Maintaining Your Legal Status While Studying in the United States
Guide
An overview of maintaining legal status while studying in the United States
Written by Robin Catmur-Smith, Managing Director of the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
An overview of maintaining legal status
What maintaining status requires
To keep valid F-1 or J-1 status, you must:
Enroll full-time each required term (12 credits undergrad / 9 grad), unless approved for a reduced course load. Only one online course is permitted to count toward a full-time course load.
Make normal progress toward your degree completion.
Keep your immigration documents valid (passport, I-20/DS-2019, visa for re-entry to the U.S.).
Report address changes to your DSO/ARO within 10 days.
Report a change of major within 10 days.
Get authorization before working as permitted under the regulations. Working without it can terminate your SEVIS record. (See Working While in School.)
Follow your school's rules and academic policies.
If you're ever unsure, check with your DSO/ARO before making changes.
Reporting and documents
Report any U.S. address change within 10 days (your physical residential address, not a P.O. box), even during breaks or on OPT/Academic Training. Always be able to show proof of status: carry your passport ID page, I-94, and I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1).
Avoid the common causes of SEVIS termination — dropping below full-time, not enrolling, working without authorization, letting documents expire.
If you have an F-1 visa
Transferring schools
Reduced course load (RCL)
Program extension
Withdrawal or leave of absence
If you have a J-1 visa
Transferring schools
Reduced course load (RCL)
Program extension
Withdrawal or leave of absence
Changing your program sponsor
