{"id":10555,"date":"2021-12-10T11:27:37","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T16:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/isss\/?page_id=505"},"modified":"2025-05-08T14:17:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T18:17:02","slug":"maintaining-your-f-1-status","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/incoming-students\/maintaining-your-f-1-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Maintaining Your F-1 Status"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"wp-block-bates-shortcodes-highlight highlight-box\">\n<p><em>NOTE: This information is intended as a reference for general purposes. It is not comprehensive and should not be considered legal advice.  Consult a personal immigration attorney for case-specific legal advice.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you receive any notifications from ICE\/SEVP or DHS, reach out to our office immediately. If you have a history in the U.S. of traffic violations, cannabis violations, political protest activity, or social media content related to political activism, reach out to our office \u2013 and consider&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ailalawyer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contacting a personal immigration attorney<\/a>&nbsp;for guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Last updated: 4\/4\/2025<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<p>As an international student in the U.S., it&#8217;s important for you to understand that it is your responsibility to maintain your F-1 status and avoid violations throughout the duration of your studies at Bates College.<\/p>\n<p>This information is intended to help you to navigate the immigration regulations and requirements that may impact you, and always be sure to schedule an advising appointment via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/student-affairs\/batesreach\/\">BatesReach<\/a> or email us if you have any questions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make sure your immigration documents are valid.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your passport should always be valid at least six months into the future. If your passport is expiring sooner than six months from now, renew it with your country\u2019s consulate in the US or back home.\n<ul>\n<li>*Exception: Countries listed on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.gov\/sevis\/travel#_Toc81222004\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Travel page<\/a> have an agreement with the U.S. that allows citizens to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/i94.cbp.dhs.gov\/I94\/#\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I-94 record<\/a> should be correct. Be sure to check and print out your most recent I-94 record every time you reenter the U.S. If your I-94 shows an incorrect entry date, does not accurately reflect your status (F-1), or lists an \u201cAdmit Until Date\u201d (it should list \u201cD\/S\u201d, with no date), please be sure to schedule an advising appointment or email us to help you have the record corrected.<\/li>\n<li>Your I-20 must be in paper form (not on your phone), accurate, and unexpired. You must maintain record of all I-20s ever issued to you in a safe place. If any information is incorrect or you need to update anything on your I-20, visit us during advising hours or email us.<\/li>\n<li>Your visa must be valid if you are traveling outside of and reentering the U.S. To learn more about getting a new visa, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/obtaining-a-new-visa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Obtaining a New Visa<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Keep a current U.S. address and phone number in your Garnet Gateway record at all times.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You are required to provide your current U.S. address and phone number at all times. If this information changes, you must update your Bates College record in Garnet Gateway within 10 days of the change.<\/li>\n<li>You must also notify the Center for Global Education so we may update your SEVIS record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Do not work off-campus without authorization.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Not sure if you have proper work authorization or eligibility? Read through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/welcome\/employment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Employment &amp; Taxes<\/a>. <strong>Working off-campus without authorization is a serious violation of status!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Enroll full-time each semester.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You must enroll in a full course load each semester. If you are not enrolled full-time, your F-1 record will need to be closed. Standard academic progress at Bates is considered 4 credits per semester. There may be times when you need to take a lighter course load, if there is an unexpected difficulty, but remember, you absolutely must be enrolled in a <strong>minimum<\/strong> of 3 full-credit courses in order to maintain your F-1 status.\n<ul>\n<li>There are very few reasons that immigration allows you to take less than a full course load. Most of the time those reasons are only allowed during the first semester of study. If you\u2019re experiencing difficulties, for any reason, and considering dropping below a full course load (3 full-credit courses), you must schedule an appointment with the DSO to see if you qualify for a reduced course load prior to dropping any classes.<\/li>\n<li>If you experience a medical or mental health issue, and are under the care of \u00a0a licensed doctor, clinical psychologist, or osteopath, you may qualify for a \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/reduced-course-load-for-medical-reasons\/\">reduc<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/reduced-course-load-for-medical-reasons\/\">ed course load (RCL)<\/a>, or a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/medical-leave-of-absence\/\">medical leave of absence<\/a>). Please be sure to schedule an advising appointment with the DSO\u00a0or email us to discuss the impact on your immigration record before changing your enrollment.