Federal regulations as administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) require that you enroll in classes each semester and maintain a full course of study. Below is a summary of some of your main responsibilities as an F-1 student. You will also find links to OISS forms necessary to maintain your student status. If you fail to follow these regulations, you may lose your F-1 immigration status. If you have questions or concerns, please contact an OISS advisor for help.
F-1 Students are required to enroll full-time.
F and J students must enroll full-time during the fall and spring semesters
If summer semester is your first semester, you must enroll full-time during summer semester. Students must maintain online course requirement during summer.
If summer semester is your final semester, you must enroll full-time or apply for final semester Reduced Course Load. Students who are finishing in summer and are approved for Reduced Course Load are limited to one online course. If the students needs only one course, that course cannot be online.
Summer semester is considered an annual vacation period for students continuing their programs. Enrollment is not required during the student's annual vacation.
F and J students must enroll full-time during their final semester at MSU. If you do not need a full-time course load to complete your studies during final semester, you must apply for Reduced Course Load.
If you are approved for F-1 Reduced Course Load during your final semester, you are limited to a maximum of one online course with in-person/hybrid course(s). If you need only a single course during final semester, that course MUST be in-person or hybrid.
Please review the F-1 Student Enrollment Guide and contact OISS with questions.
The U.S. Federal Government limits the number of online classes international students can count towards a full-time course load. The federal government allows only one online class per semester to count towards the minimum number of credits needed for full-time enrollment as an F-1 or J-1 student.
Meaning, F-1 and J-1 students can count a MAXIMUM OF ONE online class toward full-time enrollment requirements during academic semesters.
What happens if I break this rule?
If I am approved for Reduced Course Load or Dual Enrollment, does this rule still apply to me?
Yes. Even if you are authorized for F-1 Reduced Course Load or Dual Enrollment (PDF) you are still required to follow the online education enrollment rule.
Can English Language Center students take online classes?
No. If you are an English language student, you are not eligible for online classes.
During my final semester before graduation, can I take all of my classes online?
No. Students must maintain online course requirements during final semester. Students who are completing their studies during summer must enroll full-time and maintain online course policy. Students who do not need to enroll full-time during their final semester, must apply for Reduced Course Load.
If you will leave the U.S. to return home before graduating, you may take your final classes online. You must complete the Notice of Departure for F-1 Students. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor and OISS advisor. Departing the U.S. and finishing your degree from abroad will make you ineligible for OPT to work in the U.S. after graduation.
If you only need one class to complete your program of study and you are in the U.S. then your final class cannot be online. You must apply for a F-1 Reduced Course Load for your final semester.
Additionally, if you need more than one course, ONLY one course can count towards your full-time course load.
International students are required to enroll full-time during the academic year. Federal immigration regulations greatly limit a student's ability to be less than full time, but it may be allowed during the first semester, final semester or for medical reasons.
If you drop below full time without authorization, OISS is required to report this in the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and you will lose your F-1 status.
Academic Difficulties
This reason can only be used during first semester ONLY and once per program level. Only the categories below qualify for academic difficulties.
During the First semester of Study ONLY
Medical Reasons
If you have a medical or mental health condition that prevents you from studying full-time, you can apply for a Reduced Course Load. You may be approved to enroll part-time or take the semester off depending on the recommendation of your U.S. doctor or licensed clinical psychologist. You may be approved for up to 12 months of Reduced Course Load for medical conditions per program of study.
Final Semester
International students attending Michigan State University (MSU) who wish to enroll at another SEVP-certified institution while enrolled at MSU are required by the Department of Homeland Security to:
For full-time enrollment requirements, click on Full-Time Enrollment by Level and Credit Hours above.
You must enroll full-time during the fall and spring semesters at MSU or be approved for Dual Enrollment before the semester begins.
Continuing Students
New Students
Students who are Graduating or Completing their Program of Study
Failure to apply for dual enrollment or not providing proof of full-time enrollment to OISS may result in termination of your I-20 and SEVIS record. Termination of your I-20 and SEVIS record means that you have violated your F-1 status. Termination of your I-20 and SEVIS record is very serious and can have many negative consequences for you. It can end your ability to stay in the United States and attend school.
Summer semester is considered an annual vacation period. Students who will enroll in classes at MSU during the following fall semester do not need to apply for a semester off.
You must enroll full-time during the fall and spring semesters or be approved to take a semester off before the semester begins. You must be maintaining F-1 status at the time you apply for a semester off.
Apply for a semester off before the semester begins.
