MAINTAINING STATUS
Information disclaimer:
The information in this section is intended only for current and prospective international students and scholars of Tarleton State University. Any information on immigration regulations is subject to change at any time and without notice and may not apply to individuals outside the TSU community.
A major role of the TSU International Office is to provide immigration information and advice as well as issue immigration documents for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars at TSU. If you need advice or information on other immigration matters – such as H-1 or L-2 visas or status, refugee or asylum status, or U.S. permanent residence issues – please consult a board certified immigration attorney or your caseworker. The TSU International Office does not provide information or advice beyond F-1 and J-1 student and scholar matters.
As an F-1/J-1 student, you are admitted to the U.S. for “duration of status”, which is notated as D/S on the white I-94 card in your passport. This means you are permitted to stay in the U.S. as long as you maintain your status. F-1 status is granted when you enter the U.S and is regulated by the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The visa is different from immigration status; the visa stamp is placed in your passport by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and is granted for entry purposes only. Even if your visa is valid, you can lose you legal student status if you do not comply with immigration laws regulating your stay in the U.S. if you fail to maintain your legal student status, you will need to speak to the Immigration Advisor to discus you options for restoring you immigration status.
How to Maintain Your Immigration Status
- Attend the school that is listed on your current I-20 / DS-2019.
- For F-1 students, complete an immigration transfer whenever you change educationl institutions
This process must be completed within 15 days of beginning classes at your new school. Am immigration transfer is a completely separate process from transferring academic credits from another school. The transfer is not complete until you have registered for classes at the new school and received an I-20 confirming the completion of your transfer.
- Complete a full course of study during the fall and spring semesters.
A full course of study is defined as 12 hours per semester for an undergraduate student and 9 hours per semester for a graduate student. However, graduate students may be eligible to enroll for 3 hours once all coursework has been completed and the student is enrolled in thesis or dissertation. (Note: if you have an academic appointment, please check with your department for coursework requirements). Correspondence courses and in absentia registration do not count toward a full course of study. If you are a continuing student, you are not required by USICE to enroll in classes during the summer sessions. If you need to drop below a full course of study, see an Immigration Advisor before dropping any courses.
- Obtain a new I-20 / DS-2019 whenever you make a change in degree levels.
A new I-20 / DS-2019 must be issued within 15 days of beginning classes in your new program. This includes changing from English language studies to a university degree, from bachelors to masters, from masters to a doctorate, from Optional Practical Training to a new degree, etc.
Limit on-campus work to part-time (part-time employment is defined as 20 hours or less per week) during the fall and spring semesters. On-campus employment may be full-time (more than 20hours per week) during the summer and official school breaks. F-1 and J-1 students do not require special authorization to work on campus. Note: J-1 students whose DS-2019 was issued by a sponsor other than Tarleton State University are required to obtain an authorization letter from their program sponsor in order to work on Tarleton State University campus.
- Report your change of local address within ten days of your move.
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