Maintaining F-1 Student Status

Full-time Enrollment

To maintain F-1 visa status, you typically must enroll in a full-time course of study each semester:

• Undergraduate students: At least 12 credit hours with no fewer than 9 face-to-face credit hours
• Graduate students: At least 10 credit hours with no fewer than 7 face-to-face credit hours

All new and continuing students are expected to be enrolled in courses by the first day of class. Failure to be enrolled full-time or have an approved reduced course load request on file by the start of the third week of class may result in the termination of your Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) record.

Classes that you audit (i.e., that are not graded for credit) do not count towards the full course of study.

Concurrent enrollment

Immigration regulations allow students to maintain full-time enrollment through classes at different schools. Classes you take at another school will count toward your full-time enrollment requirement at WSU if you submit a Concurrent Enrollment Request in myPassport. As long as you are maintaining full-time enrollment at WSU, there is no need to report classes elsewhere.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

In certain circumstances, F-1 and J-1 international students may apply for a reduced course load, which will allow them to be under-enrolled. 

A student who wishes to drop below full-time must obtain approval from a Designated School Official (DSO) in advance, regardless of what the reason might be. A student who drops below a full course of study without prior approval of a DSO will be considered out of status.

Academic Difficulties

The regulations state:

The DSO may authorize a reduced course load on account of a student’s initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements, unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods, or improper course level placement.

WSU defines the approved academic RCL reasons as the following:

• Initial difficulty with the English language: the student struggles in the classroom due to challenges with listening and speaking English
• Initial difficulty with reading requirements: the student struggles with English language reading requirements
• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods: Due to cultural reasons, the student is unprepared to succeed in an American classroom
• Improper course level placement: The student is otherwise academically unprepared to succeed in their initial term

A student may apply for a reduced course load due to academic difficulties in their initial term if their academic advisor verifies their challenges. WSU ISSS (International and Student Scholar Services) defines “initial term” as:

• A student’s first semester for direct entry bridge, undergraduate, or graduate students
• A student’s first semester for students who are progressing from a lower degree level to a higher degree level, either as transfer-in students or progressing WSU students

A student transferring into WSU who studied previously at the same academic level is not eligible for an Academic Difficulties RCL. A reduced course load for academic difficulties must still enroll in at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students. Graduate students are not eligible for an academic RCL.

Illness or Medical Condition

A student requesting approval for a medical reduced course load (RCL) must submit medical documentation from a U.S.-licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist. Documentation from nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or homeopathic practitioners is not acceptable.

The medical letter does not need to include detailed information about the student’s diagnosis. However, it must confirm that the student has a medical condition and specify whether part‑time enrollment or no enrollment is advised.

A medical RCL may be authorized for one semester at a time, and each semester requires a new application and new medical documentation. Students may use up to 12 months of medical RCL per academic level, which, under WSU’s semester system, typically equates to two semesters per level.

Students with chronic health conditions that prevent consistent enrollment and normal academic progress are encouraged to consider returning home for medical care or pursuing an alternative immigration status to remain in the United States.

To Complete the Course of Study in the Current Term

A student may apply for RCL in their final term if fewer courses (i.e., less than full-time) are needed to complete the course of study. Final semester RCLs require confirmation from the student’s academic advisor. Students must take at least one in-person course in their final semester, including the summer semester as well.

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Summer session enrollment

Summer enrollment is optional for continuing full-time students. If you were enrolled at WSU for spring semester and plan to continue the following fall semester, you are not required to enroll during the summer semester.

If you are beginning studies in the summer and a summer start date is on your I-20, then you must enroll for credits during the summer semester. As a new graduate student, you must register for 3 in-person credits during the summer. As a new undergraduate student, you must enroll in 6 credits during the summer, with at least 3 of those credits being face-to-face.

If you are completing your studies in the summer, then you must be fully enrolled (Undergrads 6 credits/Grads 3 credits) or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) on file.

Immigration Documents

You must always maintain the following documents:

• Valid Passport – must be valid for at least 6 months into the future. Renew it through your home country consulate before expiration.
• Valid Form I‑20 – request an updated I‑20 whenever you change major, degree level, funding, program end date, or personal information.
• I‑94 Arrival Record – showing “F‑1” and “D/S” (Duration of Status). Keep your I‑94 for your records.

Extending your F-1 immigration status

If you cannot finish your program of study before the completion date listed on your I-20, please submit the I-20 Extension Request form at myPassport.

To be eligible for a program extension, your academic advisor must provide a compelling academic reason for the delay in your program completion, such as a documented illness or a change in major. In addition, you must be making normal progress toward your degree. Students with a history of poor academic performance (including I, W, and X grades on their transcripts) will receive extra scrutiny and may have their extension request denied due to a failure to make normal progress. An I-20 extension is never guaranteed.

Change of address

If you move to a new local residence, you must update your address within 10 days of your move. Please use our Personal Information Update form at myPassport to inform our office of your new address.

End of Program

Students are encouraged to depart the country in a timely manner upon completion of their program or when their status ends as a result of a violation. If you would like to find another way to extend your stay in the U.S., please speak with a qualified immigration attorney before your F-1 status ends.