Maintaining Status

Both F-1 international students and J-1 exchange students must comply with international student health insurance requirements.  Visit the link below to learn more about the international student health insurance requirement and U.S. health care.

Personal Contact Information

F-1 international students and J-1 exchange students must report any changes in their U.S. residential address and contact information to SF State Gateway / MySFSU within 10 days of the change. Students must also provide contact information for at least one emergency contact inside and outside the United States.

Failure to report one’s U.S. address and phone number will result in the termination of the student’s SEVIS record and I-20 or DS-2019. Termination indicates that the student is “out of status” and will accrue unlawful presence while in the United States until status is regained. A record of unlawful presence may have a detrimental effect on future U.S. immigration.

Type of Addresses

Each student should report two types of addresses:

Updating U.S. Mailing Address and Phone Number

Step 1: Log in to the Student Center and scroll down to the “Personal Information” section. Click “Mailing Address” to update the U.S. mailing address or "Home Phone" to update the U.S. phone number:

Step 2: Click “Edit” to enter the current U.S. mailing address or U.S. phone number. Make sure to click the “OK” button FIRST and then click “Save”. 

Additional Information For F-1 International Students

"SEVIS Domestic Address"

The SEVIS Domestic Address is the U.S. address associated with the student’s SEVIS record. When students update their U.S. Mailing Address using their Student Center, their SEVIS Domestic Address is automatically updated to reflect the same information. Students cannot manually update information in this field. 

"SEVIS Foreign Address"

The SEVIS Foreign Address is the foreign, permanent address associated with the student’s SEVIS record. When students update their permanent address with the Registrar’s Office, their SEVIS Foreign Address is automatically updated to reflect the same information. Students cannot manually update information in this field.

Who Should Be Your Emergency Contact

Having an emergency contact is important in case something happens to you. Your emergency contact should be someone who knows you well and should be notified in case of an emergency. Remember to review and update this information regularly. Note: Do not list yourself as your own emergency contact.

We recommend that students provide at least two emergency contacts in the online Student Center:

• Primary Contact: A family member, relative, friend, or partner in your home country.
• Secondary Contact: A backup contact in case the primary contact cannot be reached. This can be someone within or outside the U.S., who can help reach your primary contact if needed.

How to Update Emergency Contacts

1. Log in to the Student Center, scroll to the “Personal Information” section, and click “Emergency Contact.”
2. Click “Add an Emergency Contact.” Be sure to click “Save” when you’re finished.

Full-Time Enrollment Requirement

As an F-1 international student or J-1 exchange student, you must enroll in and maintain a full-time course load every Fall and Spring semester. There are no course load requirements during Summer or Winter breaks.

What is a Full-Time Course Load?

• Undergraduate students: You must take at least 12 units each semester.
• Graduate students: You must take at least 8 units each semester.

Important Notes:

• You can count up to 3 units of online classes towards the full-time requirement.
• F-1 students can also count up to 3 units of courses from the College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) towards the requirement (only Academic Unit classes, not CEU courses).
• J-1 exchange students cannot take CPAGE classes.

Grades that Count Towards Full-Time Enrollment:

The following grades count towards fulfilling the full-time course load requirement: A, B, C, D, F, CR (Credit), NC (No Credit), and I (Incomplete) / IC (Incomplete Charged).

Important Note About Incomplete Grades:

If you receive an "I" (Incomplete) grade, you have one year (12 months) to finish the course work. After that, the "I" grade will become an "IC" grade.

Grades that Do Not Count Toward Full-Time Enrollment:

• W (Withdrawal)
• WU (Unauthorized Withdrawal)
• AU (Audit)

What is an Online Course?

An online course is a course where you do not need to attend in person for classes, exams, or any activities required to complete the course.

• You can take as many online courses as you want, as long as they fit your academic plan.
• However, only 3 units of online courses can count towards meeting the full-time enrollment requirement.

What is a Hybrid Course?

A hybrid course requires both online work and in-person attendance for activities like orientation, exams, or seminars.

• All units from hybrid courses count toward meeting the full-time enrollment requirement.

To Meet the Full-Time Requirement

• Undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 units to be considered full-time, of which at least 9 units must be in-person/hybrid.
• Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 8 units to be considered full-time, of which at least 5 units must be in-person/hybrid.
   

