MAINTAINING STUDENT STATUS
Your eligibility for opportunities such as
employment, school transfers,
and program changes depends on
maintaining lawful status. Your signature on the Form
I-20 (F-1 students) or Form IAP-66 (J-1 students) signifies
your agreement to abide by the conditions of F-1 or J-1
status while in the United States.
To maintain your status, you must:
- Remain enrolled full-time
at the institution you are authorized to attend
(Queens College)
- Hold a valid, current I-20 (F-1 students) or IAP 66 (J-1
students) issued by Queens College that has been
"activated" by the INS or our office (in case of
transfer)
- Maintain a passport that is valid for at least six months
into the future (passport agreements between the United
States and several countries allow for exceptions to this
rule)
- Have appropriate authorization for any work and not be
employed for more than 20 hours per week while classes
are in session
F-1 Students
F-1 students must complete their course of study by
the end date shown on the Form I-20 or request a
"program extension"
with assistance from the
Office of International Student Services.
Full-time enrollment for:
- undergraduate students is 12 credit hours per semester.
- graduate students is 9 credit hours per semester.
J-1 Students
In addition to the general rules for maintaing status
describes above, student-exchange visitors in J-1 status
must:
- Enroll full time in activities that are part of their
educational objective
- Follow regulations when extending their stay or
transferring from one institution or program to another
- Maintain the required level of health insurance
Less-than-full-time enrollment is acceptable only under
certain circumstances. For details, contact
ISSO's
adviser.
If you are pursuing a degree, your stay in J-1 status is
limited to the "end date" on the Form IAP-66 plus 30 days
(to prepare for departure). If you are enrolled in a
nondegree program, your period of study is limited to the
time on your IAP-66 (up to two years) plus a period of academic
training. If it appears that you will not complete your studies
or academic training before the end date on your IAP-66,
contact our office before the end date to request an extension
of your J-1 status. Sponsored students who have signed an
agreement with a sponsoring agency must obtain permission from
the sponsoring agency if they wish to stay beyond the date
shown on the IAP-66.
Students who are maintaining status are permitted an
annual vacation period during the year if they intend to
enroll the following semester/term.