Maintaining Status.note

Source: /Volumes/X9 Pro/ObsNotes/YoudaoYunNotes/Maintaining Status.note.pdf Converted: 2025-12-10 12:17:10

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Maintaining Status

Arrival

When arriving to the United States, both F and M students must:

Education

While studying in the United States, both F and M students must:

Talk with your DSO First

If you are an F or M student studying in the United States, your DSO should be the first person you

talk with if you have any questions regarding the legal requirements of your stay in the United

States. Your DSO can assist in answering your questions or help you find someone who can help.

F-1 students should speak with their DSO if you are planning to do any of the following:

M-1 students should speak with their DSO if they are planning to do any of the following:

Enter the United States no more than 30 days before your program of study begins.

Immediately contact your designated school official (DSO) when you enter the United States.

When you arrive at school, you need to contact your DSO again, no later than the program start

date listed on your Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."

Attend and pass all your classes. If school is too difficult, speak with your DSO immediately.

If you believe that you will be unable to complete your program by the end date listed on

your Form I-20, talk with your DSO about requesting a possible program extension.

You must take a full course of study each term; if you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO

immediately.

Do not drop a class without first speaking with your DSO.

Change your major, program, or degree level.

Change your education level.

Transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence.

Take a break from school.

Travel outside the United States.

Move to a new address.

Request a program extension.

Take a break from school.

Travel outside the United States.

Move to a new address.

Request a program extension.

Both F and M students may contact SEVP by email at if your DSO is unable to

assist you or if you would prefer to ask someone else.

In your email, please describe your situation and include any questions you have. SEVP provides

responses on a first-come, first-served basis. Answer times may vary depending on the current

number of inquiries.

Additional Resources

sevp@ice.dhs.gov

USCIS Change of Status Fact Sheet