Immigration Benefits, Rights and Responsibilities of Students in F-1 Status Purpose
This handout summarizes some of the more important benefits, rights and responsibilities you have as an F-1 student in relation to regulations of USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It will also identify some situations when you should seek assistance from Capstone International Services (CIS) in relation to your status. It will not, however, provide you with information on the procedures required for you to take advantage of some of your benefits rights or fulfill some of your responsibilities. Staff of CIS will be pleased to offer additional information, as well as counseling and assistance, on all federal regulations and procedures related to your lawful status.
Immigration Documents
General All documents listed in this section are very important documents, and you must maintain their validity at all times. You should keep the originals in a safe place. You should make photocopies of all these documents and keep the photocopies in a safe place which is different from the place you keep the actual documents. If any of these documents are damaged, lost, or stolen, you must have them replaced as quickly as possible. You should visit CIS if you have any questions about the documents or if you need to have them replaced them.
- Passport
- Departure Record (I-94)
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student (F-1) Status
(USCIS Form I-20)
Length of Time You May Remain in the United States You may study in your present program until you complete all requirements for it or until the expiration date of your USCIS Form I-20, whichever occurs first. If you need more time to complete your studies than allowed by your I-20, you must contact CIS before the date it expires and request additional time. (The I-20 card expiration date is that which appears in Item #5 on your USCIS Form I-20.)
Registration and Attendance You have the right to register for classes and attend The University of Alabama. You must register for classes and attend school each fall and spring semester. You do not have to enroll for Interim Term or summer school unless you have been initially admitted to attend one of those terms.
Course Load
You must register for a "full course load," as defined by the USCIS, unless:
1. You will complete all degree requirements by the end of that school term or
2. CIS approves, in advance, a reduction in course load for one or more of the following reasons:
- Difficulties with the English language (normally available only during your first semester of study)
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods or reading requirements (normally available only during your first semester of study)
- Improper course level placement
- Illness or other medical condition which compels you to interrupt or reduce your course of study
Note: You must resume a full course of study when these difficulties or conditions have been resolved.
Undergraduate Students While you have the right to register for as many classes as University policy allows, you must register for at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester.
Graduate Students While you have the right to register for as many classes as University policy allows, you must register for at least 9 credit hours each fall and spring semester unless you have a full graduate assistantship (20 hours of work per week), in which case you must register for at least 6 hours.
Graduate Students Who Have Completed All Required Course Work If a thesis or dissertation is required for your program and you have completed all required course work, you may register for the number of hours of thesis or dissertation research recommended by your academic adviser.
Change of Study Program If you decide to change your major field of study, you must (1) be officially accepted by the new program and (2) visit CIS (before you register for classes in the new program) to request a new Form I-20 which will reflect your new program.
Course Work at or Transfer to a Different School If you wish to temporarily take one or more courses at a different school temporarily, you should consult with CIS to determine if any special procedures must be followed to authorize this study. If you wish to cease your study here and transfer to a different school, you must consult with CIS and follow proper USCIS transfer procedures of responsibility for your F-1 status before you attend the new school.
Holidays and Vacations You may remain in the U. S. and will be considered to be maintaining F-1 status during holidays and vacation periods observed by The University, including Interim Term and summer school, provided:
- You are eligible and intend to register for the next school term, and
- The expiration date of your lawful F-1 status will not be reached before you resume studies.
Employment On-Campus Employment While you may be employed in most on-campus jobs without special permission, you must limit all employment (both on and off campus) to no more than a total of 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters. Full-time on-campus employment is allowed only during Interim Term, during summer school, and when classes are not in session (between school terms and during official University holidays). You may be employed by The University bookstore or the campus food service even though they are operated by outside contractors. Employment may be performed at an off-campus location if the location is educationally affiliated with The University and if the work is an integral part of your study program. You should, however, consult with CIS before accepting any work off campus.
Off-Campus Employment You may not be employed off campus without first obtaining written authorization from CIS or the USCIS. After your first year of study, you may be eligible to apply for off-campus work permission if you have experienced an unforeseen change in your financial circumstances which creates "severe economic hardship."
Practical Training Employment "Practical training" is work which is directly related to your major field of study. It may occur either before or after completion of your studies, and may be performed anywhere in the U. S. You must submit an application through CIS and be granted written authorization before beginning employment.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT employment/training must be an integral part of the student's program of study, not simply related to the major field of study.
USCIS regulations define Curricular Practical Training as
(1) work which is an integral part of the established curriculum;
(2) alternate work/study;
(3) internship;
(4) practicum;
(5) cooperative education; or
(6) required* internship or practicum offered through cooperative agreements with the school
*CPT is not necessarily limited to work experiences which are required for program completion.
Both paid and unpaid employment requires prior authorization from Capstone International Services.
Students may not volunteer for a position for which someone is normally paid.
Travel Within the U. S. You may freely travel within the U. S. provided you maintain your lawful F-1 status and have the following valid documents in your possession: (1) passport, (2) USCIS Form I-20 and (3) USCIS Form I-94.
Travel Outside the U. S. You may leave the U. S. at any time. If you leave, you may be allowed to return if you have the proper documents. If you travel to Canada, Mexico, or certain islands near the U. S., you may be eligible to reenter the country even if the F-1 visa in your passport has expired. You should consult with CIS before making any trips outside the country. Procedures for returning to The University are distinct from those for returning to a different school, as noted below:
- If you wish to return to The University of Alabama, you should request the CIS handout, entitled Travel Outside the U. S. and Reentry for Students in F-1 Status, at least one month before you plan to travel and follow the required procedures described in that handout.
- If you wish to return to attend a different school, you should notify CIS of your intention to do that. You must obtain an I-20 from your new school before you reenter the U. S. Entering the U.S. using an I-20 from a school you do not plan to immediately attend can cause serious immigration problems.
Note: If you travel outside the U.S. and return to The University of Alabama, bring your passport and all your USCIS documents to CIS so that we may make photocopies not only of any new documents but also of any old documents which contain new information. It is very important that we maintain accurate copies of your current documents.
Dependents and Other Family Members If you are married, you may be eligible to have your spouse (husband or wife) and/or children temporarily visit you or join you for the duration of your studies. Other members of your family (parents, siblings, etc.) may also be able to visit you during your studies. CIS will be pleased to facilitate visa issuance for U. S. entry for your family.
Completion of Study Upon completion of your studies, you may have the benefit and right to (1) begin a new program at The University or at a different school, (2) apply for one year of "Practical Training" employment, or (3) take up to sixty days to leave the U.S. You should consult with the staff of CIS regarding your plans at least one term before you complete your studies.
Failure to Comply with Responsibilities The U.S. immigration laws have severe penalties if you fail to comply with your immigration responsibilities. You should work closely with the CIS staff to make certain that you comply with all F-1 regulations. Further Information Additional information is available from the CIS. The staff is always pleased to provide you with information, counseling, and assistance so you may achieve your educational goals while at The University of Alabama.