Review the following options for maintaining your F-1 Status

• Enrollment Requirements
• Post-Completion OPT
• STEM OPT
• Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment
• Other Resources

Enrollment Requirements

• Pursue a full course of study (i.e., 12 units for UGRD and 9 units for GRAD).
  • Unless authorized by ISSS for
    • Reduced Course Load
    • Concurrent Enrollment
    • Culminating Experience
  • Be mindful of allowable online credits. Only one course or 3 units per a student's full-time enrollment can be online. The other remaining courses must be in-person or hybrid.
    • If you only have one course to complete in your final semester, this course cannot be online. 
• Make progress towards degree completion. 
• Maintain a valid I-20.
  • Know your expiration date.
    • Extend in a timely manner.
    • Shorten - if finishing degree program earlier than expected. 
  • Update if major changes.
• Maintain a valid travel signature.
  • Validity of 12 months, when pursuing degree.
  • Validity of 6 months when on OPT/STEM OPT.
• Report a change of address within 10 days of moving via MySJSU.
• Do not engage in off-campus employment (paid or unpaid) without the proper employment authorization (i.e., CPT).

Post-Completion OPT

• Work within the dates of the authorized (EAD) Employment Authorization Document.
• All employment (paid or unpaid) must be related to your major field of study.
• Employment must be at least 20 hours per week, in order not to accrue unemployment days.
• Do not exceed an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment.
• Report employment via the SEVP portal or directly to ISSS within 10 days.
• Report a change of address within 10 days of moving via the SEVP portal.
• Maintain a valid travel signature.
  • Validity of 6 months, when on OPT.

STEM OPT

• All employment must be for an e-verified employer, related to your major field of study, paid, and at least 20 hours per week.
• Report employment and changes in employment within 10 days of the change, via the STEM OPT Employment Update e-form.
• Reporting requirements at the following times: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months.
• Maintain a valid travel signature.
  • Validity of 6 months, when on STEM OPT.
• Do not exceed 150 days of unemployment, applied to the entire period of standard Post-completion and STEM OPT.

Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment

• Reduced Course Load
• Concurrent Enrollment
• Culminating Experience

Other Resources

• Traveling
• Leave of Absence
• Final Semester and Year
• Changing Degree Level at SJSU
• Transfering In/Out