While your child is studying in the United States, they must maintain their student status. There are tasks they must do when they arrive in the country, while they study, and when they complete a program. There are also other requirements to fulfill if they choose to participate in available benefit opportunities. Help your student to maintain their status by understanding everything they must do:

• Upon arrival: Your child must enter the United States no more than 30 days before their program start date and contact their designated school official (DSO) when they arrive and report to school.
• During studies: Your child must attend and pass all of their classes. They must take a full course of study and complete their program by the end of the date listed on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” If they have any concerns, or are experiencing difficulties in class, they should contact their DSO immediately for help.
• Working: To maintain their status while participating in benefit opportunities, such as employment, your child must coordinate with their DSO to ensure they adhere to all Student and Exchange Visitor Program regulations and school policies. Their DSO may authorize certain types of employment, but some employment opportunities may require their DSO’s recommendation and authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Completion of studies: When your child completes their program of study, they have 60 days (if an F-1 student) or 30 days (if an M-1 student) to leave the United States before they are considered out of status. If they are interested in extending their stay in the United States by transferring to another school, changing their education level, changing their status, or with employment, they need to talk to their DSO.

Failure to complete the appropriate requirements is a violation of nonimmigrant status and if they do so, your child will need to leave the country immediately. Do you or your child have questions about maintaining status? Talk to their DSO for more information.