Visa Requirements and Regulations

Students must be sure to plan to arrive no more than 30 days before the Program Start Date on their I-20. 

Students who arrive before the 30-day window automatically become out of compliance with their F-1 visa and must leave and re-enter the country before the beginning of their Program Start Date. 

All F-1 students must be sure to maintain full-time enrollment in order to stay in status with their respective visas. Failure to be enrolled in the appropriate number of units by the Add/Drop deadline will result in the termination of your visa.

• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units per semester.
• Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 units per semester. There is an exception for MBA students who choose the 2-year program. Students in this program must be enrolled in at least 6 units per semester.

Students in their last semester of their program who are certain they will graduate at the conclusion of that semester can request a Reduced Course Load. See below for more information on that process. 

As per your F-1 visa and the California State University's Chancellor's office, every F-1 student must hold valid Health Insurance for each day they are in the United States and are active in their academic program. This is to ensure you can access health services and not pay excessive fees for treatment. 

Sonoma State has 3 insurance plans that their students can choose from. Please visit our Health Insurance, Healthcare website for more information. 

Working while on an F-1 visa is highly regulated in the United States. F-1 students must be very clear about where they can work, how much and for how long before they pursue employment. 

Our International Student Employment website provides all the details on all employment options F-1 degree-seeking students have. Your International Student and Scholar advisor can answer any questions you have. 

These are possible employment opportunities for F-1 degree-seeking students:

• On-Campus employment
• CPT (not always guaranteed, highly regulated)
• OPT (available post-graduation, must apply)

Students who wish to leave the country before their Program End Date need to be sure to have a valid Travel Authorization signature on their I-20 before they leave the United States. 

The Travel Authorization signature communicates to US Customs and Board Security that you are in good standing in your academic program and should be allowed to reenter the United States. 

Please book an appointment with your International Student, Scholar advisor to have your I-20 signed. 

Travel Authorization signatures are vaild for up to 12 months. 

One of the requirements of your F-1 visa is that you must report any change of address as soon as you move. Please click here to notify your DSO that your address has changed. Also, be sure to update your MySSU with your change of address. 

• If you need to change your major or minor, please review this website for how to go about the process.

• F-1 students are required to report any changes in their academic studies (aka major or minor). Please be sure to fill out this form once your change in Program of Study has been finalized so your I-20 can be updated appropriately. You can verify that the change has gone through by checking your MySSU. 

Due to the fact that your visa is tied to your studies, the United States asks that once you formally request a Leave of Absence, you must leave the US within 15 days. You can request a Leave of Absence for your F-1 Visa by submitting this form. 

Your DSO will the put your SEVIS record in Terminated status, as the process requires.

Students in degree programs must also submit a Leave of Absence form for the Registrar Office's records. 

If you plan to return to the US within 5 months of your Leave of Absence date, please inform your DSO at least 4 weeks prior to your expected return. They will then file a request with the SEVIS team to reactivate your I-20. Your DSO will send you a copy of your reactivated I-20 once it has been processed. 

If you remain out of the US for more than 5 months, you will need to be issued a new I-20. Therefore, you must submit a new Financial Affidavit and necessary bank documents.

Please also keep in mind the expiration date of your current visa. If your visa is still valid for the date you'd like to reenter the US, you should be cleared to enter, even if you have a new I-20. If your visa expires while you are away, you must be sure to get a new one before you return to the US. 

To read more information about what a Leave of Absence entails, please visit this Study in the States website. 

If you are aware that you need to study past your Program End Date on your I-20, you need to be sure to fill out this form before your current Program End Date. 

You will need to provide a written explanation about why you need to extend your program. You will also need a letter of support from your academic advisor addressing that the extension is necessary in order for you to successfully complete your program of study. 

• Students in degree programs may enroll in less than the minimum number of units required as long as it is the last semester of their program, and they are sure they will graduate at the end of that semester. 
• The Reduced Course Load must be recorded by your DSO in SEVIS.

If you would like to participate in a Reduced Course Load, please fill out this form to ensure it's documented properly. 

