F-1 FAQ

F-1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I have to attend orientation?
2. Do I need to have medical insurance?
3. Do I need to schedule an appointment to speak to an advisor?
4. Can I take classes at another institution while studying at FIU?
5. Can I drop below full-time?
6. I am out of status. What should I do?
7. Can I take the Summer Semester Off?
8. I need an expense letter. Where can I get this information?
9. Do I have to attend an Employment Practical Training (EPT) Workshop?
10. Can I work full-time on-campus?
11. Can I have more than two places of employment?
12. Can I extend my OPT end date?
13. I need a Social Security number. What should I do?
14. Do I need a new signature on my I-20 every time I travel?
15. My I-20 was not stamped upon reentry into the U.S. What should I do?
16. What happens if my visa expires?
17. What happens if my I-20 expires?
18. What if my I-20 expires before I complete my program?
19. I lost my I-20. What should I do?
20. Is there a problem if my I-94 does not say "D/S"?  
21. I want to travel outside the U.S. What should I do?

Do I have to attend orientation?
Yes. The international student Immigration Orientation is mandatory and all international students on F-1 visa status are required to attend. At orientation, you will be given information regarding federal regulations affecting your immigration status as well as have an opportunity to meet other international students and meet international peer mentors who can assist with your transition. Visit our website at www.fiu.edu/~isss for orientation dates.

Do I need to have medical insurance?
Yes, all international students in F-1 status must have medical insurance that meets certain requirements in order to register and continue their studies at FIU. You may purchase medical insurance through ISSS with a cashier's check or money order or you may go online to www.hillchesson.com and purchase with a Visa or MasterCard credit card. If you have your own insurance you can request to have it approved. An alternate insurance form must be completed by the insurance benefits department. The form is available on the ISSS website or in our office at BBC, WUC 363 or UP, GC 242. If your policy meets the University's minimum medical insurance requirements it will be approved.

Do I need to schedule an appointment to speak to an advisor?
Yes. You must make an appointment with an ISSS advisor so that you can receive the necessary attention and appropriate advice.. However, the ISSS office does have walk-in hours on Wednesdays. Please check with the campus where your immigration file is located for available walk-in hours.

Can I take classes at another institution while studying at FIU?
Yes. If you have maintained your F-1 status you may be able take classes at another institution, but you must enroll for a minimum of six credits at FIU in the fall and spring if you plan to study elsewhere within these terms. If summer is your first term, then you must enroll for a minimum of six credits at FIU and six at the second institution. You must obtain a letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or a transient form and complete a document request form from ISSS. If all is in order, you will receive authorization from an ISSS advisor to study at the second institution; a copy of your grades/transcript from the second institute must be submitted to the ISSS office by the end of the term.

Can I drop below full-time?  
No. To maintain your immigration status you are required to enroll full-time during the fall and spring terms (12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 graduate level credit hours for graduate students). Students who are considering dropping below full-time hours must meet with an ISSS advisor.

I am out of status. What should I do?
If you are out of status you must schedule an appointment to meet with an ISSS advisor to review your options in returning to status.

Can I take the Summer Semester Off?
If you are enrolled full-time in the fall/spring semester and intend to continue full-time studies the following term you are eligible to take the summer term off.

I need an expense letter. Where can I get this information?
You may obtain an expense letter after you have registered for classes from ISSS by completing a document request form. This letter will only indicate the average costs for attending FIU.

Do I have to attend an Employment Practical Training (EPT) Workshop?
If you are planning to work in the U.S. you must view our online EPT workshop and print put the acknowledgement form and bring it to the ISSS before engaging in any type of employment. The power point slides are available at www.fiu.edu/~isss.

Can I work full-time on-campus?
You can work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring terms with authorization from an ISSS advisor. During the summer vacation, spring break and holiday season you may engage in full-time on-campus employment starting on the Monday of the vacation period and ending on the Thursday before classes begin.

Can I have more than two places of employment?
Yes, but the total hours cannot exceed a maximum of 20 hours per week between both employers. You must obtain authorization from an ISSS advisor.

Can I extend my OPT end date?
If you are on OPT after graduation, you are not eligible to extend the OPT end date.

I need a Social Security number. What should I do?
You can obtain a social security number once you have obtained employment and authorization from an ISSS advisor. You must apply for a social security number through your local social security office. For the location nearest you, please go to www.mapquest.com and type in your zip code and retrieve map with local office. You may also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html

Do I need a new signature on my I-20 every time I travel?
No, the travel signature on page 3 is valid for 12 months.

My I-20 was not stamped upon reentry into the U.S. What should I do?
Generally your I-20 is only stamped upon initial entry at the port of entry; it is not stamped each time you travel.

What happens if my visa expires?  
A visa is an "entry document" used to enter the U.S. If it expires in the U.S. , there is no need for concern as long as you are maintaining valid F-1status. However, if you plan to leave the U.S. , you will need a valid visa for reentry to the U.S. Visas are issued at the American Embassy abroad. Check with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country regarding visa renewal requirements. Students must obtain a new I-20 for visa renewal from the ISSS office.

What happens if my I-20 expires?  
You are considered to be out of status with immigration if your I-20 expires. DO NOT LET THIS DOCUMENT EXPIRE. If it has expired, schedule an appointment to meet with an ISSS advisor immediately to discuss how to get back in status.

What if my I-20 expires before I complete my program?
You must schedule an appointment to meet with an ISSS advisor immediately to process an extension in a timely manner. If your I-20 will expire earlier than your anticipated completion date you may request an extension of your I-20 no earlier than 120 days prior to the program end date listed on your I-20.

I lost my I-20. What should I do?
If your I-20 is lost, damaged, or stolen you must request a new I-20 from ISSS by completing a document request form. If your I-20 is stolen, you should file a police report with the police department as soon as possible.

Is there a problem if my I-94 does not say "D/S"?  
YES, "D/S" means duration of status and all F-1 students must have an I-94 with this annotation. If your I-94 does not reflect this, you must meet with an ISSS advisor immediately.

I want to travel outside the U.S. What should I do?
If you want to travel outside the U.S. you must have a valid F-1 visa, a valid I-20 with a travel signature that is valid for one year, and a valid passport (at least six months into the future). If you are planning to travel to a country other than your home country, view this link www.embassy.org for travel guidelines and visa requirements.