Examples of Course Combinations that Meet Full-Time Requirements

For Undergraduate Students:

These combinations meet the full-time requirement:

• 9 units of in-person or hybrid courses + 3 units of online courses
• 9 units of in-person or hybrid courses + 6 units of online courses
• 12 units of in-person or hybrid courses + 6 units of online courses

These combinations do NOT meet the full-time requirement:

• 6 units of in-person or hybrid courses + 6 units of online courses
• 3 units of in-person or hybrid courses + 9 units of online courses

For Graduate Students:

This combination meets the full-time requirement:

• 5 units of in-person or hybrid courses + 3 units of online courses

This combination does NOT meet the full-time requirement:

• 3 units of in-person or hybrid courses + 5 units of online courses

Additional Guidelines for Online and Hybrid Courses

• Consult Your Academic Advisor
  Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine if there are any limits on the number of online courses that can be applied toward their major or general education requirements.
• Final Semester Restrictions for F-1 International Students
  F-1 international students in their final semester at SFSU who only need one course to graduate cannot remain in the U.S. if that course is offered exclusively online.

Impact of Academic Standing on Immigration Status

A student's academic standing at SFSU can also affect their immigration status. Students who fall below good academic standing will be placed on Academic Notice (Probation) and may be subject to Disqualification of Status. Academic Notice is generally associated with a GPA below 2.0.

F-1 and J-1 students on Academic Notice or Subject to Disqualification can still maintain their immigration status as long as they are enrolled full-time and meet all other requirements. However, they may lose certain benefits, such as approval for on-campus employment, until they regain good academic standing. Additionally, students may be required to provide further documentation showing the steps they are taking to improve their academic standing (e.g., proof of attending tutoring, professors' office hours, etc.). Failure to comply with these requests may result in termination of their program.

Resources for Students on Academic Probation

• Undergraduate Students: Visit Academic Notice | Advising Hub
• Graduate Students: Visit Academic Notice/Probation | Division of Graduate Studies & Career Development

Immigration Consequences

F-1 international students who have been academically disqualified from SFSU will no longer be able to maintain their F-1 status at the university. Such students must transfer their SEVIS records and I-20s to another Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified school to remain in the U.S.

Reduced Course Load (RCL) Due to Medical Condition

Who is Eligible?

J-1 exchange students may be eligible for Reduced Course Load (RCL) Due to Medical Conditions if they experience a temporary illness or injury that prevents them from maintaining full-time study.  

What to know about RCL Due to Medical Condition

J-1 exchange students who wish to request RCL Due to Medical Condition must request a U.S. licensed medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), or licensed clinical psychologist to complete the RCL Due to Medical Condition form. Alternatively, students may attach to their RCL form an original letter from the medical care provider (on the provider’s official letterhead) substantiating the student’s medical condition. Such a letter must contain a brief but detailed description of the student’s medical condition and recommend that the student enroll in either zero units or a part-time course load for the semester.  

The student must resume full-time study in the next available Fall or Spring semester to maintain legal status unless a second RCL Due to Medical Condition is approved. A separate RCL Due to Medical Condition must be completed and approved each semester if more than one semester of RCL approval is required.

Deadlines: 

If the student’s medical condition occurs before the beginning of the semester: RCL Due to Medical Condition must be approved by an exchange student advisor before the drop/add deadline.
 

If the student is enrolled full-time and a medical condition occurs during the current semester: The student should contact a J-1 exchange student advisor as soon as possible. RCL Due to Medical conditions cannot be approved retroactively after the semester ends. The student must request RCL Due to Medical Condition BEFORE the end of the semester.
 

How to request RCL Due to Medical Conditions

1. Review the RCL Due to Medical Condition information above. Download the RCL form, and complete it as instructed.
2. Email the completed RCL form to exchange@sfsu.edu to schedule a virtual appointment with a J-1 exchange student advisor. The document will be processed within 5 business days.
3. If able, discuss the situation with a J-1 exchange advisor during the virtual appointment. The adviser will assess the situation and notify the student of approval within 5 business days.

Reduced Course Load (RCL) Due to Academic Difficulty

Who is Eligible?

Students may be eligible for Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to Academic Difficulty if they experience academic difficulties that prevent them from maintaining full-time enrollment.
 

What to Know about RCL Due to Academic Difficulty

Federal Immigration regulations define academic difficulty as Initial difficulty with English Language or reading requirements (first semester in the U.S. only); unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods (first semester in the U.S. only); or improper course placement. Eligible students MUST apply for RCL Due to Academic Difficulty before the add/drop deadline. RCL due to Academic Difficulty cannot be approved retroactively for previous semesters.

Students who wish to request RCL Due to Academic Difficulty must complete the RCL Due to Academic Difficulty form and must speak with a J-1 exchange student advisor at the Division of International Education first to verify eligibility. The RCL form must be approved by the student, exchange student advisor, and study abroad advisor at the student’s home university. 

Once RCL Du to Academic Difficulty has been approved, students must:

• Register for a minimum of 6 units (for undergraduates) or 4 units (for graduates) in the approved semester AND
• Resume full-time studies during the next available Fall or Spring semester in order to maintain legal status (only if studying at SFSU during the next semester).

