F-1 international students are responsible for maintaining lawful status while present in the U.S.
The International Student Services office is here to assist and advise students of the requirements of F-1 Status, however, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they adhere to these requirements and regulations and do not lose lawful status while in the U.S.
Students should carefully review the information provided by the ISS office to ensure they are in compliance with all requirements and regulations of F-1 Student Status.
F-1 international Student Requirements for Maintaining Status:
- Maintain Full Time Enrollment
- Review complete Full Time Enrollment Requirements
- Undergraduate students must enroll in 12 credits EVERY required semester
- Graduate students must enroll in 9 credits EVERY required semester
- Limit on Online Course Enrollment
- Review complete Online course enrollment information in the Full Time Enrollment Requirements
- Students may only enroll in (1) online course per full time course load
- Undergraduate students enrolled in 12 credits may enroll in (1) online course only
- Graduate students enrolled in 9 credits may enroll in (1) online course only
- Keep Your Passport Valid
- Your Passport must be valid and unexpired for the entire time you are present in the U.S.
- If your passport is within 6 months of expiration, you must contact the Embassy of your home country to begin the renewal process
- Your Passport must be valid and unexpired for the entire time you are present in the U.S.
- Only Work with Authorization
- Review complete Employment Information for F-1 Students carefully
- On Campus Employment Basics:
- Students may work ON CAMPUS up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session.
- Off Campus Employment
- Must be pre-authorized
- Students may not begin any off-campus employment without prior approval from the ISS and/or USCIS
- Update SUNY Polytechnic Institute with Personal Contact Information
- Students must update the Office of the Registrar with changes in information such as:
- Residential Address
- Mailing Address
- Phone Number
- Students must update the Office of the Registrar with changes in information such as:
- Students are advised NOT to change their personal email
- The email address you used to apply to SUNY Polytechnic is listed in SEVIS. If you change your email, you may not receive important SEVIS updates and information.
- If you must change any of your personal information in SEVIS, be sure to submit the F-1 Student: SEVIS-Change of Personal Information – SUNY Polytechnic Institute Forms
