Visa Regulations

F-1 Visa Regulations

Maintaining Status:
Although the International Studies Office will make every effort to keep you informed of USCIS regulations, you are responsible for maintaining your legal F-1 status.
The results of falling out of legal status, since the passage of recent new immigration laws, can affect your career and your life for years to come. Please be careful in all matters concerning your legal status here as international students.

• You must report to the International Student Advisor (International Studies Office, Peters Commons second floor) as soon as possible (within 7 days) of your arrival in Dubuque.
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  You must have a valid (not expired) passport.
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  You must have a valid (not expired) I-20.
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  You must be enrolled fulltime every semester (except summer). This means 12 hours/semester undergraduate and 9 hours/semester graduate.
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  You must follow correct procedures (contact the International Studies Office) if transferring, changing academic goals, or extending your program of study.
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  You are limited to 20 hours/week of on-campus employment (except for school holiday breaks).
  You may NOT work off-campus.
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  Keep all your immigration documents in a safe place. Keep ALL of your old I-20 forms...do NOT throw them away! You may need them in the future to prove that you have remained in status.
  
  Please contact the International Studies Office with any questions or concerns you have about your immigration status.

F-1 Visa Applications:
A valid F-1 visa is only required to enter the U.S. Once you are within the U.S., and are maintaining legal status, your visa may expire without consequence to your immigration status. If you leave the US with an expired visa, you will need to apply for a new visa before you return. For more visa information, see: http://travel.state.gov