If you do not maintain your F-1 status per below, you may be eligible to apply for reinstatement through an application process with immigration.

How to Maintain Lawful F-1 Immigration Status

1. Check in with OISS office within 30 days of start date on I-20

2.   Report Address Changes to OISS within 10 days.  To update your address follow the instructions at: http://www.oiss.yale.edu/visa/coaddrsis.htm

3. Keep passport valid.  Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months into the future.  To renew your passport in the US , contact the Embassy of your home country.

4. Maintain Full-Time Study

Undergraduates                

• Must be registered for a minimum of 12 credits 

• Each undergraduate course is weighted at 4 credits this 3 courses is the minimum course load.    

Graduate and Professional Students                  

• Each program of graduate study defines the combination of course  requirements and research that equal full time study.  

• Check with your program.

**There are some exceptions to the full time study rule however you must obtain special permission from OISS prior to reducing your course load.  Please contact OISS to learn more about the exceptions.  

5. Apply for I-20 extension prior to end date in section 5 of your I-20.  

6. Notify OISS when changing education levels at Yale within 60 days of program end date.  Submit letter of admission to new program and evidence of funding to support tuition and living expenses for first academic year of the new program to OISS.

7. Notify OISS when transferring to another F-1 program within 60 days of Yale program end date.  

8. Off-campus employment requires special permission.  See OPT and CPT information.