Maintaining Your Status

Federal regulations require all international students to maintain their F-1 or J-1 status while residing in the U.S. Please keep in mind that the information below is not comprehensive and consultation with an International Student Advisor at the International Office may be required.

It is the responsibility of the student to maintain F-1 or J-1 status. In order to comply, you must:

  • Enroll in classes every quarter/semester.
  • Enroll full-time each quarter/semester, unless otherwise authorized for a Reduced Course Load.
    • Full-time enrollment per quarter consists of 3 or more units.
    • Full-time enrollment per semester consists of 8 or more units.
  • Maintain a valid passport at all times.
  • Maintain a valid, unexpired Form I-20/DS-2019 at all times.
    • You must apply for an Extension to your program of study prior to the expiration date listed on either your Form I-20/DS-2019.
    • You must request a new I-20 or DS-2019 if your academic major/program changes, or if you change your academic level (i.e. from Master’s to PhD).
    • You must report a change in financial support and request a new I-20 or DS-2019 (i.e. if your funding changes from scholarship funds to family funding).
  • Attend the institution listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019. Prior approval is required to transfer to another school or enroll concurrently at another local institution.
  • Report a change of address within 5 days via CAESAR. This information is then transmitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • Report a change in your name to the Office of the Registrar. You will be required to provide legal documentation of this change. Please report any name changes for your dependents to the IO.
  • Refrain from working off-campus without prior approval and authorization from the IO.
    • When working on-campus F-1/J-1 students are allowed to work 20 hours per week while school is in session, and 20 or more hours during school breaks and holidays.
    • To attain authorization to accept employment off-campus, please review the information regarding Employment and then meet with an advisor to discuss your options.
  • Consult with the IO if you plan to transfer to a new institution or withdraw from NU completely.
    • If you plan to leave NU or are dismissed from the university, you must report this to the IO immediately.
    • If you plan to transfer to a new institution, you must complete the Transfer Out form and consult with the IO to have your immigration records transferred.

Students are required to maintain the accuracy of their I-20 or DS-2019. Students often make adjustments in the following areas, all of which must be reported to the IO using the corresponding reporting form:

Reduced Course Load

Every international student in F-1 or J-1 status is required to maintain a full course of study for each quarter/semester they are enrolled at Northwestern. In certain situations, students may drop below a full course load; however, prior authorization from the IO is required.

 To view a listing of these situations and apply for a reduced course load, please download, complete, and submit the Reduced Course Load form.

Address Information

All international students are required by U.S. federal immigration regulation to maintain a permanent foreign and U.S. address. F-1 and J-1 students must always maintain Current and Permanent Address types in CAESAR as these addresses are automatically reported from CAESAR to SEVIS.

For more information, please review the F-1/J-1 Address Information Guide.

To access CAESAR to change or update your address: http://www.northwestern.edu/caesar/