To return to MSU you must obtain documents in order to re-enter the U.S.
Learn more about how to return to MSU
Failure to apply for a semester off can result in a termination of your SEVIS record and I-20.
Termination of your I-20 and SEVIS record means that you have violated your immigration status and your SEVIS record has come to an end.
Termination of a SEVIS record is very serious and can have many negative consequences for you. It can end your ability to stay in the United States and attend school.
Additional requirements for F-1 students
The I-20 is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security document issued by colleges and universities in the U.S. It certifies that a student is admitted to a full-time program of study and has sufficient financial resources to stay in the U.S.
For more information watch our Understanding your I-20 video
Read the Instructions to Students on page three of your I-20.
Do not work off campus unless you have an updated I-20 from OISS that details the type of employment authorization you are approved for. Learn more about working in the U.S.
You must get a new I-20 from OISS if you change degree level (e.g. from Bachelor’s to Master’s level) or if you change your major (e.g. from Engineering to Physics). You must also get a new I-20 from OISS if your source of funding changes (e.g. from Scholarship to Family Funds). To report these changes, complete and submit the MyOISS e-form F-1 I-20 Request Form for Students to OISS.
Get a travel signature from OISS before leaving the U.S. Learn more about traveling outside the U.S.
Maintain an updated and unexpired I-20 at all times.
Apply for an I-20 extension before the end date on your I-20. To apply for an extension, F-1 students must complete and submit the I-20 Request Form (PDF) to OISS. Requests for extensions must be submitted no later than 30 days before the end date on your I-20.
Before traveling outside the U.S., make sure that OISS has signed your I-20 for travel. To get a travel signature, complete the Request a Travel Signature e-form. Your I-20 will be signed within three business days.
For enrolled students, travel signatures are valid for 12 months.
For students on OPT or STEM OPT, travel signatures are valid for 6 months.
Keep an unexpired passport valid for at least 6 months into the future. Failure to keep a valid passport is a violation of your immigration status. To renew your passport in the U.S., contact your country's embassy or consulate for procedures.
During your time at MSU, OISS will communicate with you regularly via email. We will send a weekly email with immigration tips and updates as well as information regarding campus events.
We will also communicate with you directly via email for any urgent immigration issues, so you must check your MSU email every day.
If you forward your MSU email to another account, please be sure that OISS emails are not sent to your spam, junk or clutter boxes.
If you are not getting OISS Weekly emails or other emails from OISS, read OISSLive blog post Are you not receiving OISS email? to find out how fix the problem.
You must report any change of living address in the U.S. and phone number to the Office of the Registrar via www.stuinfo.msu.edu within 10 days of the change. This information will be updated in your Department of Homeland Security SEVIS record.
We created a blog with step-by-step instructions on how to update your address.
U.S. immigration law allows F-1 students to work on-campus and off-campus with work authorization. There are specific rules for each employment type that all students must know. Failure to follow these rules will result in the termination of your F-1 status and you will be required to leave the U.S. which may make it difficult or impossible for you to finish your degree at MSU.
Employment Types:
If you intend to transfer to another educational institution in the U.S., you must notify OISS in advance of this transfer by completing the Transfer Out form and meeting with an OISS advisor.
If you complete your studies or wish to leave the U.S. and return home, you must complete the F-1 Notice of Departure form and submit to OISS.
F-1 students and their F-2 dependents have a 60-day grace period to remain in the U.S., apply to change immigration status, or transfer their SEVIS record/I-20 to another college or university in the United States. During the grace period, students and their dependents may not enter the U.S. in F-1 or F-2 status, including after traveling to Canada.
During Your Grace Period:
Restrictions During the Grace Period:
If you wish to bring a spouse or child, under the age of 21, to the US as a F-2 dependent you must submit the F-2 I-20 Request Form for Adding Dependents (PDF) to request a dependent I-20 from OISS.
As a J-1 student, there are certain federal laws and requirements you must meet to maintain your student status while at Michigan State University. Below you will find a general overview of main responsibilities and J-1 requirements. It is your responsibility to maintain your J-1 status. If you have questions or concerns, please contact an OISS advisor for help.
You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date and no later than 20 days after the program start date, as listed on your DS-2019. If you will be delayed in your arrival, please notify .
You must complete government check-in with OISS as soon as possible after arriving in the U.S. OISS will require proof of your enrollment into a qualifying MSU health insurance policy before we can complete your government check-in and validate your J-1 record.
