Maintaining Status

When you entered the U.S., your immigration documents were reviewed and you were admitted as an F-1 or J-1 student. This creates an electronic arrival record (known as the I-94 Arrival Record). As a result, you are in F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor student status in the United States. You have a responsibility to maintain your immigration status.  Below is some basic information about F-1 and J-1 status. 

Confirm Your Status

To confirm that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has entered you in the correct visa status, you must access your I-94 Arrival Record on their website (go to the Get Most Recent I-94 section): https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.  

To obtain your I-94 record, use the above website site, agree to the terms, and provide personal information from the travel document used for your most recent entry. After retrieving your record by clicking “Next,” you can print or download it using the buttons at the bottom of the page by clicking on the print button. This will create a PDF that includes a date and time stamp in the upper left corner, which is helpful to have. ISSS recommends you print and save from this PDF. 

• Check your I-94 Arrival Record every time you re-enter the United States from abroad (including Canada and Mexico). This is your Lawful Record of Admission.  Please note, it may take CBP up to 24 hours after your entry into the United States to update your I-94 Arrival Record.
• Keep an image and paper copy of your I-94 as proof of visa status for each entry for your records. Once you depart the U.S., each entry and departure becomes part of your “travel history” record and no longer shows your visa status. Having a record of your I-94 visa status history can be useful for future immigration-related actions.
• If you find an error on your I-94 record, please contact ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu as soon as possible.

Rules for Maintaining Visa Status

Maintain Full-Time Enrollment. 

You are required to enroll and engage in a full course of study each academic term of your program. You are not required to be a registered student during official break periods (i.e., summer (and winter for Institute students)). 

There are limited exceptions to the full course of study requirement that require PRIOR written authorization from ISSS.  

• Academic difficulties
• Medical Conditions
• Completion of course of study 

If you believe you may have reason to be enrolled in a reduced course of study, be in touch with ISSS before dropping any courses, or purposely under-enrolling, to confirm your eligibility and complete required actions.

Make Satisfactory Academic Progress

You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain in compliance with federal regulations and the Middlebury Handbook (Middlebury College Academic Handbook Policy / Middlebury Institute Policy). This includes ensuring good academic standing and making consistent progress towards degree completion by your Program End Date (found on page 1 of I-20 or Section 3 of DS-2019). 

Keep Documents Valid. Ensure your travel documents are valid and accurate, which includes timely travel signatures on your I-20 / DS-2019. 

I-20 / DS-2019

The program dates listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 indicates the period of time you are allowed to pursue your educational objective. Occasionally, program dates change for academic reasons. In the event that the information on your I-20 or DS-2019 is no longer accurate, you must request an updated I-20 from ISSS. Below are common reasons that require updates.

Major/Minor changes require students to complete two steps; the first with the Registrar’s office and the second with ISSS. Once the change is reflected on your student record (step one), submit the ISSS Major/Minor Update Form, found on the Forms and Resources page (step two). Students are required to request this within 10 calendar days of the change to either/both a major and minor. 

Shortening or Extending your program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 because you will need more or less time to complete your program requires a review by ISSS to ensure you are eligible. Submit the Program Extension or Shortening form (found on the Forms and Resources page; select the applicable section on the right side bar).

In the event of needing a program extension, you will need to request an extension to your I-20 or DS-2019 BEFORE it expires.  

Extensions are not automatic; specific regulatory thresholds must be met to qualify for an extension.

Shorten requests must be submitted before the current program end date or the intended new program end date (whichever is sooner). Please contact ISSS at least two months before this date to allow for sufficient review and processing time. 

The following documentation will be required as part of completing the request:

• Extensions: Current degree audit (not older than the current semester/term), copy of Administrative Committee petition request and petition decision letter, financial sponsor letter, proof of finances, and proof of financial aid if applicable. Institute students submit an unofficial transcript. 
• Shortening: Current degree audit (not older than the current semester/term) (Middlebury College); unofficial transcript (Middlebury Institute).

ISSS reviews each request and, if it meets the requirements, we update your I-20/DS-2019 record in SEVIS and provide an updated form to you.

