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It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the immigration requirements related to their status. Failure to maintain F-1 status can lead to the termination of your F-1 record and immediate loss of valid F-1 status. Following the guidelines below will help you to maintain your lawful F-1 Status while in the U.S.  Valid status is the foundation upon which all eligibility of benefits rests.  Below is a summary of basic guidelines, for more detailed information or for specific questions related to your status please contact an OIS advisor.

Basic Guidelines for Maintaining F-1 Status

  1. Maintain a valid passport
    Your passport must be valid for at least 6-months into the future unless exempt by country-specific agreements. Contact your country’s embassy in the U.S. for information about renewing or extending your passport while in the U.S.
     
  2. Review your I-94, maintain a valid I-20 and carry documentation verifying F-1 status
    Review your I-94 record each time you re-enter the U.S., ensuring it reflects the correct class of admission (“F-1”) and admit-until date (“D/S”). Retrieve your electronic I-94 here, print a copy, and carry it with your immigration documents, as required by immigration law.* If your I-94 contains incorrect information, contact OIS for guidance on correcting it.

    Keep a printed copy of your I-20 with your I-94 at all times, as evidence of your legal status. Your I-20 should accurately reflect your major and degree level, program start and end dates, and the source of your financial support. Any changes to personal, academic, or funding information should be updated by submitting the appropriate request in iHopkins. For example, submit an application for an extension if you need more time to complete your program. The program end date can be found on page 1 of the I-20 form. You must also request a new I-20 if you change your major or your degree level, e.g. Ph.D. to Master’s. 

    *It may be advisable to carry other documents to establish your identity, such as a state driver’s license, a state ID, or your passport.
     
  3. Keep your local address updated
    You must update your address within 10 days of a move.
     
  4. Attend the school noted on your I-20
    You must have a current, valid I-20 from the school you are attending. If you transfer from another school to Johns Hopkins, the transfer process must be completed before your academic program begins.  
     
  5. Maintain full-time enrollment
    You must register full-time each term you are at Johns Hopkins unless you have applied for and received a Reduced Course Load authorization from OIS. If you must withdraw from your program or you are unable to enroll full-time, contact OIS before doing so. For more information, click here.
     
  6. Get a travel endorsement
    Before your departure from the U.S., request a travel signature for re-entry from an OIS Advisor. The Advisor will sign page 2 of the I-20 for this purpose. If you are a current student, the signature is valid for one year. If you are on OPT, the signature is valid for six months.
     
  7. Work only with proper employment authorization
    You must receive proper work authorization before engaging in any on-campus or off-campus activity that does not fall under on-campus employment.
     
  8. Know your grace period after completion
    Students in F-1 status have a 60-day grace period following the end of their program. The 60-day period begins after your I-20 program end date. (Your I-20 may have an estimated end date. Your I-20 ends on the last day of classes in your final term of enrollment or authorized post-completion OPT. You may use the grace period to depart the U.S., continue studies via Change of Level or Transfer, or apply for Post-Completion OPT.