You must maintain a valid passport at all times. When entering the US, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future from your date of entry. If your passport will expire, contact your home country consulate or embassy for information on how to get a new or extended passport.
You must maintain an updated and unexpired DS-2019 at all times. This includes a DS-2019 with the correct level and major, current funding and correct personal information.
You must attend the college or university listed on your DS-2019.
Federal regulations require you to enroll full-time and attend your classes during the fall and spring semesters. Summer enrollment is optional unless you begin or end your studies during the summer. If you plan on taking a semester off other than summer, you must obtain prior approval from an OISS advisor.
You must be enrolled for your courses by the beginning of each semester. OISS is required to report under-enrollment to the Department of State within 30 days of the end of the registration period. Any student who is not enrolled will be reported and will be considered out of status.
Only one online course per semester will count toward full-time enrollment.
If you will not be enrolled full-time, you must receive prior approval from an OISS advisor. You must complete and submit the J-1 Reduced Course Load eForm to OISS prior to dropping below full-time enrollment.
If you wish to dual-enroll and take classes at another institution prior approval from an OISS advisor is needed. You must submit the Dual Enrollment Form (PDF) to OISS. If you dual enroll, you must take at least half of the minimum number of credits per semester at MSU.
Ensuring you and your J-2 dependents have adequate health insurance coverage is one of your top priorities upon arriving at MSU. You are responsible for maintaining your and your dependents' immigration status while in the US. Failure to maintain health insurance that meets the following criteria will result in a violation of your J-1 or J-2 status.
All J-1 and J-2 visas holders are required to maintain health insurance that meets the following requirements:
To learn more click on the "Students" tab on our U.S. Health Care and Insurance webpage.
You must report any change of living address and telephone number to the Office of the Registrar via www.stuinfo.msu.edu within 10 days of the change. This information will be updated in your Department of Homeland Security SEVIS record.
Learn how to update your address in StuInfo
If you change your name, you must report it to the Office of the Registrar in person and provide an updated passport that shows your name change. Provide a copy of your passport to OISS either in person or by emailing the copy to . After the update is complete you will receive an updated DS-2019.
You must apply for an extension of your J-1 program of study prior to the expiration date on your DS-2019. Requests for extensions should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the expiration date on the DS-2019. Submit the J-1 Student DS-2019 Extension Request Form to OISS.
If your source of funding changes during your study at MSU, you must submit updated financial documents and the J-1 DS-2019 Update Notification Request (PDF) form to OISS.
If you change your academic program from one degree level to another, for instance from Bachelor's to Master's level, you must submit a J-1 DS-2019 Degree-Seeking Student Request for New Program (PDF) form to OISS.
Prior to traveling outside the U.S., you need to make sure your DS-2019 has been signed for travel within the last 12 months by OISS. To get a travel signature, students must complete a Travel Signature request e-form in MyOISS.msu.edu. An electronic DS-2019 with travel endorsement will be emailed to students within 3-5 business days.
J-2 dependents must also get travel signatures on their DS-2019s.
If you wish to bring a spouse or child, under the age of 21, to the US as a J-2 dependent you must submit a J-2 DS-2019 Request for Adding Dependents (PDF) to OISS.
In order to maintain your J-1 student status, you must get authorization from OISS before starting your job, either on or off campus.
If you intend to transfer to another educational institution in the U.S., you must notify OISS in advance of this transfer by completing the Transfer Out form and meeting with an OISS advisor.
During your time at MSU, OISS will communicate with you regularly via email. We will send a weekly email with immigration tips and updates as well as information regarding campus events.
We will also communicate with you directly via email for any urgent immigration issues, so you must check your MSU email every day.
If you forward your MSU email to another account, please be sure that OISS emails are not sent to your spam, junk or clutter boxes.
If you are not getting OISS Weekly emails or other emails from OISS, read OISSLive blog post Are you not receiving OISS email? to find out how fix the problem.
If you need to withdraw from classes, or are asked to leave the university, you must report this to OISS. An OISS advisor will discuss next steps.
Prior to the completion of your J-1 program, we request that you submit the Notice of Departure for J-1 Students form. If your program will end more than 14 days prior to your DS-2019 program end date, we will modify your DS-2019 to reflect the actual date your program has ended.
Following the completion of your J-1 program, you are granted a 30 day grace period to remain in the US. During the grace period you are not permitted to continue your studies or employment, but you may pack up your belongings, If you depart the US during your grace period and wish to immediately return to the US, you must return in a new visa status (such as B1/B2 or ESTA).
