Maintaining F-1 Student Status

The Immigration Check-in should only be completed by students who are physically inside of the U.S. 

How To Report Your Arrival

Once you have entered the country, please log into iCats.ohio.edu. 

1. Under the gray “Requests” banner, click on the entry that starts with “Admitted Spring…”.  
2. Complete and submit the “Confirm Arrival” e-form. In order to complete this check-in you will need to have the following items available:
   • The date you entered the U.S.
   • An email and phone number for your emergency contact person
   • A copy of your passport ID page
   • A copy of your visa stamp (unless you are a citizen of Canada)

This step must be completed before we can report your arrival to the U.S. Government

You can update your address in MyOhio Student Center. Updating your address with the the University will automatically update your record in SEVIS.

Instruction Screen Share Videos

Laptop or Desktop Instructions

This video contains step-by-step instructions for how to update your address or phone number on a laptop or desktop computer.

You can also download and print step-by-step instructions with screenshots:

• How to update your address in your MyOhio Student Account
• How to update your phone number in your MyOhio Student Account

Smartphone Instructions

This video contains step-by-step instructions for how to update your address or phone number on a smartphone.

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will electronically send your new address to SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), the US federal web-based database used by immigration officials to record and track international student data.

At some point during or after your academic program, you may wish to move to another U.S. institution to continue your studies. In this scenario, you would need to request a transfer of your SEVIS record, so that it is available to your new school. ISSS will work with the international student office at the new school to transfer your record to them.

A transfer can be requested any time prior to the end date on your current I-20, and up to 60 days after. In order to request a transfer, you must complete the SEVIS Transfer Out Request in iCats. You will be required to upload a copy of the admission letter from the new school.

Once your request has been processed, ISSS will send an email to your OHIO email account confirming that your SEVIS record has been transferred or to confirm that it is scheduled to be transferred (if your requested release date is in the future). If you decide that you do not want to transfer to the school noted on the eform, ISSS can cancel the transfer if you notify us about your decision before the SEVIS release date you selected. If you change your mind after the SEVIS release date, you will need to work with the new educational institution to correct your SEVIS record.

Employment

Important Note: Your OHIO authorized employment must end the day before the release. This includes on-campus employment, CPT and OPT. You are eligible to begin employment at the new school on the day of transfer. However, each university's policies vary so check with the new institution for more information.

Resolve Other Campus Matters

In addition to requesting that ISSS release your SEVIS record, you should also work with your academic department, Residential Housing, Registrar, Bursar, Campus Care and the Library to make sure all academic, housing and financial pieces of your record are resolved.

One time during the degree program, students may request to enroll less than full-time due to academic difficulties. Those difficulties must fall within one of the following areas:

• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods (Limited to first semester only)
• Initial difficulties with the English language (Limited to first semester only)
• Initial difficulties with reading requirements (Limited to first semester only)
• Improper course level placement

The student must submit a Reduced Course Load Request eform in iCats and be supported by the academic department. ISSS written approval must be obtained before dropping the courses, and the student must remain enrolled in half of the full-time credits. 

Once this option is used, it cannot be used again. Before completing the eform, please find the Reduced Course Load Recommendation Form on our Forms page. 

During a student's final semester of an academic program, the student is only required to register for the credits necessary to finish the degree. The student must submit the Reduced Course Load Request eform in iCats and the academic department must provide confirmation. 

Important Notes

• The request should be submitted before the start of the semester. 
• Before completing the eform, please find the Reduced Course Load Recommendation Form on our Forms page. 

If a student develops a medical condition that requires reduced enrollment (or no enrollment), the regulations allow it under the following conditions:

• The student must have a written recommendation on the Medical Recommendation form. The form must be signed by one of the following:
  • A licensed medical doctor
  • A psychiatrist
  • A doctor of osteopathy
  • A licensed psychologist
  • A clinical psychologist
• The recommendation can only cover one semester at a time.
• The cumulative limit on authorization is 12 months per degree program.
• The documentation must be submitted to ISSS before the courses are dropped.

Students who believe they may need this option should talk with an ISSS advisor as early as possible. The request may be submitted in iCats.

You may apply for an extension of your study program if:

• Your current I-20 has not already expired
• You have continuously maintained lawful F-1 status
• The delay in completing program requirements has been caused by compelling academic reasons (such as changes of major field or research topics, or unexpected research problems), or compelling and documented medical reasons.

Delays in completing program requirements which are caused by academic probation or suspension (such as retaking courses) are not acceptable reasons for extension of a program of study. If your I-20 has expired or if you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for program extension, you may need to apply for reinstatement of status. In this case, immediate consultation with an International Student Advisor is necessary.

How to Request a Program Extension

1. Log into iCats.
2. Submit the Extension of F-1 Program eform. It is located under F-1 Student Services. 
   • You will be required to upload a Recommendation for F-1 Extension form that has been completed by the appropriate person in your academic department.