Getting & Maintaining F-1 Status
F-1 Visa Regulations
All F-1 students must comply with the following immigration regulations:
- You must study full-time, 12 credits each Fall and Spring semester
- Of your total credits each semester, at least 9 credits must be in-person, flex, or hybrid; your remaining credits may be online
- You may not withdraw from classes if it will bring you below 12 credits in a semester unless a reduced course load is granted
- You are not allowed to engage in unauthorized employment
- Your current I-20 must be accessible at all times
- You may not stay in the U.S. past the program end date listed on your I-20
- If your I-20 is set to expire and you need more time to complete your studies, you may submit a Program Extension Request to your advisor
Attaining F-1 Visa Status
Students Outside the U.S.
Here are the basic steps for becoming an F-1 student at ACC If you are currently outside the U.S.:
- Apply to ACC as an international student
- Once accepted, you will be issued a Form I-20
- Use your I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Students Inside the U.S.
Here are the basic steps for changing your status to F-1 if you are currently in the U.S. under a different nonimmigrant visa status:
- Carefully consider your options; sometimes it is better to leave the U.S. and apply for an F-1 visa outside the U.S.
- Apply to ACC as an international student
- Once accepted, you will be issued a Form I-20
- Use your I-20 to apply for a change of status with USCIS
Additional Resources
Maintaining F-1 Visa Status
International Travel
Travel within the U.S. is unrestricted. When traveling outside the country, you will need several documents with you in hand in order to return:
- Valid passport
- Valid F-1 visa
- Valid I-20 with valid travel signature
- Academic transcript and schedule
- Proof of adequate financial resources
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
Before traveling internationally, notify the international student advisor of your plans, and set up an appointment to get a travel signature on your I-20. A travel signature is valid for six months.
If your F-1 visa has expired, or if you changed your status to F-1 while in the U.S., then you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa while outside the U.S. Contact the international student advisor for more information.
Post-Graduation Options
After completing your studies at ACC, you have several options:
- Transfer to another SEVP-certified school
- Apply for and complete Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Transfer to another SEVP-certified school after completing one year of OPT
- Leave the U.S. no more than 60 days after completing your program