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F-1 Students Forms and Procedures
Maintaining Your F-1 Status
The United States government places requirements on F-1 students and also on the universities which have received government permission to enroll them. Each Marquette F-1 student is responsible to know this information. Please be sure to visit the Maintaining Your F-1 Status section below, and make it a point to familiarize yourself with this information.
Forms and Procedures
For any form listed, students can print, complete, and submit the forms to OIE. Students are welcome to schedule an appointment with their OIE advisor to discuss their individual situation or to ensure they are maintaining their F-1 status. Most OIE forms require three (3) to four (4) business days for processing.
Address Change Form
Students with F-1 status and J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to notify OIE within 10 days of any change in their residence address so that the SEVIS database will be updated in a timely manner. To update your address in SEVIS complete the SEVIS Change of Address Form (pdf) form below. Remember to also update your address in the Marquette database by using CheckMarq.
Enrollment Verification
Current students needing proof of enrollment or tuition can request this via Marquette Central - see How do I Verify Enrollment or GPA webpage. (Note that OIE does not issue letters to support non F-1/J-1 visa applications. See the Invitation Letter section of this page for more details.)
Dependents (F-2 Status)
The spouse and/or children under age 21 of F-1 students in valid status may receive an F-2 Form I-20 from OIE to apply for an F-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. To request an F-2 I-20 you must provide OIE with the Dependent Request form below, financial documentation for dependent expenses, and a copy of each dependent's passport.
At the visa appointment, the F-2 applicant(s) will likely be asked for evidence of relationship (e.g. marriage or birth certificate) and appropriate financial support. MU's financial estimate for a spouse is $12,000 per year and $6,000 per year for a child with spouse present.
F-2 dependents may not be employed or engaged in business. F-2 dependents may enroll in a less than full-time course of study at the post-secondary level even if the course of study leads to a degree. They may also enroll full-time in avocational or recreational studies. F-2 children may engage in full-time study in grades K - 12.
F-2 dependents may generally enter the U.S. with our without the F-1 as long as they have a valid passport and visa and an I-20 properly signed on page 2 for reentry.
F-2 dependents are eligible for the same health insurance plan as F-1 students. Sign up and payment are done by the F-1 student via their MyAccount health insurance portal
Off-Campus Employment and Practical Training
F-1 students may not work off-campus except in limited circumstances where the employment is allowed by the F-1 regulations and authorized in advance. Detailed information on each type of off-campus employment authorization, including application process details and forms, can be found via the links below:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) – Pre- and Post-Completion
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- STEM OPT
- Severe Economic Hardship
Students who encounter an unforeseen change in their sponsor's economic situation can apply to USCIS for authorization to work off-campus due to severe economic hardship. To be eligible, students must have completed at least one academic year of full-time studies, hold valid F-1 status and document the unforeseen change in their financial situation. Authorized work is restricted to 20 hours per week during the academic term, but may be full-time during winter or summer break if you are continuing your F-1 studies the next semester.
For more information, contact the Office of International Education to meet with an OIE adviser.
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International Organizations
Certain international organizations located in the U.S. are authorized to employ F-1 students. The organization must provide certification that the proposed employment is within the scope of its sponsorship. Students in this situation should contact the Office of International Education to meet with an OIE adviser.
Extending F-1 Status: Program Completion and Change Of Academic Level
Students who will not complete their academic program by the Program End Date on their current Form I-20, or who will begin a new level of study at Marquette in the semester immediately following their current I-20 Program End Date, must work with a MU DSO to extend their F-1 status. To receive an extension for one of these reasons, students must meet the relevant eligibility conditions below and also submit an extension request as specified.
EXTENDING TO COMPLETE PROGRAM:
Conditions:
- The need for additional time must be the result of compelling academic or medical reasons (e.g. a change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or a documented illness) Extensions are not possible if the delay is the result of academic probation or suspension, if the delay is related to purely administrative processes (e.g. missing the deadline to apply for graduation), or if there is no compelling reason why additional time is needed.
- Extensions to complete academic programs can be for no more than one academic year at time. Additional extensions may be possible if academic circumstances warrant.
- The student has documented sufficient finances for the proposed period of the extension
- The student has continuously maintained F-1 status
Application Process:
To apply for an extension, submit the following items to your OIE DSO:
- A completed Extension of F-1 Status to Complete Program of Study Form
- Documentation of financial support for any tuition during the period of the extension and living expenses for the student and any dependents. Documentation must generally be in the form of liquid accounts like bank statements, MU assistantship award letters, or government sponsorships. Stock account statements or pay stubs/employment letters do not general qualify as financial evidence. The amount of financial support for extensions can vary based on enrollment level and students seeking an extension should confirm the amount they will need to document with OIE.
