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Current F-1 Students

As a current F-1 student at UT Southwestern, you need to be aware of ways to maintain your visa status as well as other requirements. This page will help you understand the F-1 student visa maintenance criteria.

  • Maintaining F-1 Status

    Once you have entered the United States in F-1 status, you must maintain your F-1 status to lawfully remain in the United States. Further, it is your responsibility as an F-1 student to understand and maintain your F-1 status.

    To maintain F-1 status, you must:

    • Have a valid passport, with an expiration date that is at least six months in the future.
    • Attend and report to the school you are authorized to attend as specified on your I-20.
    • Have a valid work authorization at all times.
    • Update your address in PeopleSoft within 10 days of moving.
    • Enroll full time unless approved for reduced enrollment by your immigration specialist.
    • Reach out to your immigration specialist at least six months prior to your I-20 end date if you need an extension of your I-20.
    • Contact your immigration specialist if any of the information on your I-20 changes, such as your major, degree level, or financial support information.
  • F-1 Employment
    two students talking in a hallway

    On-Campus Employment

    F-1 students generally do not need prior authorization from the Office of International Affairs before working on campus.

    You should be aware of the following when considering working on campus:

    • F-1 students must maintain their status and have a valid, unexpired I-20 to be eligible to work on campus.
    • F-1 students can work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session and can work full time during official school breaks.
    • On-campus employment must serve UTSW student populations – for example, working as a teaching assistant. Positions that do not directly serve the UTSW student population are not appropriate for F-1 students.
    • New students may start working up to 30 days before the program start date listed on the I-20.
    • Off-site work may be considered “on-campus” employment if two criteria are met:
      • The institution is educationally affiliated with UTSW.
      • There is an institutional agreement in place.

    Please reach out to your immigration specialist for more information if you are interested in working at an educationally affiliated institution.

    Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

    Curricular practical training (CPT) is a type of off-campus work authorization. F-1 students may be eligible for CPT if the internship or job is an integral part of their established curriculum.

    You should be aware of the following when considering CPT:

    • A student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year before being eligible for CPT. Graduate students whose programs require immediate curricular practical training are an exception to this rule.
    • A student must be pursuing their academic objective and maintain valid F-1 status during the time of approved CPT.
    • Students must receive course credit for training/employment.

    You must receive authorization from the Office of International Affairs prior to working on CPT.

    Please reach out to your immigration specialist for more information.

  • Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

    Optional practical training (OPT) is a possible benefit for students upon completion of their studies to receive practical experience in their field of study.

    You may request one year of OPT per educational level (master’s, Ph.D., etc.). Be aware of the following when applying for OPT:

    • The process from OPT application to OPT employment is:
      • Receive an OPT I-20 from the Office of International Affairs.
      • Apply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for OPT.
      • Receive an employment authorization document (EAD) from USCIS prior to beginning work.
    • Students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before their program completion date and up to 60 days after their program completion date.
    • The earliest start date students can request for their EAD is the day after the program completion date. The latest start date is 60 days after the program completion date.

    Please reach out to your immigration specialist once you have determined your program completion date for additional information on the application process.

    STEM OPT Extension

    F-1 students may extend their OPT for 24 months with an eligible STEM degree.

    You should be aware of the following when applying for OPT:

    • Students can apply for the STEM OPT extension with USCIS up to 90 days prior to the post-completion OPT end date.
    • Students must have a STEM OPT I-20 from the Office of International Affairs before applying for OPT with USCIS.
    • Employment while on STEM OPT must be paid, full time, and with an E-Verify employer.
    • Students must maintain an I-983 training plan with their employer.

    Please reach out to your immigration specialist before your OPT end date for additional information on the application process.

    OPT and STEM OPT Reporting

    It is the responsibility of the F-1 student to inform their immigration specialist of changes that take place while on OPT and STEM OPT. This will ensure you comply with U.S. immigration regulations.

    You should communicate the following to your immigration specialist upon occurrence:

    • Legal changes to your name. Communicate within 10 days of the change.
    • Change of address. Communicate within 10 days of the change.
    • New employment, including the employer’s name, address, and start date of employment.
    • Changes in the name and/or address of employment.
    • The end of any employment.
    • Changes to immigration status.

    Please reach out to your immigration specialist for the required OPT reporting form.

    If you are on STEM OPT, you have additional reporting requirements that must be met every six months. Contact your immigration specialist if you have any questions regarding these requirements.

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