All F-1 international students must meet certain obligations set by the US Department of Homeland Security to maintain an F-1 visa status. It is your responsibility to comply with these obligations and avoid any violation during your time at Chapman.
On this page, you’ll find the F-1 policies and general guidelines for maintaining your visa status while studying at Chapman.
Maintaining your F-1 status
As an F-1 international student, it is your responsibility to:
Maintain required documentation
- Maintain a valid I-20.
- Have a passport that is valid 6 months in advance of expiration at all times.
Be a full-time student
- Enroll in a full course of study during the fall and spring semesters.
- A full course of study is 12 units per semester for undergraduate and law students and 9 units for graduate students.
- Work toward the completion of your degree.
Report changes in study or status to ISS
- Notify International Student Services (ISS) immediately if you change your academic program and/or major or minor.
- Notify ISS if you intend to transfer, take a leave of absence, reduce your course load, add a dependent, or extend/shorten your graduation date.
- Report any legal changes to your name or any change of address to the ISS office within 10 days of the change.
Be authorized for work
- Do not work off-campus without work authorization from USCIS and/or ISS.
- Limit on-campus employment to a total of 19 hours per week while school is in session.
Comply with travel guidelines
- Request a travel endorsement signature on your I-20 form from ISS before leaving the United States.
- Complete your degree by the date listed on your I-20 form, or apply for an extension before it expires.
- Leave the U.S. within 60 days of the completion date on your I-20 form.
Full-course-of-study enrollment exceptions
These special circumstances warrant exceptions to the requirement of enrolling in a full course of study:
- A valid medical excuse: A student who is compelled by temporary illness or other medical conditions to interrupt or reduce a full course of study is considered to be in status during the illness or other medical condition.
- Notify the ISS office if you need to request this exception.
- Vacation: An F-1 Visa student is considered in status during the summer and interterm. Students are not required to attend the summer and interterm.
- Academic difficulties: A student having academic difficulty during their first semester should contact the ISS office.
- Last semester before graduation/degree completion: An F-1 status student who needs fewer units to complete their program of study in their final term is considered to be pursuing a full course of study.
- Concurrent enrollment: An F-1 status student may enroll part-time and concurrently at another SEVIS-approved college.
- The student must obtain permission from the ISS office prior to enrolling at any other institution.
International Student Services provides general guidance. Any advice provided to you by the ISS should not be construed as legal advice.
Additionally, due to the fluid nature of governmental interpretation, government agencies such as USCIS/ICE/CBP may change their interpretation of immigration laws/regulations and eligibility requirements for benefits at any time. We will do our best to provide the most current guidance.
Each case is fact-specific and it is advised that you contact an experienced immigration attorney if you have questions regarding your situation.