Failing to maintain your F-1 status and your SEVIS immigration record will result in your I-20 being terminated. This means that you are considered out-of-status by the Department of Homeland Security and are no longer eligible for on-campus employment, practical training, travel signatures for re-entry to the US, or any other benefits of F-1 status. 

If your record is terminated, the Global Engagement Office GEO) will place a hold on your account to prevent registration until you take corrective action to regain your F-1 status.

In order to correct your status, you have two options: Travel and Re-entry or Reinstatement. These options should be discussed with your International Student Advisor in detail. After speaking with your International Student Advisor, you are also encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney. 

Option 1: Travel and Re-Entry

1. Depart the U.S. as soon as you can after the violation of status has occurred.

2. Obtain a new I-20 form with a new SEVIS ID.

   • Work with the Global Engagement Office to obtain a new I-20 form with a new SEVIS ID at least 60 days prior to the term you intend to return.

3. Pay the SEVP I-901 fee

   • After receiving the new I-20 form with the new SEVIS ID, pay the SEVP I-901 fee on the new SEVIS ID.

   • More information about the SEVP I-901 fee can be found on their website, https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html.

4. Check your F-1/J-1 visa.

   • If your visa is still valid and unexpired, you may be able to utilize the valid visa with your old SEVIS ID and the new I-20 form to enter the U.S. If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new visa with your new I-20 form.

   • GEO is unable to verify the validity of your visa. You are encouraged to consult with the U.S. embassy/consulate that issued your visa to you in order to ensure its validity prior to traveling.

5. Re-enter the U.S. within 30 days of the program start date listed on your new I-20 form and enroll full time.

If you choose to travel, it is important you keep the following in mind:

• If you choose to travel to regain status, there is no guarantee that you will be issued a new visa or permitted to re-enter the U.S. The U.S. Department of State will review your visa application and decide if you are eligible for a student visa.  The decision to admit you to the U.S. is made by the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry. 

• If you are admitted to the U.S. with your new documentation, you will gain F-1 status. However, you will have a new SEVIS record, which means that you must be in status for 2 semesters (fall and spring terms only) with the new record to be eligible to apply for OPT or CPT.

Option 2: Apply for F-1 Visa Status Reinstatement through USCIS

The F-1 visa status reinstatement process is subjective and up to the discretion of USCIS. USCIS reviews the applicant’s I-539 application and supporting paper materials and make the decision on whether or not to approve the F-1 status reinstatement. The Global Engagement Office will review your case and materials to help you prepare your application to USCIS. If we believe you are not eligible for reinstatement, we may suggest that you travel and re-enter the U.S to obtain lawful status.

Applicants for F-1 visa status reinstatement will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:

• Applicant has not been out of status for more than 5 months at the time of filing the request for reinstatement (or the failure to file within the 5 month period was the result of exceptional circumstances and that the applicant filed the request for reinstatement as promptly as possible under these exceptional circumstances). And the applicant remained inside the U.S. after the ending of the immigration record.

• Applicant does not have a record of repeated or willful violations of [USCIS] regulations.

• Applicant is currently pursuing, or intending to pursue, a full course of study in the immediate future at the school which issued the Form I-20.

• Applicant has not engaged in unauthorized employment.

• Applicant is not deportable on any ground other than section 237(a)(1)(B) or (C)(i) of the Act.

• Applicant establishes to the satisfaction of the [USCIS], in detail showing, either that:

  • The violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond your control. Such circumstances might include serious injury or illness, closure of the institution, a natural disaster, or inadvertence, oversight, or neglect on the part of the DSO, but do not include instances where a pattern of violations or where a willful failure on your part resulted in the need for reinstatement.

  • The violation relates to a reduction in your course load that would have been within a DSO's power to authorize, and that failure to approve reinstatement would result in extreme hardship to the student.  

Procedure to apply for F-1 Visa Status Reinstatement

1. Speak with an International Student Advisor to assess your eligibility for F-1 visa status reinstatement. The advisor will determine if you are a viable candidate for F-1 visa status reinstatement.  If so, they will explain how to request the new I-20 form required for the reinstatement application.

