International Students

Report to your designated school official after arriving on campus in order to have your SEVIS record activated.

  • Remain enrolled full-time at the institution you are authorized to attend.
  • Hold a valid, current I-20.
  • Maintain a passport that is valid for at least six months into the future. Have appropriate authorization for any work and not be employed for more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session.
    Note: Notre Dame of Maryland University only allows students to work 10 hours per week during the academic year.
  • Report a change of U.S. address within 10 days of moving.

F-1 Students

F-1 students must possess an I-20 ID (pages 3-4 of the Form I-20) from the institution they are attending. The I-20 is the form F-1 students use to enter the United States and to notify the DHS of a transfer to a new institution or program.

Students must complete their course of study by the end date shown on Form I-20 or request a "program extension" with assistance from the foreign student adviser.

The I-20 must be updated whenever any significant changes occur to the information contained on the form (change in funding, extension of academic program, change in major or school transfers).

Students must be enrolled "full time." Full time enrollment for undergraduates is 12 credit hours per term. For graduate students, "full time status" is determined by the institution's established graduate-study policy, 9 credit hours per term.

Students, who are maintaining status, are permitted an annual vacation period during the year if they intend to enroll the following term.