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BCIS (Bureau of Citizensip and Immigration Services)
Rules for Maintaining F-1 Status

1. Maintain a valid passport at all times. Passports can be extended through your Embassy.
2. Attend the University that the Immigration Service has authorized you to attend, by stamping your SEVIS I-20 when you entered the U.S., or by being notified of your transfer to another school.
3. Continue to carry a full course of study (12 hours for undergraduates and 9 hours for graduates) each regular semester (Fall and Spring). If problems arise which may cause you to carry less than a full course of study, talk to the International Student Advisor BEFORE you drop any courses. Students who fail to maintain a full course of study are out of status and ineligible to work on campus, or to transfer schools or to apply for off-campus employment. Being less than full time is considered a violation of immigration law and will make you ineligible to apply for permanent resident status; it may also result in a personal interview with Dallas Immigration officials or possible issuance of Voluntary Departure, a 30-day notice to leave the U.S.
4. Apply to the International Office promptly for an extension of stay if you can not complete your program of study by the ending date on your SEVIS I-20. You must apply for an extension 30 days BEFORE the ending date and you must have a valid reason for needing to extend your program.
5. Apply to the International Education Office promptly for proper documentation to notify BCIS of change of educational levels, (i.e. Bachelors to Masters, Masters to Ph.D, Bachelors to second Bachelors), and also of a change in major.
6. Do not change schools without first contacting your International Student Advisor for the proper procedures.
7. Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week while school is in session. All non-immigrants accepting on-campus positions must have a Social Security number and must request an "Employment Eligibility Letter" from the International Office for the Office of Human Resources. Non-immigrant employees must also submit a "Payment Request Form" to the International Education Office to be completed and then submitted to the Payroll Office.
8. Do not engage in any employment without proper authorization. An application for off-campus need-based employment for 20 hrs per week may be to BCIS only after you have been in F-1 status at TWU for one academic year (9 months). Curricular practical training can be authorized by the International Education Office after you have been a full time student at least 2 semesters. F-2 non-immigrants may not work under any circumstances.
9. Report a change of residence or address to the International Education Office within 10 days of the change.
10. Pay all debts to TWU and the Denton community. If problems arise, talk to your International Student Advisor.
11. Request travel documents from the International Education Office before leaving the U.S. for the holidays.
12. Please do not hesitate to call the International Education Office regarding any immigration questions. Most applications to BCIS must first be signed by this office.