A travel signature from a PDSO/DSO (for I-20s) or an RO/ARO (for DS-2019s) is recommended each semester (fall/spring) regardless of your travel plans. The travel signature signifies that an international advisor has confirmed you are properly maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status. This confirmation is supportive documentation for travel purposes, as well.  ISSS regularly sends out reminders on how and when you can obtain a valid travel signature.  This is your responsibility to maintain.  If you are studying at Middlebury College in Vermont, you can obtain an updated travel signature by making an appointment through Calendly.  If you are studying at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, please attend a travel signature event during the academic year or request a travel signature by submitting an Updated I-20/DS-2019 Form for Travel Signatures.

Passport

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months into the future and do not allow it to expire, if possible. In many cases, it is possible to renew a passport from within the U.S. Contact your passport nation’s U.S.-based consulate or embassy for more information.

Visa 

The visa is an entry document only, so once you successfully enter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status, the validity of the visa no longer impacts your status. This means it is acceptable if your visa expires while you are physically in the U.S. in confirmed F-1 or J-1 status. When you exit the U.S. and wish to return to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status, you must then renew the visa. More information about this process is available on our Renew a Visa webpage. 

Address Update

Students are required to report any change of their U.S. address or permanent address to ISSS, for the purpose of updating your SEVIS record.  Reporting an address change must occur within 10 calendar days of moving.  Students can use the Address Update form, which can be found under the Forms & Resourcessection of the website.

Reporting Reminder!

Any time you update/change information related to your SEVIS record and F-1/J-1 status, you are required to report it to ISSS within 10 calendar days. Use the appropriate forms found under the Forms and Resourcessection of the website to report in a timely manner. 

• Students still pursuing their studies will refer to the Current International Student section.
• Students on approved Post-Completion OPT will refer to the Student Employment Authorization section.

Never Work Without Employment Authorization

Do not begin any on-campus or off-campus employment (including internships) without explicit, prior understanding and approval. Working one day without authorization is often categorized by the government as a serious status violation. 

ON-CAMPUS

Generally speaking, if you are in valid F-1 or J-1 status and are a full-time student, you are eligible to be employed by Middlebury for on-campus employment. 

• If you have received a travel signature on page 2 of your I-20, and have confirmed your recent I-94 arrival record indicates F-1 status, then you are eligible to start on-campus employment as of the first day of your program at Middlebury.  You do not need additional approval from ISSS.  You are limited to working no more than 20 hours per week in total for all on-campus jobs combined during the semester.
  
  • Please review the On-Campus Employment webpage for more information. 
• J-1 Students: You are eligible to start on-campus employment as of the first day of your program at Middlebury, however, you are required to obtain authorization from ISSS BEFORE starting your on-campus position.
  • To request the authorization, you must obtain a Verification of Employment from Human Resources and upload that via the ISSS Document Submission form.  Select the reason for submission of “Other” and put “J-1 Student On-campus Work Authorization Request” in the explanation box.
  • ISSS will review the request within 3-5 working days of receipt.
  • DO NOT START WORKING UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM ISSS OR THE START DATE OF EMPLOYMENT WHICHEVER IS LATER.  Working without the written authorization is seen as unauthorized work and would negatively impact your J-1 status.
  • If you do not have a Social Security Number, please go to ISSS’ Social Security Information page to learn about Social Security and how to obtain a Social Security Number.
• For both F-1 and J-1 students beginning employment, and if you do not already have a Social Security Number, please go to ISSS’ Social Security Information page to learn about Social Security and how to obtain a Social Security Number. Students must obtain their SSN within the same term they begin employment. 

OFF-CAMPUS

All off-campus employment (employment that is not offered by Middlebury and/or not located on a Middlebury campus) requires some form of documented authorization issued by either ISSS or USCIS, depending on the nature of the employment. Engaging in employment without authorization is a violation of status and can lead to the loss of your status.

Please go to the Student Employment Information pages for detailed information about employment.

Do not exceed your authorized period of stay.

You were admitted to the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student for a period of admission called Duration of Status (D/S). D/S allows a student to:

• Enter the U.S. up-to, but no more than 30 days prior to the start of your program (as shown on the I-20 or DS-2019)
• Remain in the U.S. for the duration of your program  (dates listed on the I-20 or DS-2019) and any extension of post-degree completion work authorization for which you have been approved.
  • Please see the Student Employment Information pages for detailed information about employment and when to apply for post-completion work authorization.
• Upon completion of the program, a  student must do one of the following during the grace period of 60 calendar days for F-1 or 30 calendar days for J-1:
  1. Depart the U.S., or
  2. Apply for a change of status, if eligible, or
  3. Transfer to another school to continue their program of study, or
  4. Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), if eligible.

