Maintaining Your Visa Status

time you enter the U.S. you are given an updated I-94 record. You can check your I-94 and travel history online. Every time you renter the U.S., check that your passport stamp matches your I-94 record.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “MAINTAIN YOUR STATUS?”

From the time your visa is granted and you enter the United States, you must follow a set of requirements in order to maintain legal status. Those who follow the requirements “maintain status” and ensure their ability to remain in the United States. Those who do not follow the requirements violate their status and are considered “out of status.” If you do not maintain your visa status, you may be required to leave the U.S. and may not be readmitted to the country. KEY STEPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR VISA STATUS

Stay in touch with International Experiences (OIE). - Make sure to check in with OIE when you first arrive on campus and provide copies of immigration documents as requested Check your email – OIE will send important reminders, updates, and immigration information to your MBU email address Let OIE know before you leave, change or finish your academic program Inform OIE when you move to ensure that your address and other information in the SEVIS database are accurate and up-to-date Notify OIE at least 2 days in advance if you plan to travel out of the U.S.; you must have a valid signature on your I-20 before you leave the country Notify OIE if you will transfer to a new program or a new school. Report any dependents (spouse or children) to OIE Work with OIE to extend your I-20 if you need additional time to complete your program of study Maintain a valid passport at all times. You can renew your passport at your country’s Embassy while in the U.S. Take a full-time course load. Undergraduate: 12 credit hours minimum per semester, 9 credit hours face-toface Graduate: 6 credit hours minimum per semester, 3 credit hours face-to-face Follow the rules for employment.