Updated: 2022-11-19 Sat 19:42

Maintaining F-1/J-1 student status (UT Austin seminar)

1. Maintaining Status

  • Enroll full-time for each Fall and Spring semester:
    • Graduate: 9 hours
  • Make normal progress towards the degree
  • Passport should not expire
  • I-20 should be accurate and valid at all times
  • Grace period after end of program:
    • F1: 60 days

1.1. Enrollment during Covid

  • You may not enter US if you plan to enroll to all online classes
  • If in US, should enroll in at-least one in-person course
  • Austin plans to hold most courses in person
  • Online semesters do not count towards fulfilling two semester requirement for CPT/OPT

1.2. Employment

  • Can work on-campus
    • Up to 30 days before start of classes
    • Maximum of 20 hours/week (Fall and Spring sems)
    • DON’T work without proper authorization. Reach out to ISSS before off-campus work

1.3. myIO

  • Complete all required forms in myIO to finish Check-in process
  • After registration of classes, ISSS will update that status

1.4. Changing Addresses

2. Travel Reminders

  • Documents to be kept at all times:
    • Valid I-20 signed within a year
    • Valid Passport and visa
    • Proof of enrollment and funding
    • SEVIS fee receipt
  • Carry all original docs when leaving Austin, especially within 100 miles of international border
  • Cannot re-enter during grace period

3. Q&A

  1. COVID Vaccine requirements? None really, as of now. Students at UT have an option to get it
  2. I-20 signatures? Please sign bottom of page 1 with blue pen. Sign and Date
  3. Wait-time for I-20s? A bit hard to say, but if waiting for >2 weeks, please reach out to the office.
  4. Travel signature on I-20? On pg 2 of I-20, there will be a travel signature from the ISSS office. While student, travel sign is valid for 12 months. If sign is older than a year, request for a new sign if you have any travel plans.
  5. When can students enter? Earliest is 30 days prior to program start date on I-20
  6. Does UT require full vaccination for in-person classes? Not right now, no. Vaccines are available for students when they arrive.
  7. What are off-campus employment options as F-1 student? A seminar on this very thing next week. Main option is CPT.