J-1 Scholars at MSU are responsible for maintaining valid J-1 status after arrival. Scholars must take all necessary steps to comply with the requirements described on this page in the sections below. Failure to meet J-1 status requirements will result in J-1 program cancellation and termination of the DS-2019.
You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date and no later than 20 days after the program start date, as listed on your DS-2019. If you will be delayed in your arrival, please notify .
You must complete government check-in with OISS as soon as possible after arriving in the U.S. Please note, as of February 1, 2020, OISS will require proof of your health insurance enrollment before we can complete your government check-in and validate your J-1 record.
Learn more about pre-arrival, arrival, orientation and check-in
MSU Institutional Requirements
MSU requires J-1 scholars and student interns and their J-2 dependents to enroll into an MSU health insurance policy that meets the J-1 regulations.
Enrolling into a qualifying MSU health insurance policy for yourself and your J-2 dependents is one of your top priorities upon arriving at MSU. You are responsible for maintaining your and your dependents' immigration status while in the US. Failure to maintain health insurance through a qualifying MSU plan that meets the J-1 regulatory requirements will result in a violation of your J-1 or J-2 status.
J-1/J-1 Visa Regulatory Requirements:
All J-1 and J-2 visas holders are required to maintain health insurance that meets the following requirements:
All J-1 and J-2 visa holders will be required to submit proof of enrollment into a qualifying MSU health insurance policy at the government check-in with OISS.
J-1 scholars at MSU are given specific program goals by the host department during the invitation process. Scholars are required to continuously pursue these program goals during their program. Scholars must engage in their J-1 program activities for the minimum of 20 hours per week, and at least 60% of their total engagement must be in-person (e.g. 3 days per week).
Short Breaks in Program Participation Outside of the U.S.
Host departments may authorize J-1 Research Scholars or Professors to take a short break for personal international travel. Short breaks in program participation cannot exceed more than 30 days for each break and cannot exceed two total months per year.
Out-of-Country Program Participation
Continuing program participation outside the U.S. for more than 30 days must be approved by OISS before the scholar leaves the U.S.
Apply for continuous program participation outside the U.S. by following these instructions:
1) Log in to https://myoiss.msu.edu. If you are unable to log in, please contact .
2) Look under the "J-1 Scholar Services" category.
3) Click on the "Out-of-Country Request" application.
4) Submit the application and an OISS advisor will review your request.
Each J-1 scholar program begins with a specific program plan, including program goals, program dates, activity site address, and funding source. Each J-1 scholar also has both a designated faculty host and a department contact person. The department contact is usually an administrator in the host department.
Any and all changes to the program plan, faculty host, or department contact person must be promptly reported to OISS.
The following is a list of changes and required forms or letters that must be submitted to OISS immediately following the change.
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Submit to OISS:
Extensions of J-1 scholar programs are possible if the following conditions are met:
Maximum program lengths for scholar categories are as follows:
Research Scholar, Professor, or Short-Term Scholar
Student Intern
Each J-1 scholar must complete the Notice of Planned Departure for J-1 Scholars when preparing to finish the program and depart the U.S.
If a J-2 dependent departs the U.S. prior to the J-1 scholar and does not plan to return in J-2 status, the J-1 scholar must send a completed Notice of Departure for J-2 Dependents (PDF) to OISS as soon as possible.
J-1 scholars and J-2 dependents are allowed to remain inside the U.S. for 30 days after the end date of the DS-2019. This is called a grace period. Please note that it is not possible to depart and re-enter the U.S. in J-1 or J-2 status during the 30-day grace period.
This information is only for H-1B employees hired by Michigan State University.
H-1B temporary worker non-immigrant status is designated for individuals coming temporarily to the U.S. to perform services in a specialty occupation. The maximum period of time an individual may remain in the U. S. on an H-1B status is six (6) years.
The position must be a specialty occupation as defined as "an occupation that requires (A) theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and (B) attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States." INA214(i); 8USC 1184(i).
H-1B status is an employer-sponsored nonimmigrant classification. The employer must petition for the H-1B on behalf of the prospective H-1B employee through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Read the H-1B Welcome Guide (PDF) for a quick overview of H-1B status. Then click on the items below for more detailed information.
Michigan State University (MSU) has petitioned an H-1B on your behalf and secured approval to employ you in H-1B status. There are many rules and procedures governing H-1B status that you must follow. It is important to understand these rules and procedures so that you maintain lawful status and to remain lawfully employed by MSU.
