Maintaining F-1 Status

F-1 international students admitted to the United States (U.S.) must meet the requirements set by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) , a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The following requirements are listed below or can be found on the SEVP website. 

• Maintain a valid passport at all times. 
• Enroll and Maintain my F-1 Visa Requirement of Full-Time Status in 12 units of “face to face “classes OR enroll in 9 “face to face” units and ONE 3-unit “online” course to equal 12 units for every Fall and  Spring semesters. There are limited exceptions for to this regulation, which require written authorization from a LAMC Designated School Official (DSO).
• Maintain at least a good Academic Standing, Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.0 or “C” grade average. 

• Program Changes and/or Program Extensions must be approved by DSO and ISP Academic Counselor. Extension requests must be officially requested well in advance of the Form I-20 program end date. 

• Obtain Permission for Concurrent Enrollment at another college ONLY with the APPROVAL of the International Students Counselor and Designated School Official.

• Obtain Permission to Add/Drop classes and will do so ONLY with the APPROVAL of the International Students Counselor and Designated School Official. 

• On or Off-campus employment can ONLY be authorized through LAMC International Students Program (ISP) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

• Report any changes in Name, U.S. Address, U.S. Phone Number, and F1 Program of Study to the ISP office within (10) TEN days.

• Endorsed I-20 document for travel outside of the U.S. with the Designated School Official’s signature in the International Students Program at least 30 days prior to departing the U.S.

• Students interested in transferring from LAMC to another SEVP approved institution can request transfer after two consecutive semesters of enrollment.