F-1 Student Regulations and Responsibilities

ISSO – Boston University International Students & Scholars Office

SEVIS –  Student and Exchange Visitor Information System – a DHS database used by schools to issue immigration documents and monitor F-1 and J-1 students, exchange visitors and their F-2 and J-2 dependents in the U.S.

DHS – U.S. Department of Homeland Security –- an agency of the U.S. government that houses, among other entities, the three immigration-related departments:

• USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Approves immigration benefits, including employment authorization
• ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement Oversees SEVIS and is charged with enforcement of immigration- related infractions
• CBP – Customs and Border Protection Operates U.S. ports of entry and departure

DOS – U.S. Department of State – an agency of the U.S. government that oversees U.S. embassies and consulates abroad and adjudicates applications for visas to the U.S.

The following documents must be valid at all times in order for you to maintain lawful F-1 status:

• Passport – Minimum 6 months validity
• I-20 – A Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student (F-1) Status.
• F-1 Entry Visa– Issued inside your passport by an U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Must be valid for entry or re-entry to U.S. but can expire while you remain in the U.S. Certain students are exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa.
• I-94 Arrival Record. Download an electronic record of your I-94 arrival record from: www.cbp.gov/I94

The following documents are required each time you wish to enter or re-enter the United States after travel abroad:

• F-1 Entry Visa – Must be valid for entry or re-entry to U.S. but can expire while you remain in the U.S. Certain students are exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa.
• Proof of I-901 SEVIS fee payment – This can be printed from fmjfee.com
• I-20 Travel Signature – You will then need an I-20 “travel signature” on page 2 of your I-20 each time you depart the U.S. and return in F-1 status.

Document Protection: If any document is damaged, lost, or stolen, contact ISSO immediately for replacement. Bring all documents when visiting ISSO.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a real-time electronic system that maintains records for individuals in F or J status.

More information On SEVIS

Contact ISSO immediately if:

Personal & Biographical Changes:

• Legal name, U.S. address, phone, email, citizenship, immigration status, major, program, education level, expected completion date, or funding source changes

Dependents:

• F-2 dependent biographical, immigration, or contact information changes
• You want to add F-2 dependents (spouse/children)

Immigration Documents & Travel:

• You need a travel signature before traveling outside the U.S.
• You will apply for a new visa before re-entry
• You lose or have documents stolen
• You re-enter the U.S. with questions about your I-94 arrival record.
• You receive I-515A (temporary admission notice)

Status & Academic Changes:

• You intend to change immigration status, study abroad, take leave, or transfer schools
• You need additional time to complete your program (request I-20 extension before expiration)
• You want to drop below full-time study or withdraw

Employment & Authorization:

• You seek on-campus or off-campus work authorization

Other:

• You face felony or misdemeanor charges
• You need to apply for a U.S. Social Security Number

Important: All ISSO communications and I-20 documents go only to your BU email address. Check it regularly to stay informed of your F-1 status.

F-1 Registration & Attendance

Required: 12 units each fall and spring term; summer if starting, ending, or only term.

What Counts:

• Regular courses (all passing grades)
• Incomplete grades (I) counts, but you must complete the course and enroll full-time the following term
• Up to one online/distance course per term (max 3 credits)
• Approved concurrent courses at another school (requires prior ISSO + department authorization and continued BU enrollment)

What Does NOT Count:

• Audit courses (AU)
• Withdrawn courses (W)
• Missing grades (MG)

Online Limitation: You cannot finish your program with only online courses.

Part-Time Without Authorization: Dropping below 12 units without prior ISSO approval immediately jeopardizes your immigration status.

Authorized Reduced Course Load: Prior ISSO approval required for:

• Academic difficulties
• Medical/health reasons
• Final term (if fewer units needed to graduate)

Summer Registration Requirements

Not Required If:

• Summer is a “vacation” term (you’re enrolled spring before and fall after)

Required If:

• You are starting your program in summer
• You are finishing your program in summer
• Summer is your only term

Unit Requirements When Starting in Summer:

• Summer Session: 12 units cumulative through the summer

Unit Requirements When Finishing in Summer:

• 12 units combined for full time
• If you need fewer than 12 units to complete your program, request authorization from ISSO for a reduced course load in your final term

Undergraduate Students

Minimum 12 units each fall and spring term. Prior ISSO authorization required for any drops below full-time.

