抖阴黄色app | International Student Services

F-1 Visa Policy for International Students at 抖阴黄色app

Updated: as of March 6, 2024

All international students are required to pursue their studies on a full-time basis.

Immigration Status and Maintenance

Full-Time Study:

International graduate student: minimum of 9 credit hours per semester
International undergraduate student: minimum of 12 credit hours per semester

In-Person Requirement: ALL students are encouraged to take all classes IN-PERSON to maintain legal F1 visa status and legally stay in the United States.

International graduate students: required to study a minimum of 6 credits (2 courses) in-person out of the 9-credit hour minimum requirement over each semester.
International undergraduate student: required to study a minimum of 9 credits (3 courses) in-person out of the 12-credit hour minimum requirement over each semester.
ALL students: can study any number of online credits after the minimum in-person requirements are met.

Hybrid/Blended Courses: The Course Catalogue will show a campus location, which can be used to identify online or in-person courses. ROM, ABQ, and OBK are the in-person locations. ONL is the designation for an online course. However, with some in-person courses, the instruction may offer hybrid learning options. “Hybrid learning, with some requirements for in-person learning” is permitted per C.F.R. 搂 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 C.F.R. 搂 214.2(m)(9)(v).

Hybrid learning can be defined as: courses with a minimum of 50 percent contact hours in-person with an instructor. The 50 percent contact hour minimum can be met via traditional classroom instruction, as well as office hours, labs, clinical, or any other instructional method with direct contact that is documented with the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that when they are enrolled in an ROM, ABQ, or OBK course, that they attend a minimum of 50 percent of the classes in-person. This policy does not supersede the instructor’s policy on class attendance.

Summer term: Enrollment during the summer terms is optional, except for international students that begin their programs during a summer term, in which case, full-time enrollment is required.

Continuing international students who have completed at least one full semester at 抖阴黄色app may elect to take summer classes. These continuing students may take any number of on-campus or online summer courses with no minimum on-campus or course load requirements.

Last and Final Semester Policy

Reduced Course Load: This form must be approved by your Academic Advisor and the ISGSS Director or DSO through SEVIS before you can drop to a less than full-time load. Students failing to request & obtain advance approval of a reduced course load will be considered “out of status” by the USCIS.

One class remaining: A student’s last and final class (i.e., capstone or any other required course) must be taken in-person to maintain legal F-1 visa status. A Hybrid/Blended course may be acceptable, but requires DSO review.

Broadcast Message 2305-04: Termination of SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities

President Biden announced the termination of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency, effective on May 11, 2023, following the termination of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023.
While the Student and Exchange Visitor Program's (SEVP) COVID-19 guidance is terminated as of May 11, 2023, Active F and M nonimmigrant students will be able to complete the 2022-23 academic year under the COVID-19 flexibilities through the 2023 summer semester. However, Active F and M nonimmigrant students will not be permitted to count online classes toward a full course of study in excess of the regulatory limits stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v) for the 2023-24 academic year.
Initial or re-entering students must enroll in programs complying with the regulatory limits for distance learning as stated in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G). Designated school officials should not issue Forms I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," for students in new or Initial status who are outside of the United States and plan to take classes at an educational institution certified by SEVP for a program of study that contains online components in excess of the regulatory limits.
Please refer to the for specific information regarding the end of SEVP's COVID-19 guidance for certified schools.
SEVP originally published its COVID-19 flexibilities to accommodate the national emergencies as they pertained to SEVP-certified schools and nonimmigrant students, including restrictions and disruptions to travel and changes in teaching methods at the time. The flexibilities were always intended as a temporary measure to allow nonimmigrant students to continue their studies with the least disruptions as possible and did not signify or result in a permanent change to the regulations.

Important Reminder: Full-time enrollment may be defined differently for immigration purposes than how it is defined by other academic units or programs. It is your responsibility to ensure that your enrollment meets the requirements of your immigration status throughout the duration of your program at 抖阴黄色app.

For any questions or clarification, please email ISGSS@lewisu.edu.