J-1 Students

The above information is relevant to both F-1 and J-1 students.  There are additional regulatory requirements for J-1s to maintain.  For additional detailed information on maintaining your J-1 status while in the U.S., please go to the J-1 Scholar Maintenance of Status page

All J Exchange Visitors must maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of their program as detailed on the DS-2019 form.  Please go to the  J Exchange Visitor Health Insurance Information page for detailed information about the mandated health insurance requirement for J Exchange Visitors.

International Travel during your F-1 or J-1 Academic Program

In order to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 student status or J-1 student status, you will need three documents:

• A valid passport (valid 6-months into the future)
• Your current I-20 (for F-1s) and DS-2019 (for J-1s), which has a valid travel signature from ISSS in the appropriate section that will be no older than 6 months at time of re-entry to the United States.
• A valid F-1 or J-1 visa*

*There is an exception to the requirement of a valid visa to enter the U.S. for trips of less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands. This is called Automatic Visa Revalidation. 

NOTE: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require a visa stamp in their passport. If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you will only need to present a valid passport and current, valid I-20 or DS-2019 at the border.

Students from some countries may have further restrictions. Please check our International Travel Restrictions Information page for more details.

Highly recommended documents to have with you during travel include:

• Most recent I-94 Arrival Record
• Proof of Enrollment (class schedule for current/next term)
• Proof of financial funding (copies of financial documents, financial aid, etc.) to meet cost of attendance.

Renewing a Visa

To renew a visa, you must complete the visa application process again. Check the specific U.S. embassy for more information about their required process and appointment wait times. Visas may only be renewed from outside the U.S. and from your passport nation (unless otherwise stated by the U.S. embassy of your passport nation). 

Notify ISSS when you are making plans to renew your visa and understand the required and recommended documents you will want to prepare in advance; see below for a list of these documents. 

Required documents for visa appointment: 

• Valid passport, valid Form I-20, copy of SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment Receipt (see next section for more information about the SEVIS I-901 fee.
• If you are on approved OPT (Optional Practical Training) or STEM OPT Extension, then you will also be required to have your employment card (EAD/EAC). 

Important Note: You must ensure your I-20 is accurate; for example, did you declare or change a major or minor? Did you have a significant change to any financial aid award? If these changes are not reflected on your I-20, then you must book an appointment with an ISSS advisor to address these changes before pursuing your visa renewal.

Recommended documents for visa appointment:

• Copy of most recent I-94 Arrival Record, proof of financial ability to meet cost of attendance, enrollment verification/transcript/class schedule
  • To obtain enrollment verification: https://www.middlebury.edu/registrar/records/enrollment-and-degree-verifications#enrollment-verifications ; if you have trouble accessing the verification, contact the Student Success Office studentsuccess@middlebury.edu for further assistance.
• If you are on approved OPT (Optional Practical Training) or STEM OPT Extension, then you are recommended to have proof of financial ability to support yourself within the U.S.

Submit a copy of your new visa to ISSS using our secure Document Submission Form located on the Forms and Resources webpage (found under the “current international students” section). 

Learn more about the life of your visa by visiting the Department of State Web page.

Automatic Visa Revalidation: travel to Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands ONLY on an expired visa.

It is possible to enter the U.S. using an expired visa for trips to Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands; this is known as Automatic Visa Revalidation. You may re-enter the U.S. from these countries using an expired visa as long as the trip was for less than 30 days, and you did not depart Canada/Mexico/the adjacent island during your trip. Please be aware that a country listed as a State Sponsor of Terrorismis not eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation. If you are a citizen of one of these countries you must have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa to re-enter the U.S.

Please also be aware that if you have entered one of these countries to apply for a U.S. visa and are denied, you cannot re-enter the U.S. using an expired visa.

SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment

To pay and/or print a copy of the receipt for your SEVIS I-901 fee online, go to: https://www.fmjfee.com . 

The fee must be paid anytime you are in initial F-1 status. This occurs when a student has obtained F-1 status for the first time and/or has taken a leave of absence (withdrew for a semester or more) and is returning to F-1 status. 

If you have transferred your SEVIS record to Middlebury College from a prior school, you should not need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again. 

