Maintaining Legal Status
Start here to learn how to avoid going out of status while studying in the United States.
Featured Resources
A straightforward guide to transferring your J-1 exchange visitor program from one designated sponsor to another.
When you complete your academic program you have a short window to act on several possible next steps. Here are the options, with links to the details.
Your first U.S. entry as a student has two parts: preparing the right documents, and clearing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Entry. Here's what to know.
You can travel abroad during your studies and return in F-1 or J-1 status if your documents are in order. Learn what to check before you go in this overview on travel outside the United States, and re-entry.
You can work while studying in the U.S., but the rules differ by visa type and most work requires authorization first. Here's the landscape, with links to detailed answers. Learn more in this overview of working in the U.S. as an international student.
FAQs
Helpful Guides
A straightforward guide to transferring your J-1 exchange visitor program from one designated sponsor to another.
Keeping J-1 status means meeting reporting obligations to your sponsor and handling program changes the right way. Learn about the landscape for scholars in this overview for maintaining J-1 Status and program changes.
Before and just after you arrive, your sponsor must give you certain orientation and arrival information and confirm that you meet a few requirements. Learn what to expect in this overview for pre-arrival, orientation, English, and health insurance while in the United States.
When you complete your academic program you have a short window to act on several possible next steps. Here are the options, with links to the details.
Most students never face these issues, but if you do, acting quickly and getting the right help makes all the difference. Here's an overview of common legal problems for international students in the United States.
When your program ends normally, you get a short grace period in the U.S. to wrap up and prepare to leave. Learn more about how it works in this overview of grace periods and departures for international students.
Your first U.S. entry as a student has two parts: preparing the right documents, and clearing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Entry. Here's what to know.
You can travel abroad during your studies and return in F-1 or J-1 status if your documents are in order. Learn what to check before you go in this overview on travel outside the United States, and re-entry.
You can work while studying in the U.S., but the rules differ by visa type and most work requires authorization first. Here's the landscape, with links to detailed answers. Learn more in this overview of working in the U.S. as an international student.
An overview of maintaining legal status while studying in the United States. Learn what is required.
You can academically transfer to a new SEVP-certified school, but you must also transfer your SEVIS record in order to maintain your lawful status. You must meet all requirements and follow the steps.
You can academically transfer to a new SEVP-certified school, but you must also transfer your SEVIS record in order to maintain your lawful status. You must meet all requirements and follow the steps.
Key considerations for switching from J-1 to F-1 status, including the two-year home-residency requirement and the change-of-status process.