Graduate Students—Enrolled in Coursework

Minimum 12 units per term (or as defined as full time by your school/college), OR fewer units if you hold a graduate assistantship/fellowship requiring 20 hours/week work and your department certifies you “full-time.”

Graduate Students—Completed All Coursework

Register only for thesis/dissertation units as required by your department. You must be certified “full-time” each academic term. If completing your thesis in summer and not enrolling the following fall, you must register for that final summer session.

Authorized Reduced Course Load (requires prior ISSO approval)

Permitted for:

• Initial academic difficulties (English language, course placement, teaching methods). Maintain minimum 6 units while on reduced load
• Medical/illness conditions
• Final term (if fewer than 12 unitss needed to graduate)

Conditions: Resume full-time study the following term unless you obtain new authorization. Consult your ISSO advisor before dropping below full-time.

Your I-20 is issued for the expected duration of your program of study. When you enter the U.S. you should receive a “F-1 D/S” notation on the U.S. entry visa in your passport and on your I-94 electronic arrival record indicating that you have permission to remain in the U.S. for “duration of status.” The duration of your F- 1 status ends as soon as your I-20 expires or as soon as you complete your program of study, whichever is sooner, plus up to 60-days of a “grace period” for you to prepare to depart the U.S. or take legal action that will allow you to remain in the U.S.

If you need more time to complete your studies than allowed by your I-20, you must submit an extension request form to the ISSO before the expiration date on your I-20, allowing sufficient time for ISSO to review and approve your extension request. Please be aware that if you do not request an extension of your Program End Date on your I-20 in a timely manner there is no possibility for ISSO to extend this date after the I-20 expires. If your I-20 expires and you still require more time to complete your program of study, you will be required to take steps to regain your F-1 status either through a USCIS application for reinstatement or through travel and re-entry on a new SEVIS record. Regaining F-1 status could result in loss of benefits including but not limited to CPT or Post Completion OPT. For this reason it is of top priority that you are aware of the Program End Date listed on your I-20 and take timely action for any extension of this date. For more information on legal options at the end of your program, see the section below on “Completion of Studies”.

Initial Check-in (Upon Arrival)

Complete within 15 days of the Program Start Date on your I-20 to activate your SEVIS record. Detailed instructions will be sent to your BU email before your program starts.

Ongoing Semester Registration

After your first term, DHS requires SEVIS registration every term. If you are enrolled full time with a current address in your MyBU account, ISSO will automatically complete this registration. To maintain F-1 status, ensure you are registered in a full course load before each term begins.

On-Campus Employment

Eligibility & Hours:

• Degree-seeking F-1 students only (non-degree students cannot work on campus)
• Max 20 hours/week during fall and spring termss
• Full-time allowed when classes not in session (winter, spring breaks, summer vacation)

Start Date:

• New students: authorization begins max 30 days before program start date (on I-20)
• Continuing F-1 students (transfer/degree level change): may start earlier if you complete ISSO check-in and I-9 Employment Verification

Summer & Breaks:

• Allowed only if you are registered that summer or registering to continue at BU after the break
• If summer is your first or final term: part-time only (≤20 hours), as it counts as a required academic term

Off-Campus Employment

Limited authorization available for CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, severe economic hardship, international organizations, or temporary DHS relief provisions. Each requires specific eligibility criteria and application procedures.

Critical: Obtain ISSO or USCIS authorization before any on-campus or off-campus employment. Working without authorization jeopardizes your F-1 status, terminates your SEVIS record, and affects employment benefits.

Off Campus Employment

F-1 Students:

• Report changes within 10 days via MyBU Student Portal > Immigration-U.S. Address option. The change is automatically forwarded to ISSO and DHS through SEVIS.

F-2 Dependents with a Different U.S. Address:

File AR-11 with DHS:

• Online: www.uscis.gov/AR-11
• Mail: Use Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested (proof of submission)

Note: SEVIS permits only one U.S. address, so dependents at a different address must notify both ISSO and DHS.