- Valid passport copy
- Proof of financial support for any dependents
Timing and Deadlines:
Extensions to complete academic programs are generally requested and granted during the last semester before the current I-20 Program End Date and must be approved by OIE before this date. Requests for Extensions must be received at least 3 weeks before the end of the semester or processing is not guaranteed.
Extension of Stay and the F-1 Full-Time Enrollment Requirement:
If the new graduation/i-20 Program Completion Date in your extension request is in August, remember that that summer effectively becomes your final semester of studies and you must either enroll full-time in that final summer or request permission in advance from OIE to be less than full-time during that summer. Full-time enrollment is 12 credits for undergraduates and 7 credits or the equivalent (i.e. dissertation credits, continuation courses) for graduate students.
EXTENDING DUE TO CHANGE OF ACADEMIC LEVEL
Conditions:
- The student has been formally admitted to the new academic program
- The new program begins the semester immediately following the current program
- The student has documented sufficient finances for the new program
- The student has continuously maintained F-1 status
Process:
To apply for an extension, your OIE advisor must receive the following:
- An I-20 Request Form from Marquette's Graduate School (this form confirms your admission and documentation of finances) (If your new academic program is a bachelors degree, contact OIE for alternate instructions on how to confirm your admission to the new program)
- Proof of financial support for the student any dependents
Timing and Deadlines:
Extensions due to a Change of Academic Level must be approved by OIE by the end of 60-day grace period after the I-20 Program Completion Date. (Or, for students on post-completion OPT, by the last day of approved OPT). Requests for extensions must be received at least 3 weeks before the end of the grace period or OPT or processing is not guaranteed.
Extension Requests and Passport Validity:
Passports must be valid for at least six months into the future at all times during F-1 status, so students requesting an extension of their F-1 status should confirm their passport validity will remain appropriate for the duration of their extension and take action to renew their passport as necessary.
Health Insurance
Health care in the United States is expensive and health insurance is necessary to protect international students and scholars in case of serious problems. All Marquette international students with F-1 status, students and scholars with J-1 status and dependents with J-2 status are required to have acceptable year-round health insurance coverage for their entire duration of stay.
I-94 Verification
As of April 30, 2013, the U.S. Customs and Broder Protection automated the I-94 process for visitors entering the U.S. by air. The CBP officer will stamp your passport when you enter the U.S., but you will not receive a Form I-94 (the small white card). Please make sure that the CBP stamp in your passport is legible with your entry date and visa type.
You can verify your I-94 number and print your entry details at the CBP website: www.cbp.gov/i94. This information will be necessary for any on-campus employment, OPT applications, applying for a driver's license, etc.
If your I-94 contains incorrect information, contact the local (Milwaukee) CBP Deferred Inspection Site for assistance. (Click on the Chicago drop down option to see contact information for CBP’s Milwaukee Deferred Inspection Site.) You should br ready to provide a brief explanation of the issue (e.g. I-94 shows travel history but can’t print I-94, wrong status listed) and be ready to provide related documents like your MU I-20, airline tickets, etc.
Income Taxes
As a Foreign National student or scholar, you need to file tax forms each year with the IRS, even if you earned no income. It is your responsibility to understand and meet your tax obligations.
Invitation Letter
The US government has stated that an invitation letter is not required for visa issuance. Since a letter written by OIE plays no part in the visa issuance process, OIE does not issue invitation letters. Students are welcome to write their own invitation letter for family and friends to visit them if they wish.
Leave of Absence
Students who must withdraw completely from the university should request written approval from a DSO before withdrawing. In very unusual situations, a student may have to withdraw from the university before the end of the term. If the student receives written approval from the DSO before withdrawing, the student will have 15 days of legal status to depart from the United States. But if the student withdraws without the DSO’s written approval, the student will lose F-1 status as soon as he or she withdraws.
Students who request a leave of absence should also meet with their academic advisor to learn the process for their College or Department.
Maintaining Your F-1 Status
The purpose of this information is to explain the main requirements for F-1 students whose F-1 status is based on a Form I-20 that was issued by Marquette University.
