Maintaining Legal Status While in the US

To maintain legal F-1 or J-1 visa status while studying at the UO, you must follow the following immigration regulations:

Full-Time Enrollment

You must enroll full-time each term in your are in F-1 or J-1 visa status. Full-time is a minimum of 12 credits for undergraduate students and a minimum of 9 credits for graduate students. 

In-Person Course Requirement

F-1 and J-1 international undergraduate students must enroll in at least 8 in-person or hybrid credits each term, and graduate students must enroll in at least 6 in-person or hybrid credits each term. 

Final Term of Study

You may not take only online classes in your final term of study; your final term must include at least one in-person class.

For Government Sponsored Students from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait

There may be additional restrictions to enrolling in online courses. Please consult with your government sponsored advisor.

Reduced Course Load

You may request a reduced course load to drop below full-time enrollment under certain circumstances. Go to Reduced Course Load Exemptions for eligibility requirements and instructions on how to submit a request.

Maintaining Valid Immigration Documents

I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students): Do not let your I-20 or DS-2019 expire if you have not completed your degree program. If you need more time to complete your degree, you must request an extension of your I-20 at least two weeks before the program end date expires. Failure to request and obtain a program extension prior to the program end date will result in termination of your immigration status.

Passport: Your passport should be valid at least 6 months into the future. If your passport will expire within 6 months, you must get it renew through the embassy or consulate of your home country.

Change of Address, Phone, or Email

International students are required to update DuckWeb within 10 days or a change of US address, phone number, or email address. 

To update your address, login to Duckweb with your UO ID and PAC and go to Personal Information. Then click on Personal Information Application and login with your DuckID and password. Update your U.S. address using the “MAILING” address type. If you also have a U.S. phone, please also update your phone number under “MAILING” address type.

Making Normal Progress

You are required to make normal academic progress toward degree completion. Normal progress means enrolling full-time and maintaining a satisfactory grade point average (GPA) each term of a 2.0 or higher for undergraduate students, or a 3.0 or higher for graduate students. Students who fail to make normal progress may be found ineligible for F-1 benefits such as travel signatures or I-20 extensions.

If you are disqualified, suspended or expelled from the UO, you are no longer eligible to continue studying at the UO and your F-1 or J-1 visa status ends immediately. Please meet with an ISSS advisor if you are having problems making normal progress toward degree completion and/or have been disqualified from the UO.

Grace Period

F-1 students who complete an academic degree or their one-year Optional Practical Training (OPT) period have a 60-day grace period to remain in the U.S. During the grace period, students cannot work and must leave the U.S. before the grace period ends, be admitted to a new degree program, transfer to another school, or seek another immigration status.

F-1 students who have received prior authorization from an international student advisor to withdraw from classes have 15 days to depart the U.S. after the withdrawal date. Students who withdraw from classes without prior authorization are not eligible for a grace period.

J-1 students have a 30-day grace period to remain in the US following the completion of their exchange program.

Talk with your DSO (ISSS Advisor) First

If you are an F or J student studying in the United States, your Designated School Official (DSO) should be the first person you talk with if you have any questions regarding the legal requirements of your stay in the United States. Your DSO can assist in answering your questions or help you find someone who can help. All of the ISSS advisors are DSOs.F-1 students should speak with and ISSS advisor (DSO) if you are planning to do any of the following:

  • Change your major, program, or degree level.
  • Change your education level.
  • Transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence.
  • Take a break from school.
  • Travel outside the United States.
  • Move to a new address.
  • Request a program extension.