IS

F-1 Status Requirements

Under U.S. immigration law, it is your responsibility to maintain F-1 lawful student status.
Begin by reading the “Instructions to Students” on page 2 of your Form I-20; then carefully follow them and the information below:

Maintain a valid passport at all times (Canadians are exempt).
Check in with and attend the school listed on your current Form I-20; that should be BYU.
You will be terminated in SEVIS during any semester or term of required enrollment WHEN ANY of the following occur:

you fail to enroll within 30 days of the first day of classes,

you enroll in less than a full course of study without the proper authorization from International Services or

you fail to pay tuition prior to the add/drop deadline thus making you ineligible to attend BYU.
Enroll in and complete a full course of study during each semester or term that is not your annual vacation period
Government regulations allow you to take an annual vacation from enrollment at BYU as described below. If you are an ELC student, contact the ELC regarding your eligibility and frequency of vacation from ELC enrollment.
- Eligibility is based upon when you began your studies at BYU; if you began
  - Fall or winter semester—your vacation will be during the next spring and summer terms,
  - Spring term—you will be eligible during summer term or
  - Summer term—your vacation will be during the next spring and summer terms.
- If you are a transfer student and have questions, please consult with International Services regarding your vacation eligibility.
- It is possible to change your annual vacation from spring and summer to fall or winter.
  - To qualify, you must
    - have been a student for the previous eight months and
    - be granted either an admissions deferment or authorization for a reduced course load.
  - You can not change your vacation from spring and summer if you are not planning to continue your classes during the following enrollment period.
  - details
  - Consult with International Services for answers to your questions.
while making normal progress towards completing your program of study before the expiration date specified on item #5 of your Form I-20.
Keep your Form I-20 valid and accurate by following the proper procedures when you:

apply for an extension of program which must be done prior to its expiration date,

transfer from one program to another (e.g., ESL to regular school) or from one level to another (e.g., bachelor's to master's) or

transfer schools.
You must request your SEVIS record be transferred to your new school in order to maintain your F-1 status.
- Eligibility
  - Admittance to another school
  - Current maintenance of your lawful status, including
    - Enrollment in a full course of study OR
    - Participation in optional practical training
  - NOTE: In order to attend your new school if you are ineligible for transfer of schools because you are out of status, you must
    - Apply to USCIS for reinstatement OR
    - Leave the country and renter with an initial Form I-20 from your new school. more
- Procedure
  - After being accepted as a student at the school where you plan to transfer, your new school will either send or have you bring to BYU International Services a form to verify your transfer eligibility from BYU.
  - International Services then completes and returns the transfer eligibility form to your new school.
  - Complete and submit a Transfer Out Form to BYU International Services.
  - International Services will transfer your SEVIS record effective the date you designate on your Transfer Out Form.
    NOTE:Your employment benefits at BYU terminate on the effective transfer date.
  - Enroll in a full course of study during your initial semester or term specified on your new Form I-20.
    NOTE: You are not subject to the 100 dollar SEVIS fee.
  - Check in with your new school upon your arrival to that campus

Follow the grace period rules governing admittance to the U.S. no more than 30 days before your program start date and those pertaining to your remaining in the U.S. for up to 60 days beyond your program completion date or any authorized practical training.

Maintain your permanent home country address in Route Y and update your local address and/or phone number in Route Y within 10 days of any change. Doing so will automatically send an update notification to USCIS.
Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition on criminal activity. Click here for more

F-1 students, like all other non-immigrants, are required to disclose fully and truthfully all information requested by DHS.

Students are also required to obey federal, state and local laws.

BYU has an obligation to update SEVIS regarding any disciplinary action taken by the school as a result of being convicted of a crime.
Engage in employment only after receiving proper authorization.
Limit employment hours to less than 20 per week while school is in session.
Adhere to any special requirements such as Special Registration Procedures for certain foreign nationals.

F-1 Rights

The following information summarizes some of the most important privileges and rights granted to you under regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Immigration Documents

If you should lose or have them stolen, you have the right to have your Form I-20 and Form I-94 replaced since they are required documents during your stay in the U.S.