Change of Address

If you are married and/or have children under 21, your spouse and children may visit you temporarily or stay for your studies. Each must have their own I‑20 to apply for an F‑2 visa and enter the U.S.
F‑2 dependents may stay in the U.S. as long as you maintain F‑1 status. They cannot work.
F‑2 spouses may study part-time or in non-degree programs. They may study full-time only if they change to F‑1 status (contact ISSO before starting).
F‑2 children may study full-time only in K–12. They must change to F‑1 status before starting full-time college study.

You may travel within the U.S. if you maintain F‑1 status and carry your valid passport, I‑20, and I 94 entry record.

We encourage you to contact ISSO before any travel outside the U.S., as entry rules can change and visa processing may be delayed.

Traveling While at BU

You may stay in the U.S. during university holidays (including summer) if you plan to enroll in the next term and maintain valid F‑1 status, immigration documents (I‑20, I‑94, passport), and SEVIS record.

To ensure that you will be able to register each term, please settle your tuition bill in a timely manner. Not being able to register for classes because your account is not settled will impact your ability to maintain lawful status. If you have concerns about meeting your financial obligations to the University, you should contact your ISSO advisor to determine if this will have an impact on your immigration status.

If you plan to study or do research abroad, consult ISSO before making travel plans.

• Absence of 5 months or more may end your SEVIS record and require a new I‑20, SEVIS fee, and possibly a new visa
• You may keep your SEVIS record active if you study abroad through BU or do full-time research while enrolled—but confirm with ISSO
• If studying through another institution, you must take a leave of absence and get a new I‑20 before returning
• Time abroad (especially 5+ months, first year, or final term) may affect OPT or other work eligibility

If you wish to take one or more courses at another university or college temporarily, ISSO authorization may be required. If you wish to cease your study at Boston University and transfer to a different school, you must inform your advisor at the ISSO and follow proper transfer procedures before you attend the new school. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. and return to attend a new school, you may need to begin the SEVIS transfer process before you depart the U.S.

While in F-1 status, you must stay enrolled full-time at BU.
If you stop or drop below full-time without ISSO approval:

• Your SEVIS record and I-20 become invalid
• You must leave the U.S.
• You must stop any employment immediately

Contact ISSO before you:

• Take a leave of absence (academic, medical, personal, or study abroad)
• Are suspended or at risk of suspension
• Withdraw or drop below full-time

If you are suffering from an illness or other medical condition that compels you to interrupt your studies at BU, you can request authorization for a medical leave of absence from your advisor at the ISSO, to maintain valid F-1 status during the time you are not enrolled.

If you request a leave of absence or withdraw from school (due to suspension or personal reasons), you may be granted a 15- day grace period to leave the country only if you are granted authorization prior to your withdrawal. Only your ISSO advisor may authorize this benefit. If you do not gain ISSO authorization before withdrawing, you will violate your status and will be required to leave the country immediately. If you are considering a withdrawal, please discuss options such as a change of status or school transfer with an ISSO advisor prior to finalizing your plans.

Immigration regulations depend on your official program completion date. After this date, you may stay in the U.S. for up to 60 days (“grace period”) unless you take action to remain in lawful status. Completion dates vary by program. If you leave the U.S. after completing your program, your F-1 status and grace period end, and you cannot reenter using that program’s I‑20.

Important: The 60-day grace period is not available if you do not complete your program (e.g., due to suspension, withdrawal, or failure to meet the program objective on your I‑20).

Review the Completing Your Program page for more important details.

Immigration laws in the United States impose severe penalties if you fail to comply with your immigration responsibilities, fail to maintain required course registration, or fail to seek employment permission in advance. Maintenance of accurate records at the ISSO and in the University Information System (UIS) is especially important since details of your status are reported automatically to DHS through SEVIS. Please be aware that any violation of your F-1 status must be reported by the ISSO to SEVIS within 21 days following the discovery of the violation.

Any violation of F-1 status, including termination of a SEVIS record, may result in accrual of unlawful presence time which may lead to removal from the U.S. (formerly “deportation”), to inadmissibility, or to a long-term bar from the U.S. of up to 10 years. You should work closely with the ISSO staff to make certain that you comply with all F-1 regulations, and take immediate action to remedy any status violations as quickly as possible after they occur.

In the event of a status violation, your ISSO advisor will discuss your legal options – including applying to USCIS for reinstatement or making a new entry to the U.S. to reestablish lawful status. The ISSO may also refer you to an immigration attorney for legal advice.