The United States government places requirements on F-1 students and also on the universities which have received government permission to enroll them. Each Marquette F-1 student is responsible to know the following information. More information is available at the Office of International Education (OIE) located in Holthusen Hall, 4th Floor, telephone (414) 288-7289. OIE advisors are happy to talk with students about their status.
Vocabulary Regarding Your F-1 Status
DSO: Designated School Official. DSOs are staff members who are appointed by the President of the university and are approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to act on behalf of the university in F-1 student procedures. The DSOs work for the university, not for the government. All of the DSOs at Marquette are OIE administrators.
D/S: Duration of Status. This is the ending date of your legally authorized stay in the United States. It is defined as the time during which an F-1 student is pursuing a full course of studies or engaging in authorized practical training following completion of studies, plus 60 days to prepare for departure from the United States. If a student completes studies or violates F-1 regulations before the I-20 completion date, the D/S date becomes the earlier completion or violation date.
SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This is a government database with information about all F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors as well as their family dependents who have F-2 or J-2 status. You are required by law to keep your SEVIS information up to date at all times by informing your OIE advisor of any changes.
USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This agency is under the Department of Homeland Security and oversees the government procedures and policies for students who have entered the United States with F-1 status.
Requirements to Keep Your F-1 Visa Status
Enroll Full Time Every Semester
Each semester you are required to be enrolled full- time.* You may count no more than one fully online course, up to three credits, towards this requirement each semester. (See the section below titled "Online and Distance Learning Classes" for more details on this limitation.)
For undergraduate students, full-time enrollment means completion of at least 12 credit hours per semester.
For graduate students, full-time enrollment means completion of at least 7 class and/or thesis hours per semester. Continuation Courses representing part-time/half-time/full-time academic progress units may be counted towards this requirement. Audited courses (AU grades) do not count.
This requirement may be met in part or in full by enrollment in a part-time/half-time/full-time Continuation course based on academic activities not otherwise represented by course or thesis credits. Audited courses (AU grades) are not counted toward F-1 full-time status.
*Some exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement exist and are explained below in the section titled “Receive DSO Permission in Writing before Becoming Part-Time or Withdrawing Completely"
Online and Distance Learning Classes
If you wish to take a class that is 100% online or distance learning, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits of 100% online distance learning can count toward your requirement for full-time enrollment each semester. (At MU, 100% online or distance learning courses have one of two Instruction Modes: Synchronous Distance Learning or Asynchronous Distance Learning (sometimes listed as 100% Distance Learning) and do not require physical attendance for classes, examinations or other purposes integral to completion of the class.) you can confirm the Instruction Mode of your classes using the “How do I Identify How Classes are Taught”. For example, if you are an undergraduate student registered for 12 credits, only one course or 3 credits can be taken as a distance learning course. If you are a graduate student registered for 7 credits, only one course or 3 credits can be taken as a distance learning course. Please note: students in their final semester who have authorization to be enrolled less-than full-time may enroll in 100% online classes, but their enrollment may not consist completely of 100% online classes.
Summer Session Enrollment before an August Graduation
You are not required to enroll during the summer to maintain your F-1 status if you will continue your course of study in the fall semester as these summers are your legally authorized “annual vacations”. However, if you will graduate in August, the summer of that graduation is not an annual vacation, and you must enroll full-time for that summer. See the "Enroll Full-Time Every Semester" section above for details.
Enroll on time
You must register for full-time studies or receive DSO permission to be part-time before the end of the official registration period for the semester. At the close of late registration, Checkmarq must accurately reflect your enrollment status. If you are enrolled only part-time without permission, you will lose your F-1 status.
Receive DSO Permission in Writing before Becoming Part-Time or Withdrawing Completely
Becoming Part-Time:
Listed below are possible reasons for having the usual full-time enrollment requirement waived. All of these reasons require approval in advance from an MU DSO in your SEVIS record before you become part-time. To determine if any of the part-time exceptions apply to you, be sure to contact a DSO at OIE well before the start of the semester in which you hope to enroll less than full-time to learn whether an exception is legally possible in your situation. If you become part-time without legal authorization in advance, you will lose your F-1 status even if your reason for becoming part-time is legally acceptable.
- being in your last semester of studies
- health conditions documented by a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy, licensed psychologist, or clinical psychologist
- improper course level placement
- initial difficulties with English language
- unfamiliarity with teaching methods.
Note that the last three circumstances, while included in the regulations, would be difficult to document given the admissions standards students have to meet for admission to Marquette.
