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International Students & Programs Office ISPO
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  4. Enrollment and Visa Status FAQs

ENROLLMENT AND MAINTAINING

F-1/J-1 STATUS

 

What are full time enrollment requirements for F-1 and J-1 students?

LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: AUGUST 2023

F-1 Students: Effective September 25, 2023, all F-1 students must adhere to F-1 regulations that were in place prior to March 2020, which stipulates that:

  • Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 units each academic quarter, unless they have an approved reduced course load.
  • No more than one (1) remote class per quarter can be counted toward the 12-unit, full-time enrollment requirement. Note: Remote courses are denoted as “RCLASS” in WebReg.
  • Students may take additional online classes in excess of the 12-unit, full-time enrollment requirement. 


J-1 Students: Effective July 1, 2023, all J-1 students must adhere to J-1 regulations that were in place prior to March 2020, which stipulates that:

  • Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 units each academic quarter, unless they have an approved reduced course load.
  • No more than one (1) remote class per quarter can be counted toward the 12-unit, full-time enrollment requirement. Note: Remote courses are denoted as “RCLASS” in WebReg.
  • Students may take additional online classes in excess of the 12-unit, full-time enrollment requirement. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: J-1 students in active status with a start date of June 30, 2023 or prior on their DS-2019 have until December 31, 2023 to adhere to the above regulations.

Can F-1 and J-1 students still enroll in remote / online courses from the Fall 2023 quarter onwards?

LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: AUGUST 2023

To maintain active F-1 or J-1 active status, you may enroll in a maximum of one online / remote course per quarter.

  • Continuing students: See response to the previous FAQ.
  • Newly Admitted Students: See response to the previous FAQ.
  • Grad students registered in Absentia: Graduate students who are approved for in-absentia and are enrolled in a minimum of 12 units will be able to maintain valid F-1 and J-1 Status. Visit your graduate department to learn more about requirements to maintain residency in a specific location while in-absentia.
  • Grad students enrolled in one 12-unit course: Graduate students who are enrolled in one 12-unit research or independent study course should ensure there is an in-person component to their coursework. Remote courses are denoted as “RCLASS” in WebReg.

What is the difference between an in-person, hybrid, online, or fully remote course? 

LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: AUGUST 2023

In-person courses will be delivered on campus with students and instructors physically present in the classroom. However, all course materials must also be provided asynchronously for students to access anytime online. For example, lectures are provided in real time in the classroom, recorded and posted on Canvas along with all assignments and other course materials. 

Hybrid is a combination of in-person sessions and remote sessions. Some course components are delivered on campus while other course components are delivered remotely. For example, a lecture component of a course could be taught in-person, but the discussion component could be taught remotely. All course materials, including components offered in-person, will be provided remotely for students to access anytime. 

Remote means the class meets online. Instruction and all course materials are provided remotely and asynchronously. Courses will use software such as Canvas and Zoom to deliver content. Remote courses are denoted as “RCLASS” in WebReg.

 

Does a hybrid class count against the maximum of one online course enrollment?

LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: AUGUST 2023

No. Only fully remote courses, denoted as “RCLASS” in WebReg, count against the maximum of one online course towards full-time enrollment requirements.

 

Does a remote course count towards the maximum of one online course enrollment?

LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: AUGUST 2023

Yes. Any course denoted as “RCLASS” in WebReg and has no in-person component will count towards the maximum of one online course towards full-time enrollment requirements.

 

If I am approved for a final-quarter reduced course load (RCL) and only need one class to graduate, can that class be fully remote?

LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: AUGUST 2023

Students on an approved final-quarter reduced course load (RCL) with only one class left to graduate must ensure that this class is either hybrid or fully in-person. The class cannot be fully remote.

Can I remain in the U.S. if my visa is expired? How can I renew it?

LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: AUGUST 2023

Students who are in the U.S. and have an expired F-1 or J-1 visa are permitted to remain in the U.S. if they are maintaining their Form I-20 or DS-2019. Remember that your visa is like a key- you only need it to be valid upon entry into the U.S. However, if it expires while you are inside the U.S., you are eligible to remain in the U.S. and hold lawful F-1 or J-1 status if you are maintaining your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.  

Visa Renewals: You cannot renew or apply for a visa INSIDE the U.S. Visas are only issued at U.S. Embassies or Consulates outside the U.S. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country to learn more.