Immigration

Rules to Remember!

Click on each topic on this page to learn about important rules and requirements for studying on an F-1 visa. Scroll down or click to learn more about important immigration documents and their requirements.

• Academic Performance

  You are expected to remain in good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, while you attend De Anza College.  If you are placed on academic probation or disqualified for inadequate academic performance, please schedule an appointment with an ISP counselor immediately.

• Full-Time Attendance

  You must maintain full-time student status to satisfy U.S. immigration rules for students attending on an F-1 visa. To maintain full-time status at De Anza, you must enroll and complete at least 12 units of coursework each quarter – fall, winter and spring. You are not required to take classes during summer vacation or winter and spring breaks. 

  Please note:

  W (Withdrawal) and EW (Excused Withdrawal) grades DO NOT count toward the 12-unit requirement.

  • Online Courses: International students must enroll in and complete a minimum of 12 units each academic quarter, with a minimum of 8 or 9 units that must be in-person or hybrid. Only one online class can count toward the 12-unit requirement. Hybrid classes that include both online and on-campus instruction are considered the same as on-campus classes.
  • Exceptions: Students may be authorized to enroll in fewer than 12 units under certain circumstances. However, you must first receive approval from an International Student Adviser.

  If you will fall below 12 units or wish to drop/withdraw from a class that will result in an enrollment of less than 12 units, you must first speak with an ISP counselor and get final approval from an International Student Adviser .

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  New Summer Students

  Students whose first term in the U.S. at De Anza is summer must enroll in a minimum of 6 units that are on-campus or hybrid.

• Extending Your Program of Study

  F-1 visa students are admitted to the United States for "Duration of Status" or D/S, which is defined as: 

  • The time in which you are pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward completing your requirements, plus
  • The time you may be working in authorized practical training after you complete your studies – if you qualify and are so authorized, plus
  • 60 days to depart the U.S. after you complete your program.

  The “Program End Date” on Page 1 of the I-20 Form issued to you by De Anza's ISP is the date by which ICE expects you to complete all requirements for your current program.  If you are unable to complete your program of study by that date, you must schedule an appointment with an ISP counselor at least 45 days before that date, to request a program extension.

• Travel Outside the United States and Re-Entry

  Whenever you plan to leave the U.S. temporarily and return to continue your studies at De Anza, you must check with the ISP office about the documents you will need to re-enter this country. If you plan to travel outside the U.S., you must have the following:  

  • Travel signature on Page 2 of your I-20 Form (signed by an International Student Advisor)
  • Passport valid six months or more into the future 
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • Tourist visa for the country that you plan to visit (if required)

  If you need to renew your expired F-1 visa while you are outside the United States, you will need the following 

  • Enrollment verification letter from ISP
  • Financial verification or documentation 
  • Transcript from De Anza College

• Leaving De Anza College

  If you plan to leave De Anza permanently, please turn in a completed Exit Form to the ISP office in your final quarter. You should also attend an Exit Workshop. If you have questions or would like a temporary leave of absence, please see an ISP adviser.

• Additional Resources

  • Studying in the United States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov
  • State Department Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
  • Avoiding Scams: https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/common-scams
  • California Driver's License or ID: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/dl/

Immigration Documents: Rules and Requirements

• Passport

  The expiration date on your passport should always be at least six months into the future. In other words, you should always get an extension at least six months before your passport is due to expire.

  To extend your passport, you should contact your country's consulate or embassy here in the United States.

• Visa 

  Your visa is either a stamp or sticker placed in your passport by the U.S. Consulate in your home country.  A visa is necessary only to enter the United States. The date on the visa shows the latest date you can enter – not how long you can stay.

  If your visa expires or you change your visa status while in the United States, you will need to re-apply for a new visa in order to return to the U.S.  It is not necessary to extend your visa if you are not planning a trip outside the U.S.  Visa renewals can only be done at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country or country of primary residence.

• I-20 Form

  The I-20 form, also known as a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status, is a document authorized by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and issued to you by the International Student Programs office when you are admitted to De Anza College. You should keep this three-page document with you at all times. You will need it to re-enter the U.S. after a trip or temporary absence. 

  Records of school transfers, work permission and other activities will be recorded on the I-20. If you are planning to travel outside the United States, you must have your I-20 signed by De Anza ISP before leaving.

• I-94 Form

  The I-94 form, also known as an Arrival/Departure Record, is an electronic or paper document that records each time you enter or leave the United States. You can find your most recent I-94 or travel history at the government's I-94 website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

  • The “Admit Until" date listed on your electronic I-94 is the date you must leave the United States.
  • D/S (Duration of Status) is the notation on an F-1 visa holder's I-94 record that means that you can stay in the U.S. as long as your I-20 is valid and you are pursuing a full course of study (plus any authorized practical training following program completion).