serious violation of your F-1 status and a reason for termination of your SEVIS record.

Email us if you are changing your status (example: H1B, permanent resident…) or if you leave the U.S. after graduation or after OPT. If you decide to take a semester off, contact us BEFORE dropping your courses or leaving the U.S. so we can authorize your Leave of Absence.

 

Travel signatures are valid for 1 year when you are studying, and 6 months when you are on OPT. You will need a valid visa in order to reenter the U.S.