The following details provide an overview of how to keep your student visa status valid.

Remember: at least twice per semester, review and update your profile in the ISS Portal.

  • Full-time Enrollment Requirements

    If you are an F-1 Visa student, you must be enrolled and actively participating in at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester. Failure to do so could result in termination of your F-1 status.

    Current Guidelines

    Below are the original guidelines which have been re-implemented for Summer 2023 moving forward. COVID guidelines have now been rescinded.

    • Only degree credit courses count toward full-time enrollment.
    • At least 9 of the 12 credits must be on-campus courses with the instructor. There is a limit of only 3 online credits per semester unless you enroll in more than 12 credits total.
    • Enrollment alone is not sufficient to maintain valid visa status. You must also actively participate in class for the duration of the course and make satisfactory academic progress.

    Withdrawal Due to Non-Attendance (WNA)

    You must attend and participate in the courses you enroll in. If you do not attend regularly, do not submit assignments, or never attend a class, you may be given a grade of “WNA” (Withdrawn due to Non-Attendance). A WNA does not count as any credits. Therefore, this could result in loss of legal visa status if the withdrawal causes fewer than 12 credits of enrollment.

  • Exception to a Full Course of Study

    If you need to take less than 12 credits, you must have a Reduced Course Load (RCL) authorization. If you are taking less than 12 credits without a RCL authorization, you could lose your F-1 Visa status.

    Learn more about a Reduced Course Load on our Authorization and Requests page.

     

  • Academic Standards and Poor Class Attendance

    Active participation for the duration of the course is required. If you do not attend regularly, stop attending, or never attend a class you may be given a grade of “WNA” (Withdrawn due to Non-Attendance).

    This could result in loss of legal visa status if the withdrawal causes fewer than 12 credits of enrollment.

    You will also need to maintain your GPA, class completion percentage, and the maximum credits you need to complete your program. This is called your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

    Learn more about these standards, how they are calculated, and the appeal process.

  • Maintain Employment Eligibility

    If you plan to take on employment on or off campus, please ensure that you have proper authorization to continue working.

    Any violation of these guidelines while employed can affect your F-1 Visa status.

    You can learn more about these guidelines and keep track of your authorization information here.

  • Report Address Changes

    Within 10 days of moving, changes to either your local or permanent address abroad must be reported to CIE.

    A physical street address must be provided; Post Office (P.O.) Box addresses are not allowed.

    Update your address information in your myMadisonCollege account. Your mailing address must be the address where you live in the U.S.

    Find instructions to update your address and emergency contact by going to the Student Records webpage for instructions.

    If you have dependents, please assist your F-2 dependents with submitting an AR-11 form to the USCIS within 10 days of the move.

  • Keeping Your I-20 Accurate and Valid

    Please review your I-20 regularly to confirm the information listed remains accurate. Report to CIE any information that needs to be updated, such as:

    • Program of Study
      • If you would like to add another program to your academic plans or change to a different program, and the program is within the same term as the original application and before the application deadline, follow the transfer of application process.
      • If the program is after your first semester, submit a new application. You do not need to resubmit other supporting documents, unless your I-20 is expiring.
      • If you no longer plan to complete a program, use the Primary Program Form to be removed from it.
    • Source of financial support (such as if you get a scholarship or if your financial sponsor changes)
    • Changes to your name (such as if you get married)
    • Changes to F-2 dependent status (such as if an F-2 spouse no longer lives in the U.S. with you or if an F-2 child changes to another visa status).

    Your I-20’s expiration date appears in the Program of Study section on the first page where the program end date is listed.

    An I-20 must be extended before it expires.

    Start the process to apply for an extension at the beginning of the semester of the expiration date if you need additional time to complete your studies.

    • An I-20 extension is required when you need more time to complete your program and your I-20 is expiring. Apply at least ONE MONTH BEFORE the I-20 expires.
    • When to Apply: At least ONE MONTH BEFORE the I-20 expires. Processing an I-20 Extension typically takes 2-3 weeks and must be completed before the I-20 expires to avoid visa violation. Use the ISS Portal to:
      • Complete a Program Extension Request online
      • Upload financial support documentation
      • Request an I-20 Extension Recommendation from your academic advisor
  • Keep Passport Valid

    Passport

    Your passport should not expire while you are in the U.S.

    Start the renewal process at least 6 months before your passport expires. Work with your home country’s embassy or consulate located in the U.S. to renew your passport while remaining in the U.S.

    You will need to show a valid passport not only when entering the U.S., but also when leaving the U.S.

    Visa Stamp

    It is perfectly fine for your student visa stamp in your passport to expire while you are in the U.S. while maintaining valid visa status.

    The visa stamp must only be valid when entering the U.S. unless you utilize the Automatic Visa Revalidation.

    Since the student visa stamp can expire without consequence while you are in the U.S., it is not possible to renew it while remaining in the U.S.

    Visas may only be obtained at a U.S. embassy located outside of the U.S. If you will travel abroad after your current visa stamp has expired, it is recommended you schedule your visa interview appointment before you depart and allow sufficient time during your visit to receive the new visa stamp before you return.

  • Know Your Grace Period

    A “grace period” is the amount of time you are allowed to legally remain in the U.S. if you are no longer active on the F-1 student visa.

    The length of the grace period permitted depends on the following situations:

    60 Days

    After earning your degree, F-1 visa holders have a 60-day grace period to legally remain in the United States.

    During this time, you can prepare for departure or request an extension of stay by either applying for OPT, starting another academic program at Madison College, transferring to another college/university, or changing visa status.

    15 Days

    If you consult with CIE before withdrawing from (stop studying at) Madison College, a 15-day grace period may be granted.

    0 Days

    If you do not consult with CIE before withdrawing, no grace period can be authorized.

  • I-94 Arrival Record

    The I-94 record shows the dates a visitor to the United States entered and departed the country.

    Your arrival record is stamped on your passport upon entering the country.

    The stamp indicates which port of entry was used, on which date and visa type.

    Printing Your I-94 Record

    1. Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
    2. Click “Get Most Recent I-94.” Acknowledge you have read the information by clicking “Consent and Continue”.
    3. Enter the requested information, as it appears on your passport.
    4. Click “Next” then “Print”.

    Correcting Your I-94 Record

    Contact CIE’s International Student Services at iss@madisoncollege.edu for assistance with correcting the following issues:

    1. If your I-94 record cannot be retrieved with the above directions.
    2. If it does not list the correct visa type under “Class of Admission”.
    3. If it does not list “D/S” under “Admit Until Date”.

    Paper I-94 Card

    You may still have a paper I-94 card if you haven’t left the U.S. for many years. If you changed your visa status while remaining in the United States, you will have a paper I-94 card at the bottom of your change of status Approval Notice.

    The I-94 arrival stamp looks like this:

    entry stamp example