2. Prepare and gather the documentation required to submit I-539 application to USCIS. You are also encouraged to review USCIS's instructions on how to file your I-539 form.

   1. USCIS form I-539, available on the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms. If you have questions about how to prepare the I-539, we encourage you to consult with an immigration attorney regarding your case and application. ​​​​​​GEO is unable to provide any guidance or advise students how to complete the I-539 form.

   2. I-539 Application Fee (https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms), payable to the US Department of Homeland Security.

   3. A cover letter from you requesting reinstatement to F-1 status and explaining your circumstances. You should explain that the violation of F-1 status resulted from circumstances beyond your control and/or that the failure to be reinstated would result in extreme hardship. Attach any additional supporting documents.

   4. A new SEVIS I-20 issued by the Global Engagement Office for purposes of reinstatement (signed by you and an ISSS advisor).

   5. A photocopy of your previous I-20 form(s).

   6. Financial support documents to show evidence of continued funding—documents should be recent (no more than 6 months old).  The financial documents should meet the requirements listed on the Financial Affidavit. 

   7. A photocopy of your passport photo page—include any other pages that contain the expiration date, extensions, or any biographical information. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months into the future.

   8. A photocopy of your most recent visa (stamp), used to enter the US.

   9. Your original I-94 card (if issued paper I-94) or CBP entry/admission stamp (if issued electronic I-94). (Be sure to copy front and back of paper I-94 clearly showing the USCIS stamp.  Keep this copy for your records.)

   10. A photocopy of your transcript and course registration​.

3. The final step after preparing your materials is to mail your application to USCIS following USCIS filing instructions.

If you choose to file for reinstatement with USCIS, it is important you keep the following in mind:

• A decision to reinstate your F-1 student status is at the discretion of the USCIS.

• Processing times at USCIS vary greatly.  Please review USCIS's processing times to see when you can expect a decision from USCIS on your reinstatement application.

• While the application is pending, you are not eligible for any F-1 student benefits, such as practical training employment authorization or on-campus employment. If you are reinstated into F-1 status, you must obtain proper authorization before working. 

• While the application is pending, you are required to maintain full-time enrollment. You are not eligible for reduced course load requests while a reinstatement application is pending.

• Travel outside the U.S. while a reinstatement application is pending may be considered an abandonment of the application. If you need to leave the U.S. while your application is pending, you must meet with an Global Engagement Office advisor prior to travel.

• If the application is approved, USCIS will endorse the new I-20 form and return it to the mailing address listed on the I-539 form. The Global Engagement Office will contact you if we receive any updates on your behalf.  Please also contact the Global Engagement Office when you receive information from USCIS.  

• If you have dependents in F-2 status, their status is automatically reinstated with your reinstatement.

• If your application is denied, you have the option to file an appeal with the USCIS, but we will strongly encourage you to hire a competent immigration attorney.

Option 3: Remaining Out of Status

Choosing to remain in the U.S. out of status is a high-risk decision that the Global Engagement Office does not recommend. If you remain in the U.S. after your I-20 has been terminated or you have violated your status, you are not eligible to receive any benefits of your previous status, such as work authorization (on-campus work, CPT, or OPT).

Remaining in the U.S. after you have SEVIS record is terminated is a very serious offense of immigration regulations and may prevent you from returning to the U.S. in the future. If you are certain you want to remain inside the U.S. without status, to understand the full consequences, we encourage you to consult with a qualified immigration attorney. 

As an F-1 student who is not participating in OPT after they complete their degree, you are allowed to remain in the United States for up to 60 days past their Program End Date. 

Within those 60 days, you are allowed to transfer your I-20 to another institution or apply for OPT. 

If you remain in the country past 60 days and have not transferred your visa or applied for OPT, then you are considered in violation of your visa, which may impact your ability to re-enter the United States under a different non-immigrant or immigrant classification in the future. 

If you depart the United States after your Program End Date and before your 60-day grace period, it is seen as fore-fitting your grace period and you will not be allowed to re-enter the United States with your F-1 visa. It may be possible to re-enter on another visa such as a tourist visa but Sonoma State cannot provide support on that piece. 

