Immigration information for current students 

Maintaining legal F-1 status

You must meet certain obligations to legally stay in the U.S. Failure to maintain your non-immigrant status can result in serious consequences up to and including jail time and deportation.

To keep your F-1 status you must:

• Maintain a current passport. Your passport should always be at least 6 months valid into the future.
• Maintain a current I-20 (program extensions must be requested from the International Center staff well before the expiration date listed on the I-20 form).
• Maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year:
  • EAP Program: 12 credit hours
  • Undergraduate (associate’s or bachelor's degree program) Studies: 12 credit hours
  • Graduate (master's degree program) Studies: 6 credit hours; 3 credit hour minimum for each 8 week session during the fall and spring semesters
  • Do not enroll in too many online courses. See International Center staff if you have questions about this.
• Limit approved on-campus employment to 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours on holidays or outside the year.
• Do not accept unauthorized employment, either on or off campus.
• Attend classes and maintain satisfactory grades.
• Complete all required procedures if transferring to another institution.
• Notify International Center staff of any changes to your academic program.
• Notify the International Center staff of any changes in your local U.S. address within 10 days of moving.
• Pay all tuition and fees at Columbia College.

Travel outside the U.S.

If you travel outside the United States, you must have the proper documents to return:

• A valid, F-1 visa (except if you've been to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands within 30 days, subject to some restrictions)
• A travel signature from an International Center staff member on the third page of your I-20. This travel signature should be no more than 6 months old when you travel.

Travel to certain countries may require additional documentation. Please contact International Center staff before traveling outside the United States.