F-1 Visa Status

Maintaining your F-1 visa status

• You must remain in good academic standing as defined by LCC's academic policies.
• You must be continuously enrolled each quarter with the exception of summer.
• You must take a full course of study each quarter (at least 12 credits for college courses and 18 credits for iESL). No more than one online course can count towards full-time enrollment.
• You must attend class.
• You must leave the United States within 60 days after the program end date on your Form I-20
• Keep all copies of your Form I-20.
• Your passport must remain valid (cannot expire) while you are in the USA
• During your first year of study, you can only work on-campus up to 19 hours per week. Off-campus employment is prohibited. After you have been enrolled for a full academic year (3 quarters in a row), you can apply for a type of work authorization from the US Government called 'Pre-Completion OPT,' (Optional Practical Training) which will provide you with a work card that allows you to work off-campus. There is a cost of $410 to apply for this benefit (charged by USCIS). Processing can be lengthy. Please contact us for more information about OPT or scroll below for details.

If you do not complete iESL coursework in one year, or complete associate degree coursework in two years (three years for nursing) you will be "reviewed for progress" and may have your SEVIS record terminated.

Exceptions to rules about full-time study:

• During your first quarter of college-level work, you can request a "Reduced Course Load Authorization". It must be pre-approved by International Programs and noted on your I-20.
• During your last quarter before graduation, if you are taking the last remaining courses required for graduation, and they do not add up to 12 credits. Note: If it is just one class, it cannot be online.
• Any time you have medical reasons.

Examples:

• If Jane is taking 3 classes that are 5 credits each, for a total of 15 credits, one class can be online.
• If Jane is taking 4 classes that are 5 credits each for a total of 20 credits she can take 2 online classes because only one of those online classes is counting towards the 15 needed for full-time status.

Check this list. Remember, you need to talk to International Programs before doing any of these:

• Drop a class.
• Change your major, program, or degree level.
• Plan to transfer to a new school.
• Take a break or leave of absence any time other than summer.
• Travel outside the United States.
• Move to a new address.
• Change visa status (get married, apply for permanent residency, etc).
• Delay your planned graduation date listed in the I-20 (if you think you will be unable to complete your program by the end date listed on your Form I-20).

Travel Requirements

Please contact International Programs before making any travel plans:

• Travel outside the United States cannot exceed five (5) months.
• Carry your I-20 and passport when traveling outside Washington State.
• Have your 1-20 endorsed for any travel outside the United States. If you leave without doing so:
  • You will not be readmitted into the United States, or
  • You will be admitted, but will have to fill out Form I-515A, which will require a lot of extra paperwork.
• Make sure your passport does not expire.
• To return home for a quarter other than summer, please contact the International Programs Office.
  
  • You have been continuously enrolled for three (3) quarters in a row before the quarter you want to take off. If you leave without doing this you will have your SEVIS record terminated for failure to maintain status.

Moving Requirements

• Inform International Programs of any new address, email, or phone number within 10 days of the change. 

If you move and do not inform us, we are required by law to terminate your SEVIS record for failure to maintain status. You would then need to petition for reinstatement with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This costs $290 and may, or may not, be approved

Employment & Practical Training

International students have specific rules and regulations about employment, volunteering, paid and unpaid experiential learning. 

Consult with LCC International Programs before you:

• Register for a class with a Clinical or Practicum requirement
• Apply for employment
• Volunteer or engage in unpaid work

Employment

• F-1 students may work on campus for a maximum of 19 hours per week during the academic term. Students may work full-time between quarters with supervisor approval. 
• F-1 students cannot work off-campus. 

Curriculum Practical Training (CPT)

• Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) occurs during your program of study. CPT requires DSO approval. 
• Students are required to receive CPT approval prior to registering for classes with clinicals, practicums, or other hands-on learning that occurs off-campus. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) enables you to work off campus. There is a pre-program completion and post-program option. F-1 students have one year (12-months) of OPT per degree level (associate, bachelor, master, etc.). OPT requires DSO recommendation and approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 
• Pre-completion OPT allows you to work during your study. To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, you must have been enrolled and maintained status for a full academic year (three quarters in a row).
• Post completion OPT allows you to work after completing your program. OPT applications can be submitted up to 90 days before completion of your course of study, and up to 60 days after. It is best to submit your application as early as possible. The USCIS has a large backlog of applications to process, and applications take a long time to be processed.

F-2 Visa Holders (Dependents of F-1 Students)

The F-2 visa is for dependents of an F-1 student. Eligible dependents include the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. Eligibility depends on the principal F-1 student maintaining lawful status, and F-2 dependents must follow all applicable immigration rules to remain in legal status in the United States.

Below is a brief overview of key requirements for F-2 visa holders. The LCC International Programs Office will provide more information to applicants.

Status & Compliance

• Your status is directly tied to the F-1 student's status. If the F-1 student falls out of status, you also lose your legal status.
• Your passport and I-94 must remain valid at all times while you are in the U.S.
• Your I-20 must remain current and up to date.
• You must report any changes to your address, email, or phone number to the International Programs Office within 10 days of the change. Failure to do so may result in termination of your SEVIS record and I-20.
• F-1 and F-2 visa holders are not eligible for public governmental assistance programs such as food stamps, Medicaid, or similar government benefits. Accepting such benefits could negatively affect your immigration status.

Employment

• F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work in any capacity, including online, remote, paid, or unpaid employment.

Study Restrictions

• You may engage in part-time, recreational, or non-degree seeking study.
• If you wish to pursue a full-time academic program, you must change your visa status to F-1. Please contact our office for guidance.

Travel & Re-Entry

Before making any travel plans, please contact the International Programs Office. To re-enter the U.S. after travel, you must have:

• A valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended return date)
• A valid F-2 visa
• A valid I-20 with a travel signature from the DSO dated within the last six months

If your F-2 visa expires while you are outside the U.S., you must apply for a new F-2 visa before returning.

Social Security Number (SSN) & Identification

• F-2 visa holders are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN).
• You may apply for a U.S. driver's license or state ID in accordance with Washington State requirements.