Arrival

For Students

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
• 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.  

For Professors and Researchers

For your 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
• 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). 

Maintaining Status For Students

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.  

For students enrolled in 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).  

For students enrolled in 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).  

Reduced Course Load (RCL) Exceptions 

There are a few qualified 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.  

Reportable Changes 

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 
• U.S. Telephone Number 
• Major/Minor declarations
• Program End Date (Shorten/Extend) 

Provided you follow the Office of the Registrar’s instructions for updating your personal information in CUNYfirst and your major/minor 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.  

Changes to your program end date must be discussed with your DSO or RO/ARO. We will discuss the implications for your status 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 on your document.   

If you will not complete your degree program before the end date listed on your current I-20 or DS-2019, you will need to apply for an extension at least 30 days before the program end date listed on your current document. We will determine if you are eligible for a program extension. No extensions may be granted after the program end date listed on your document.