F-1 Visa Regulation Violations

While Adrian College DSOs may provide information and services to ensure that international students remain compliant, it is the responsibility of each international student to know, understand, and follow the Federal and college regulations governing their F-1 visa status.  

Reasons for SEVIS Record Termination

If a student is not compliant with the regulations, DSOs may be forced by law to terminate the SEVIS record. Termination of a SEVIS record is very serious and can have negative consequences for the student. It can end the student's ability to stay in the U.S., attend school, and apply for work authorization (including OPT). SEVIS termination means you are out of status. Staying in the U.S. while out of status is further violation of visa regulations. 

Below is a non-exhaustive list of reasons an F-1 student's SEVIS record may be terminated:

• Unauthorized employment
• Unauthorized withdrawal from classes
• Unauthorized withdrawal from Adrian College
• Unauthorized drop below full-time enrollment
• Expulsion or suspension
• Failure to enroll in classes
• Enrollment in too many online classes
• Failure to report OPT employment (This is an automatic action by SEVIS)

Keep in mind that after program completion, staying in the U.S. beyond the 60-day grace period is also a violation of F-1 regulations. 

In most cases, the termination of a SEVIS record means the student must make plans to immediately leave the U.S. (there is no grace period for termination). Days of unlawful presence (the period of time when you are in the U.S. without being in active F-1 status) begin when the SEVIS record is terminated, unless the DSO indicates a grace period for departure. Staying after that grace period will also result in days of unlawful presence. 

Any F-2 dependents will also begin accruing days of unlawful presence if an F-1 student's SEVIS record is terminated and they remain in the U.S. 

Even as few as one or two days of unlawful presence could impact international students. This could specifically impact applying for a new visa, submitting a reinstatement application to USCIS, or submitting a petition for employment to USCIS (for example, if a future employer wishes to sponsor the student for an H1-B visa). Those days of unlawful presence could cause the student to become ineligible for any type of future status. 

Ways to Maintain Status

• Check your Adrian College email every day
• Keep full-time enrollment status
• Only work with proper authorization
• Contact your DSO if you are thinking of dropping a course or withdrawing from the college
• Do not break any college rules or U.S. laws
• Do not let your I-20, passport, or visa expire