Your Immigration Status
A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.
–Moslih Eddin Saadi
International students and scholars in F-1 and J-1 visa status must be knowledgeable about how to maintain your visa status for the duration of your program. Please contact the Center for International Education with any questions.
- Your Passport must be valid for six months beyond the period of your approved stay in the United States. Check your passport expiration date and get an extension if you need one. Refer to this directory of foreign embassies and consulates in the United States if you need to locate your embassy/consulate to renew your passport.
- Your Visa stamp in your passport, along with your I-20 or DS-2019, gives you permission to apply for entry into the United States. The visa must be valid at the time of any entry to the United States; it does not have to be valid for you to remain in the United States.
- Your I-94: Permission to stay in the United States is indicated on your I-94 admission record, which you can retrieve electronically at the Department of Homeland Security website. It indicates the date and port of entry to the United States, your immigration classification (F1, J1), and is marked “D/S” (duration of status).
- Your I-20 or DS-2019 is a permanent record of your F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status, and you will need it for any necessary endorsements and certifications by our office. We will also use it to record transfers and employment recommendations. Your form I-20 or DS-2019 is used for re-entering the United States after a brief visit outside.
- Students on an F-1 visa have a 60-day grace period beyond the I-20 end date in which to depart the United States or apply for a change of status.
- Students or Visiting Language Instructors on a J-1 visa have a 30-day grace period beyond the DS-2019 end date in which to depart the United States or apply for a change of status. If you need to extend your time here beyond the date typed on your DS-2019, you are required to notify the Department of State. CIE will update DS-2019 for this purpose. Please consult our office if you need to stay beyond the date on your current DS-2019.
Maintaining Your Status
It is your responsibility to understand your visa requirements. Please download the document below that corresponds to you, and ensure you are in compliance with the guidelines. Any violation of these regulations puts you at risk of disciplinary action or deportation.
- Maintaining F-1 Visa Status
- Maintaining J-1 Visa Status
- Maintaining J-1 Status (Visiting Language Instructors)