F-1: Violation of Status

Status Violation Overview

As an individual, present in the United States under the student visa program, it is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status by complying with federal immigration regulations and university policies. The ISS office is here to assist you with this by providing you information and services to ensure you are able to remain compliant. Please see the page on Maintaining Legal Status for more information.

If you fail to maintain your status (otherwise known as a having “violation of status” or falling “out of status”), this is a very serious matter that must be taken care of as quickly as possible. A violation of status risks your ability to stay in the U.S. and may have severe implications for future immigration benefits or your legal right to remain in or reenter the United States.  After a violation of status, you are not eligible for any benefits of your visa status (for example: employment authorization, travel signature for reentry into the U.S., program extension, etc). A status violation will require the ISS office to terminate your non-immigrant status in the SEVIS system, and you will need to seek guidance from a licensed legal professional who has knowledge of U.S. Immigration and Visa policies in order to attempt to regain your status to enable you to further your educational objectives in the United States.

Status Violation Examples

  • Unauthorized employment
  • Unauthorized withdrawal from classes
  • Unauthorized drop below full course of study (even one day)
  • Failing to complete your degree program timely and as intended, except for circumstances beyond your control.
  • Enrolling in too many credits delivered via "distance learning"
  • Violation of a University policy that results in the loss of your eligibility to enroll
  • Failure to file for a program extension in a timely manner
  • Expulsion or suspension
  • Failure to enroll in classes
  • Failure to report OPT employment
  • Exceeding allowed number of unemployment days on OPT
  • Otherwise failing to maintain status

 

Note:  Engaging in illicit drugs or alcohol related violations will lead to the revocation of your student visa.