Please read the following rules carefully. Following these regulations will help you maintain your legal F-1 visa status and avoid any future difficulties.
Keep Documents Current
Keep your passport valid at all times. Contact your Embassy in the U.S. to request renewal at least six months before it expire.
Also, review the I-20 on a regular basis and notify the International Student Office immediately about any changes in your major, degree level, or financial support. Also notify International Programs about any name changes, errors, or misspellings on the I-20.
Maintain a Full Course Load
F-1 students are required to enroll in at least 12 credit hours each spring and fall semester. Students can choose the semester session length that fits their needs. Students are permitted to enroll in classes at any ACC campus. Students whose I-20s begin in the Fall or Spring semester may choose to enroll in summer but are not required to enroll in summer.
Online Course Enrollment
- Only 1 online course (up to 3 hours) each semester counts toward the full-time enrollment requirement.
- F-1 students are permitted to enroll in more than 1 online course, but only 3 credit hours will count toward the full-time enrollment requirement.
- An online course is defined as a course that requires zero physical attendance on an ACC campus for instruction or course participation.
- For immigration compliance purposes:
- Online courses are coded: ONL and DLS
- In-person courses are coded: F2F, HYC, HYD, and FLX
- Learn more about ACC’s course modality
Summer Enrollment
- I-20 start date in the Summer: Full-time enrollment (12 credit hours) in summer is required for F-1 students whose I-20 is issued to start in the summer. Only 1 online course (up to 3 hours) will count toward the full-time enrollment requirement.
- I-20 start date in the Fall/Spring: Summer enrollment is optional. Enrollment restrictions do not apply.
Reduced Course Load
The exception to this rule is an authorized Reduced Course Load (RCL) granted by the DSO. A student who drops below a full course of study, or enrolls less than full-time, without the prior authorization from a DSO will be considered out of status and risks SEVIS termination. An RCL request must be received prior to the start of the semester, or before a student drops below full-time. A reduced course load may be granted in only the following situations:
- Academic Difficulties in First Semester (can only be used in the student’s first semester and must enroll in at least 6 credit hours)
- Temporary Illness or Medical Condition (may not exceed an aggregate of 12 months, no minimum enrollment requirement)
- Final Semester (to be used in the graduating semester and permits students to take only the courses needed for graduate. The final course cannot be an online course.)
Imminent danger of failing a class is not a permissible reason for authorizing a reduced course load. Review the RCL forms for more information.
Update Your Address and Phone Number
If you move to another address, or change your phone number, you must notify International Student Office within 10 days of the change. ISO will update your information in SEVIS.
- Use the Address/Phone Change E-Form
- Email ISO with the following information: [email protected]
- ACC Student ID number
- New address (including apartment number, if applicable)
- New phone number
I-20 Change of Major
An F-1 student who has changed their academic major, must submit an I-20 Change of Major form within 10 days of changing their major. See more information about changing your major.
I-20 Extension
You must complete your degree by the date listed on your I-20 or apply for an extension at least 30-60 days before your completion date. See I-20 extension information. See I-20 extension information.
F-1 Student Graduation Eligibility
All F-1 students who are graduating in the current semester, must submit an F-1 Student Graduation Eligibility form. See more information about reporting your graduation.
New Degree Request
An F-1 student who has graduated from one academic program, and would like to pursue another academic program at ACC, must complete a New Degree Request form. See more information about a new degree (Change of Level) request.
Transfer SEVIS Record (I-20)
If you have been accepted to another university/institution, you must submit specific documents in order to transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) to your new university/institution. See Transfer SEVIS Record (I-20).
Travel
Be sure before you leave the United States that the F-1 visa is valid. If your visa has expired, you will have to apply for a new one overseas before you will be able to re-enter the U.S. Also be sure to have your I-20 endorsed for travel by International Student Office. If you need to leave ACC unexpectedly during or after the semester, before the program end date on your I-20, you must request an Authorized Early Withdrawal. See travel outside the U.S.
F-1 Employment Basics & Eligibility
You are permitted to work on campus part time (no more than 20 hours a week) during the semester and full time during vacation periods. Off-campus employment is prohibited without prior authorization. See employment guidelines.
Current ACC Students F-1 Co-Enrollment Authorization
An F-1 visa international student at ACC must review and complete certain requirements to obtain approval to concurrently enroll (co-enroll) in classes at another college or university while maintaining a SEVIS record (I-20) with ACC. An F-1 student must not co-enroll at another institution without prior approval from the ACC International Student Office. See Current ACC Students F-1 Co-Enrollment Authorization information.
Regain F-1 Status
An international student who fails to maintain their immigration status may be reinstated to valid F-1 status at the discretion of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or by completing a re-entry.
Effective September 15, 2026 – New F-1 Regulatory Requirements
- Fixed Period of Admission: F-1 students will be admitted to the United States for a fixed period of time and receive an Admit Until Date up to the I-20 End Date, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for arrival and an additional 30-day period for departure.
- Extension of Stay (EOS): F-1 students who need additional time to complete their current program of study, begin a new program of study, or to engage in post-completion OPT or STEM OPT must take additional steps to remain lawfully present in the United States. Students who need additional time from what is listed on their Admit Until Date must apply for an EOS with USCIS or depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission from CBP upon reentry.
- Students should work with their DSO before applying for an EOS with USCIS. Once students receive an updated Form I-20 from their DSO with the proper EOS recommendation, F-1 students must complete and timely file the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” pay the required fee and provide required biometrics.
- Change of Educational Level: F-1 students enrolled in a program of study cannot change educational levels during their first year of study. F-1 Students are prohibited from the following after completing of a program of study:
- Enrolling in a program at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a bachelor’s program to an associate’s program), or
- Enrolling in a program at the same educational level (e.g., moving from an associate’s program to another an associate’s program).
- Change of Major: F-1 students cannot change their major during their first year of a program of study.
- SEVIS Transfer: F-1 students cannot transfer to another school during their first year of a program of study and must complete their first year of a program of study at the school that initially issued their Form I-20.
- Departure Grace Period: F-1 students have a 30-day period after completion of their program of study or post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extension, a decrease from the previous 60-day period.
Refer to the Final Rule: Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure Frequently Asked Question.
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