Keep Your F1 Status

Losing your F1 status could lead to arrest and deportation by U.S. immigration officials as well as denial of other visa requests in the future.

During new international student orientation, you will learn what you must do to maintain your F1 status. The International Student Admissions & Compliance Office sends out regular email reminders, so check your TCC email regularly.

The International Student Admissions & Compliance Office wants to help in any way we can, but it is your responsibility to maintain F1 status.

Common visa status violations

To make sure you keep your visa status, do not do any of the following:

• Work without authorization from the International Student Admissions & Compliance Office/USCIS
• Drop/withdraw from classes without authorization from the International Student Admissions & Compliance Office
• Fail to extend the I-20 if you do not graduate on time
• Have very poor academic performance, such as failing all classes in a semester or being placed on academic suspension
• Fail to report changes of address to the International Student Admissions & Compliance Office within 10 days
• Fail to transfer to another school, depart the United States, apply for OPT training post-completion, or apply for another visa category within 60 days of completing studies at TCC
• Fail to report a change in employment status, if you are on OPT
• Commit a crime that results in a conviction

Updated July 01, 2025