Once USCIS approves your H-1B, you will only have the authorization to work at Michigan State University under the conditions described in the submitted H-1 petition. You are not eligible to accept any payment from any other source except MSU. If you move to another institution or if you change MSU departments you must inform OISS in writing.
If you move to another institution, they will be responsible for maintaining your H-1 status. You should check with the new institution before resigning your position at Michigan State.
If you move from one MSU department to another or you change positions (title, duties, salary) within the same department, you must let OISS know. In some cases, an amended H-1 petition will be necessary.
If you are currently outside the U.S., you may enter the country up to ten (10) days before the start date indicated on the I-797 Approval Notice.
You must begin employment at MSU by the start date listed on your H-1B Approval Notice or when you enter the U.S. in H-1B status. If you are changing your status within the U.S., you should begin employment listed on your H-1B approval notice. Please consult with OISS if you have questions about your start date at MSU.
MSU must employ you up to, and including, the end date on the I-797 Approval Notice. However, you may not stay in the U.S. beyond the end date of your I-94. There are very serious consequences under U.S. regulations for "overstaying" your period of H-1B authorization. Please plan accordingly and contact OISS with any questions.
MSU may request employment for an individual for up to 3 years. The H-1B can be extended if the individual is eligible. The maximum amount of time that an individual can hold H-1B visa status is 6 years. Many factors determine how long the department wishes to petition for an H-1B.
The departments should submit the requests for extensions to OISS 6-7 months before the expiration of current I-797 Approval Notice.
Your H-1B status permits you to work only for MSU and only for the position the original petition specified. You cannot accept employment from any other employer unless that employer submits a concurrent H-1B petition.
You may accept the invitations to give lectures or seminars at other institutions, however you cannot accept compensation. The host institution may pay directly for your expenses or reimburse you (i.e. transportation to the lecture, food, hotel, etc.). You may not accept an honorarium. To accept this type of compensation is a violation of your immigration status.
If you move at any point while living in the U.S. in H-1B status, immigration regulations require that you notify USCIS of your new address within ten (10) days of moving. You must fill out form AR-11 which can be found on the USCIS website. This form can be submitted in paper format or electronically.
You should keep a copy of the completed and signed form for your records.
It is strongly recommended that you make photocopies of all of your immigration documents, including:
Keep these documents in a safe place and part of your permanent records.
If you plan to leave MSU and begin working for another employer at any point, it is important to do the following:
You are permitted to enroll in individual classes while in H-1B status as long as you continue working in your H-1B position without any changes to your employment. The study must be incidental to employment and not the primary purpose for remaining in the U.S.
Employees in H-1B status are subject to Social Security and Medicare tax. H-1B employment is also subject to federal and state income tax unless a tax exemption is specifically provided by a treaty.
All foreign nationals, regardless of visa status, who receive payment while in the U.S. are required to file U.S. income tax returns.
Learn more:
If you live in Michigan, you are considered a resident for tax purposes and you must file tax forms in the state of Michigan. Learn more about Individual Income Tax in Michigan (Michigan Department of Treasury website).
If you lived in other states in the U.S. during the year, you may need to file taxes in those states as well.
For more information about taxes contact the MSU Payroll Office.
MSU scholars who are employed on campus need to apply for a Social Security number. The U.S. Government uses Social Security number to identify wage earners for tax purposes.
You will need the following documents to apply for SSN:
You should expect to receive your SS card in the mail in about two to four weeks.
H-4 visa holders are not eligible to apply for SSN. If you wish to include them in your tax filing, H-4 dependents are eligible to obtain an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS. Learn more about the ITIN on the IRS website.
OISS cannot give tax advice. Please consult with a tax advisor or accountant.
Learn more about H-4 immigration requirements on our Family and Dependents webpage.
Learn more about traveling on our Travel and Visas webpage.
As part of an on-going investigation of potential fraud in the H-1B Temporary Worker program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing its unannounced visits to employers across the USA. Such a visit would most likely start at OISS. However, DHS officers might also directly contact an H-1B employee, the academic department, or simply show up at the work site indicated on the petition filed by USCIS. These visits are usually routine.
If a DHS officer contacts you, here are some guidelines:
Reminder: when MSU submits an H-1B petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, we are attesting to specific statements about the position, title, salary, hours, duties, degree requirements, and location. If any of these aspects of the H-1B employee's work changes, MSU may need to file a new petition before the changes are instituted. If this is the case with any H-1B employee, the department needs to contact OISS immediately.
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