When renewing a F-1 visa, payment of the SEVIS fee is not required unless you will be in initial F-1 status. Please consult with ISSS if you are unsure. 

When the SEVIS fee payment is required, it must be paid BEFORE attempting to enter the U.S. and should be carried as a paper receipt with your I-20 and other required documents. 

If you do not still have a copy of your original SEVIS fee payment from Middlebury (or if a SEVIS transfer, your prior school), then you must visit this site to print a copy of your payment.

• To print a copy of your original SEVIS fee payment, you will need your:
  • SEVIS ID number (begins with an N and found in the upper left corner of your I-20 (page 1).
    • Your Last Name
      • Date of Birth (pay attention to order of date of birth)
• To pay this fee, you will need your:
  • SEVIS ID number and School Code (both provided below),
    • Your SEVIS ID number is in the upper left corner (page 1) of your I-20 (attached to this email).
    • Your Middlebury School Code is in section 2 (page 1) of your I-20.
  • your biographical information, and
  • a payment method (typically a debit or credit card, but in the case of a few specific countries, a check may be required).
    • Make sure you pay the correct SEVIS fee for students applying for an F-1 visa with an I-20 Form.

Detailed instructions and tips related to paying the SEVIS fee can be found on our website: http://www.middlebury.edu/international/isss/visas/sevisfee.

Failure to Maintain Status

Failure to maintain your legal F-1 or J-1 status carries significant risks and may impact your ability to remain in the United States. It is imperative that you understand and fulfill the requirements of your immigration status to avoid the following consequences:

• Unlawful Presence and Removal: If you fall out of status, it could place your legal standing in question. As a result, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could require you to depart the United States immediately.
• Loss of Benefits: Violating your status disqualifies you from standard immigration benefits, including on-campus employment and off-campus work authorizations (such as OPT or CPT).
• Future Ineligibility: Being out of status can prevent you from transferring to another institution or applying for a different status (e.g., transitioning to an H-1B work visa or other visa type) in the future.
• Reinstatement Process: Once status is lost, it can be a timely and costly process to return to status. Depending on your circumstances, a reinstatement application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. State Department may be warranted. Reinstatement is not guaranteed to return you to legal status. Some circumstances may not be appropriate for reinstatement and would require additional advising. 

Students are responsible for staying informed of all regulations. If you have concerns about your standing, please contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) immediately.

Taking a Leave of Absence

International students who are making plans to take a leave of absence from Middlebury should consult with ISSS before submitting your leave of absence petition to ensure that your best interests are protected.

ISSS can provide information about how the leave of absence process will impact your individual F-1 or J-1 status.

Your nonimmigrant status as a student in the U.S. is directly linked to your enrollment status at the College/Institute. You must maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year until the completion of your program of study. If your enrollment status changes for an academic term or longer, due to a Leave of Absence (LoA), temporary withdrawal, academic failure or suspension, your visa status is automatically affected. In SEVIS, a LoA is referred to as withdrawn.  

A withdrawn enrollment status ends your ability to remain legally in the U.S. in a valid student visa status. ISSS must end your SEVIS record within a limited period of time, and your current Form I-20/DS-2019 is no longer valid, even though its program dates have not yet expired. 

Not only is it extremely important that you discuss your departure plans with ISSS to understand the potential impacts and critical timelines, but to ensure you understand the importance of departing the U.S. Students must leave the U.S. in a timely manner and avoid accruing time out of status, also referred to as unlawful presence. Failure to maintain status or to depart the U.S. in a timely manner could result in the accrual of unlawful presence. If enough time accrues, a three- or ten-year bar of admissibility to the U.S. may be imposed. Your vigilance to maintaining status is very important. Refer to theUSCIS Unlawful Presence and Inadmissibilityguidelines for more information. 

Leaving or Graduating from Middlebury

Students have several options when considering leaving Middlebury whether it is because you are graduating or choosing to finish your degree elsewhere. These options each have important timelines and action steps to complete to ensure your F-1 status remains active.  Please see our After Middlebury webpage for detailed information on these options.

Resources for Maintaining Status

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement provides oversight and enforcement of the SEVIS program as well as the regulations governing international student status and benefits.
• U.S. Department of State provides useful information about studying in the U.S. as well as applying for a visa.

Updated on 03/06/2026