International Student Status

F-1 students are admitted to the United States for a Duration of Status (D/S), which is defined as the time necessary to complete an educational program (within limits) and any authorized practical training plus 60 days. To determine your duration of status, see the program completion date on your Form I-20.

• An F-1 student with an expired visa who is admitted for D/S, who is otherwise maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing their educational objective, is not required to apply for extension of stay.
• An F-1 student, with an expired visa, who is admitted for D/S, is maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing their educational objective is not required to apply for extension of stay.

An F-1 student may be granted an extension if the student has maintained status and shows that the completion delay has been caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or documented illness. Delays caused by extensive course retakes, academic probation, or academic suspension are not acceptable reasons for an extension.

Program Extension Process

Make an appointment with Mid's International Advisor at least 30 days prior to the end date on your Form I-20. Bring the following to your appointment

• Current Form I-20
• Passport
• Documentation of the delay. This documentation must be from your academic advisor or medical doctor verifying the specific reason for the delay in program completion.

If an extension is approved, your SEVIS record is updated and a new SEVIS I-20 is issued to you within one week.

An extension may not be granted if the student did not apply until after the program end date noted on the Form I-20.

An F-1 student who has overstayed their period of stay or has otherwise failed to maintain F-1 student status may be reinstated to lawful F-1 status at the discretion of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Reinstatement to lawful F-1 status may be granted to a student if the student

1. Has not been out of status for more than 5 months at the time of filing the request for reinstatement (or demonstrates that the failure to file within the 5 month period was the result of exceptional circumstances and that they filed the request for reinstatement as promptly as possible under these exceptional circumstances)
2. Does not have a record of repeated or willful violations of USCIS regulations
3. Is currently pursuing, or intending to pursue, a full course of study in the immediate future
4. Has not engaged in unauthorized employment
5. Is not deportable on any grounds other than Federal Regulations stipulated in 8 CFR 237(a)(1)(B) or (C)(i)
6. Establishes to the satisfaction of the USCIS that

• the violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student's control or
• the violation relates to a reduction in the student's course load that would have been within an Academic Advisor's power to authorize and that failure to approve reinstatement would result in extreme hardship to the student.

Failure to maintain lawful immigration status is a serious issue and any student who finds themselves out of status should consult with an immigration attorney for advice on options for resuming valid status.

Application Procedure
Students who have fallen out of valid F-1 status and would like to file for Reinstatement should schedule an appointment with Mid's International Advisor to review the possibility of a reinstatement application.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined as temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student's major area of study. 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(10)(ii)

OPT may be authorized to an F-1 student who has lawfully enrolled in an academic program on a full-time basis for one full academic year. The student may apply for OPT employment authorization for work that is directly related to their area of study. It is intended to provide hands-on practical work experience complementary to the student's academic program. English language training students are not eligible for OPT.

Although an employment offer is not required to apply for standard OPT, it is expected that a student work during their period of employment authorization. Students applying for a 17-month STEM extension are required to have an offer of employment with an E-verify registered employer. Students on Post-Completion OPT may only accumulate a total of 90 days of unemployment.