Withdrawing Completely:
If you must withdraw completely from the university, you should request written approval from a DSO before you withdraw. OIE must terminate the SEVIS records of withdrawing students, but students who request and receive permission from OIE before they stop attending classes can be terminated with the reason of “Authorized Early Withdrawal” which typically has no negative impact on future visa processes or travel. It also gives students 15 days of legal status to depart the U.S. as well as allows students who will be away for less than 5 months to ask OIE to request a reactivation of their current SEVIS record instead of issuing a new I-20 on a new SEVIS record.
Failure to request and receive an Authorized Early Withdrawal before withdrawing completely will result in your SEVIS record being Terminated for “Unauthorized Withdrawal” or “Failure to Enroll” both of which may cause issues with future visa processes or travel. Students whose SEVIS records are terminated mid-semester also lose their F-1 status as of the date of the withdrawal.
To Transfer to Marquette from another U.S. School - Complete the SEVIS Transfer Procedure
If you are a new Marquette F-1 student and transferring directly from another United States school to Marquette, your F-1 visa status can be electronically transferred from your old school to Marquette. In this case, you will maintain a continuous SEVIS record and you must register for classes and visit a DSO within 15 days after the reporting date indicated on your Marquette Form I-20.
Complete Your Authorized Program of Studies before Your D/S Date
You must complete all of the requirements for your degree at your current level of study no later than the expected completion date indicated on your Form I–20. You may remain in the United States for up to 60 days following the completion date to prepare for departure from the United States.
If you need less time to complete the studies indicated on your Form I-20, you need to provide evidence from your academic department or advisor of your new completion date. OIE will issue a revised Form I-20 showing your correct completion date.
If you need more time to complete the studies indicated on your Form I-20, you need to provide evidence of the valid academic reason for the additional time to complete your studies. OIE generally recommends that you apply for an extension with OIE within four months before the program end date on your Form I-20. You cannot apply after the program end date on your Form I-20. When you qualify for an extension, the DSO will issue you a new Form I-20 with the new expected completion date.
Changing Your Degree Level of Study within Marquette - Apply on time at OIE
If you are finishing one Marquette degree and want to continue at Marquette for another degree program, you will need a new Marquette Form I-20 from OIE for the new degree program. You should receive this new Form I-20 within 60 days after the completion date on your Form I-20 for your present program.
Traveling Outside the United States - Arrange for Documents and Signatures
If you are planning to leave the United States temporarily for a short vacation or emergency, you should contact OIE normally one or two weeks before departure. You should complete the Travel Request Form and bring the completed form with your passport and Form I-20 to OIE. In most cases, a DSO will sign the Travel Endorsement section on your Form I-20 to indicate that you are in lawful F-1 status and eligible to continue your study at Marquette University. A travel signature on your I-20 is valid for one year, if you have otherwise maintained F-1 status.
When you re-enter the United States, you must have a valid passport, valid Form I-20 with a DSO signature in the Travel Endorsement section and usually a valid F-1 visa in your passport. Returning to the United States from Canada, Mexico, and some nearby islands may have special allowances for students who are in valid F-1 status, but have an expired F-1 visa. More information is explained on the OIE website.
Remember that you many need a visa or other documents to enter the countries that you plan to visit, including Canada. Some students may also need transit permission to travel through certain countries, such as walking through a foreign airport to change from one plane to another. You should contact the governments of those countries in advance for information about their entry and transit requirements, if any.
If You Transfer to Another U.S. University - Complete the SEVIS Transfer Procedure
If you want to transfer your SEVIS record from Marquette University to enroll at another university in the United States with F-1 status, you must first inform a DSO at OIE of your intent to transfer. The transfer must be completed by the Marquette DSO within 60 days after the completion date on your Form I-20. SEVIS transfer procedures are necessary whether you are moving to the new school to continue studies at the same level (such as continuation of a Bachelor’s degree) or beginning a new level of studies at the new school (such as graduate studies at a different university after completing a Marquette bachelor’s degree).
Depart from the United States on time after Your D/S Date
After you complete all of your authorized academic studies and practical training, you will have 60 days to prepare for your departure from the United States. This period of 60 days is not indicated on your Form I-20 or Optional Practical Training authorization card.