<\/li>\n<li>For more information about taking a leave from the college, visit the Leaves of Absence\/ Withdrawals page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Regular Class Attendance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You must attend class. All F-1 students have a physical presence requirement \u2013 this means that they must physically be in class.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Follow College and U.S. government requirements, including federal tax requirements.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You are required to fill out tax forms annually, even if you did not work in the U.S. in the previous year. For more information, read through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/employment-and-taxes-in-the-us\/\">USA Taxes Obligations<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Carry evidence of lawful status at all times.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Federal law mandates anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to carry evidence of lawful status at all times. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/files\/2025\/04\/FAQ-Required-Documents-for-Noncitizens_4.2.25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See this list of required documents<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Carry all the required documents when traveling and reentering the U.S. as an international student.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Not sure what to carry when you travel? Read through<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/international-student-travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0International Student Travel <\/a>before you depart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Do not engage in illegal activity.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Conviction of certain crimes can negatively impact your immigration status and may subject you to deportation from the U.S. If you are arrested or charged with a crime, notify our office immediately so that we can refer you to an immigration attorney.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p><strong>Please Note:<\/strong> If you receive any notifications from ICE\/SEVP or DHS, reach out to our office immediately. If you have a history in the U.S. of traffic violations, cannabis violations, political protest activity, or social media content related to political activism, reach out to our office &#8211; and consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ailalawyer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contacting a personal immigration attorney<\/a> for guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Electronic devices while traveling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, your personal electronic devices may be searched at the airport or border. We recommend encrypting private information on your electronic devices and backing them up before traveling in case they are seized. According to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/travel\/cbp-search-authority\/border-search-electronic-devices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Customs and Border Protection<\/a>&nbsp;(CBP) website, CBP officers may search laptops, cell phones, or other electronic devices. Be aware of sensitive information on electronic devices when traveling. Reach out to the Bates College <a href=\"mailto:helpdesk@bates.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HelpDesk<\/a> with questions about <a href=\"https:\/\/bates.teamdynamix.com\/TDClient\/75\/Portal\/KB\/ArticleDet?ID=743\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">encrypting private information<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Social Media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>U.S. immigration authorities have broad authority to review your social media, so it\u2019s crucial to maintain a professional online presence by carefully considering what you post and share publicly, as potentially controversial content could raise concerns about your intentions and impact your visa status.<br><br>Key points to remember:<br>o&nbsp;<strong>Be mindful of what you post:<\/strong>&nbsp;Avoid sharing content that could be interpreted as promoting violence, extremist views, or illegal activities. Review and remove any content which could be interpreted as controversial.<br>o&nbsp;<strong>Double-check before sharing:<\/strong>&nbsp;Think twice before posting or sharing anything that might reflect negatively on you as an international student.<br>o&nbsp;<strong>Be aware of your online image:<\/strong>&nbsp;Maintain a positive and professional online presence.<br>o&nbsp;<strong>Consult the Center for Global Education office:<\/strong>&nbsp;If you have any concerns about your social media presence, seek guidance from our office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more about your rights:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilapmaine.org\/know-your-rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project know your rights<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/know-your-rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ACLU know your rights<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As an international student in the U.S., it&#8217;s important for you to&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":924,"featured_media":0,"parent":16,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_hide_ai_chatbot":false,"_ai_chatbot_style":"","associated_faculty":[],"_Page_Specific_Css":"","_bates_restrict_mod":false,"_table_of_contents_display":false,"_table_of_contents_location":"","_table_of_contents_disableSticky":false,"_is_featured":false,"footnotes":"","_bates_seo_meta_description":"","_bates_seo_block_robots":false,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_id":0,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_twitter_id":0,"_bates_seo_share_title":"","_bates_seo_canonical_overwrite":"","_bates_seo_twitter_template":""},"class_list":["post-10555","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","with-sidebar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/924"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10555"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12146,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10555\/revisions\/12146"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}