When you get an F1 visa, you have to adhere to the visa’s conditions if you want to keep your status.
Losing your status, known as being “out of status,” is something every student wants to avoid.
When it happens, it’ll affect your ability to study, work, or even stay in the United States.
As a student on an F1 visa (who is out of status), your stay in the country is in jeopardy.
How long can F1 student be out of status?
There is no specific time limit for how long an F1 student can be out of status.
If you are out of status and apply for reinstatement, getting approval will restore your status quickly, and you can go back to being a student legally.
This means you can stay in the U.S. and continue your education without worry.
However, if your reinstatement application is denied, you’ll remain out of status indefinitely, and you won’t be allowed to stay in the U.S. for long.
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Being out of status indefinitely means you lose the right to stay in the country, and you have to leave the U.S. as soon as possible.
What happens when an F-1 student is out of status?
When an F-1 student is out of status, it means the student broke the rules of their visa.
It could be that the student stopped attending classes, worked without permission, or stopped going to school entirely.
Being out of status is like being in trouble with immigration.
When this happens, the government knows, and your SEVIS record is marked as “terminated.” SEVIS is the system that tracks students like you.
Once it’s terminated, you’re no longer allowed to stay in the United States legally. This means you’ll be asked to leave the country.
While you’re out of status, you can’t do things like work on-campus or apply for internships.
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Even your permission to stay in the U.S. becomes shaky, so you can’t travel and return easily.
If you stay too long without fixing your status, you’ll leave the US and it’ll affect your chances of getting a visa to the country in the future.
This is why you’re encouraged to apply for “reinstatement.” when out of status.
Reinstatement is like asking for a second chance. If the government approves your reinstatement, your F-1 status will be restored, and you can go back to normal.
However, if they say no to your reinstatement, you’ll stay out of status – meaning, you must leave.
Is there a grace period for F-1 out of status?
No, there is no official grace period for F-1 students who are out of status. Being out of status means you’re not following the rules of your visa anymore, and that will cause problems for you, quickly.
Without a grace period, you either fix your status or leave the country ASAP.
How long can an F-1 student stay outside the US?
An F-1 student can stay outside the U.S. for up to five months without losing their visa status or facing any consequences.
If you leave the U.S. for a short break, like during summer vacation, and plan to return to the same school, it’s usually okay.
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However, if you stay outside the U.S. for more than five months, your F-1 visa will no longer be valid – meaning, you have to reapply for a visa and approval before you come back.
This is called the “five-month rule,”.
If you are away for more than five months, you’ll need a new visa to return and continue your studies.
But if you are doing something approved by your school, like studying abroad for a semester, the five-month rule will not apply.
Before you leave the U.S., get your I-20 form signed for travel by your school’s international office.
This signature shows that you’re still a student and plan to return.
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If you’re not sure how long you’ll be away or if your situation is special, talk to your school’s international student office.
Do not leave and stay more than five months if it’s not approved by your school.
What is the duration of status for F-1 students?
The duration of status for F-1 students means how long you are allowed to stay in the U.S. as a student.
It doesn’t have a fixed end date.
Instead, it lasts as long as your program if you’re following your visa’s rules like:
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- Being enrolled full-time at your school.
- Making progress in your program.
- And, updating your I-20 form.
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Your duration of status covers the time you are studying and also any authorized practical training, like OPT or CPT, if you apply for it.
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When you finish your studies or training, you have a 60-day grace period to prepare to leave the U.S., change your status, or start a new program.
What is the 60-day rule for an F1 visa?
The 60-day rule for F-1 visa students is a grace period you get after you finish your program or authorized training, like OPT.
During these 60 days, you can stay in the U.S., but you cannot work or take classes unless you’ve already been approved for a new program or status.
This time is meant to help you get ready for what’s next.
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You can use it to prepare to leave the U.S. (if you’re not interested in staying further), transfer to another school, or apply to change your visa status.
For example, if you’re starting a new program, your new I-20 must be ready before the 60 days are over.
What is one way to fall out of status with your F-1 visa?
One common way to lose status with an F-1 visa is to not be enrolled full-time as a student.
As an F-1 student, you’re supposed to take a certain number of classes each term to meet the full-time enrollment requirement.
If you drop too many classes or fail to register for enough credits, you won’t meet this requirement and will lose your visa status.
For example, if your school requires you to take at least 12 credits and you only take 9, you’d no longer be following the rules of your visa.
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This is called falling out of status, and you can be kicked out of school for it.
In conclusion, falling out of F1 visa status is a serious matter, but it’s not necessarily the end of your journey in the U.S.
If you’re on an F1 visa, the best thing to do is not to let yourself go out of status at all.
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Always keep track of your visa rules and maintain full-time status.
If you’re out of status, talk to your school’s DSO and fix your status as soon as possible.
The quicker you fix it, the easier it is to avoid big problems.
