Maintaining Lawful F-1 or J-1 Status:
International students
in F-1 or J-1 student status must satisfy these requirements
to remain in lawful status:
F-1 Students
- Have a valid passport and Form I-20 at all times
- Maintain continuous full-time enrollment during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
- Limit on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) to a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Refrain from any type of off-campus employment without the consent of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). (Only USCIS and ISSO can grant off-campus employment.)
- Purchase and maintain University student health plan.
- Have a valid passport and Form DS-2019 at all times.
- Maintain continuous full-time enrollment during the fall and Spring Semesters.
- Limit on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students must obtain employment authorization in advance and in writing from their Program Sponsor. If North Carolina A&T State University issued the student's DS-2019 then NCA&TSU is the program sponsor.
- Purchase and maintain University student health plan for self and dependents (if North Carolina A&T is the program sponsor). If other J-1 Program Sponsor, student must purchase and maintain medical health insurance for self and dependents. The health insurance policy must meet the J-1 federal requirements for the Exchange Visitor and dependents: $50,000 minimum per accident or illness; $500 maximum deductible per illness; $10,000 provision for medical evacuation; $7,500 maximum repatriation coverage.
Important Note: International students who fail to maintain lawful nonimmigrant status are ineligible for any immigration benefits such as employment or change of status. If you violate the terms of your nonimmigrant status, you are not allowed to work - including assistantships. It may be possible to enroll for less than full-time studies under certain circumstances. You and/or your advisor should consult with an ISSO advisor to discuss any variation of full-time enrollment, employment issues, violation of nonimmigrant status, etc., including possible consequences and plans of action.
