Golden Rules of F-1 Status

Although ISS staff will do our best to assist students with maintaining your F-1 student status, ultimately, students are responsible for understanding and complying with visa regulations. Below is a summary of the basic rules and what actions students need to take to maintain F-1 student status:

• Maintain full-time enrollment during each academic semester. Full time is 12 credits for undergraduate students and 8 credits for graduate students.
  • Students may turn in Reduced Course Load Authorization Form if they are facing any of the following reasons to be considered part-time:
    • Illness or Medical Condition.
    • Initial Difficulties with English Language (first semester only)
    • Initial Difficulties with Reading Requirement (first semester only)
    • Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods (first semester only)
    • Improper Course Level Placement
    • Concurrent Enrollment
    • To Complete Course of Study in Current Term (graduating students only)
• Meet in-person study requirements. During fall and spring semester, no more than one online course can count towards the full-time enrollment requirement. Hybrid courses that are taught with a combination of in-person and online instruction are considered to be in-person courses.
• Make normal academic progress in order to complete the course of study. In case of Academic Dismissal, the student’s SEVIS record will be terminated.
• Abide by on-campus student employment policies. PLU students may work up to 19 hours per week during the school year.
• Do not engage in volunteering, internship or paid work off-campus without consulting with ISS staff in advance.
• After completion of programs, students are allowed to remain in the U.S. for a grace period of 30 days (unless they have been present in the U.S. since before September 15, 2026, in which case their grace period is 60 days). Do not over-stay in the U.S.
• In case of withdrawing from PLU, complete the Notification of Student Withdrawal Form.

Additional rules apply when students are engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT). Attend OPT workshop offered at the beginning of each academic semester to learn more.

If you violate your status and/or run into a situation where you are questioned by Federal or Local Agents (for example: Police, Immigration Agents or FBI), you want to make sure you know what to do. To learn more, please visit Know Your Rights, a useful resource prepared by American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). 

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!