F-1 Students Action Plan: Protect your F-1 Status & Access Resources

How to Protect F-1 Status

Given the complexities of F-1 regulations and potential variations in institutional support, international students must take proactive steps to safeguard their status and navigate their academic journey successfully.

Be Your Own Advocate to Protect F-1 Status

• Know the Rules to Protect F-1 Status: Ignorance of the regulations is not an excuse for a status violation. Students should actively seek to understand the core requirements of F-1 status, including maintaining a full course of study, adhering to online course limitations, understanding employment rules (OPT/CPT), meeting reporting deadlines, and knowing travel regulations. Reliable sources include the official Study in the States website maintained by DHS, resources from professional organizations like NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and information from reputable immigration law sources. Relying solely on advice from friends or peers is risky, as individual situations can differ significantly.
• Communicate Proactively with DSO: Students should inform their DSO in advance of any planned actions that could affect their status, such as dropping below a full course load, accepting employment, changing majors, transferring schools, or traveling outside the U.S. Asking clarifying questions and confirming understanding is crucial.
• Document Everything: Maintaining meticulous records is essential. Students should keep copies of all immigration documents, including every Form I-20 ever issued, passport pages with visa stamps and entry stamps, EAD cards, I-94 records, USCIS approval or denial notices, job offer letters, OPT/CPT employer information, and significant email communications with their DSO or school regarding their status. Requesting important advice or authorizations from the DSO in writing (e.g., via email) provides a valuable record.

Understanding Your Privacy (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

• Protected Information: FERPA applies to personally identifiable information (PII) contained in education records maintained by schools receiving federal funding (which includes almost all U.S. postsecondary institutions). PII includes name, address, student ID number, grades, enrollment records, and other data that could identify a specific student. Importantly, FERPA protections apply equally to all students, regardless of immigration status, including international and undocumented students.
• Consent Requirement: Generally, schools must obtain a student’s written consent before disclosing PII from their education records to third parties.
• Exceptions: FERPA includes several exceptions allowing disclosure without consent, such as to school officials with a legitimate educational interest, to officials at another school upon transfer, for financial aid purposes, to comply with a lawfully issued judicial order or subpoena (schools usually must notify the student before complying unless prohibited), in health or safety emergencies, and for directory information (unless the student opts out).
• Immigration Status: A student’s immigration status is considered PII protected by FERPA. While schools are required by law to report specific information to SEVIS for F-1 students (a necessary function and thus an exception), FERPA generally restricts schools from voluntarily disclosing a student’s immigration status or related records to immigration enforcement agencies like ICE or CBP without student consent, unless presented with a valid subpoena or court order. Schools should limit the collection of immigration status information and restrict internal access.
• Directory Information: Schools may designate certain information as “directory information” (e.g., name, address, phone number, major, dates of attendance) and release it without consent unless the student formally requests non-disclosure (opts out). Immigration status, country of citizenship, SSN, or grades cannot be designated as directory information. Students concerned about privacy should check their school’s policy and consider opting out of directory information release.

Accessing Your SEVIS Information to Protect F-1 Status

Direct access to the full SEVIS database is limited to authorized school officials (DSOs) and government personnel. Students cannot log in to view their own comprehensive SEVIS record. However, students can access key information related to their SEVIS record through several means:

• Form I-20: Contains the SEVIS ID, program dates, DSO information, and authorizations (CPT, OPT recommendation, travel signatures). Students should always request and retain copies of all I-20s issued.
• SEVP Portal: Students authorized for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT gain access to the SEVP Portal to report employment and address updates.
• I-901 Fee Payment Status: Students can check the status of their SEVIS I-901 fee payment online.
• DSO Inquiry: Students can ask their DSO to confirm their current SEVIS status (e.g., Active, Terminated, Completed) and verify information like program dates or employment authorizations recorded in the system.
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) / Privacy Act Request: Students have the right to request copies of their own immigration records from relevant DHS agencies (USCIS, ICE, CBP). These records may include SEVIS printouts or related documentation. Requests can often be submitted online. It is important to note that processing FOIA requests can take several months. ICE specifically handles requests for SEVIS records.

your Proactive Steps to Protect F-1 Status

When questions or problems arise, knowing where to turn is critical:

• Ask Your DSO Directly (and Document): The first and primary resource for questions about F-1 status, I-20s, SEVIS reporting, CPT, OPT recommendations, travel signatures, and status maintenance.
• Verify SEVP Certification Online: Use the official Study in the States School Search tool.
• Check SEVP Portal : https://sevp.ice.gov/
• Check Your Status: If concerned, contact your DSO to confirm your SEVIS record is “Active.”
• Maintain Compliance: Continue diligently following all F-1 rules regarding enrollment, employment, and reporting.
• Escalation within the Institution: If the assigned DSO is unresponsive, unavailable, or provides unsatisfactory assistance, students should escalate the issue to a senior DSO, the Director of the International Student Office, or the PDSO. Some universities also have an Ombudsman office that assists students in resolving disputes with the university, which may be a helpful resource.
• SEVP Response Center (SRC): Students can contact the SRC directly if their DSO is unable to assist, if they suspect an error, or if they have concerns about their school or DSO. The SRC can answer general questions, address case-specific issues (students should provide their SEVIS ID), and handle SEVIS technical problems. Students can also inquire about contacting the SEVP Field Representative assigned to their region/school through the SRC, particularly to report institutional issues.Here is the contact information for the SEVP Response Center (SRC):
  • Phone:
    • 703-603-3400
    • 1-800-892-4829 (Toll-Free)
  • Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET), Monday through Friday (excluding U.S. federal holidays).
  • Email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov
  • Website Context: This information is provided on the official Study in the States website (https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/), usually under their “Contact Us” or help sections.
• USCIS Ombudsman: For issues related to applications pending with USCIS (like OPT I-765s) that are beyond normal processing times or involve clear errors not resolved through standard USCIS channels, students can seek assistance from the DHS Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman.
• Immigration Attorney: For complex situations involving status violations, SEVIS termination, reinstatement applications, potential fraud, or legal challenges against DHS actions, consulting with an experienced immigration attorney specializing in student visa matters is strongly recommended.

By understanding the rules, maintaining thorough records, communicating proactively, knowing their privacy rights, and utilizing the appropriate resources and escalation channels, F-1 students can effectively manage their status and address challenges, even when facing limited institutional support.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Please consult with a qualified immigration attorney or your Designated School Official (DSO) for advice regarding your specific situation.