On-Campus Employment - Work Only the Permissible Number of Hours per Week
As a Marquette F-1 student you are authorized to work on the Marquette campus. In general, jobs which are considered to be "on-campus employment" are paid from Marquette University funds and performed on Marquette University property under the supervision of regular Marquette faculty or administrators who are acting in their official university capacities. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session and may be full- time during school vacations. In the process of arranging for an on-campus job, you may need to visit OIE for a written confirmation of your legal eligibility to work on campus.
In very unusual situations, "on-campus employment" can include certain jobs which occur away from Marquette property if they are educationally affiliated with the school's established curriculum or are related to contractually funded research at the graduate level and are an integral part of the student's educational program. If you have one of those unusual job opportunities, you should receive a written confirmation that the proposed job is considered to be "on-campus" although it will be performed on property that is off campus. This confirmation must be received in advance from a DSO at OIE.
A student who is transferring from one United States school to another may be employed only on the campus of the school which has access to the student’s SEVIS record. Normally this will mean that a student can work on the campus of the “old” school only until the end of the student’s final semester at that school. A student cannot begin employment at the “new” school until the student’s SEVIS record has been electronically transferred to the new school.
Off-Campus Work & Internships - Requires Optional or Curricular Practical Training Authorization
As a Marquette F-1 student, you may not work or engage in an internship for credit off-campus unless that experience is directly related to your major area of study, otherwise qualifies for practical training authorization as described below, and you have received that authorization in advance of the experience. Practical training during the semester is limited to 20 hours per week or less, but may be full-time during summer, winter, or spring break. Also note that you first need to be enrolled for at least two semesters unless you are a graduate student in a program that requires such training earlier than the completion of two semesters.
There are three general categories of practical training:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows for off-campus employment (or an internship that is unpaid but earns credit) for a specific job or internship when the employment/internship is:
- a required part of the official curriculum which you have chosen to complete for your degree
- an integral part of the established curriculum such as the Engineering Co-op Program, an internship for your program listed in the bulletin, or the clinical phase of a health program
- offered by a sponsoring employer who has an agreement with the university to provide these educational experiences for Marquette students.
CPT authorization is not limited in duration, but a student who receives 12 months or more of full-time CPT authorization may not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) (see details below). Marquette DSOs are authorized to grant permission for curricular practical training if the legal requirements are met.
To apply for CPT, complete the application process that is explained on the OIE website and discuss your application with a DSO.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows off-campus employment which is directly related to a student’s major field of study. OPT authorization is for specific dates, but a specific job is not required to apply. You may receive up to 12 months of authorization for OPT at each level of studies. For example, a student who uses 12 months of OPT related to a Bachelor’s degree program will be eligible for another 12 months of OPT related to a Master’s degree program. There are three types of OPT
If a student with practical training authorization transfers to another school or begins study at another education level, the practical training authorization is automatically terminated.
There are two times during your F-1 status that you may be eligible for OPT:
Pre-completion OPT
You may apply to use part or all of your OPT period before you complete your Marquette course of study. Pre-completion OPT can only be part-time (20 hours per week or less) while you are taking classes and school is in session, but may be full-time during summer, winter, or spring break.
Post-completion OPT
You may apply to use OPT upon completion of your Marquette course of study. Applications for post-completion OPT must reach USCIS no later than 60 days after the program end date on your Form I-20. Graduate students who have completed all course requirements except thesis or equivalent may also have the option to apply for full-time, post-completion OPT before completion of their course of study.
During post-completion OPT, maintaining your F–1 status is dependent upon employment. You may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during the initial 12 months of your post- completion OPT. Although part-time employment is allowed during post-completion OPT, current government guidelines state that you must be employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Your OPT employment can take place anywhere in United States, but you are legally required to continue contact with the Marquette DSO, and the DSO is required to update your information in SEVIS, until the end of your authorized period of post-completion OPT. These updates include any changes to your name, residence address, and employment details.
To apply for OPT, complete the application process that is explained on the OIE website and discuss your application with a DSO. After completing the procedures at OIE, you will send your application to the USCIS for its decision. You must receive your OPT authorization in writing from USCIS before you can begin OPT employment. You should note that USCIS authorization typically takes two to three months. As a result, you should apply for OPT as early as early as possible which is 90 days before the proposed OPT start date.
24-month STEM OPT Extension
Some F-1 students who have received degrees in certain areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are able to apply for a 24-month OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months of standard OPT. More information is available on the OIE website at or from an OIE advisor.