How to request RCL Due to Academic Difficulty

1. Review the RCL Due to Academic Difficulty information above. Download the RCL form, and complete it as instructed.
2. Email the completed RCL form to exchange@sfsu.edu to schedule a virtual appointment with a J-1 exchange student advisor. The document will be processed within 5 business days.
3. If able, discuss the situation with a J-1 exchange advisor during the virtual appointment. The adviser will assess the situation and notify the student of approval within 5 business days.

The International Education Exchange Council (IEEC) is the largest student organization at SFSU. With its focus on cross-cultural exchange, IEEC hosts internationally focused events, such as the Study Abroad Fair, and is a fantastic way to meet both fellow exchange students and U.S. students interested in international education and global issues. 

As part of the SFSU Exchange Program, all J-1 exchange students contribute to IEEC through one of several available service commitments.

Changing IEEC Commitment

J-1 exchange students who will study at SFSU for two semesters may change their IEEC commitment in their second semester if they wish. Students interested in changing their IEEC commitment should contact exchange@sfsu.edu before the last day of the current semester. For example, if a student wishes to change to a new IEEC commitment in Spring, the request must be submitted before the last day of classes in the Fall semester.

In certain situations, students may be allowed to change their IEEC commitment during the semester. Students who wish to change their IEEC commitment during the semester must schedule an appointment to speak with an exchange student advisor.

Some J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement or Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement. Students subject to the 212(e) must be physically present in their country of nationality or last legal permanent residence for at least two years (either consecutive or an aggregate) after completing their J-1 exchange program and leaving the United States before applying for certain U.S. visas or U.S. permanent residence.

Exchange students will be subject to the 212(e) in the following situations:

• The student’s J-1 program was supported financially either directly or indirectly by the U.S. government or the government of the student’s home country.
• The student’s J-1 subject area has been designated as a desirable skill by the government of the student’s home country (view the Exchange Visitor Skills List for additional information).

Students subject to the 212(e) will find this information reflected on their Form DS-2019 and J-1 visa. 

Consequences of the 212(e)

A person subject to the 212(e) MAY NOT apply for the following U.S. visas until they have fulfilled the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement or obtained a waiver: H-1B temporary worker visa, L visa, K visa, or U.S. permanent residence.

A person subject to the 212(e) MAY apply for the following U.S. visas before fulfilling the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement or obtaining a waiver: F-1 visa, J-1 visa, O-1 visa, B-1/B-2 visa, among others.

212(e) Waiver

Students subject to the 212(e) may request a waiver from the U.S. State Department. Waivers are granted only in certain circumstances, and the Division of International Education is unable to assist J-1 exchange students or scholars with the waiver process.

J-1 visa holders with questions about the 212(e) / Two-Year Home Residency Requirement should contact an exchange student advisor at the Division of International Education.

Students approved to extend their period of study or participate in Academic Training immediately after their studies end will receive a new DS-2019 with extended program dates that meet the duration needed to complete their additional period of study or Academic Training. Please see Academic Training information at Employment section for further information.

If students wish to extend their period of study for an additional semester, they must first speak to an Exchange Advisor no later than November 1, 2024

A J-1 visa holder’s spouse and/or children (21 and under) can accompany them during their program in the United States by entering the country in J-2 dependent status. J-2 dependents may legally remain in the United States as long as the primary (J-1) visa holder maintains legal status. 

What to Know about J-2 Status

Duration: The duration of a J-2 visa holder’s right to remain in the United States may not exceed the length of the associated J-1 visa holder’s program. Additionally, a J-2 visa holder’s right to remain in the United States may be extended if the associated J-1 visa holder’s program is extended. When the associated J-1 visa holder completes their program and leaves the United States, any J-2 dependents must leave as well.

Grace period: Like J-1 visa holders, J-2 visa holders receive a 30-day grace period after the end date on their DS-2019. During the grace period, J-2 visa holders may travel within the United States, but they may not leave and re-enter the United States with their expired DS-2019 immigration documents.

Health Insurance: As with J-1 visa holders participating in a program at SFSU, J-2 dependents must purchase and maintain SFSU-specified health insurance for the duration of their program.

Employment: J-2 visa holders may be authorized for employment by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for the duration of the associated J-1 visa holders program as indicated on their DS-2019 or a period of four years, whichever is shorter. To work, J-2 dependents must apply for and obtain a Social Security Number. J-2 dependents who work are subject to federal and local income tax. 

J-1 visa holders with questions about J-2 dependents should contact an exchange student advisor at the Division of International Education.