Maintaining Lawful F-1 Status
Pace University is required by U.S. law to maintain accurate and up-to-date records regarding the enrollment status, address, employment authorizations and other information for each international student in F-1 status. This information is reported via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to the Department of Homeland Security. Every F-1 student and their dependent(s) have a SEVIS record, from which the form I-20 is created. It is crucial that all information contained in the SEVIS record and printed on the I-20 is accurate at all times. ISS staff members have the authority to verify, sign and process immigration documents for Pace University and its international students. ISS staff members are responsible for advising and assisting international students to properly maintain their F-1 status.
The ISS provides information to students which assists them in maintaining their status. Ultimately, students are responsible for their status - a student's eligibility to remain in the U.S. is contingent upon knowledge of and compliance with immigration laws.
There are several requirements for maintaining your legal status. It is your responsibility to be aware of these requirements to ensure you are in compliance.
The following are the most important requirements every F-1 student must follow in order to maintain legal status while in the U.S. Failure to comply with these requirements may have severe consequences for your ability to study, seek employment, or remain in the U.S. legally.
1. Full-time enrollment*
- Undergraduate Students: full-time enrollment is a minimum of 12 credits during the fall and spring semesters.
- Graduate Students: full time is a minimum of 9 credits during the fall and spring semesters.
- Students are not required to enroll during the summer.
Any change of enrollment status should be reported within 10 days to the ISS.
On-line classes: Immigration regulations stipulate that only one online class may count towards full time course load in any fall or spring semester. Failure to comply with this regulation may have extremely severe consequences including losing your legal F-1 status.
If you are enrolled in one remaining course at your last semester of study, it must be in-person. This includes students taking the final course during a summer or winter session. You cannot take your one remaining course online.
*If you need to register on a part-time basis and have a valid reason, obtain ISS approval for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) BEFORE your registration is finalized.
2. Valid Immigration Documents
Keep the following immigration documents valid (unexpired) at all times:
- Passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future
- I-94 arrival/departure record should be annotated with D/S (Duration of Status).
- Unexpired I-20
- Valid F-1 visa stamp if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. Your visa may be expired while remaining in the U.S., but has no effect on your legal stay, as long as you maintain status.
3. Employment Authorization
Do not begin off-campus employment/internship without obtaining authorization in writing. Prior to the start date of off-campus employment, your SEVIS record must be annotated for such and a new I-20 will be processed for employment.
If you are planning to work, get more information on employment eligibility and application procedures.
Students are responsible for reporting any change of information to ISS within 10 days:
Submit the Report Change to SEVIS Record request in ISS Connect if:
- you changed your major*
- you added a second major*
- you have declared or changed your minor*
- you changed your home campus*
- you legally changed your name (new passport reflecting name change is required)
- you would like country of citizenship changed in SEVIS (passport issued by that country is required)
- your marital status has changed and you need to terminate your F-2 dependent spouse (official divorce certificate is required)
- you renewed your passport
- financial information has been updated
*You must first proceed through the Office of the Registrar for requesting changes in major, minor, or home campus.
Submit the Change of Address and/or Phone Number request in ISS Connect if your mailing, residential, and/or phone number changes.
Contact the ISS staff immediately if you are experiencing any of the following SEVIS reportable events:
- withdrawal due to academic, medical, or personal reasons
- departure for semester abroad or Pace faculty-led program
- transfer to another institution in the U.S.
- extension of academic program is needed to complete degree requirements
- changes in enrollment status (drop below full-time), or taking an online class