Contact a DSO Promptly if You Encounter Severe Financial Problems
In some unusual situations a student can apply to USCIS for permission to work off campus because of severe economic hardship. These applications are possible only if the financial need is caused by an unforeseeable change in the student’s financial support.
A student must complete two semesters of study before receiving authorization for this kind of employment. In addition to proving unforeseen economic hardship, the student must demonstrate that he or she cannot meet the financial need by working on campus and that the employment will not interfere with completion of the student’s full course of study. Off-campus employment can be authorized for no more than one year at a time.
Students who encounter unforeseeable financial hardship should contact OIE as soon as possible. The total hours of student employment are still limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session although employment may be full-time during school vacations. The employment authorization, if approved, requires continual good academic standing and valid F-1 status.
Plan Ahead to Continue Your Health Insurance
All Marquette F-1 students are required to have health insurance as a condition of enrollment. Most students fulfill this requirement by participating in the international insurance program that is provided by Marquette University.
A full explanation of the amount of coverage and what is covered under the plan is available at OIE and is described on the OIE Website.
In general, each student in the international plan pays for insurance at the beginning of each semester. OIE charges the insurance cost to your Bursar account and the amount can be viewed in CheckMarq. The spring semester charges are for seven months of coverage (January through July) and the fall semester charges are for five months of coverage (August through December). Payment for these charges is subject to the deadlines set forth by the Bursar.
The insurance rates for the international plan can change each year. The rates may depend on how much money the insurance company must pay for the medical care of our group members. To help keep down the price of this international plan, please visit the Marquette University Medical Clinic first, whenever appropriate in non-emergency situations.
If you end your legal status as a Marquette student before the end of your expected insurance period, no refunds are issued for unused months of coverage.
Marquette F-1 students with family member who have F-2 status may also enroll their family members in the plan. You can learn more about these special coverages at OIE and on the OIE Website.
Required SEVIS Reporting - Always Keep Your SEVIS Record Up to Date
Government regulations require universities to maintain and to report certain information about all F-1 students in SEVIS. Your SEVIS information is available to numerous government agencies such as United States embassies and consulates, ports of entry, and USCIS offices.
To fulfill these record-keeping requirements, you must inform a DSO at OIE within ten days of any changes in the following information so that your SEVIS record can be updated. (Students who have F-2 spouses or children must also report changes for those dependents within the same ten-day period.)
- Change of residence address where you are living in the United States
- Change of postal address if you cannot receive mail at your U.S. residence address
- Change of address outside the United States
- Change in legal name
- Change in nationality
- Change in legal status in the United States
- Changes in official major field of study including addition of new major
- Change in expected graduation date if it will be earlier or later than the present end date on your Form I-20
- Change in fundamental sources of financial support
In brief, please inform a DSO at OIE about any change to the data about you in SEVIS. If you are not sure about a change, please contact a DSO.
Keep Your Passport Valid at All Times
You are required by United States regulations to keep your passport valid at all times, and in some cases it must be valid for at least six months into the future. The procedures for renewing a passport vary from country to country. For correct information, contact your country's embassy or consulate in the United States. Some countries have agreements with the United States which assure that their passports will be considered valid for the purpose of return to that country for six months beyond their expiration dates. Plan in advance to renew your passport.
Arrange Documents for Any Family Dependents with F-2 Visa Status
If you are an F-1 student who has a spouse and/or children with F-2 visa status, you must also maintain SEVIS records for your F-2 dependents. Notify a DSO at OIE of any changes for your dependents including any legal change in name or nationality, early departure from the United States, or change of dependent status as in cases of divorce, death, or a child’s attainment of age 21.
Keep Your Old Documents
If you receive more than one Form I-20 or other official documents during your status as an F-1 student, keep all original forms in case they are needed in the future for evidence of status.
Please Plan Ahead
Remember to plan ahead. Plan your money for bills as they will come each month, each semester, or each year. Plan to contact your government early for arrangements such as passport renewal, currency exchange, or military deferment, because these may require more time than expected. United States government procedures and Marquette procedures also take time, so plan ahead for certification letters, practical training applications and other assistance you may want.
You are always welcome to meet with an OIE advisor if you have questions about your F-1 visa status.
Online and Distance Learning Courses
If an F-1 visa student wants to take a class that is 100% online or distance learning, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits can count toward the requirement for full-time enrollment. Online or distance learning courses do not require physical attendance for classes, examinations or other purposes integral to completion of the class. For example, an undergraduate student registered for 12 credits can only take one course or 3 credits as a distance learning course. A graduate student who is registered for 7 credits can take only one course or 3 credits as a distance learning course.
