Maintaining F-1 visa status

Immigration holds students responsible for keeping their F-1 status valid. Failure to maintain status is grounds for removal (deportation) from the United States.

Before taking actions that may impact your visa status, consult with the International Center so we can advise you about your options. Below is a quick-reference checklist of regulations you need to be aware of.

F-1 Students Must:

• Make normal progress toward completing their degree by the I-20 end date
• Keep their passport valid
• Report changes of names and addresses within ten (10) days on the My Cal Poly Portal
• Enroll and complete a full course load each quarter 

F-1 Students Must Not:

• Allow their I-20 to expire. An I-20 cannot be extended after it expires.
• Work without authorization
• Continue on-campus employment past their final quarter
• Attend another school without prior authorization from the International Center

Enrollment Requirements

Minimum Required Study Load

• F-1 undergraduate students are required to enroll and complete at least 12 units in fall, winter, and spring quarters.
• F-1 graduate students are required to enroll and complete at least 8 units in fall, winter, and spring quarters.

Online and In-Person Classes

• F-1 students may count no more than 3 units of a 100% online class toward the minimum enrollment requirement.
  • Undergraduate students must have at least 9 units of in-person or hybrid classes (12 units total full course minimum).
  • Graduate students must have at least 5 units of in-person or hybrid classes (8 units total full course minimum).
• If your online class is 4 units or more, you may only count 3 of those units toward your full course minimum.
• A class is considered in-person or hybrid if the entire class is required to meet in person at least once during the quarter, such as an in-person class meeting or to take exams in person. If you are unsure whether your classes will have a required in-person component, please reach out to your instructor(s) directly and consult with an International Student Advisor.

Dropping Below Full-Time Enrollment

• Dropping from full-time enrollment or withdrawing from the quarter is a violation of visa status.
• If you encounter difficulty in carrying the minimum load, immediately contact the International Center before you drop any classes.
• A student being treated by a licensed medical doctor or clinical psychologist might qualify for pre-approval for under-enrollment.
• A WU grade is given when a student stops attending class and is considered an unauthorized withdrawal.
• F-1 students cannot stop attending class.

Summer Enrollment

Summer quarter is considered a vacation quarter only if you are enrolled full time in the prior fall, winter, and spring quarters. During a vacation quarter, enrollment is optional, so part-time enrollment or no enrollment are both allowed.

Final Quarter

All Students:

• In your final quarter, full-time enrollment is not required.
• If you are enrolled in only one class it must be an in-person class.
• Online enrollment is limited to one class (up to 3 units).
• Submit a Request for Reduced Load Due to Final Quarter in your International Student Hub.
• You must be physically present in the U.S. throughout your final quarter to be eligible to apply for OPT.

Undergraduate Students:

• If you have more than 3 online units, then you must have at least 9 units of in-person or hybrid classes.

Graduate Students:

• If you have more than 3 online units, then you must have at least 5 units of in-person or hybrid classes.
• If you are enrolled in only one class besides thesis or graduate continuous enrollment class, it must be an in-person class.
• Once all required coursework for your degree is completed, but you are still working on thesis, final project, or culminating exam, you must enroll in the graduate continuous enrollment class each term except for summer (unless summer is the final quarter).
• Once all required coursework for your degree is completed, you may apply for post-completion OPT before you graduate.
• In your final quarter, full-time enrollment is not required.
• Submit a Request for Reduced Load Due to Final Quarter in your International Student Hub.
• If you are enrolled in only one class, it must be an in-person class, thesis class, or graduate continuous enrollment class.
• Students must be physically present in the U.S. throughout their final quarter to be eligible to apply for OPT.

Thesis Enrollment

After completing all thesis courses required for the major, graduate students continuing to work on the thesis or studying for the culminating exam are required to enroll in the GS-S597 Graduate Continuous Enrollment Course through Extended Education each quarter. Summer enrollment in this course is optional except if summer is your final quarter.

I-20 Extensions

In order to receive a new I-20, submit an I-20 Extension Request Form in the International Student Hub. Request I-20 extensions between 2 and 4 weeks prior to the end date.

Transferring Out

Students wanting to transfer to another U.S. school may submit a Transfer Out Request in the International Student Hub. It must be requested within 60 days of attending classes or participating in OPT, and classes need to begin at the new school within 5 months of last attending Cal Poly or participating in OPT.

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