Overview

It is very important that F-1 students understand how to maintain their F-1 status. 

This page includes critical information that all international students must review and understand.



What does it mean to maintain F-1 Status?


Maintaining your status means that you are following all the rules for your F-1 status.

Failure to follow these requirements may cause a loss of legal status in the United States.

This page explains how to maintain F-1 status.

It is the responsibility of the F-1 student to know and abide by the regulations. 


Check your UWF student email regularly. International Affairs and the university send important information by email.


This includes important steps you must take care of after you are admitted or when you arrive in the United States.


  • Confirm that you are enrolled full-time. 
  • You must attend your classes and make normal academic progress.
  • Maintain the required health insurance.
  • Work on and off campus only with authorization.
  • Update your local address in MyUWF.


Full-time Enrollment in Fall and Spring Semesters

International students must be full-time students. Please review details for your program below.


F-1 Degree-seeking students

F-1 students must work with their academic advisor to register for classes. It is important to contact your academic advisor early so that you are prepared to register for classes.

Students are required to enroll full time in fall and spring semesters. You must attend classes and make normal progress in your academic program.


Freshmen will work with First Year Advising to register for classes.


Undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours with at least 9 face-to-face credit hours.  


Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours with at least 3 face-to-face credit hours.




Important information about registering for courses.

  • It is important to make an appointment with your advisor as soon as possible to register for classes.
  • Review this page for steps to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor 
  • Your degree plan may require additional courses or summer enrollment.
  • You need to work with your academic advisor to ensure that you are on track for your degree plan.
  • Students must enroll full-time in the first semester, including summer.
  • Final term enrollment: In your last semester, you may drop below full-time if you enroll in all the courses you need to graduate. At least one course must be in-person.
  • Summer semester can be a break if you plan to return in the following fall semester. See below for more information.
  • Reduced Course Loads may be authorized for illness or medical conditions or for academic difficulties in the first semester.



Students in the Intensive English Program

F-1 students in the Intensive English Program must enroll full time to maintain F-1 status.


Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment


Summer  Enrollment

First Semester of Degree Program: If you begin your study as an F1 student at UWF in Summer semester, you must meet the full-time enrollment requirement in your first semester. 


If your degree program continues in the following fall semester, summer enrollment is not required for F-1 purposes. You have the option to take a break or enroll in any combination of courses, including fully online courses.

If summer semester is your final semester to complete degree requirements, in-person enrollment is required. Please see below for more information.


It is important for degree-seeking students to work closely with their academic advisor. Some programs require summer enrollment or have courses that are only offered in the summer.


Scholarships and other funding: If you have a scholarship or other funding for a summer semester, it is your responsibility to check if full-time enrollment is required. Many scholarships require full-time enrollment. 


Intensive English Program students who begin study in January or March are required to enroll full-time in the summer following their arrival at UWF.


Final Semester of a Degree Program

Undergraduate and Graduate students may drop below the usual full-time enrollment if they require fewer courses to graduate.

Students must enroll in all the courses needed to complete degree requirements.

At least one course must be in-person. This includes summer semesters if that is the final semester to complete degree requirements.



Reduced Course Load

With proper documentation, students may request a reduced course load for medical or academic reasons (in the initial semester of a degree program).

Please see Requesting a Reduced Course Load with Immigration for more information.

A Reduced Course Load is authorized by semester and may be extended if the student is eligible.


Health Insurance 

International students must have health insurance that meets the State of Florida requirements. Coverage is required for the entire period of study. This includes breaks and annual vacation.

There are two options:

  1. The UWF Policy with LewerMark Student Insurance
  2. Your own insurance plan with an approved waiver.


Review the insurance section in the International Student Resource Guide for details.



Employment Opportunities

 

The ability for international students to do an internship, work on campus, or do other training is limited by federal regulations.

As an F-1 student, you have the opportunity to work on campus after you report your arrival and have an updated I-20 that shows Continued Attendance on page 1.

It is required to get the proper authorization before you start any position, both on campus and off campus.

Both paid and unpaid off campus work must have authorization and you must have an updated  I-20 before you start work.


F-1 Employment Opportunities

Review the F-1 Student Employment Opportunities section in the International Student Resource Guide for more information.



Update your Contact Information in MyUWF


International students must report the address where they live in the United States. 

Make sure to update any change to your address within 10 days.

To update your US address, follow these steps. 

Do you live on campus?

Homeland Security Address

This is your on campus address.

In line 2 enter your residence hall and room number.


It should look similar to this when you are finished:

Address Line 1: 11000 University Parkway

Address Line 2: Argo Hall Room 123

City: Pensacola

State: FL

Zip Code: 32514


Local Address

When you get a mailbox on campus, you can enter the information for Local Address. 

Enter your US phone number in Phone Number.

Do not include the “1” before the three-digit area code. See example below.



Do you live off campus? 


You can enter your street address and apartment number (if needed) for Homeland Security Address and Local Address.


Address Line 1: Street Address 

Address Line 2: Apartment number goes here

City: City Name

State: State Name

Zip Code: 5-digit Number


It should look similar to this when you are finished:

Address Line 1: 12345 E Nine Mile Rd

Address Line 2: Apt. #1234

City: Pensacola

State: FL

Zip Code: 32514


Report US Phone Number in Local Address

Enter your US phone number Phone Number.

Do not include the “1” before the three-digit area code. See example below.



Permanent Address

Permanent Address is your address outside of the US, typically in your home country.

Email international@uwf.edu if you need to update your permanent address.


Travel and Maintaining F1 Status

It is important that F1 students review the requirements prior to travel. The documents required depend on the travel destination.

If you are not sure what these documents are, visit the International Center and we can help you.

You can also email international@uwf.edu for more information.

What Documents to Have in Florida

When you are traveling in Florida, you should always have

  • valid passport
  • valid I-20
  • your most recent I-94

Your Most Recent I-94 must show:

  • the correct date of entry to the US
  • F1 status
  • Admit Until Date: D/S (Duration of Status)  

Travel in the U.S.

When you are traveling outside Florida, you need to have proof of your legal immigration status.

  • valid passport
  • Form I-20
  • most recent Form I-94

Leaving and Re-Entering the U.S.

The following documents are required for re-entry into the U.S. You must carry these original documents with you.

Do not pack them in your luggage. 


  • passport valid for at least six months from your re-entry date

  • Form I-20 with a valid travel signature Travel signatures are valid for one year.
  • valid visa

If your visa is not still valid, you must plan to renew it while you are abroad. We recommend that you apply for a new visa in your home country.


F1 Visa Holders on OPT or STEM OPT

F1 visa holders on OPT should review travel requirements in the Application Guide and Resources for Optional Practical Training (OPT)


Arrival at a US Port of Entry and I-94 

You should always present your I-20 to a Customs and Border Protection Officer when you arrive in the US and state to the officer that you are entering as an F-1 student. 

Check out Study in the States for more information and the link to print your I-94: F-1 Students: Remember to Check for “D/S” on Your Form I-94.

The Form I-94 shows your current admission to the U.S. You must print a new copy each time you arrive in the U.S. Contact International Affairs immediately if your I-94 does not show D/S (Duration of Status) for the Admit Until Date.