Compliance with U.S. Immigration Laws & Regulations: |
San Francisco State University has a long history of welcoming international students to our campus community to participate in the intellectual life of the University. We want you to be able to successfully complete your studies in the United States . However, it is critically important that you also maintain your legal status in the United States .
As an international student, you have an obligation to comply with the immigration laws and regulations of the U.S. . You are responsible for learning, understanding and complying with the U.S. laws and regulations that apply to your F-1 student status. Failure to be aware of and to comply with important U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations could jeopardize both your legal status in the U.S. and your future academic plans.
Therefore, it is extremely important that you read, fully understand, and comply fully with the following:
• Attend the School Noted on Your I-20
You must attend the college/university that issued your most recent I-20 and for which you have been authorized by the USCIS to attend.
• Maintain a Valid Passport at All Times
• Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
As an F-1 visa student, you must complete a full course of study each Fall & Spring Semester. Summer Semester is optional.
What Constitutes A Full-Time Course Load Varies According To Academic Level:
Academic Level Minimum |
Full Time Course Load: |
Certificate Students: |
12 units per semester |
Undergraduates (Bachelor's): |
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Graduate (Master's): |
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Please note that students must receive a letter grade of either A, B, C, D, F or CR/NR or I (Incomplete must be made up within 1 year) each Fall and Spring Semester.
Grades of "IC" (Incomplete Charged- Incompletes not finished with in one year), "W" (Withdrawal), "WU" (Unauthorized Withdrawal) or "AU" (Audit) do not count towards satisfying the USCIS's full-time enrollment requirement for students in F-1 status.
Y ou must receive authorization/permission from an International Student Advisor at OIP in advance . You and your academic advisor must complete the appropriate Reduced Course Load forms and submit it to an International Student Advisor before registering for less than a full course load or before dropping below a full course load.
If you expect to receive an “I” (Incomplete) grade in a class, you must make up the class within one year. Please talk with an International Student Advisor at OIP if you have questions about the “I” grade.
• Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
There are very limited exceptions to the full course of study rule. Those reasons include; Academic difficulty , Medical condition , Completion of study , and Thesis/Project/Recital/Oral Defense/Exam . There are strict criteria for each. You must obtain authorization from OIP before dropping below a full course of study.
• EmploymentYou are NOT permitted to work in the U.S. without authorization. F-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session (Fall & Spring Semesters) but can work full-time only during the Summer, Winter or Spring Breaks.
You are not permitted to work off-campus without first receiving authorization from the Immigration Service and/or from an International Student Advisor at OIP.
• I-20 Extension
You must apply for an extension of your program of study before the expiration date on your I-20 (See section 5 of the I-20) if you cannot complete your program by that date. You and your academic advisor must complete the” ACADEMIC ADVISER'S RECOMMENDATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME LIMITATION FOR A PROGRAM OF STUDY” form. Please submit this form to an International Student Advisor at OIP before the expiration date of the I-20 so the extension process can be completed before the I-20 expires.
• Change of Major or Degree Program
You must obtain a new I-20 after changing your academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Bachelor's to Master's level), one college to another (e.g., from the College of Business to the College of Science & Engineering), or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Mechanical Engineering to Physics).
• Change of Address
You must report any change of address, residence, or name (for your and your F-2 dependents), and emergency contact directly to SF State using the “ MySFSU ” within 10 days of the change. You must also inform OIP of any change in your financial sponsorship. OIP will then electronically notify USCIS of these changes via SEVIS as required by the current regulations. Students who are on PCPT must notify OIP of these changes via e-mail oip@sfsu.edu
• Emergency Contact
SF State requires all international students to provide emergency contact information in case something happens to you and we need to contact your family or friends (either in the U.S. or overseas). If you do not provide SF State with this important information, you will be prevented from registering for future classes. Visit the "International Student Information Update Page" on " MySFSU " and check to make sure that SF State has your emergency contact information.
• Transfer to Another School
You must complete SEVIS I-20 transfer procedure whenever you change educational institutions, change levels of study (i.e. move from a bachelor's degree program to a master's degree program at the same or different school), or transfer from PCPT to another program of study .
You must notify your current institution of your intent to transfer, obtain a I-20 the new institution, and report to the International Student Advisor at the new school within 15 days of the program start date listed on the I-20.
• Travel signature
You must notify OIP before traveling outside the U.S. so that your I-20 can be signed for travel purposes, or a new I-20 can be issued, if required. To obtain a signature, you must complete and submit an OIP “F-1 Document Request Form” with the must current I-20 at least 2 weeks before your anticipated travel date, although you are strongly encouraged to submit the form even earlier.
Only an International Student Advisor at OIP is authorized to sign your I-20 form for travel purposes. Each travel signature is good for 6 months (not one year).
• F-2 Dependent(s )
You must notify OIP of any accompanying dependents in F-2 status and provide biographical information (e.g., full name, address, country of birth, etc.) and immigration information (e.g., passport information, visa information, etc.) regarding those dependents. OIP is required to report information to the Immigration Service and/or Department of State regarding your dependents.
• Withdrawing from SF State
You must notify OIP whenever you plan to leave SF State and/or depart the U.S. (and the reason why). Sometimes, and for a variety of reasons, students leave the University early or unexpectedly. Some of these reasons include early graduation, leave of absence, suspension, or expulsion. USCIS regulations require that you inform an International Student Advisor at OIP if you plan to leave the University before the expected completion date indicated on your I-20 Form and the reason for doing so.
• Depart the U.S. Within Grace Period
F-1 students must depart the United States within 60 days of the I-20 program expiration date OR their program end date, whichever is earlier. The exceptions to this rule include those who have
• Applied for Post-Completion Practical Training (PCPT), or
• Transferring to new schools, or
• Have applied for a change of status with USCIS.
Timeline illustration of F-1 duration of status and grace periods (courtesy of 2008 NAFSA Advisor's Manual)IMPORTANT NOTE:
This information is not exhaustive and is subject to change without notice. You should contact OIP at 415.338.1293 to arrange an appointment to discuss any questions or concerns related to your legal status in the U.S.
