Maintaining your F-1 status is more important than ever. It can be very difficult to fix an immigration status violation.
A violation of your immigration status will result in the termination of your SEVIS record (I-20). If that happens, according to the U.S. government, you would not be in legal status ("out of status") beyond any grace period you may be eligible for.
Description of the video:
Hi, I'm Dominic, an advisor in the Office of International Services. The United States has many complex immigration regulations. We know it's confusing, and we want to make it easier. Recently the US government has made it extremely difficult for us to help students when they violate their immigration status. Decisions that may seem small could lead to a violation and have a life-altering impact on your ability to stay in the US. You could lose your immigration status for simple things, like taking too many online courses, taking classes at another university while at IU, finishing your program of study in the summer with the wrong enrollments, finishing your studies with an internship, volunteering, or even enrolling less than full time even if you just drop a class hour below full-time for a short period. It's hard to believe that you could lose your immigration status for small offenses like this, but you can. So it's extremely important to talk with us before making these types of decisions, and don't take immigration advice from your friends. The situation that you have might not be the same as your friends, even if it seems like it is. So what can you do to maintain your legal immigration status? Enroll full-time, don't work without authorization, update your local address, keep your I-20 or DS-2019 up to date, read all the emails from OIS completely and ask questions if they don't make sense, keep your address and phone numbers current in One.IU, and set up voicemail on your phone. Please know that OIS doesn't require these things to make your life difficult. We are closely monitoring the changing immigration requirements and want to make sure that you understand your responsibilities, and have a successful college experience in the U.S. Remember, we're here for you. If you have any questions, make an appointment with an advisor or come in for a quick question advising Monday through Friday 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Please let us help you. Thanks, and have a great semester.
We are here to help you. However, it is your responsibility to remain compliant with immigration and university regulations. We provide information and services to help ensure that you are aware of these requirements and are able to stay in legal status. Maintaining contact with our office and reading your IU email regularly throughout your time here will help ensure you stay in status.
If your record is terminated while on OPT, contact us for information about your options.
In most cases, the termination of your SEVIS record means that you must make plans to immediately depart from the United States. In other words, there may not be a grace period after a termination.
If we have to terminate your SEVIS record, you have two options: travel outside the United States with a new I-20 or submit a reinstatement application to regain your status. Our expert staff can help you determine what the best option is for you.
If you have an F-2 spouse or children, they would also have their SEVIS records terminated at the same time.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized changes to the Duration of Status (D/S) policy affecting many F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
September 17, 2026 update: Implementation of the expected regulatory changes that were set to take effect on September 15 has been delayed. At this time, the existing Duration of Status framework remains in effect, with no changes at this time for F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars. Further information will be posted on IU Global's Duration of Status updates page as it becomes available.
