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Maintaining Visa Status

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an internet-based database management system that allows schools and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to exchange data on the visa status of international students and exchange visitors. Current student/exchange visitor information is transmitted electronically throughout an F-1 student’s or J-1 exchange visitor’s academic career in the United States. U.S. Consulates also have access to SEVIS.

Enrollment Requirements must be met to maintain your SEVIS Status in addition to the information below.

Requirements to maintain F-1/J-1 Visa Status

Passport Requirement:

  • Maintain a passport which is valid at least six months into the future. Your passport must remain valid.
  • In most cases your Embassy/Consulate can issue an updated passport within the United States to you.
  • Review your Embassy/Consulates website for more information. 

Visa Requirement: 

  • Attend the school you are authorized to attend:
    • F-1 visa holders: The school listed on the I-20 that was stamped by ICE at your port of entry.
    • J-1 visa holders: The university sponsor listed on the DS-2019 that was stamped by ICE at your port of entry.
  • Visa renewals must occur outside of the United States at an Embassy/Consulate location. 
  • Your visa may expire will inside the United States, traveling outside and attempting to return to the United States requires a valid US visa.

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that replaces Duration of Status (D/S) with fixed periods of admission for most F-1 students, J-1 Exchange Visitors, I nonimmigrants, and their dependents. The rule becomes effective on September 15, 2026, and includes transition guidelines for those who are already in the United States.

Read about the Duration of Status Elimination.

  • Financial information should be accurate at all times for international students as reflected on their Form I-20 or DS-2019. 
  • If a student's financial information changes or a financial hold is placed on your student account restricting your ability to enroll, you must submit new financial documents within 10 days or else your SEVIS record will be subjected to Termination. 
  • Make sure that all information on your I-20 or DS-2019 is accurate at all times.
  • Your record should be updated within 10 days of a change.
  • This includes your program of study, degree level, financial information, assistantship information, and all other information.
  • Apply for extensions for your degree completion before the expiration date on your current I-20 or DS-2019.
  • After September 15, 2026 consult with your international advisor to determine whether or not you will need to submit an Extension of Stay (EOS) application I-539 with the USCIS.
  • Refer to your Admit Until Date (AUD) listed on your Form I-94 from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine when you should submit your EOS. 
  • Extension eligibility is based on academic need and cannot be used to delay graduation or for employment (subject to change after September 15, 2026). 
    • The following reasons are acceptable for extension requests: (1) Change of Major, (2) Approved for reduced enrollment in a previous semester due to a medical condition, (3) Change of Program between Master's non-thesis to Master's with thesis, (4) Change in Academic Advisor, (5) Change in Research Topic, or (6) Unexpected delays in publications, thesis/dissertation, or other research problems. 
  • Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours a week while school is in session.
  • Do not work off-campus without specific authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • Be sure to review employment opportunity information on our website based on the category in which you are eligible. 

F-1/J-1visa holders must report change in addresses:

  • F-1 visa holders -
    • Report any change in your Rolla address in Joe’ss within 10 days of a change.
    • Report any change in your international address in person at the Registrar's Office at Room 103 Parker Hall within 10 days of a change.
  • J-1 visa holders-
    • Report any change in your Rolla address and your international address within 10 days of a change.

You may also submit a Contact Information update in the ISSS Gateway Portal to complete this requirement. 

Instructions for entering your local address and phone number in Joe'SS.

Important Information About F-1/J-1 Visa Status
  • Dropping from full-time to part-time enrollment without prior approval from your International Student Advisor.
  • Attending a school other than the one named on your I-20/DS-2019.
  • Failure to complete a timely school transfer procedure, program extension, or change of educational level.
  • Failure to report a change of financial support or updating your I-20 to your International Student Advisor immediately upon a change occurring.
  • Failure to renew your I-20 document.
  • Failure to make appropriate progress in degree program.
  • Gaining unauthorized employment.
  • Failure to report a change of address within 10 days of the change.
  • Denial of re-entry to the United States.
  • Inability to move from undergraduate to graduate status.
  • Denial of requests for Practical Training work authorizations.
  • Denial of requests to change visa status.
  • Possible denial of all future visa applications.

The student may apply to immigration for reinstatement if the student can prove the violation resulted from circumstances beyond his or her control. Reinstatement is intended to be a rare benefit for exceptional cases. The student may not apply for reinstatement under any circumstances if he or she is out of status longer than five months. If immigration does not reinstate the student, he or she may not appeal that decision and must depart from the US.