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Maintaining Your Visa Status
M A I N T A I N I N G Y O U R V I S A S T A T U S
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “MAINTAIN YOUR STATUS?”
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From the time your visa is granted and you enter the United States, you must follow a set of requirements in order to maintain legal status. Those who follow the requirements “maintain status” and ensure their ability to remain in the United States. Those who do not follow the requirements violate their status and are considered “out of status.” If you do not maintain your visa status, you may be required to leave the U.S. and may not be readmitted to the country. KEY STEPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR VISA STATUS
Stay in touch with International Experiences (OIE). - Make sure to check in with OIE when you first arrive on campus and provide copies of immigration documents as requested Check your email – OIE will send important reminders, updates, and immigration information to your MBU email address Let OIE know before you leave, change, or finish your academic program Inform OIE when you move to ensure that your address and other information in the SEVIS database are accurate and up-to-date Notify OIE at least 2 days in advance if you plan to travel out of the U.S.; you must have a valid signature on your I-20 before you leave the country Notify OIE if you will transfer to a new program or a new school
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Report any dependents (spouse or children) to OIE - Work with OIE to extend your I-20 if you need additional time to complete your program of study Maintain a valid passport at all times. You can renew your passport at your country’s Embassy while in the U.S. Take a full-time course load.
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Undergraduate: 12 credit hours minimum per semester, 9 credit hours face-to-face - Graduate: 6 credit hours minimum per semester, 3 credit hours face-to-face Follow the rules for employment. Any employment must be authorized by DSO and have the appropriate paperwork. On-campus employment is limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week while class is in session and may exceed 20 hours per week whenever class is not in session (i.e. summer) - Please refer to the section on employment for additional information. Pay state and federal taxes if you are employed or have a taxable scholarship. Obey state and federal laws.
