As an F-1 or J-1 student in the US, you have rules and regulations you must follow to properly maintain your F-1 or J-1 status. Violating F/J status is a serious issue and can lead to direct impacts to your ability to remain in the U.S. to continue your studies or to return later, even if in another U.S. visa status.
It is important that you maintain lawful F-1 or J-1 visa status while in the U.S. as a student. Follow these steps to ensure your stay in the U.S. remains valid:
1. Maintain U.S. Physical Presence & Keep your Local U.S. Address up-to-date
F/J students cannot be outside of the US for 5 or more consecutive months, or your F/J status will end.
Keep your local, physical residential address current in the Pesonal Information tab of your UC Merced Connect student portal, for both your local and physical addresses. It must be updated within 10 days every time you move.
Students on post-completion employment authorizations will instead submit the OPT reporting form to update address and employment information.
You are expected to be in the U.S., studying in person full-time OR after completion of your degree or participating on approved F/J post-completion employment. Temporary absences or travel are allowed, but should not interfere with your studies and work in the U.S
2. Maintain Full-Time Enrollment
You must be enrolled in full-time units Fall & Spring semester. For immigration purposes, in most cases, students must complete a minimum of 12 units per semester. Check your college (Undergraduates) or department (Graduates) for your exact minimum unit requirements.
Online Course Limit:
Only 1 online course, with a maximum of 3 units, can be counted toward your full-time enrollment requirement each semester. All other courses must be taken in-person to meet the full-time enrollment criteria. It is important to note that the full-time enrollment requirement cannot be satisfied by online coursework alone. If your academic program includes online courses, make sure that the total number of in-person courses meets the minimum full-time unit requirement for your specific program.
3. Get ISS Approval before a Reduction in Course Load or Withdrawal
As an F-1 or J-1 student, you are required to maintain full-time enrollment each semester. However, there are certain situations where you may be eligible to reduce your course load. You must receive approval of a Reduced Course Load from our office before dropping below full-time enrollment. Failing to do so can result in the termination of your SEVIS record and jeopardize your visa status. If you are withdrawing from your program, please contact our office so we can properly handle your record.
Eligible Reasons for a Reduced Course Load (RCL):
Academic Difficulty: If you're facing challenges like improper course placement or language barriers, you may be eligible for a reduced course load, but this can only be used once during your degree program.
Medical Conditions: For physical or mental health reasons, you may request a reduced course load with a recommendation from a licensed healthcare provider.
Final Semester: If you're finishing your degree requirements in your last semester, you may enroll in fewer than 12 units, but you must graduate that semester.
Filing Fee Status (Graduate Students): Graduate students working on their thesis/dissertation may request filing fee status, allowing part-time enrollment. However, this status limits employment and CPT eligibility.
4. Avoid Violating the UC Merced Code of Student Conduct or U.S. laws
If you are found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, or have been arrested or violated U.S. laws it’s important to contact our office as soon as possible to understand what the impact may be on your F-1/J-1 status, as well as next steps and resources for support. Remember, any violation (suspension, dismissal, arrest) that impacts your ability to be an enrolled, full-time student or continue your post-completion employment will have a negative impact on your F-1/J-1 status.
5. Attend the School noted on your I-20 (F-1s) or DS-2019 (J-1s)
You must have a current, valid I-20/DS-2019 from the school you are attending full-time if you require an F or J visa to study in the U.S. If you transfer from another school to UC Merced, or from UC Merced to another school, make sure you follow the proper Transfer procedures.
6. Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 Valid at All Times and Understand Your Completion Date
Your I-20 or DS-2019 is your lifeline to legal status in the U.S. It must always reflect your current academic situation, whether you're actively pursuing your degree or participating in approved post-completion training like OPT or Academic Training.
Know Your Program End Date
The program end date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 is not just an estimate—it’s a deadline. You must complete your studies by this date unless you’ve been approved for an official Program Extension.
Graduating Early? You Must Tell Us!
If you finish your degree earlier than expected, your I-20 or DS-2019 will be shortened to reflect your actual final semester. It’s your responsibility to notify our office in advance so we can update your record. Failure to do so may result in an overstay and the loss of your F-1 or J-1 status.
Need More Time to Graduate?
If you’re not able to finish by the program end date on your current I-20 or DS-2019 due to academic or medical reasons, you must apply for a Program Extension BEFORE that date arrives. Late extension requests cannot be approved, and you risk falling out of status if you don’t act on time.
Your I-20/DS-2019 Must Always Be Accurate!
7. Always Carry Immigration Documentation and Understand your Documents
Before any international travel, review the necessary travel documents and obtain a travel signature from our office. Travel endorsements are valid for one year during the program of study, but our office recommends obtaining a new signature every 10 months. Exception: Travel endorsements during F-1 post-completion OPT/STEM are only valid for 6 months.
REMINDER: F/J students cannot be outside of the US for 5 or more consectutive months, or the F/J status will end.
Technically all F/J non-immigrants are expected to have evidence of status with them at all times. If you choose not to carry originals, make sure you always have electronic or physical copies of your immigration documents:
- I-20/DS-2019
- Passport
- Visa (if applicable)
- I-94
- Post-completion EAD (if on OPT or STEM OPT)
When traveling internationally, carry all original necessary travel documents.
8. Understand your Grace Period after Completion
F-1s have a 60 day grace period following the end of the program of study or authorized OPT Post-Completion Training. F-1’s may use the grace period to depart the U.S., continue studies via Change of Level or Transfer, or apply for Post-Completion OPT employment.
J-1s have a 30 day grace period following the end of their program of study or Post-Completion Academic Training. J-1s may ONLY use the grace period for departure. Any Transfer or post-completion Academic Training request must be submitted BEFORE the end of the program of study or DS-2019 expiration.
Please note: your grace period may be different or you may not have a grace period if you are dismissed from your program. Please contact your DSO for more information if you're in this situation.
9. Work ONLY with Proper Employment Authorization.
F-1 and J-1 students have strict limitations on employment. Working without authorization is a serious violation of your immigration status—so always ask before you act!
On-Campus Employment
Both F-1 and J-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during official school breaks.
J-1 students must also obtain written authorization from their program sponsor before beginning.
Off-Campus Employment (Before Graduation)
F-1 students must be approved for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which must be directly related to your major and connected to a required course or internship experience. CPT requires DSO approval and a new I-20 before beginning any work.
J-1 students must apply for Academic Training (AT) before starting any off-campus job or internship. Like CPT, it must relate to your field of study and be authorized in writing before you start.
After Graduation: Post-Completion Employment
F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows up to 12 months (or more with a STEM extension) of employment related to your major. Apply early, as processing times can be lengthy, and you cannot begin work until you have your EAD card in hand.
J-1 students may also pursue Academic Training post-graduation, but you must apply before your program ends and cannot exceed the permitted time (typically up to 18 months, or 36 months for postdocs).
When in doubt: Don’t work until you’re sure it’s legal.
10. J-1 students & J-2 dependents Must Maintain Proper Health Insurance
J-1 students — and their J-2 dependents — must maintain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 federal guidelines for the entire length of their program, including post-completion Academic Training. The UC Merced Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) meets these requirements.
