Maintaining Legal F-1 Status

As an F-1 student, you must meet certain obligations in order to maintain legal immigration status. Maintaining status is necessary in order to receive the benefits of F-1 status such as employment and program extension, and can be crucial to a successful application for a change or adjustment of visa status in the future. Failure to maintain your non-immigrant status can result in serious problems with immigration and could lead to deportation from the U.S. 
To maintain lawful status, an F-1 student must:
 

• Be in good academic standing and make progress towards an academic program.
• Extend your I-20 prior to its expiration date if you are unable to complete your academic program by the original expiration date.
• In the event of change of academic program or level, update your I-20 in a timely fashion in accordance with immigration regulations.
• Maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year.
• Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week during academic year.
• May not be employed without specific pre-authorization.
• Keep your passport valid at all times. In most cases, a passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future on the day you return to the U.S. from a trip abroad. Countries listed in link here (see question 2) have agreements with the U.S. which enable students to enter the country up to the date of passport's expiration. 
• Carry evidence of registration documents at all times. This includes copies of I-20, latest I-94 and color copy of passport and visa. Students on OPT should also carry their EAD card. We do not recommend you carry your actual passport and visa unless you are traveling. You can get your most recent I-94 here. 
• Maintain health insurance coverage.
• If questioned by an ICE or law enforcement officer, be prepared ahead of time by knowing your rights under the U.S. Constitution.
• Update your current and permanent address information within 10 days of moving.