Registration, Attendance, and Course Load

Registration and Attendance—Even though you must register at BYU, the school you are authorized to attend, you may enroll concurrently at another USCIS-approved institution provided the combined hours constitute a full course of study.
Course Load
- As long as you register for and complete at least the required minimum course load, you may register for as many credit hours as BYU allows.
- Reduction of Course Load—Under certain qualifying situations, you may request and obtain prior permission from International Services for an Exception to the Full Course of Study Requirement that would authorize you to register for a course load less than that normally required by immigration regulations.

Employment more

On-Campus—You may be employed by BYU in any student job on campus providing International Services verifies your legal status to Employment Services.
Off-Campus
- Authorization—You may be employed by off-campus employers after you complete one academic year of studies in status and you apply for and receive prior written authorization from International Services or from USCIS.
- Types
  - Severe Economic Hardship—You may be eligible to apply to USCIS for authorization for employment based on severe economic hardship.
  - Practical Training—Practical Training is employment directly related to your major field of study. Most F-1 students are eligible to apply for
    - Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before completion of studies, and
    - Optional Practical Training (OPT) during or after a program of study. You may request 12 months of OPT before completion of each program level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate).
- Hours
  - You may work no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
  - You may work more than 20 hours per week when school is not in session and when you are on OPT after the completion of your program of study.

Holidays and Vacations

You may remain in the U.S. and considered to be in lawful F-1 status during holidays and vacation periods observed by BYU, including summer vacations, provided (1) you are eligible and intend to register for the next school semester (the semester immediately following a summer vacation), and (2) the “completion of studies” date in item #5 of your Form I-20 will not be reached before you resume study.
You may change when you take vacation;
Government regulations allow you to take an annual vacation from enrollment at BYU as described below. If you are an ELC student, contact the ELC regarding your eligibility and frequency of vacation from ELC enrollment.
- Eligibility is based upon when you began your studies at BYU; if you began
  - Fall or winter semester—your vacation will be during the next spring and summer terms,
  - Spring term—you will be eligible during summer term or
  - Summer term—your vacation will be during the next spring and summer terms.
- If you are a transfer student and have questions, please consult with International Services regarding your vacation eligibility.
- It is possible to change your annual vacation from spring and summer to fall or winter.
  - To qualify, you must
    - have been a student for the previous eight months and
    - be granted either an admissions deferment or authorization for a reduced course load.
  - You can not change your vacation from spring and summer if you are not planning to continue your classes during the following enrollment period.
  - details
  - Consult with International Services for answers to your questions.
if you plan to vacation during a semester, check with International Services to see if you qualify and to obtain written authorization prior to the vacation period

Travel
- Within the United States—You may travel freely within the United States provided you maintain your lawful F-1 status and have your valid passport, Form 1-20, and Form I-94 in your possession.
- Outside the United States—You may leave the United States at any time. You may return later to the U.S. provided you have
  - a valid passport containing an valid F-1 visa, and
  - a new Form I-20 or a Form I-20 properly endorsed for re-entry.
- Thirty Day Visa Law—If you travel to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for less than 30 days, you may be eligible to re-enter the U.S. even if the F-1 visa in your passport has expired, provided you have a valid Form I-94, passport and Form I-20. If you apply for a visa during these 30 days and are denied, you may not re-enter the U.S. but must return home and obtain a new visa. The Thirty Day Rule does not apply to you if you are out of status.

Length of Time You May Remain in the United States
- You may study in your present educational program until the program end date stipulated in item #5 on your Form I-20. However, upon meeting the eligibility requirements, if you need additional time to complete your program, you may apply for an extension of your program.
Course Work at or Transfer to a Different School
- You may take courses temporarily at a school other than BYU provided you meet the requirements.
- You may transfer from BYU
  You must request your SEVIS record be transferred to your new school in order to maintain your F-1 status.
  - Eligibility
    - Admittance to another school
    - Current maintenance of your lawful status, including
      
      Enrollment in a full course of study OR
      
      Participation in optional practical training
    - NOTE: In order to attend your new school if you are ineligible for transfer of schools because you are out of status, you must
      
      Apply to USCIS for reinstatement OR
      
      Leave the country and renter with an initial Form I-20 from your new school. more
  - Procedure
    - After being accepted as a student at the school where you plan to transfer, your new school will either send or have you bring to BYU