Staying in Status
To stay in student status, you need to:
Have a valid I-20/DS-2019
I-20s and DS-2019s have expiration dates, which can be found in item 5 on the I-20 and Item 3 on the DS-2019. If your I-20 or DS-2019 is going to expire before you finish your program, consult the Office of International Services at least 30 days before the expiration date.
Be a full-time student
In order to maintain status, F-1 and J-1 students must be enrolled full-time for each fall and spring semester. Enrollment in summer sessions is not required, unless a student begins study at UALR in the summer.
Undergraduates
Full-time enrollment is at least 12 credit hours per semester. (Only 3 of these hours can be Web-based Online courses)
Graduates
Full-time enrollment is 9 credit hours per semester. (Only 3 of these hours can be Web-based Online courses)
Other Exceptions Require the Approval of OIS International Student Advisor, or Assistant Director.
If a student is under-enrolled for any reason not mentioned above, including all of the cases listed below, a student must speak with an Academic Advisor as well as the OIS International Student Advisor, or Assistant Director before withdrawing from a course. (Examples include: A first semester student who is advised by an academic advisor to take less then a full load of courses due to language difficulties or unfamiliarity with the US teaching methods; a student who must drop a class because they were placed in an incorrect level; a student who is advised by a doctor to under-enroll due to a severe medical condition).
Work Only with Authorization
All international students and dependents who are eligible for work authorization must have permission either from International Services (OIS) or CIS before they begin working. F-2 visa holders may not work.
FYI: Your Visa does not need to be valid to stay in the U.S. Visa stamp in your passport is only an entry document. However, any student who leaves the U.S. and returns must have a valid visa. If the student leaves the U.S. with an invalid visa he/she will need to apply for a new visa at the U.S. Embassy in his/her home country.