Important Reminders to Maintain Your Immigration Status Fall 2026

Office of International Students and Scholars oiss@tulane.edu

Greetings, international students! 

With classes underway, we wanted to send some important reminders about maintaining your immigration status. F-1 and J-1 students are responsible for taking appropriate steps to maintain their status and avoid activities that may jeopardize their immigration status. This email serves as a reminder of some common questions and issues international students face in maintaining their status. Review our webpage here for further guidance on maintaining your F-1 status or your J-1 status. 

As new policies are announced that may affect your status, such as the new rule surrounding D/S, we will continue to update our Immigration Developments Under the Current Administration page.

Tips to Maintain Your Status

As we start the fall semester, here are some key reminders: 

  • If you traveled during the Summer Break, check your I-94 when you re-enter to make sure the CBP officer entered your status information correctly. If anything is incorrect, notify OISS immediately. Your I-94 should say D/S if you travel and reenter before Septembet 15. After September 15, you will receive an admit until date (AUD). For more information about this change, please review our D/S website. 
  • Do not work off-campus without prior authorization, and be careful about course projects or service learning that involve an external organization. Paid or unpaid off-campus work requires authorization. This can include internships, service learning, class projects, practicums, and more. Engaging in off-campus practical training without prior approval can result in the termination of your immigration status. Speak with your OISS advisor if you have questions about work authorization. 
  • Be sure you enroll in enough credit hours. Immigration regulations require that: 
    • Undergraduates must take a minimum of 12 credit hours 
    • Graduate students must take a minimum of 9 credit hours (graduate students in dissertation or research, or working as TAs or RAs are exempt from these required credit hours but must have their status reflected in their academic record and register for the appropriate dissertation or research course) 
    • Only one online class per semester may count towards your full course load. You may take additional online classes above and beyond your full-time enrollment. 
  • If your physical address has changed from last semester (e.g. you have moved to a new apartment or a new residence hall), use our e-form to let us know. 
  • Contact OISS before making any major changes to your program, such as dropping below full-time status or changing programs. Starting September 15, graduate students will not be able to change programs. Review the full changes on our D/S website.
  • Keep your passport in a safe place. As evidence of your immigration status, we recommend carrying a copy of your passport, a printout of your I-20/DS-2019, and a printout of your I-94. You should keep your actual passport in a secure location. 
  • Avoid criminal activity, especially related to illegal drugs and drinking and driving. Any arrest, even if you are not convicted of a crime, can have serious immigration consequences. If you have been arrested, immediately contact the OISS and the Tulane Legal Assistance Program (TULAP) immigration attorney. 

If you have any questions about your requirements to maintain status, you can reach out to your International Student Advisor and ask! You can find your advisor's email or make an appointment here.

- The OISS Team