Reporting your Arrival
You must schedule an orientation appointment with us and report to our office after your arrival to the U.S. To this appointment, we ask you to bring your passport, visa, and signed DS-2019 or I-20. We will highlight important information regarding your F-1 or J-1 visa status and how to maintain it. These meetings are required for all incoming F-1 and J-1 students, even those who have previously maintained F-1 or J-1 status at other institutions in the U.S.
Guidelines to Maintaining Status
Full-time Study
To maintain your F-1 or J-1 visa status in the U.S., you are required to enroll in a full course of study every Fall and Spring semester. Additionally, no more than 3 credits of online or distance learning courses may count towards the full course of study requirement.
Students on Undergraduate Programs
A full course of study is defined as 12 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester. This means enrolling in at least 9 credits where the Mode of Instruction is noted as “In Person”, “Hybrid”, or “Hyfield”, and in at least 3 credits where the Mode of Instruction is your choice (In Person, Hybrid, Hyfield, HyFlex, or Online).
Students on Graduate Programs
A full course of study is defined as 9 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester. This means enrolling in at least 6 credits where the Mode of Instruction is noted as “In Person”, “Hybrid”, or “Hyfield”, and in at least 3 credits where the Mode of Instruction is your choice (In Person, Hybrid, Hyfield, HyFlex, or Online).
Qualified Exceptions to Full-time Study-Reduced Course Loads (RCL)
There are a few exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement for which a DSO or RO may be able to authorize a drop below a full course of study or no study at all. Contact your DSO or RO to see if you qualify.
Academic Difficulty
Understandably, international students in their first year in the U.S. may need some time to adjust. Students who are experiencing bona fide academic difficulty related to English language demands or reading requirements, an unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods, or an improper course level placement may qualify for an authorized RCL to drop below a full course of study on the basis of academic difficulty.
Illness or Medical Condition
DSOs or ROs may authorize an RCL on the basis of an illness or medical condition with qualified documentation from one of these providers:
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- Licensed Medical Doctor
- Psychiatrist
- Doctor of Osteopathy
- Licensed Psychologist
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Authorization, with recently dated documentation, may only be granted a semester at a time and cannot exceed an aggregate of 365 days per education level. If authorized, this RCL allows a student to maintain status while taking less than a full course of study or not studying at all.
Completion of Study
If you do not need to enroll full-time in your final semester to complete your degree, you can apply for an RCL on the basis of completion of study. Please note that if you only need 3 credits to graduate, your final course’s mode of instruction must be noted as “In Person”, “Hybrid”, or “Hyfield.” To authorize an RCL on this basis, the DSO or RO will require a recent Enrollment Verification letter from the Office of the Registrar.
Changes to Reportable Data
As an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you must report any changes to your contact information within 10 days of making the change to your DSO or RO/ARO. This includes any changes to the following:
- Physical Address in the U.S.
- Mailing Address in the U.S.
- Biographical Passport Name
- E-mail Address
- S. Telephone Number
- Major/Minor declarations
Provided you follow the Office of the Registrar's instructions for updating your personal information in CUNYfirst and your academic program information in iDeclare, we should be notified about the change. As a pre-caution, always email notification of any related changes submitted via CUNYfirst and iDeclare to isss.shuster@lehman.cuny.edu.
Insurance Requirements
All J-1 exchange students and their dependents are required to have health and travel insurance that meets established minimum requirements for the duration of their exchange visitor program.
Although not required for F-1 visa holders, we recommend that all students secure adequate health and travel insurance to protect themselves while studying in the U.S.
Please review the CUNY webpage for more information.
Program End Date Changes
Shorten
If you expect to complete your degree program before the program end date listed on your current I-20 or DS-2019 or you plan to withdraw or depart the U.S earlier than the program end date noted, please inform the DSO or RO/ARO prior to doing so.
Extend
If you will not complete your degree program before the end date listed on your current I-20 or DS-2019, please apply for an extension with the DSO or RO/ARO no later than 30 days before the program end date listed on your document. We will review your application and determine if you are eligible for a program extension. No extensions may be granted after the program end date listed on your document.
Completing your Program
As you work towards degree completion, please reach out to your DSO or RO/ARO to discuss your next steps after graduation. You will need to pursue one of the options noted below. Strict timeframes apply to each option. Select an option to learn more:
Travel within the U.S./Depart the U.S.
Conclude your affairs, enjoy any travel within the U.S., and depart the U.S before the end of your designated grace period.
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- F-1 Grace Period: 60 days after the program end date listed on your I-20
- J-1 Grace Period: 30 days after the end date listed on your DS-2019
Apply for Optional Practical Training-OPT (F-1 only)
Continue Studying in the U.S.