Reduced Course Load
F-1 students must be enrolled full-time each semester unless they are approved in advance and in writing by an MU DSO for a Reduced Course Load (RCL). Full-tme means at least 12 credits for undergraduates and 7 credits for graduate students. (Note: graduates may count continuation courses towards this total.) Students who become part-time before receiving an RCL, either by dropping a class themselves or by being dropped by a professor, will have their SEVIS record terminated and lose their F-1 status.
RCLs are only availble in the circumstances described below:
- Medical conditions
- Academic difficulties due to improper course level placement, initial difficulties with English language, or unfamiliarity with teaching methods
- Completion of studies at the end of the semester
To request a reduced course load, please complete the form below and bring it, along with any required documentation to OIE. Students requesting a reduced course load, other than students requesting an RCL for their last semester, are strongly encouraged to meet with OIE to discuss their situation before submitting and RCL request.
Reinstatement
A student who violates (or loses) their F-1 status can apply to USCIS for reinstatement to F-1 status. Students who have violated F-1 status should meet with an OIE advisor as soon as possible after the violation occurs to discuss their individual situation so they can decide the best course of action.
Shorten Program
If you will complete all academic program requirements before the SEVIS program end date listed on your I-20 Form, you must use OIE's Shorten Program Form below to request a new SEVIS program end date which will be the end date of the semester in which you will complete your last academic requirement (including thesis defense or revision). This date, as well as your remaining academic requirements and their dates, must be correctly listed on the Shorten Program Form.
The new SEVIS program end date will be in May for completion in Spring semester, December for completion in Fall, and August for completion in the Summer. Also remember that if your new program end date is in August you must enroll full-time for that last semester (this can be an appropriate continuation course for graduate students) or request authorization for a reduced course load from OIE before the start of that Summer.
If will be stopping out a PhD program early and earning a master's degree as part of shortening your program, note that you must be officially admitted to the master's program by the admission deadline of your final semester and OIE must receive an I-20 Request Form from the Graduate School confirming this admission in addition to your OIE Shorten Program Form.
Social Security and Individual Tax ID Numbers
Social Security numbers are necessary for students who will be employed in the United States. It is a registration number issued by a government agency (called the Social Security Administration) and it is used for tax purposes. Students without employment cannot apply for an SSN but can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if necessary for grant, fellowship, or scholarship funding.
State ID Card & Driving in Wisconsin
Some students and scholars may be eligible to obtain a driver's license in Wisconsin. Students and Scholars who are not eligible for a Wisconsin driver's license can obtain a WI ID card to use as proof of age or identity.
Transfer to Another U.S. University
TRANSFER FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
Current MU students who are maintaining F-1 status and who meet the conditons, procedures, and deadlines below can work OIE to transfer their SEVIS record to another school by settng a "transfer release date" in SEVIS. Transfer release dates are typically shortly after the last day of Marquette studies or authorized post-completion OPT and before the start of the new program. If the transfer release date is during the semester, the student must continue to attend classes and maintain status at Marquette until the transfer release date. If the transfer release date is before the end of an authorized period of post-completion OPT, the OPT authorization ends on the transfer release date.
Conditions for SEVIS Transfers:
- The student has been admitted by a new SEVP-approved school
- The new course of study begins no more than 5 months from the end of Marquette studies or the end of authorized post-completion OPT
- The student is eligible for an I-20 at the transfer in school
- The student follows the SEVIS transfer procedures and deadlines outlined below
Procedures and Deadlines for SEVIS Transfers:
- Email OIE a completed MU Transfer Out Request Form
- Email OIE a copy of the official admission letter for the new program. The letter must include the new program start date.
Deadlines:
Transfer requests and all related documenation may be submitted to OIE any time during the final semester at MU and no later than three weeks before the earliest of the following dates: the requested transfer release date or the end of a student's 60 day post-completion "grace period." Transfer requests submitted after this deadline will be processed if time permits. In all cases, transfer requests must be entered in SEVIS no later than 60 days after completion of the course of study or authorized post-completion OPT.
Students who do not meet these requirements and wish to begin studies at another DHS-approved U.S. school will need to exit the U.S. and reenter with an "initial attendance" I-20 from that school.
