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Maintaining Your Status for F-1 Students

How To Maintain Your Immigration Status

You are required to abide by U.S. federal regulations and GW policies that apply to your F-1 visa status throughout your program at GW in order to maintain your legal status in the United States. 

1. All international students in F-1 status must: 

  • Be in possession of a passport valid through at least six months into the future at all times.
  • Report any change of address or name change to the University within 10 days via GWeb (student and any dependents in the United States).
  • Attend the school specified on their Form I-20.
  • Notify the ISO when changing their major, degree level (e.g. change from Bachelor's to Master's), or funding (expenses, amount or source).
  • You must register for and complete a full course of study each semester.
  • Receive approval from the International Services Office before:
    • Enrolling in less than (or dropping below) a full course of study (see item 2 below).
    • Terminating a program of study.
  • Notify the ISO of plans to transfer to another institution in the United States. The ISO must release your SEVIS record before another school can issue you a Form I-20.

2. Full-Time Enrollment

U.S. immigration law requires that F-1 students register for and complete a full course of study each semester:

  • Bachelor's: 12 credit hours
  • Master's and PhD: 9 credit hours
  • JD: 12 credit hours

If you cannot enroll full-time or you need to withdraw from a class and fall below the minimum number of credits outlined above, you must be authorized to drop below a full course load by the International Services Office before the beginning of the semester or before dropping below full-time enrollment. 

Please remember to check all important dates listed in the course schedule such as the last day to add/drop classes, last day to drop a class without a grade etc. Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for timelines and details about registering for courses. 

3. Employment Authorization

  • On-campus employment:
    • If your Form I-20 was issued by the George Washington University, you may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and more than 20 hours during official vacation periods and semester breaks 
    • If you have received a Graduate Assistantship, you may not engage in additional employment.
  • Off-campus employment: 
    • Off-campus employment requires prior authorization by the International Services Office or USCIS. 

Important: Engaging in unauthorized employment will result in the termination of your SEVIS record and loss of your F-1 immigration status. 

Important: After completing your program, you may not engage in any employment during your grace period (see item 8) unless you have been granted work authorization from the ISO or USCIS, and your approved work authorization period has begun. 

4. Keeping Immigration Documents and Information Upload

  • Upon initial entry and any subsequent changes, F-1 students must upload their immigration documents using the ISOGateway website:
    • Form I-20
    • Passport
    • Visa stamp
    • I-94 
    • Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) if applicable
  • F-2 dependents’ documents must also be presented to the ISO using ISOGateWay. 
  • Notify the ISO immediately if you or your dependents change visa status or plan to depart the United States for longer than five months.
  • Notify the ISO if you plan to complete your program of study prior to the program end date listed on your Form I-20.
  • Keep your documents safe and save all original versions of any Forms I-20  issued to you by the ISO.

5. Other Important Information

  • The George Washington University requires all international students to be enrolled in health insurance provided by the university or maintain comparable insurance throughout their program.
    • You will be registered for this insurance automatically upon registration for classes.
    • If you wish to use comparable insurance, you must apply for a waiver with GW Student Health Services within the waiver period.
  • All tuition, fees, loans, and other GW bills must be paid through the GW Student Accounts Office.
    • Non-payment will result in a registration hold and may result in the loss of your legal visa status.

6. Grace Period After Successful Completion of Program & Program Extensions

  • F-1 Students have a 60-day grace period after the end of their program during which they may legally stay in the United States, apply for Optional Practical Training, transfer to another U.S. institution, or apply for a change of visa status with USCIS. 
    • Important: If you do not take any of these actions and remain in the United States after the last day of your grace period, you will begin to accrue unlawful status. 
  • If your program is ending and you need additional time to complete all program requirements, you must seek an extension of your Form I-20 prior to expiration.
     
    • Plan to apply for an extension at least 30 - 60 days prior to the expiration of your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
    • After your program end date has passed, an extension is no longer possible.

Important: You are responsible for staying updated regarding immigration matters.

  • University email is considered an official means of communication.
  • Emails from the International Services Office sent to your GW email account contain important immigration-related updates and information that you need to be aware of.