Maintaining your F-1 Visa Status

To maintain F-1 Status, students must do the following:

1. 

   Students are required to attend the educational institution designated on the SEVIS I-20 and are expected to complete at least one semester at the institution prior to requesting transfer to any other educational institution. Completion of the degree program at the designated educational institution is strongly recommended.
2. Students are required to enroll and complete a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the fall and spring terms except in the semester of graduation. Students who fail to maintain full-time enrollment will be considered out of status and not eligible to return without reinstatement by USCIS. Summer enrollment, except for students entering in the summer term, is optional.
3. All fees are due by the date designated by the school; otherwise your classes will be dropped.
4. Students can only enroll in 3 credit hours of online courses during the fall and spring terms (unless summer is your beginning semester).
5. Make normal progress toward completing the course of study. If you decide to change your major, you must contact International Admissions prior to changing it.
6. Students must have a valid SEVIS I-20. If students must remain at TCC past their I-20 expiration date, they must apply for a program extension prior to the expiration date on the I-20. There are specific procedures that need to be followed to request an extension, thus students must see their International Student Advisor.
7. Students on F-1 visas, who wish to transfer to another school in the United States, must officially do so by requesting new SEVIS I-20 forms from the school to which they wish to transfer. Additional requirements necessitate that the student fill out a Transfer Form from the recipient school. It is crucial to note that you can only transfer if you have been maintaining valid status.
8. Students who are not pursuing a full course of study are not eligible for program extension or transfer without reinstatement by USCIS. Please note that reinstatements are not guaranteed.
9. Students must keep their passports valid at all times.
10. Students must not accept employment off campus. On campus employment is permitted for no more than 20 hours. Unfortunately, there are limited working opportunities for international students.
11. Report a change of address or name to the International Student Advisor within 10 days of the change. Please keep in mind that a change of address made on EagleNet does not constitute reporting a change of address to the International Student Advisor.
12. Within 60 days of completing the course of study, you must transfer to another school or apply for a change of status.
13. Students must not leave the United States, even for a short time, without making sure that all travel documents are valid and in their possession, and that the International Student Advisor signs their I-20. Please allow 24-48 hours processing time.
14. Please be advised that failure to comply with USCIS regulations will result in loss of F-1 status and will require reinstatement by USCIS.
15. All international students on visas must file income tax returns even if they do not have any taxable income. Please call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-829-1040 to request Form1040 NR-EZ, Form 883, and the Publication 519. If you do not have a social security card, you must also request Form W-7. Unfortunately, this office cannot offer any help with this matter. If you have any questions, you may visit the local IRS office at this address: 227 N. Bronough St. Tallahassee, FL 32301 or call at this number: (850) 942-8995.