F-1 visa rights: the international student's complete guide

The rule in plain English

F-1 status grants permission to study full time in the United States, with limited work authorisation tied to specific authorisations. The controlling source is 8 CFR § 214.2(f) and the SEVP policy guidance issued to Designated School Officials. The core bargain of the F-1 visa is straightforward: you are admitted to pursue a legitimate academic program at a SEVP-certified school, and in exchange you agree to maintain a full course of study, work only within authorised categories, and depart the US or change status upon completion of your academic objectives. Violating any of these core conditions — even inadvertently — can result in SEVIS termination, loss of F-1 status, and removal proceedings.

This page serves as the pillar guide for the F-1 visa cluster. Each topic below links to a dedicated page with detailed guidance. Use this guide to understand the overall framework, then follow the links to the specific page that matches your situation.

Who this guide is for

Maintaining status

Maintaining F-1 status requires compliance with several basic rules throughout your stay:

• Full course of study every fall and spring (summers are optional unless the first term). For undergraduates, this typically means at least 12 credits per semester; for graduate students, at least 9 credits, though specific requirements vary by school and program.
• Work only as authorised: on-campus up to 20 hours per week during term, full-time on breaks; CPT before program completion; OPT after; STEM OPT for designated degrees. Any work outside these categories is a status violation.
• Transfer SEVIS to a new school within 15 days of the start date there. The transfer process requires acceptance at the new school and coordination between the current and new DSO.
• Apply for I-20 extension before the program end date. DSOs cannot extend retroactively — if your I-20 expires before you complete your program, you are out of status.
• Update your address with your DSO within 10 days of any move. Report a new U.S. address to the DSO through the school’s reporting system.
• Maintain a valid passport at all times. If your passport expires, renew it through your home country’s embassy or consulate and provide the updated information to your DSO.

Read F-1 visa status violation: what happens, what to do, and when to call an attorney if status has slipped.

Work authorisation routes

F-1 students have four main work authorisation categories, each with different requirements and limitations:

• On-campus employment. No additional permission needed. You may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during official school breaks. The position must be on the school’s premises and provide direct services to students. This is the only work category available without DSO or USCIS authorisation.
• CPT (Curricular Practical Training). School-authorised, employer-specific, and must be an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT can begin at any point in the program, including day one if the program qualifies. Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility; full-time CPT beyond 12 months permanently bars OPT at that level. Read CPT authorization letters: what your DSO writes, what an attorney checks.
• OPT (Optional Practical Training). USCIS-authorised, available before or after program completion. Standard OPT provides 12 months of work authorisation per education level. Pre-completion OPT uses the same 12-month pool at a reduced rate. Post-completion OPT requires filing within 30 days of the DSO recommendation and allows up to 90 days of unemployment. Read Form I-765 OPT application: the eight common mistakes that get it denied.
• STEM OPT extension. 24-month extension available for STEM Designated Degrees. Requires E-Verify enrolled employer, signed I-983 training plan, and ongoing reporting obligations. Read STEM OPT self-employment and startups.

Travel during F-1

Re-entry on F-1 requires a valid passport, a valid F-1 visa stamp (or an automatic revalidation under specific conditions), an I-20 with travel signature within the last 12 months (six for OPT/STEM OPT), and proof of enrolment or employment. CBP officers can refuse entry on any of these grounds. Before travelling, confirm that your I-20 travel signature is current — DSOs typically process travel signature requests within 3 to 5 business days. If your F-1 visa stamp has expired but you are travelling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean for 30 days or less, automatic visa revalidation may allow re-entry with an expired visa stamp under certain conditions. If your visa is expired and automatic revalidation does not apply, you must renew it at a U.S. consulate abroad before returning. Carry copies of your recent transcripts, proof of enrollment, and (if applicable) your EAD card and employer letter when travelling.

F-2 dependents

Spouses and children under 21 of F-1 students can accompany the student as F-2 dependents. F-2 dependents must maintain their own valid I-20 and cannot engage in employment in any capacity — there is no work authorisation available for F-2 spouses, even in remote or volunteer positions. F-2 children can attend school in the United States from kindergarten through grade 12 without a separate student visa. F-2 spouses may enroll in part-time study (less than a full course of study) as a recreational or vocational interest. If the F-2 dependent wishes to pursue a full-time degree program, they must change status to F-1 or another appropriate visa category. F-2 dependents must also maintain a valid passport and should travel with the F-1 student’s I-20 (which lists their names on page 3) and their own valid dependent visa stamp.

Common mistakes

Frequently asked questions

Core F-1 status requirements

Maintaining F-1 student status requires compliance with several core requirements throughout your stay in the United States. You must enroll in and complete a full course of study each academic term, as defined by your school's SEVP certification. Full-time enrollment typically means at least 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students, but specific requirements vary by school and program. You must make normal academic progress toward your degree and maintain satisfactory grades. You must not engage in unauthorized employment — any work for pay outside the specific categories authorized by your DSO or USCIS is a status violation. You must keep your passport valid at all times and update your address with your DSO within 10 days of any move. You must not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during OPT or violate the terms of any CPT authorization. Violating any of these requirements can result in SEVIS termination, loss of F-1 status, and potential removal proceedings.

Overview of F-1 work authorization types

F-1 students have several authorized work options, each with specific requirements and limitations. On-campus employment is available without separate USCIS authorization — you can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during breaks, as long as the position is on the school's premises and provides direct services to students. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorized by your DSO and allows off-campus work that is integral to your curriculum. CPT can be part-time or full-time and requires an employer offer letter. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is authorized by USCIS and allows off-campus work directly related to your field of study. OPT is available for up to 12 months at each education level, with an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension for qualifying STEM degrees. Severe economic hardship employment authorization is available in limited circumstances where unforeseen circumstances have caused financial hardship. Science or art exchange program employment may be available for J-1 students.

Transferring schools and extending your program

F-1 students can transfer between SEVP-certified schools by following the SEVIS transfer process. To transfer, you must be accepted at the new school, notify your current DSO of the transfer intent, and complete the transfer-in process at the new school within 15 days of the transfer release date. The current DSO releases your SEVIS record to the new school, and the new DSO completes the transfer by registering you in SEVIS as a continuing student. If you need additional time to complete your program, you can extend your I-20 through your DSO before the current program end date. The extension request requires evidence of academic reasons for the delay and sufficient financial support for the additional period. DSOs cannot extend the program end date retroactively — apply before the current end date passes. If your I-20 expires before you complete your program, you are out of status and must either depart the US, apply for reinstatement, or pursue another option.