TRANSFER FOR NEW STUDENTS
New students who want to transfer to another DHS-approved school before starting their MU studies and who have who have entered the U.S. using their "initial attendance" I-20 from Marquette have two options for transferring their SEVIS record depending on the start date of their program at the transfer-in school.
Option 1: Students with an acceptance from another SEVP-certified school for a program that starts no more than 30 days from their initial admission to the U.S.
These students may request that OIE transfer their SEVIS record to the new school by taking the following steps:
- Report to OIE by providing a copy of your most recent I-94 via email or in person and your U.S. address. Reporting should be completed by the program start date on the MU I-20
- Submit OIE’s “transfer out” form with a letter of acceptance from the new school
Option 2: Students with an acceptance letter from another SEVP-certified school for a program that starts more than 30 days from their initial admission to the U.S.
These student’s have two choices:
- Report to OIE (by providing a copy of your most recent I-94 via email or in person and your U.S. address) by the program start date on the MU I-20, enroll for a full course of study at Marquette, and attend classes at Marquette until the SEVIS transfer release date based upon submission of OIE’s “Transfer Out” Form and a letter of acceptance from the new school
- Withdrawal from Marquette, notify OIE of their withdrawal, leave the U.S. within 15 days of the withdrawal, and reenter the U.S. with an “initial attendance” I-20 from the new school after paying a new I-901 fee.
Transcript Request
Students, alumni and former students needing an official Marquette transcript (or proof of program completion) should visit this website. The Office of International Education does not issue transcripts or proof of program completion.
Travel Documents: Outside & Inside the U.S.
Travel Outside the U.S.
F-1 students planning to return to the United States after a brief absence to continue their studies or authorized post-completion OPT/STEM OPT should complete the form below to obtain a travel signature from a Marquette DSO on page 2 of their I-20 prior to departing the U.S. Travel signatures are valid for 12-months (6-months if you are have authorized post-completion OPT/STEM OPT) if you have otherwise maintained F-1 status.
Completed forms, along with with the student's current Form I-20 and passport, should be submitted to OIE one to two weeks before departing the U.S. An appointment is not needed.
In addition to a properly signed I-20, F-1 students will need the following documents to reenter:
- A valid passport
- A valid F-1 visa
- An valid EAD card (for students with approved OPT)
Students with pending OPT or STEM OPT applications often face additional issues upon reentry and should carefully read the travel information in the OPT/STEM OPT section of this website before departing the U.S.
F-2 dependents must follow/need the same procedures and documents described above and may travel with our without the F-1 visa holder.
Note for Students Visiting or Transiting Through a Country Other Than Their Home Country:
Be sure to research in advance of travel the visa requirements of any country you will visit or transit through and to make all necessary arrangements to meet any visa requirements that will apply to you.
Travel Inside the U.S.
In general, no special permission is required for F-1 students travelling within the U.S. including to Alaska, Hawaii, or any U.S. territory.
A passport or Wisconsin state photo ID should generally be sufficient as identification for most travel inside the U.S., but OIE strongly recommends that you and any accompanying family member also take with the additional items listed below if travelling outside of Wisconsin and especially if travelling by air, by bus, or by train or anywhere within 100 miles of the U.S. border:
- Passport
- I-20
- I-94 card/print out
Visa Renewal
Students with an expired F-1 visa will need to apply for a new F-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate prior to their re-entry to the U.S. (Visas cannot be issued or renewed in the U.S.) The visa application process can differ from country to country so it is important to research the process at the embassy or consulate where you will apply. Visit the State Department website for more information.
Remember that a valid F-1 visa is required upon entry to the United States. However, the visa can expire while you are in the U.S. as long as you have a valid Form I-20 and are maintaining F-1 status.
Travel to Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands Without a Valid F-1 Visa
Most students with an expired F-1 visa can re-enter the U.S. when returning from a visit of less than thirty days to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands adjacent to the United States (other than Cuba). They must possess a valid Form I-20 with DSO endorsement on Page 2. This process is known as automatic visa revalidation.
Students who meet any one of following criteria, will not be able to automatically revalidate their visa.
- Applied for a new visa (in Canada, Mexico or islands) and it has not been issued
- Applied for a new visa (in Canada, Mexico or islands) and were denied
- Have a terminated SEVIS record indicating that you are out of status
- Have been out of the United States for more than thirty days
- Is a citizen of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria
Resources for Travel
A list of frequently asked questions and responses related to travel can be found on the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement website.
Information about visas for Canada can be found on the Government of Canada website.