F-1 students may pursue further studies at Lehman College and apply for an I-20 for a Change of Program Level or initiate the transfer of their SEVIS record to another SEVP certified institution no later than 60 days after the program end date listed on the I-20. You must plan to begin the new program of study at the next available term or within five months of your current program’s end date, whichever is sooner.
Qualified J-1 students may be eligible for a transfer of their SEVIS record to another SEVP certified institution.
Apply for a Change of Status
File a change of status to another nonimmigrant classification within your designated grace period.
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- F-1 Grace Period: 60 days after the program end date listed on your I-20
- J-1 Grace Period: 30 days after the end date listed on your DS-2019
You must qualify for change of status to a particular nonimmigrant category, and follow change of status procedures specific to that category. Please note that we do not assist students with change of status and recommend you work with an experienced immigration attorney to file.
Transferring Out
For Students Maintaining Valid F-1 Status
You may transfer your I-20 from one SEVP-approved school to another in line with the Code of Federal Regulations. Please provide:
- Your official acceptance communication or letter from your new SEVP approved school.
- SEVIS school code from your new SEVP approved school.
- Any accompanying transfer release form that your new school requests from your current DSO.
Once received, your DSO will be able to discuss your eligibility for a transfer and the timing. You and your DSO will decide upon a mutually agreed release date. On this date, we will no longer have access to your SEVIS record, and you will need to speak with your new SEVP approved school.
For Students Maintaining Valid J-1 Status
You may transfer your DS-2019 from one Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor to another provided the purpose of your transfer is to complete the objective for which you were admitted in exchange visitor status. You must also remain within the same participant category and valid stay period for that category.
Any plans to transfer must be discussed between the RO/ARO at Lehman College and the new Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor RO/ARO. Following discussion, you will need to provide:
- Your official acceptance communication or letter from your new Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor.
- SEVIS school code from your new SEVP approved school.
- Any accompanying transfer release form that your new school requests from your current RO/ARO.
You and your RO/ARO will decide upon a mutually agreed release date. On this date, we will no longer have access to your SEVIS record and you will need to speak with your new SEVP approved school.
Additional Resources
Reporting your Arrival
For your SEVIS record to be validated, you must schedule an orientation appointment with us and report to our office after your arrival to the U.S. To this appointment, we ask you to please bring your passport, visa, and signed DS-2019. We will highlight important information regarding your J-1 visa status and how to maintain it. These meetings are required for all incoming J-1 scholars, including those who previously maintained J-1 status at other institutions in the U.S. It is recommended your DS-2019 be validated at least two days before applying for a Social Security Number (SSN).
Guidelines to Maintaining Status
In joining the Lehman College Exchange Visitor Program, please adhere to the following J-1 visa maintenance of status parameters:
- Engage only in activities permitted under your program and category.
- File timely program extension requests.
If you will not complete your exchange visitor program before the program end date listed on your current DS-2019, please apply for an extension with the RO/ARO no later than 30 days before the program end date listed on your document. We will review your request and determine if you are eligible for a program extension. No extensions may be granted after the program end date listed on your document. - Secure RO/ARO authorization in SEVIS for any incidental employment before it occurs.
- Sustain the required health insurance coverage for you and your dependents for the duration of your program.
Please review the CUNY webpage for more information.
- Report any changes to your contact information within 10 days of making the change to your RO/ARO.
This includes any changes to your physical address in the U.S., mailing address in the U.S., biographical passport name, E-mail address, and U.S. telephone number. - Notify your RO/ARO about any F-2 dependent permanent departures from the U.S.
Concluding your Exchange Visitor Program at Lehman
In preparing to leave the program, you may find yourself in the following circumstances:
- Departing earlier than your program end date
If you expect to conclude your exchange visitor program before the program end date listed on your current DS-2019, please inform the RO/ARO prior to doing so.
Transferring to another sponsor with an official offer
This is only possible before the end date listed on your DS-2019. You may transfer your DS-2019 from one Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor to another provided the purpose of your transfer is to complete the objective for which you were admitted in exchange visitor status. You must also remain within the same participant category and valid stay period for that category. Any plans to transfer must be discussed between the RO/ARO at Lehman College and the new Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor RO/ARO. During discussion, a transfer release date will be agreed. On this date, we will no longer have access to your SEVIS record, and you will need to speak with your new program sponsor.
Completing your program as scheduled
Conclude your affairs, enjoy any travel within the U.S., and depart the U.S before the end of your designated grace period, which is 30 days after the end date listed on your DS-2019.