Maintaining Status

Steps for Maintaining F1 Status:

Have F1 Immigration Status before beginning your program.
Check-in with ISSO to verify your F1 Status at the beginning and end of each semester.
Keep your passport, I-94, and I-20 valid at all times.

Keep your F-1 Immigration Status valid at all times by:

Obtaining and maintaining a valid LaGuardia Community College I-20.

Enrolling at LaGuardia Community College as a full-time student. Part-time status may be authorized due to certain academic reasons or a medical condition.– Request part-time due to academic reasons- COME TO SEE AN ADVISOR

As a student, maintain a good grade point average at all times (B average or better for master’s programs, C average or better for bachelor’s programs).

Do not work illegally.

Receive written travel authorization from your International Students and Scholars advisor at least two weeks before you leave the United States, so that you will be permitted to re-enter the United States following your overseas stay.

Enter the U.S. with a valid passport, valid I-20, and valid F1 visa.

When you transfer to LaGuardia Community College, have your previous U.S. institution release your SEVIS I-20/DS 2019 to our International Students Service Office.

Notify the International Students and Scholars Office within 5 to 7 days after changing your U.S. address.

What to Do if You’re Out of Status

Being placed out of status is serious business! DO NOT wait to be contacted by your International Student Advisor. Contact our office immediately. Once you are placed out of status, your SEVIS record is terminated, and you are then considered to be in the United States illegally. You must then apply for reinstatement within five months of the date on which you were placed out of status. Once placed out of status, all your privileges as an F-1 student are suspended. This means that:

You will not be allowed to accept a Curricular Practical Training (internship).
If you are working on campus, your employment can be terminated.
If you are transferring to another school, you will be reported as being out of status to your new school.

How do I get back in status?

You may apply for reinstatement of your F-1 status. Reinstatement is a long process that goes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The reinstatement process can be time-consuming and complicated.

Visit B117 to speak to your International Student Advisor for further information.

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