Once you are admitted to the United States under the F-1 status, you MUST follow certain regulations and procedures in order to remain in lawful F-1 status.

• Passport: Your passport must be valid at all times.

• Full-time study: F-1 students must enroll full-time during each semester until they receive their degree. Students are not required to enroll during the summer term. At East Tennessee State University, full time enrollment consists of 9 credit hours for graduate students and 12 credit hours for undergraduate students. Under special circumstances, students may enroll part time but MUST receive advance approval from the Office of International Programs.

• Employment: International students are eligible for on-campus employment of no more than 20 hours per week during the academic year (spring and fall terms). Students may work on campus full time during the summer. Off-campus employment is available under restricted circumstances.

• Address Changes: You must keep the Office of International Programs informed of your current telephone number and address. You MUST use Goldlink to notify us of such changes.

• Extending Your Stay: An F-1 student who is currently maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing his or her educational objective, but who is unable to complete his or her course of study by the program end date on the Form I-20, must apply prior to the program end date for a program extension. An F-1 student who is unable to meet the program completion date on the Form I-20 may be granted an extension by the DSO if the DSO certifies that the student has continually maintained status and that the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses. Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extensions. A DSO may not grant an extension if the student did not apply for an extension until after the program end date noted on the Form I-20. An F-1 student who is unable to complete the educational program within the time listed on Form I-20 and who is ineligible for program extension is considered out of status and may apply for reinstatement.

To apply for a program extension, please see the F-1 extension form link.   Transferring to another institution - If you have attended ETSU for a semester or more and plan to transfer to another school in the U.S, you will have to request that we release your SEVIS records to the new institution. To request SEVIS release, please complete the SEVIS release form, sign it and bring it to our office at your earliest convenience. Please note that your must be in lawful F-1 status to transfer.