International Student Immigration

How Do I Maintain My International Student Status?

Do not hesitate to see the Immigration Advisor if you are uncertain about your status and documents. Do not rely on what your friends tell you!

• Full-time Enrollment
  1. As an international student, you must maintain full-time enrollment at Cal State L.A. during the academic year(fall,winter,spring); that is a minimum of 12 units per quarter for undergraduates and gradute student requirement is 8 units of 500-level courses,or full time equivalent, and make satisfactory progress toward your degree. Graduate international student in ECST is considered full time with 8 units.
  2. You must first obtain the permission of the International Office before dropping a class or falling below the minimum number of units per quarter. You may do this by submitting the Request for Reduced Course Load with the proper supporting documents to the International Office. The deadline for this submission is the 3^rd Friday of each term.
  3. Special Note: If your first quarter is summer, you must be enrolled as a full time student during the summer term.
  
  
• Transferring to Cal State L.A. from Another U.S. School
  1. If you are transferring from another U.S. school to Cal State L.A., you must complete the transfer within ten (10) working days of the start of your first quarter at Cal State L.A. This consists of attending the New International Student Orientation and check in at the International Office with your original immigration documents.
  
  
• Extension of Stay
  1. If you cannot complete your degree by the date printed on your I-20 Item #5, or #3 on the DS-2019, you must request an “Extension of Stay” at least 30 days before the expiration date of your current immigration document.
  
  
• Employment
  1. You may not start employment off-campus without a written recommendation from the International Office and the permission of USCIS.
  2. You may not work more than 20 hours per week at a job on campus while school is in session.
  3. All on-campus employment must end at the time you complete your students at Calstate L.A.
  
  
• Transferring Out of Cal State L.A.
  1. You must notify the International Office before you transfer to another school in the U.S. To request a transfer of your SEVIS record, you must submit a copy of the acceptance letter and the SEVIS Transfer Release Form to the International Office by the end of your last term at Cal State L.A.
  
  
• Keep Your Passport Valid
  1. You must keep your passport valid at all times. For information on how to renew your passport, please contact your country’s embassy at : The Embassy Page
  
  
• Travel Authorization for Re-Entry
  1. If you plan to depart the U.S. temporarily and return to continue your studies at CSULA, you must obtain a travel authorization on your I-20/DS-2019 prior to your departure. If you do not have the proper authorization, you will receive difficulty at the Port of Entry.
  2. For more information about departing and re-entering the U.S., please view the following link
  
  
• Report I-20 / DS-2019 Changes
  1. You must report any change of major, degree level, or funding to the International Office within ten (10) days. the International Office is required to report these changes to USICE. You will require a new I-20 / DS-2019. Failure to report these changes timely will cause you to fall out of status.
  
  
• Report Change of Address
  1. You must report any change of address, i.e., your actual physical residence, within ten (10) days of the change by updating your biographical data in GET.
  
  
• Grace Periods
  1. F-1 Students who have completed their studies or completed their Optional Practical Training period have 60 days to prepare to leave the U.S., transfer out to another US school or issued a new CSULA I20 for a new program.
  2. F-1 Students who drop out of school or withdraw and have prior approval from the International Office have 15 days to prepare to leave the U.S.
  3. F-1 Students who drop out of school or withdraw WITHOUT prior the International Office approval must leave the U.S. immediately.
  4. J-1 Students completing a degree program or Academic Training have 30 day grace period.
  5. J-1 Students do not have any grace period for early withdrawal.

What Happens If I Don’t Maintain My F-1 Status?

What Happens If I Don’t Maintain My J-1 Status?