All F-l and J-l students must register for and complete a full course of studies each fall semester and each spring semester. (Summer study is optional.) Undergraduate students must complete 12 hours each semester; graduate students must complete 9 hours each semester. Students who do not comply with this requirement are violating immigration regulations. It is your responsibility to be a full-time student throughout your stay in the U.S. (Students in the final semester of their degree program who do not need to register for a full course of study must see the International Affairs staff in I.A. so that their status in the U.S. remains lawful.)

F-l students are admitted to the U.S. for "Duration of Status," usually noted as "D/S" on your Immigration documents. This means you are permitted to remain in this country as a full-time student for the period of time during which you are pursuing one educational program (bachelors, masters, or doctoral) at one institution...plus any program extension...plus 60 days in which to depart the U.S. Students who remain in an educational program longer than the time estimated on the Form 1-20AB issued to begin that program must request a program extension in order to remain in the U.S. and continue their studies. Before the completion date on the 1-20 expires, please check with I.A. as soon as you know you will need a longer time to complete your program than originally estimated.

H-l scholars are admitted to the U.S. until the date noted on their Form 1- 171 C or 1-797 and Form 1-94.

J-l students and scholars are admitted to the U.S. for the period of time noted on your immigration documents. This means you are permitted to remain in this country as a full-time student for the period of time during which you are pursuing one educational program (bachelors, masters, or doctoral) at one institution or scholarly visit ...plus any extensions of stay... plus 30 days in which to depart the U.S. You may need to extend your stay using a new Form DS2019 issued by your Program Sponsor. Please bring Form DS2019, Form 1-94 for you and your dependents in the U.S. and the appropriate passports to the I.A. Office when you ask for assistance.