F-1 Immigration Regulations

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the immigration requirements related to their status. Following the guidelines below will help you to avoid many unnecessary problems.

Basic Guidelines

Keep your passport valid at all times.
Contact your home country's embassy in the U.S. for information about renewing your passport validity.
Keep your local address updated.
Keep your local residential address current through Bear Facts.
Maintain full-time enrollment.
You must be full-time each semester. For immigration purposes, you must complete a minimum of 12 units per semester.
Get Berkeley International Office approval before a withdrawal from UC Berkeley.
If for some reason you must withdraw from your program or drop below full-time, you are required to have approval from Berkeley International Office before doing so.
Attend the school noted on your I-20.
You must have a current, valid I-20 from the school you are attending. If you transfer from another school to UC Berkeley, the transfer process must be completed at the Check-in Meetings before the semester begins. If you miss the Check-in meeting, see an advisor in Berkeley International Office immediately.
Keep your I-20 valid at all times.
Submit an application for Extension of Program if the completion date on your I-20 will expire within the next 30 days and you need more time to complete your program of study. The completion date can be found in Box #5 on the I-20 form. You must also request a new I-20 if you change your major or your degree level, e.g. Ph.D. to Master's.
Get a travel endorsement
Before your departure from the U.S., request a signature for re-entry from a Berkeley International Office Adviser. The Adviser will sign page 3 of the I-20 for this purpose. The signature is valid for one year.
Get proper employment permission: see also F-1 Employment Matters
- On-campus employment -- Limit employment to 20 hours per week during the academic year. Employment on-campus may be full-time in the summer and vacation periods. No special work permit is required.
- Off-campus employment -- Do not work off-campus without permission. Work permission for F-1 students must be approved through Berkeley International Office and the USCIS.


	F-1 Immigration Regulations	A-Z Index
Home Students Prospective Students New Students Current Students Exchange Students Practical Training Students Summer Students Returning Students Professors & Researchers Prospective J-1 H-1B TN O-1 Permanent Residents B-1/B-2 Visa Waiver Family UCB Departments Students J-1 Researchers & Faculty H-1B Staff TN Staff O-1 Staff B-1/B-2 Visitors Visa Waiver Visitors Permanent Residents Living at Berkeley Transportation Housing Money Health & Safety Legal Resources Cultural Adjustment Travel & Visas Programs & Workshops Calendar Resource Links About Berkeley International Office Staff Contact US	It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the immigration requirements related to their status. Following the guidelines below will help you to avoid many unnecessary problems. Basic Guidelines Keep your passport valid at all times. Contact your home country's embassy in the U.S. for information about renewing your passport validity. Keep your local address updated. Keep your local residential address current through Bear Facts. Maintain full-time enrollment. You must be full-time each semester. For immigration purposes, you must complete a minimum of 12 units per semester. Get Berkeley International Office approval before a withdrawal from UC Berkeley. If for some reason you must withdraw from your program or drop below full-time, you are required to have approval from Berkeley International Office before doing so. Attend the school noted on your I-20. You must have a current, valid I-20 from the school you are attending. If you transfer from another school to UC Berkeley, the transfer process must be completed at the Check-in Meetings before the semester begins. If you miss the Check-in meeting, see an advisor in Berkeley International Office immediately. Keep your I-20 valid at all times. Submit an application for Extension of Program if the completion date on your I-20 will expire within the next 30 days and you need more time to complete your program of study. The completion date can be found in Box #5 on the I-20 form. You must also request a new I-20 if you change your major or your degree level, e.g. Ph.D. to Master's. Get a travel endorsement Before your departure from the U.S., request a signature for re-entry from a Berkeley International Office Adviser. The Adviser will sign page 3 of the I-20 for this purpose. The signature is valid for one year. Get proper employment permission: see also F-1 Employment Matters On-campus employment -- Limit employment to 20 hours per week during the academic year. Employment on-campus may be full-time in the summer and vacation periods. No special work permit is required. Off-campus employment -- Do not work off-campus without permission. Work permission for F-1 students must be approved through Berkeley International Office and the USCIS.