Students must be sure to plan to arrive no more than 30 days before the Program Start Date on their I-20. 

Students who arrive before the 30-day window automatically become out of compliance with their F-1 visa and must leave and re-enter the country before the beginning of their Program Start Date.

All F-1 students must be sure to maintain full-time enrollment in order to stay in status with their respective visas. Failure to be enrolled in the appropriate number of units by the Add/Drop deadline will result in the termination of your visa.

• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units per semester.
• Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 units per semester. 

As per your F-1 visa and the California State University's Chancellor's office, every F-1 student must hold valid Health Insurance for each day they are in the United States and are active in their academic program. This is to ensure you can access health services and not pay excessive fees for treatment. 

Sonoma State has 3 insurance plans that their students can choose from. Please visit our Health Insurance, Healthcare website for more information. 

Working while on an F-1 visa is highly regulated in the United States. F-1 students must be very clear about where they can work, how much and for how long before they pursue employment. 

Semester at Sonoma students can seek On-Campus employment but are not authorized for any other employment opportunities. Visit our International Student Employment website to learn more about On-Campus employment

Students who wish to leave the country before their Program End Date need to be sure to have a valid Travel Authorization signature on their I-20 before they leave the United States. 

The Travel Authorization signature communicates to US Customs and Board Security that you are in good standing in your academic program and should be allowed to reenter the United States. 

Please book an appointment with your International Student, Scholar advisor to have your I-20 signed. 

Travel Authorization signatures are valid for up to 12 months.

One of the requirements of your F-1 visa is that you must report any change of address as soon as you move. Please click here to notify your DSO that your address has changed. Also, be sure to update your MySSU with your change of address. 

Students must be sure to plan to arrive no more than 30 days before the Program Start Date on their DS-2019. 

Students who arrive before the 30-day window automatically become out of compliance with their J-1 visa and must leave and re-enter the country before the beginning of their Program Start Date. 

J-1 students must be sure to maintain full-time enrollment in order to stay in status with their respective visas. Failure to be enrolled in the appropriate number of units by the Add/Drop deadline will result in the termination of your visa.

• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units per semester.

As per your J-1 visa and the California State University's Chancellor's office, every J-1 student must hold valid Health Insurance for each day they are in the United States and are active in their academic program. This is to ensure you can access health services and not pay excessive fees for treatment. 

Sonoma State has 3 insurance plans that their students can choose from. Please visit our Health Insurance and Healthcare website for more information. 

Working while on an J-1 visa is highly regulated in the United States. J-1 students must be very clear about where they can work, how much and for how long before they pursue employment. 

Our International Student Employment website provides all the details on all employment options J-1 students have. Your International Student and Scholar advisor can answer any questions you have. 

These are possible employment opportunities for J-1 degree-seeking students:

• On-Campus employment
• Academic Training

Students who wish to leave the country before their Program End Date need to be sure to have a valid Travel Authorization signature on their DS-2019 before they leave the United States. 

The Travel Authorization signature communicates to US Customs and Board Security that you are in good standing in your academic program and should be allowed to reenter the United States. 

Please book an appointment with your International Student, Scholar advisor to have your DS-2019 signed. 

Travel Authorization signatures are valid for up to 12 months. 

One of the requirements of your J-1 visa is that you must report any change of address as soon as you move. Please click here to notify your DSO that your address has changed. Also, be sure to update your MySSU with your change of address. 

As an J-1 student, you are allowed to remain in the United States for up to 30 days past their Program End Date. 

If you remain in the country past 30 days then you are considered in violation of your visa, which may impact your ability to re-enter the United States under a different non-immigrant or immigrant classification in the future. 

If you depart the United States after your Program End Date and before your 30-day grace period, it is seen as fore-fitting your grace period, and you will not be allowed to re-enter the United States with your J-1 visa. It may be possible to re-enter on another visa such as a tourist visa but Sonoma State cannot provide support on that piece. 

Please also note that you are not authorized to study or work after your Program End Date and doing so would violate your J-1 visa status.