Coming to the United States on a student visa is a dream for many young people. It opens doors to top universities, cultural experiences and future career paths. However, the journey does not stop once a visa is approved. There are rules and responsibilities that must be followed carefully.
To legally study in the U.S., most students need an F-1 or M-1 student visa. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, more than 1.5 million international students were in the country on student visas in 2023. While the process to get this visa is clear, keeping it in good standing can be tricky if students are not fully aware of the rules.
Small mistakes, big problems
Once in the U.S., students often get comfortable and unintentionally overlook key visa requirements. These seemingly minor issues can lead to serious consequences like visa revocation or deportation. Some commonly ignored rules include:
- Not updating address information: Students must report any address change to their school within 10 days.
- Dropping below full-time status: Unless approved by the Designated School Official (DSO), dropping classes may violate visa terms.
- Working without permission: F-1 students cannot work off-campus without proper authorization. Even unpaid internships might be a violation.
- Letting the I-20 form expire: This document must always be valid. Missing the expiration date is a common oversight.
- Failing to renew a visa while traveling: If a student leaves the country and their visa is expired, re-entry may not be allowed.
- Taking long breaks from school or missing too many classes: This action shows a lack of compliance.
These issues might seem minor, but immigration officers take them seriously. Some students even lose their visa status over things they didn’t know were violations.
Staying compliant with visa rules is as important as getting accepted into a U.S. school. When in doubt, students should consult their DSO or seek legal help.
